



Some people might just laugh at this post, some could not relate, but the sadness I felt as a fan is genuine.

The year was 1997, I was 12 years old, that time I wasn't into playing basketball. I started playing when I was 11, but because I am short (4'2"), it was hard for me to compete with other players in our neighborhood. I felt discouraged during those times and thought that basketball will never be meant to be played by someone like me.As a basketball enthusiast, one of the most anticipated events we want to watch is the NBA All Star Weekend and I bet your favorite part of the event is the same as mine... theThat was the first time I saw the 18-year old Kobe Bryant! Actually, I was already late to watch that slam dunk contest but the dunk he did made me a fan instantly! You know what dunk it is? This one...The rookie managed to win the Slam Dunk Contest, how impressive is that! Also, that time I was an Orlando Magic fan, but I immediately became a Lakers fan because of Kobe. (Sorry :p)Since that day, I have regained my will to continue practicing and learned to ignore my insecurities. I played with my neighbors, started with an improvised basketball rim. I even joined my first basketball league, if I remember it right it's a "12 years old and below league" organized in the subdivision where my rich classmate lived. Sadly, we didn't even managed to reach quarterfinals, lol.Even after the loss, the enthusiasm did not fade, instead it became stronger. I know that basketball is not just for fun, I'm loving it!There's a full-size basketball court just behind the wall near our house. I want to practice there but I don't have a standard-size basketball. What I did was, I started saving and asked my parents for additional fund so I can buy one. So, I did bought my very first basketball.Unlike other fans, I cannot afford to buy NBA jerseys and signature shoes that time, my family is poor, so as a memorabilia, I started to save for NBA cards, I bought some and I even asked some from my rich friends. During weekend I went to the "Beckett" as we call it and I traded some of my cards for Kobe cards. Some of my non-Kobe cards were traded to cash, that way I managed to buy some of the displayed Kobe cards. Sadly... someone stole my whole deck!Every evening, after school and after I finished fetching water and finished all my homework, I go to that court and practice. With the help of the flickering light from the lamp post and most of the time relying in the moonlight, I tried to find my shooting range. During that time I cannot shoot from the 3-point line, so I tried again and again to find the range I am comfortable at.I was invited to join a basketball team and I joined even if I knew I'll just be a benchwarmer and they just need me to complete the lineup. Many times, my role was just to give a foul to stop the game clock but there's that one game that changed everything. It was 10 seconds left in the 2nd quarter, and to my surprise the point guard passed it to me. I immediately positioned myself to that certain spot where I practice every night and shoot the ball confidently. I managed to score a buzzer beater, and you know what I did... I DANCED!Since that day, the coach gave me some game time, that single shot was the start when I gained confidence. A 4-footer guy started to stand tall.April 13, 2016, it was the day when my first child was born and it was also Kobe's last game in the NBA. It was a mix of emotions, I am happy because I am already a father but on the other hand, I am sad that it would also be the last official game of Kobe.For me, here's the most unforgettable game in the history of the NBA, I am having goosebumps until now every time I watch this.After this game, I kinda lost interest in watching NBA, the sole reason why I watch is because of this guy.*Sigh*January 26, 2020, it was undoubtedly one of the saddest Mondays. My wife woke me up and gave me coffee, I was still on my bed so I asked her to get my phone. I browse Facebook every morning as part of my morning routine and then the first post that appeared on my news feed shows that Kobe is dead... and with him is her daughter Gianna. I did not believe it at first, I was hoping that it's just a fake news... I scrolled down and my news feed was flooded with RIP Kobe, MambaOut... even the trusted sites featured the same news.I do now know why but my heart was pounding so fast, and I really felt sad. It was a weird feeling, a first time... it seems that I've lost someone very important. My one and only idol and his daughter died in a horrific helicopter accident.Not only that I felt so depressed that they are gone, seven more passengers are with them, too. I do not want to further discuss the details here.It's too hard to imagine the remaining moments you know that you'll be crashing and realizing that your daughter will die with you. Kobe have seen her daughter's first breath and he even saw her last.it's the most accurate comment I've heard and that made my feeling heavier because I am a father, too.I hope that his family, same goes to the families of the other victims could remain strong and could recover, I pray for the fast healing of their hearts., you'll never be forgotten, you are my inspiration, not only by the game winning shots you did, not only by the signature cross over but also because of the passion and dedication you show in and out of the playing court. You are my MVP forever! Mamba out...