You started off by yourself with a simple idea in your head thinking, “Oh no! There’s no way it will work out like that for me.” Time passes and day by day you play with the idea, but it’s only fun at this point so you continue to dribble with the best imitation of your favorite basketball player. Hundreds of hours spent running, jumping, sliding, and shooting the ball at the basket. A missed shot here and a horrible pass there, but you remained resilient and poised. The look in your eyes said it all! The calmness of your heart and steady but soft breathing spoke volumes in those moments of truth. Who would you become? Could you be brave enough to try even when you feel defeated or broken? What legacy would you leave behind?
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Luckily for the world, you were anointed with pure talent and potential, but like any other flower desperate to bloom, you required love, nourishment, and a source of light to guide you through the darkness. And, with all you reaped from this earthly plane , you were compassionate enough to return and plant new seeds in the garden of life. The journey may not have been easy, but for any man or woman courageous enough to face society and claim your destiny, you surely are not vain enough to believe the road ahead would be without challenges. Like the gladiators of the past, you faced your opponents with the intent to prevail and be declared victorious! Thousands of contestants over the course of the years attempted to claim your throne, but they failed!
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Why? Why you? Was it the countless hours spent practicing your future signature move over and over until it was perfect? Was it the extra time spent watching films and speaking with your mentors? Perhaps, it was the sacrifices you made on and off the court that made you a fierce warrior destined to be King. These points mixed your incomparable determination and knowledge of the game served as your secret ingredients to become the renowned and immortal spirit of the Black Mamba! Crowds have yelled and cheered your name to heaven as you finessed your way into the air, separating from your opponent, and scoring the winning shot time after time! It was magical. It was electrifying. It was you, KOBE!
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Your legacy shall live on forever, stitched in the hearts and minds of nations. From the training camps of little kids to the personal time spent coaching your daughter, your impact echoed across the sea. And, for that we say THANK YOU! How many young children were given hope when they saw you create art on the court, as you paraded from end to end eager to win in honor of your city? How many young men turned from violence and picked up a basketball instead of a gun I wonder? How many mothers were grateful to see their sons remove basketball shoes from their backpack rather than drugs? Those fighting a life sentence in prison will say that giving a man hope is a dangerous thing. The hope you ignited deep within the souls of the once doubtful youth, changed the trajectory of their life’s and now they are leading the way. You shall never fade from our memory for as long as our lungs are filled with air and our minds conscious of this world.
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Now, the time has come for us to say “until next time!” You have earned your wings and have been declared a new guardian angel to protect us the unforeseen battles surrounding us daily. What better warrior to protect the young, old, and incapacitated? We will continue to pray for strength, resilience, and hope to cover your family!
Rest Peacefully, King! ❤️
