The NBA has suffered trememdously this season with the tragic and sudden loss of one of their own, Kobe Bryant. To say this man was an inspiration to basketball is an understatement. This man was an inspiration to EVERYONE, and the athletes and fans could all feel his presence at the 2020 NBA All-Star games.
LeBron and his team may have won the game for the finals, but everyone felt a sense of pride and connection when it came to feeling Bryant in that tournament. LeBron was caught after the game saying, “You could definitely feel [Bryant’s] presence. So he was definitely here.” (ESPN). Kawhi Leonard, pictured below, was the first to win the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP award, that was announced after the game final.
There was memorabilia everywhere for Bryant and his daughter Gianna but the true message and unforgettable moments, came from the court. Bryant’s sportsmanship and true competitiveness came out in every player that game, more so in the MVP winner, Kawhi Leonard.
For all of us, the loss of Bryant came at a shock, but the NBA is slowly bouncing back and instead of pushing away entirely, the NBA organization and its players are embodying the “MambaMentality” that Kobe Bryant stood for and would be proud to see. For everyone it is still so surreal and a sting that will stay with us and the basketball world for the rest of time, but the NBA came out and honored Kobe and Gianna in the best way possible, and that is through playing the game itself.
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