Second Overtime: Thanks for all the memories, Kobe
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 30 Jan 2020
CHICAGO -- My friendship with Kobe Bryant was neither personal nor familial. It was professional, one confined in the workplace of an NBA galaxy where he was a shining bright star and I was an afterthought.
I first saw him in the 2001 NBA Finals, which I covered. I wasn't a fan of his style back then. Too much self and a lot less team.
But as he grew his game through the years, morphing into a leader who willed his team to victories while making others around him better, I happily surrendered my allegiance.
Although I've watched him play several times in the flesh throughout his magnificent 20-year NBA career, I didn't speak to him until after five years since I first laid eyes on the wunderkind.
Being around Kobe inside a locker room always muted my voice with awe and intimidation.
But that changed last December 19, 2006. It was a Wednesday night and the Lakers were in my Chicago stomping grounds playing the Bulls at the United Center. Being in my home city washed me with confidence as I walked inside the visitors' locker room.
Just moments before entering sacred space, I watched him in action from my assigned seat 6 at the press box on section 115. He struggled and hit just 6-of-19 shots for a pedestrian 19 points, but he still mesmerized an entire stadium for simply being Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers locker was teeming with people when I got there, Small pockets of reporters surrounded players who were available for interviews. Luke Walton was alone and I interviewed him a little, kind of a warm up routine.
And then Kobe emerged, And I was suddenly on fire.
Nervous. Anxious. Incredulous.
Like an errant Catholic, who reluctantly, almost tearfully, confesses his sins to a sympathetic priest, I somehow managed to talk to Kobe. And he turned out to be so nice, so much so that he obliged me with a photo op and signed my press pass for the game that I attended in Los Angeles where he dropped 81 points just 11 months before.
After that initial meeting I've since spoken to Kobe several times. And if you have a good pair of eyes, you'll see some of those encounters documented through photographs in this column.
I spoke to him for the last time on January 28, 2016 when he made his final visit at the United Center.
Just like many of you, I am stunned with his sudden, painful demise.
Life is so unfair. And I am angry.
For years Kobe Bryant has given us so much joy on the basketball court and now that he is retired, we were robbed of the opportunity to root for him as a father, a husband, an entrepreneur and a fierce advocate for women's sports.
An old saying goes: "Death never surprises a wise man; he's always ready to go."
That doesn't apply to Kobe. A hero to millions, immensely gifted, wise beyond his 41 years. He was supposed to live forever.
Taken to soon, Too young. Too many tasks undone.
It's been three days since cruel fate took him, but I already miss Kobe Bryant.
Thanks for all the memories, Black Mamba.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 2 of 2)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Brown vs. Seldin for the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Title
Wed, 05 Nov 2025FRANCIS LAFRENIÈRE MAKES COMEBACK NOV 29
Wed, 05 Nov 2025OLYMPIC MEDALIST YUBERJEN MARTINEZ INKS WITH ALL STAR BOXING
Wed, 05 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 November 2025: Mayer Outpoints Spencer to Unify 154 Belts; Buatsi's Controversial Win Over Parker; Pero Outpoints Thompson; Thrilla in Manila at 50 Results
By Eric Armit, Tue, 04 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 04 Nov 2025MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 04 Nov 2025Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin By Unanimous Decision
Mon, 03 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Wembanyama Struggles as Suns Give Spurs First Loss 130-118
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Oklahoma City Thunder the only undefeated NBA Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 03 Nov 2025RP Blu Boys Close Out Strong with Unbeaten Record in Japan Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Pero Outlasts Thompson in Orlando, Secures Unanimous Decision Victory
Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay Crowned Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Champion
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay reaches Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 02 Nov 2025Pistons defeated Mavericks in NBA Game 34 in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 02 Nov 2025