On December 18th, it seemed like the city of Los Angeles, maybe the entire state of California, dropped everything they were doing to muse on the career of one, Kobe Bryant. Being at the Kobeland celebration a few hours before the jersey ceremony was surreal. A few days have passed, the purple and gold streamers have been swept off the floor, and both the #8 and #24 jerseys have been hanging from the rafters at Staples Center for more than 48 hours.
He was a complicated figure in the sports industry, and his name regularly sparks debates, but on December 18th, Laker greats, media moguls, NBA superstars, new fans and old fans all came together to say thank you to Kobe Bryant. I got to talk to a few of the fans at Staples on Monday Night and here is what they had to say.
#8 or #24?
- #8 because I associate it more with young Kobe (38, Los Angeles)
- #8 (Wife), #24 (Husband) (55, Whittier)
- Both #8 and #24 (23, Rancho Cucamonga)
- Both #8 and #24 but KB8 sounds better than KB24, daughters both given #8 Kobe jersey on their 8th birthdays, maybe new tradition for when they turn 24 too (Mom & Dad, Ages 41 & 43, West Covina)
- #8 and #24 (Ages 19, 19, 26, Los Angeles)
- #24 (43, San Gabriel, Dad)
- #24 (9, San Gabriel)
- #24(10, San Gabriel)
- #30 in Golden State (9, San Gabriel)
What was your favorite memory you have of Kobe, or when you first realized Kobe was KOBE?
- His last game. I watched it at LA Live and the atmosphere was incredible because no one expected 60. There were thousands of the craziest, most dedicated, most lively Kobe fans outside Staples to witness the end of and era and it was awesome. (23, Rancho Cucamonga)
- The championship series where they beat the Celtics because that one seemed to matter the most. Rivalry means I am glad whenever the Celtics lose, but ESPECIALLY when they lose to us. (23, Rancho Cucamonga)
- Every time Kobe’s name came up at school growing up and everyone started arguing. Every time he made a contested shot and the announcer said “Mama there goes that man” or “hand down, man down” (24, Moreno Valley)
- 1998 Jazz/ Lakers Series is when I realized my dad was going to be on the ship with Kobe whether it was going down or sailing steady and I been on it ever since watching him watch that series. (26, Los Angeles)
Who was your favorite Laker Pre-Kobe?
- We have both been watching since the showtime Lakers. We’ve been fans through the ups and downs, loved them all. (55, Whittier, Wife)
- Magic and Kareem were favorite Lakers pre-Kobe, but ever since then it’s always just been about Kobe. (55, Whittier, Husband)
- Fave Lakers pre-Kobe is Magic; I have loved the team since 1984 however. (43, West Covina)
- Young Boy (6yo) wearing #16 jersey- My dad liked Kobe and I liked Pau, we play together like they did. (Korea Town/ LA)
What do you LOVE most about Kobe Bryant?
- He made Mamba Mentality a thing- taught me that you want something, go get it, no one else’s opinion matters. (Boy -17, Korea Town/ LA)
- Kobe had killer instinct. (Boy, 13, Riverside)
- Loved everything about him on the court. Didn’t pay attention to the personal stuff because on the court, he was something special. (38, Los Angeles)
- What I love about Kobe is how much he didn’t care. He wasn’t sensitive, he wasn’t concerned about who liked him. His loyalty was fierce, like the Achilles game, he’s an alien and we are lucky he landed in LA. (24, Moreno Valley)
- As a fourth grade teacher, I know better than most that representation matters. Young boys looked up to him and felt like they could do anything. He inspired so many and was a role model around the world. I loved watching young kids watch him and gain the same work ethic. (38, Los Angeles)
- I love how you can never count out Kobe. Whenever you do, he makes you pay for it. His final game was ridiculous because no one expected him to go out that way, given the season he had had. (19, Los Angeles)
- His drive and dedication is unmatched. He married the game and stayed committed. (22, Compton)
What made you CRAZY about Kobe Bryant?
- Kobe probably could’ve taken a pay cut if he wanted to and the rebuild after him probably wouldn’t have been this slow. (13, Riverside)
- Kobe did not always look to share the ball, it was always in his hands; Conversely, Lonzo Ball is pass first, but not as aggressive as Kobe, a perfect balance of these two is the dream. (55, Whittier, Wife)
- A little bit of a ball hog, when it was him and Shaq, they played as if no one else was really on the team. (22, Compton)
- Nothing and everything about Kobe drove me crazy. (22, Compton)
Is there a player on today’s Laker team that reminds you of Kobe, or who could make as big of an impact as Kobe Bryant?
- No one else is like Kobe or ever will be, but Kyle Kuzma shows glimpses of young Kobe (17, Korea Town, LA)
- No one. (55, Whittier)
- No one. But King Kyle Kuzma could be close. He’s got a fade away, he’s got a jumpshot, and a 3 point ranger that’ll break hearts for many years to come. (24, Moreno Valley)
- Kyle Kuzma. I’d say give him a few years, but he may not need that long. (22, Compton)
Is there a player in the league today that reminds you of Kobe, or who could make as big of an impact as Kobe Bryant?
- Kyrie Irving, as Kobe himself once said. Also Damian Lillard and those game winning shots this season. He’s got some Mamba Mentality in him. Don’t sleep on Dame Dolla. (24, Moreno Valley)
- There will never be another Kobe and no one is really like him. Russell Westbrook does seem to have the same Mamba Mentality. When he is pushed, he is coming at you full throttle with no regards for what bodies he leaves behind. (43, West Covina)
- Closest to Mamba Mentality is probably Russell Westbrook. His energy and his drive is cool. (22, Compton)
What excites you about this new post-Kobe Lakers team?
- Excited about BI, with mentoring from Kobe he may get a little tougher and be able to adopt same Mamba Mentality. Kuzma is nice too; best thing since DLo about the post-Kobe Lakers. (41, West Covina)
- Brandon Ingram because he seems like the future. He can do it all, without being too passive or too selfish. His dinner with Kobe was encouraging. (55, Whittier, Husband)
- What is exciting about the current Lakers is that they can now do anything. They can pursue just about anyone in the rebuild. It’s a fresh start. (26, Los Angeles)
- Kobe was great because our parents told us he was great. Right now what we are excited about is Lonzo Ball because hopefully getting to watch him grow and get better for us will be as meaningful as Kobe was to our parents. (19, Los Angeles)
If you could tell Kobe one thing today what would you say?
- That I miss him already. (13, Riverside)
- THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. (24, Moreno Valley)
Bonus Convos
Q: So is life hard with a Warriors fan in the family Dad?
- Surprisingly no! I’m not sure where he got it from, but we let him be. He knows tonight is about Kobe. (43, San Gabriel)
Q: You’re very brave wearing a GS jersey tonight. Are you a Curry fan or a Warriors fan?
- BOTH. But the Kobe games (at KobeLand) today were fun too. Dad made me. (9, San Gabriel)
Q: DLo or Kuzma?
- I would give my life for Kyle Alexander Kuzma. (26, Los Angeles)
Q: Now that Kobe’s gone which current Laker do you believe in enough to buy their jersey?
- No one is really safe except Lonzo, Kuz and BI. Buying any other jersey would suck because they could be gone tomorrow (26, Los Angeles)
Q: So who do you want to see in LA next?
- I think Demarcus Cousins would be a good fit. Trade Lopez, Randle & Deng and build around Zo, Kuz, and BI and we are back to showtime baby. I like the idea of Paul George as well. (26, Los Angeles)
Lakers Nation I am sure we will meet again. Same time, same place- for Kobe’s Hall of Fame celebration and the statue unveiling outside Staples. Love him or hate him, Kobe Bryant is someone whose dedication and drive has impacted lives across all divides. Thank you for that KB.
