12 minute read
Reporters Reflect on the Impact of Kobe Bryant
ALL PHOTOS BY VINCENT FRANCO/EPM
EMILY DE LUNA Reporter emily.deluna2549@my.riohondo.edu
February 4, 2020 Rio Hondo College hosted a memorial in honor of Kobe Bryant and the eight other victims who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident on January 26, 2020. The Student Life and Psychological Services hosted the event, allowing students and faculty to pay their respects.
The event did not have a keynote speaker. Juan Castellanos, the event host and member of Student Life, will open the discussion to anyone who wants to join. Glenn Heap, a clinician at Rio Hondo, will lead the discussion and make sure attendees conduct themselves appropriately. Videos of Kobe Bryant talking about his life story and his success were shown throughout the event.
When asked how the tragedy impacted him, Castellanos said
Castellanos believes this event will help students realize the staff and school are there for them because not only are students going through it, but also the whole community.. The safe space will allow people to open up and share their feelings.
“Society shuts down people trying to show feelings and this space can let them bring their guard down and show their feelings,” -Juan Castellanos.
Dozens of people gathered outside of the Staples Center to pay their respects to the late Kobe Bryant. Bryant, along with eight other passengers, passed away in a helicopter crash the morning of January 26. PHOTO BY LESLIE LOPEZ/EPM
ENRIQUE MEDINA Reporter enrique.medina4922@my.riohondo.edu
Kobe Bryant. More than an athlete. More than an NBA legend. He was an icon who cherished every moment he had to bring out the best in himself and others. From being an 18-year-old kid getting drafted to the NBA right after high school to becoming one of the best NBA players of all time over a historic 20-year career, Kobe grew up right in front of our eyes. He gave me, the people of LA, and the sports world countless moments of greatness. Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals, completing the last 3 peat in NBA History, scoring 81 points in a game, winning the 2009 and 2010 NBA finals, scoring 60 points in his final career game, and the list truly goes on. Countless memories that will be remembered forever. More than this, Kobe was the definition of hard work. Day in and day out, Kobe made sure he gave everything he had physically and mentally to be the best basketball player he could be. He was an amazing example of how hard work can make one’s dreams come true, and instilled a mindset the world will always remember as the “Mamba Mentality.” The idea behind the Mamba mentality is more than just basketball. It is the concept that if you put all of your heart, energy, and soul to accomplish something you are so very hungry for, anything is possible.
Even after his playing days were over, Kobe still had an amazing impact on our world. He was a humanitarian, a story-teller, an Oscar winner, a big supporter of the WNBA and female sports, among so many other things he was able to accomplish after his career was over. More importantly though, he was able to do what he loved the most, being a father and husband.
In this tragic week for the sports world, we are all mourning.
I and so many others lost our hero. If it were not for Kobe Bryant, I honestly do not think I would be a basketball fan, possibly even a sports fan in general. Kobe changed lives by the way he lived and the example he set for others. He was truly this generation’s Michael Jordan, this generation’s GOAT. Kobe, you have taught me that even as someone who probably should not succeed considering my background, if I put in the hard work and if I truly pursue something I am passionate about, anything can happen. You will be missed, but never forgotten. Thank you for teaching me to never give up. Thank you for teaching me the true definition of hard work and passion. Thank you for all the memories. Thank you for everything you gave to this world. May you and Gianna rest in paradise. Mamba forever!
Sunday, February 2, I went to the Kobe Bryant memorial to celebrate the legacy of not only Kobe but the eight other people that were on that helicopter that terrible sunday morning january 26th. It felt like the air was sucked out of the whole Los Angeles area, and it felt like we lost a huge part of the city. At around 8 a.m., people showed up in droves to show their respect for Kobe, his daughter Gigi, and the seven other people who died in the helicopter crash. Flowers, cards, basketballs, MANNY SMITH Reporter manuel.smith5964@my.riohondo.edu
posters, and letters were left outside of the Staples Center. Kobe not only had an impact on me, but on the other kids in my neighborhood, too. His heart, drive, and work ethic pushed me to do better not only in basketball but in life in general. I remember seeing him and Shaq win three nba titles for the city; I saw him come back from injuries and play even harder; I saw him win a gold medal in the Olympics.
Kobe also had an amazing life after basketball. He made a short film that won him an Oscar; he coached his daughter’s basketball team and he founded his own basketball academy: Mamba Academy. He recently congratulated Lebron James for surpassing him for the most points on the lakers. The death of Kobe and the other eight passengers was a tragedy. Kobe will always be a motivation to me and will always be in my heart. Thank you, Kobe.
BRYAN CHAVEZ Reporter bryan.chavez5634@my.riohondo.edu
Born on August 23, 1978, Kobe Bryant was more than just a talented athlete with the demeanor of a champion. He was a father to four young daughters and a husband to his wife Vanessa Bryant.
He was not only a legend on the court, but off the court as well. Bryant founded charitable organizations such as his After-School All-Stars to help kids achieve educational success and his VIVO Foundation that financially helps families with parents serving in the military. Kobe is known as a legend of the game, but he also left his mark in the world of soccer. He was seen attending soccer matches and had a good relationship with some world class players including the likes of Lionel Messi which paid his respects on social media.
Kobe’s mindset was unlike anyone else’s. It was his Mamba mentality that he created that inspired so many young athletes, and he will be missed by the whole community. R.I.P Kobe.
Kobe Bryant is now a name that will forever evoke a bittersweet nostalgia in the hearts of Angelenos. Despite gifting LA with uncontainable joy and countless reasons to holler and cheer, the legacy of Kobe Bryant now carries a weight of sadness. All the reminiscent smiles about the Black Mamba, now eternally accompanied with a silent thought of reverence. At the start of his dynamic career, we realized that the kid from Lower Merion could ball, and as his career unfolded, we learned Kobe Bryant was more than a basketball player. He was an athlete who could inspire audiences by how he invested his heart in all his endeavors. Heart: That’s how Kobe transmitted his powerful message from basketball to the world in his life. It was the grit of an individual who would give nothing short of his best, almost as if divinely commanded.
He was a man who created a philosophy that transcends athletics. The “Mamba Mentality” is a state of mind that demands you give the best of yourself to your craft. It mandates that you keep moving forward regardless of the sacrifices life imposes upon you. You cannot always control the trials and tribulations that come your way, but you can decide how you fight. Mamba mentality compacts your struggles with your fears and says “so what?” as it gears you towards converting your dreams into reality. Kobe left this world tragically, but not before becoming the manuscript for hard work in the flesh.
His death was a sobering reminder of how fragile even the most seemingly powerful person can be.
Los Angeles will never be the same. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone. I grew up in a family who loved Kobe and watched him so many times. He was the best player in the NBA with an assassin’s mentality. There was no one starving more for an NBA Championship than Kobe, and the most exciting part about him was you never knew what you were going to get from him. There was nothing he couldn’t do. I appreciate him making my living room one of the most exciting places for 18 years. He created memories for my whole family that we will forever be grateful for. Kobe gave the city something to look forward to and talk about for hours and hours. He created bonds between me and people I have never met. We all studied and admired his game, and he showed us all the Mamba mentality.
Through his five championships, he showed all of us what hard work is - what the body can endure, what the mind can take, and what the lazy won’t do. His last chapter was not about hoops, but more about fatherhood and leadership. He paid it forward to his community, similar to another Los Angeles legend, Nipsey Hussle. They loved their city so much that they gave back to the people and communities they were surrounded by. They left enough inspiration and motivation here to last a lifetime. The legacy Kobe left behind for all teaches us to bring that “Mamba mentality” and focus on the precious relationships in our lives. He became one of the most spotlighted and most devoted sports dads on the planet. Him and his daughter Gigi could’ve done beautiful things for Women’s basketball. He wanted to teach and mentor, to bring devotion and dedication to those around him. We can continue to honor Kobe and his daughter by bringing that Mamba mentality into our own lives.
Lakers Honor Kobe Bryant at First Game Since Passing
PHOTO BY MICHAEL MARTINEZ/EPM A fan writes a message on a wall provided by the Staples Center. The Los Angeles Lakers paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant during their January 31 matchup against the Portland Trailblazers. The Lakers would go on to lose the game 127-119.
MICHAEL MARTINEZ Reporter michael.martinez5980@my.riohondo.edu
It was an emotional tribute for Kobe Bryant at the Staples Center after the Lakers first game since the athlete’s passing. As fans walked into the arena, they were welcomed to Bryant’s 8 and 24 jerseys on the seats. The number 8 and 24 were on each end of the Staples Center court along with two opened seats adorned with the jerseys of Kobe and Gianna.
A pregame ceremony was also held where Usher sang “Amazing Grace” at the opening. In addition, Ben Hong played “Hallelujah” on the cello as a video tribute played in the background and Boys II Men closed out with the National Anthem. Lebron James gave a speech in honor of Kobe talking about coming together as a family stating,
James also states to also carry on his legacy.
As a week has passed since the tragedy of the nine lives killed, the memorial outside the Staples Center keeps growing. Many flowers, jerseys, pictures, balloons, and heartfelt messages continue to be left by fans. Many other NBA, NHL, soccer, college, and high school teams are paying tribute to the Laker legend. This has not only affected people in the United States, but also people across the world.
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“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.” -Kobe Bryant
