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Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant – Forever a Connection

By Christopher Dollard

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to the crowd as he walks on the court before the game against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to the crowd as he walks on the court before the game against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant may have passed away, but his memory will live on forever.

“Kobe Bryant?! Wow, not another member of the class of ’96!?!” This was one of the thoughts that ran through my head when my wife called me about the death of Kobe Bryant while driving home from a weekend with eight classmates from 1996 in my hometown of Hemingway, S.C.

Let’s not get it twisted. I never met Kobe and he was not my favorite Laker but there is forever a connection with Kobe in that he was a member of the class of 1996 and my respect for him.

When Kobe announced that he was going to the NBA out of high school, I thought, “Wow, that’s someone graduating like us going to the NBA!!” In a time that many thought college was the way to success, not only in the NBA but life, he bucked that to have a legendary career. I always appreciated that part about Kobe.

Below are the “Six Lakes of L.A.” that if crossed, will help one learn from the life of Kobe.

6) “My brain . . . it cannot process failure. It will not process failure. Because if I sit there and have to face myself and tell myself, ‘You’re a failure’ . . . I think that’s almost worse than death.” – Kobe Bryant

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5) Five was the morning time of his high school workouts, NBA championships (2000-2002, 2009, 2010) won by Kobe Bryant and members of the Hemingway class of 1996 who gathered at our high school to watch the Tigers play Georgetown on Saturday, 25 JAN 2020.

4) Four-time All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011): It’s okay to be a bright light, even amongst the stars.

3) Three times since 2017 I’ve had to address the death of a member of the Class of 1996 in some form. Do not take life and opportunities for granted.

2) Gianna, Kobe’s second-oldest daughter and potential female basketball version of Kobe, also died. Do not fail to cherish time with your children and their dreams!!

1) We all have one life to live. Ensure that one seeks God first in living it.

As a fellow husband, father of daughters and “classmate”, I give my sincerest condolences to Vanessa Bryant, their daughters, extended family, the Los Angeles Lakers organization and fans in their losses.

Next. Top 10 Kobe Bryant Games of All-Time. dark

Big shoes to fill in Laker Land, but no one can ever replace the connection and memories of fans, admirers and most importantly, his family.

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