RIP Black Mamba
Date Published: 1/30/2020
“Dear Basketball, I fell in love with you. A love so deep I gave you my all…from my mind & body to my spirit & soul.†~Kobe Bryant, NBA champion, Oscar winner
This week I wish to honor Kobe Bryant. I honor Kobe not because he was a perfect champion or role model, but because he inspired me and so many others. I played basketball growing up in school and some pick-ups game as an adult. I don’t draw on my time as a basketball center, but on the times that watching Kobe Bryant grow that helped center me. I lived in Los Angeles for 3 years, affectionately known as my starving artist era. I was an indie filmmaker without money for a car or cable. I watched Lakers��� games while I worked out; hearing Kobe’s story helped me dig deeper to have the energy to work, workout, write and bike anywhere I needed to go. This was the #8 phase of his career and Kobe was on the rise. He was mentioned in the same breath as Shaquille O’Neal on their multi-year quest to their first NBA Championship. Kobe’s work ethic was legendary: practices before team practice and more drills after a loss. He was said to shy away from nightlife to concentrate on basketball. How many of us have that kind of laser focus? The best of the best.
When I started to make more money as a writer and producer, I was able to go to several Lakers’ game in LA, Portland and Minneapolis. I bought a purple #8 jersey to wear for workouts and a few concerts. When I’d wear my jersey outside of LA I’d often hear views from the locals. Red Hot Chili Pepper and Pearl Jam fans usually nodded in respect. But others let me hear it. Kobe was a divisive figure as a player at the time, and even more so during and after sexual assault charges. I was a big enough fan to invest in a jersey and bring friends to Lakers games. My admiration and respect was about to be tested.
I’m now known for championing women’s stories, sharing experiences about #MeToo and standing up for those who had courage to speak the truth.
And I agree: Ignoring Bryant's sexual assault allegation doesn't just do a disservice to victims — it arguably eradicates the pivotal event of the star's life and career. Kobe Bryant lost many sponsors and evaded the much of what happened. Read more about what happened:
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/kobe-bryant-died-inspiration-many-not-all-we-can-t-ncna1124311
Then he came back with a vengeance. Bryant was known as "The Black Mamba," a nickname he gave himself to separate his professional life from his personal life. In 2003, Bryant was charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in Colorado. During the aftermath of the court case, Bryant says he needed to organize his life and for "Kobe" to handle his "personal challenges".
For Kobe Bryant, the moniker was more than a nickname. It was an alter-ego he created to get through the lowest point of his career. And it worked. Take 2, with his new jersey as #24, and the accolades that ensued.
I moved from LA back to Minneapolis and then Chicago on my route to pursue my personal and professional dreams. Readers, thank you for listening along the way. Mamba, thank you for your inspo, evolution and professionalism. May you and Gianna Bryant (stellar basketball player in her own right!), rest in peace and power. I’ll be wearing Mamba gear when I go back to LA to compete in my first 5K with Team Teen Cancer USA:
https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/2020-la-marathon-for-teen-cancer-america
An investigation is ongoing into the crash that took the lives of Kobe and Gianna; John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli; Christina Mauser; Sarah and Payton Chester; and pilot Ara Zobayan. Best wishes to their families and loved ones.
I want to close with a couple poignant tributes.
On the pride of being a “girl dadâ€:
https://www.foxnews.com/media/espn-anchor-duncan-kobe-bryant-tribute
Shaq O'Neal discussed Bryant's death during a special edition of Inside the NBA on Tuesday, saying the tragedy "definitely changes me": https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/shaquille-oneal-opens-up-about-kobe-bryants-death-relationship-i-wish-that-i-could-say-something-to-him
"The last time I talked to him was when he was here [Staples Center] and I asked him to get 50 and he got 60. That's the last time I spoke to him. I just wish I could have. It definitely changes me. Because I work a lot…I just really now have to take time and call and say I love you... I'm gonna try to do a better job of just reaching out and just talking to other people rather than always procrastinating because you never know."
Bryant and O'Neal were teammates from 1996 to 2004 with the Lakers, winning three championships before famously having a falling-out that led to O'Neal's trade to the Miami Heat. While they were once bitter rivals, the relationship eventually thawed and later became a friendship.
"I'll be dedicating and donating all my proceeds from Friday night's Fun House to all the families who lost loved ones and to the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation. Together we will celebrate all those who lost their lives in Sundays tragedy. RIP my brother, my friend and my homie, The Black Mamba. Until we meet again"
At various points during the broadcast, O'Neal described Bryant as a little brother: https://twitter.com/SHAQ/status/1222578450495627264?s=20.
> Kobe Bryant won an Oscar in 2018 for his animated short film Dear Basketball
> The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has revealed plans to pay special tribute to the late star
Image: A portrait of the late Kobe Bryant is now on view at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC, as part of a special "In Memoriam" display. The black-and-white image, which is part of the museum's collection, is a photograph taken by Rick Chapman in 2007.
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/kobe-bryant-portrait-smithsonian/index.html
Thanks for reading and opening your mind. We welcome your comments below.
Akasha Lin
Akasha Garnier for #TheWishwall
Author, Brand Expert, Filmmaker
http://www.akashagarnier.com
#ShineThroughtheNoise
This week I wish to honor Kobe Bryant. I honor Kobe not because he was a perfect champion or role model, but because he inspired me and so many others. I played basketball growing up in school and some pick-ups game as an adult. I don’t draw on my time as a basketball center, but on the times that watching Kobe Bryant grow that helped center me. I lived in Los Angeles for 3 years, affectionately known as my starving artist era. I was an indie filmmaker without money for a car or cable. I watched Lakers��� games while I worked out; hearing Kobe’s story helped me dig deeper to have the energy to work, workout, write and bike anywhere I needed to go. This was the #8 phase of his career and Kobe was on the rise. He was mentioned in the same breath as Shaquille O’Neal on their multi-year quest to their first NBA Championship. Kobe’s work ethic was legendary: practices before team practice and more drills after a loss. He was said to shy away from nightlife to concentrate on basketball. How many of us have that kind of laser focus? The best of the best.
When I started to make more money as a writer and producer, I was able to go to several Lakers’ game in LA, Portland and Minneapolis. I bought a purple #8 jersey to wear for workouts and a few concerts. When I’d wear my jersey outside of LA I’d often hear views from the locals. Red Hot Chili Pepper and Pearl Jam fans usually nodded in respect. But others let me hear it. Kobe was a divisive figure as a player at the time, and even more so during and after sexual assault charges. I was a big enough fan to invest in a jersey and bring friends to Lakers games. My admiration and respect was about to be tested.
I’m now known for championing women’s stories, sharing experiences about #MeToo and standing up for those who had courage to speak the truth.
And I agree: Ignoring Bryant's sexual assault allegation doesn't just do a disservice to victims — it arguably eradicates the pivotal event of the star's life and career. Kobe Bryant lost many sponsors and evaded the much of what happened. Read more about what happened:
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/kobe-bryant-died-inspiration-many-not-all-we-can-t-ncna1124311
Then he came back with a vengeance. Bryant was known as "The Black Mamba," a nickname he gave himself to separate his professional life from his personal life. In 2003, Bryant was charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in Colorado. During the aftermath of the court case, Bryant says he needed to organize his life and for "Kobe" to handle his "personal challenges".
For Kobe Bryant, the moniker was more than a nickname. It was an alter-ego he created to get through the lowest point of his career. And it worked. Take 2, with his new jersey as #24, and the accolades that ensued.
I moved from LA back to Minneapolis and then Chicago on my route to pursue my personal and professional dreams. Readers, thank you for listening along the way. Mamba, thank you for your inspo, evolution and professionalism. May you and Gianna Bryant (stellar basketball player in her own right!), rest in peace and power. I’ll be wearing Mamba gear when I go back to LA to compete in my first 5K with Team Teen Cancer USA:
https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/2020-la-marathon-for-teen-cancer-america
An investigation is ongoing into the crash that took the lives of Kobe and Gianna; John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli; Christina Mauser; Sarah and Payton Chester; and pilot Ara Zobayan. Best wishes to their families and loved ones.
I want to close with a couple poignant tributes.
On the pride of being a “girl dadâ€:
https://www.foxnews.com/media/espn-anchor-duncan-kobe-bryant-tribute
Shaq O'Neal discussed Bryant's death during a special edition of Inside the NBA on Tuesday, saying the tragedy "definitely changes me": https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/shaquille-oneal-opens-up-about-kobe-bryants-death-relationship-i-wish-that-i-could-say-something-to-him
"The last time I talked to him was when he was here [Staples Center] and I asked him to get 50 and he got 60. That's the last time I spoke to him. I just wish I could have. It definitely changes me. Because I work a lot…I just really now have to take time and call and say I love you... I'm gonna try to do a better job of just reaching out and just talking to other people rather than always procrastinating because you never know."
Bryant and O'Neal were teammates from 1996 to 2004 with the Lakers, winning three championships before famously having a falling-out that led to O'Neal's trade to the Miami Heat. While they were once bitter rivals, the relationship eventually thawed and later became a friendship.
"I'll be dedicating and donating all my proceeds from Friday night's Fun House to all the families who lost loved ones and to the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation. Together we will celebrate all those who lost their lives in Sundays tragedy. RIP my brother, my friend and my homie, The Black Mamba. Until we meet again"
At various points during the broadcast, O'Neal described Bryant as a little brother: https://twitter.com/SHAQ/status/1222578450495627264?s=20.
> Kobe Bryant won an Oscar in 2018 for his animated short film Dear Basketball
> The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has revealed plans to pay special tribute to the late star
Image: A portrait of the late Kobe Bryant is now on view at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC, as part of a special "In Memoriam" display. The black-and-white image, which is part of the museum's collection, is a photograph taken by Rick Chapman in 2007.
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/kobe-bryant-portrait-smithsonian/index.html
Thanks for reading and opening your mind. We welcome your comments below.
Akasha Lin
Akasha Garnier for #TheWishwall
Author, Brand Expert, Filmmaker
http://www.akashagarnier.com
#ShineThroughtheNoise
