A Chicago Bulls Fan Remembers Kobe Bryant

Kobe was a villain to Bulls’ fans yet transcended the game

Kobe Bryant died today.

Kobe Bryant was not just any celebrity. He was one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Kobe wasn’t old. He was 41.

Kobe wasn’t drinking himself into a stupor. He took care of himself.

Kobe wasn’t out of shape. He was still in shape.

Kobe didn’t die peacefully in bed, with time to reflect and make peace with family and God. He died in a helicopter crash with three others, including his daughter.

We were not ready for this. I was not ready for this.

I watched Kobe Bryant play in the prime of his career. I grew up in Chicago in the 1990’s. Like every other 90’s boy that grew up in Chicago, I worshiped at the altar of Michael Jordan. Every new hot player — Kobe, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter — would have to be compared to Jordan. It didn’t matter how tall they were, or what position they played, or what rules they had to deal with. Regardless of a player’s context of competition, I would always measure them up against Number 23. It was very unfair, to everyone but Chicago fans.

My teenage self did not appreciate Kobe. He was the ever present nemesis that also happened to play…