G.O.A.T. It is not just any other phrase or saying.
In translation the four letters make up, “The Greatest of All Time.” Everything
that inhabits this earth has a purpose. In human terms everyone that exists in
this society as it is has something that they possess individually that sets
them apart from the rest. The ability of that individual to perfect whatever it
is that is their specialty is truly a decision that is up to them. To be as
politically correct as possible, one can choose to do the right thing with
talent and embrace it, keeping their dreams alive or they can do wrong by it
and let it wither and in wastefully doing so kill their dreams.
In
the basketball world all the aforementioned and the purpose of lines as such
originates with one man and his personal plight to be the best that ever played
the game, Michael Jordan. His vision for himself defined a culture, a league
and would become the prototype to which all would aspire to follow. In all
essence, “I want to be like Mike, right? Michael Jordan’s departure from the
league left a huge void to be filled. Who would be the NEXT Michael Jordan? The
answer to this question was far from the simplest. It is not like the question
being asked here was, what is 2+2? Anyways, many names were brought into the
equation to “possibly” be the “one.” Grant Hill and Vince Carter were names thrown
out their just to name a few, but there was only one man that emerged to
undoubtedly fit the crown of being NEXT. If Michael Jordan is gone, who can
come close? There is a pause, the audience gets silent, the curtains open and
ladies and gentleman Kobe Bean Bryant appears.
No
matter what way you slice it, flip it, rub it down, when concerning oneself
with the next to the G.O.A.T looking at someone other than Kobe Bryant is
purely disrespectful. It is absurd. Furthermore, it is like going to Pizza Hut
and asking for a cheese pizza and they say they do not have any cheese.
Disrespectful! The interesting thing about this comparison is that Michael
Jordan rose up in the ranks at a time where the NBA and its culture were
looking for someone to be its face. The true definition of the late 80’s to
late 90’s was him. It is clear to say that everyone loves Michael Jordan and he
is respected and even if one has a small inclination of hate, which it would be
very small, it is best to be kept a secret. On the other hand his predecessor
has not had the same reputation. When it comes to Kobe Bryant drawing the line
between love and hate is truly astronomical.
His
body of work on the court cannot be denied. His resume includes an Olympic gold
medal, five NBA Championships, three All-Star MVPs, two NBA Finals MVPs and one
regular season MVP. The list also continues to display a man that has gone on
to score 81 points in a game, 34 game winning shots and his latest height, the
greatest of all, having 32,310 points,
which surpasses his idol Michael Jordan for the 3rd All-Time Leader
in scoring. How impressive! Yes, M.J may have a much more impressive resume of
course, however, it does not matter how long it took him to do it or how he did
it, Kobe passed him. That is a lot of basketball and a lot of time spent
dedicated. Ironically, the jury is still out on Kobe Bryant. Where does the discernment
for the man originate? In all actuality, coming to the love/hate factor with
the man requires that one take the time to evaluate the man himself. The divide
is depicted by everyone’s inability to understand who in fact “Is Kobe Bryant?
The realization for most is that they respect what he does on the court, but
cannot stand the guy that he is. Needless to say none of the accolades
mentioned previously are the reason for this. What is it? Maybe it was his feud
with Shaq? Maybe he is too arrogant for some? Maybe he is too egotistical? Maybe
his leadership tactics need to be rearranged? In a nut shell no one likes him.
It
is amazing to listen to the conversation that people have about him. When a
person comes out and proclaims a dislike for another person it normally stems
from the fact that they know the person on a personal level and has found them
not to be their cup of tea. They may also receive information that may find the
other person discrediting, which may leave them a bad taste about them in their
mouth. People proclaim they don’t like Kobe Bryant as if they know him. That is
wild.
How do you not like a
person you’ve never met in person? All the information gathered in regards to
this man and brought to the world is from what is heard and seen through the
media and even that can be distorted at times. Let’s keep it real here the line
between love and hate serves no purpose. It is not like the man has lied to
anyone or pretended to be something that he is not. Moreover, Bryant has made
no mistake about who he is and what he is about since he was seventeen years
old and a fresh face to the eyes of everyone. In totality he has been the same
guy whose attitude not just to his sport of choice, but to his life has never
been changed. Without thinking he has ironically made the blueprint in
understanding him crystal clear. To a man that has become such an enigma, his
very nature has been portrayed publicly and consistently for all to see. Maybe
it is time the world pays attention to the notion that Kobe is not the one with
the problem, it is them.
Kobe Bryant is:
Egotistical, cocky, cannot always be the best teammate and arrogant. However,
what his critics will not tell you is the story of a man whose ideologies are
not praised as much as they should. Being Kobe Bryant takes a lot of guts. To
be able to stand up to Shaquille O’neal at a time in his career where he was
the most dominant player in the game and stake your claim on a team that was
indeed his takes a lot of confidence. Hey, what if Scottie Pippen had told M.J
in his years of glory that he was no longer willing to stand behind his
shadows? To say I am not playing the Robin to your Batman anymore. Kobe did
just that. It takes a person with a lot of zeal to hold the record for the most
missed field goals in the NBA at 13,421. In order to be the best you also have
to be willing to be the worst and that takes a lot. It is not easy being the
man that everyone counts on and do it so effortlessly at times. To understand
the multitude of scrutiny/pressure that comes to being a guy of his caliber is
crazy. Most would crumble with the stakes stacked against them so high.
Kobe’s tactics may not always
have been the best and yes having the mentality that he has, has him portrayed
as America’s favorite “NBA villain.” “I hate Kobe,” Remember?? But, if one is
busting their behind so much it is impossible for those around not to get
motivated to do the same. Some people cannot handle matching such tenacity. Bryant’s
rise to greatness should be used as a catalyst to inspire others. His story is
the true essence of what it means to have total direction in life. Even his
former coach, the great Phil Jackson, is quoted in his book “Eleven Rings” as
saying, “I’ve always been impressed by Kobe’s resilience and ironclad
self-confidence.” He goes on to further note, “Kobe never let the thoughts of
self-doubt cross his mind.” Lastly, he states, “If someone set the bar at ten
feet, he’d jump eleven, even if no one had done it before .” That is pure heart
and determination. Doing things the nay sayers do not expect you to do. Shout
out to that whole 6,000 assist thing and not passing.
Sadly, Kobe Bryant will
not be respected to the highest until he leaves the game. The question of who
is next to the G.O.A.T is solved, however, the new question that now eludes us
of an answer is, who will be the next Kobe Bryant? Interestingly enough that “Next”
may never be found.
Kudos to the Black
Mamba, not for being an enigma everyone cannot understand, but one people just
need to learn to get with.
#Respect
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