Kobe Bryant

by Phil Allen

From boy to man in the spotlight.

He was born in Philadelphia, on August 23, 1978 to Pamela and Joe Bryant. He was their third child. Kobe Bryant has two older sisters Shaya and Sharia, both excellent athletes.

He learned the game of basketball in Italy where his father played after his NBA career. He says he had a growth spurt around age 11 and his game skills began to blossom. By age thirteen he could beat his sisters on the court easily and “my dad had to cheat a little to win”, he says, I imagine with a smile.

He visited hometown Philadelphia often to see and stay short periods with family. Basketball was the rage and “at first, I didn’t understand the school-yard rules, the trash talking, the machismo,” he says.

By age 14-15 he could beat his dad for real even when his father tried to post him up using his weight advantage. “He cut me no slack,” says Kobe.

Kobe Bryant says High School was “a big transition for me.” His team was last in their league his freshman year but improved to take the State Championship by his senor year. He often practiced with the Philadelphia 76′ers his senior year and realized a dream he’d had since age 11 to enter the NBA straight from High School when he entered the 1996 NBA draft.

He was picked by Charlotte with their 13th pick and as most Lakers fans know was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac.

We’ve watched him grow up in the spotlight of celebrity. From the brash kid who seemed intent on being Michael Jordans clone to half the dynamic duo who helped the Lakers win three Championships in a row.

An then the arrest for sexual assault. It brought disbelief from many who thought they knew him. It was a trying time for him, his family and his fans. It worsened the rift between he and Shaquille O’Neal beyond repair.

But, in retrospect it transformed Kobe Bryant into a serious and family dedicated man. He found his wife’s religion and worked for Vanessa and God’s forgiveness. He got his comeuppance at a very young age and has learned well from it. He is more relaxed with himself and others and no longer that brash boy with no thought of what others might think of him. He has repaired his family relations and even the rift with Shaq, though that may be just surface.

He has grown to be a man and one with good character.

This year he has worked hard to renew his image and in a sincere and genuine way. He did a ton of public service work and a series of good deeds for others. As a player his 81 points, leading the league in scoring and the Lakers making the playoffs has redeemed him to most fans.

His nickname going back to Lower Merion, “Black Mamba,” was recently revealed in ESPN the Magazine,. The “Black Mamba,” are the worlds fastest and most deadly vipers. They are feared above all other snakes in it’s habitat of South Africa. It seemed fitting for friends who saw his play as the fastest and most deadly on the court. The nickname hasn’t caught on with most fans and I think it’s the maturity Kobe Bryant has now that makes the nickname not fit.

More evidence of his maturation might be found in his decision to change his player number from 8 to 24. The number 8 is the symbol of eternity, the time most teens think they have going well with their typical sense of invulnerability. A day at a time, or 24 hours, is how we usually learn that life is lived when we mature. It’s possible that is the reason though Kobe Bryant has said he does not plan to reveal it. It’s always good marketing to be a bit mysterious I’m sure he knows.

Numerology could have played a part also. The first letters of Kobe’s and Vanessa’s names, K and V, are assigned 2 and 4 respectively. I like this interpretation the best and am sure Vanessa would also.

Kobe Bryant could be referring to a formula, 2 star players not just he will bring him a 4th championship.

There are other theories out there. I’m pretty sure the one that says the 24 stands for 1/24/03, the day Kobe Bryant was arraigned on sexual assault charges is wrong.

Kobe Bryant really should have been the MVP this year. Sure Phil Jackson has made a huge difference and he should get “Coach of the year,” but Kobe Bryant has done everything that you could ask for and except for game one with Phoenix he’s been deserving.

Kobe Bryant, 24 hours a day, remembering KV, please always be with ClubLakers.

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