Photo: S.I. Vault

Kobe Bryant: August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020

Like many people, I was in shock and completely stunned when I first heard the news of this terrible crash that took the lives of nine people. In fact, today is the first time I felt that I could actually write about it. Kobe Bryant was one of those rare people that transcend the sports world. His hard work, perseverance and focus made him a legend. A lifestyle that many people try to capture: The Mamba Mentality. Bryant had a combination of confidence, swagger, humility and a warm smile that made him a household name.

He wasn’t just a household name for the millions of fans that wear his jerseys (8, 24), attended his games or watched on television, he was one of the most popular sports figures by musical artists as well. His name rang out among some of the biggest stars in rap and hip hop, for years. From Jay-Z to Kanye to Lil Wayne to Russ to Nicki Minaj and many, many more. He was mentioned in pop songs by artists like Katy Perry and Justin Bieber. Rock music legends like Paul Stanley from Kiss and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers were among the countless number of rock stars that tweeted out photos of themselves smiling next to Kobe Bryant. That’s the kind of effect he had on people.

I was conducting an interview with Mike Einziger from Incubus and I mentioned that I liked the photo he posted of him and Kobe and I asked him when they met up. He told Sound Vapors, “We met Kobe years ago when we were on the Jay Leno Show together. He couldn’t have been nicer and we were all so starstruck by him and he was gracious. It’s just a huge loss. It’s a huge loss for everyone. It didn’t matter if you knew him or didn’t know him.. everybody knew him, ya know? He just touched everybody’s lives in some way, shape or form.” That wasn’t a planned part of the interview but we talked almost ten minutes about Kobe Bryant. That’s the kind of impact he had on people.

Day 2 of the Phillips 66 National Swimming Championships at the Woollett Aquatics Center on July 26, 2018 in Irvine, California. Harry How/Getty Images

This accident is tragic on so many levels. Many people understandably wrote about Bryant during this time. That’s who they knew. In truth, he was the only person I thought of when I initially heard about the accident. As details started to come out, we learned about his daughter Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester – all daughters to another family had perished in the tragedy as well. The tears started to roll for them as well as their families. Alyssa’s Mom and Dad, John and Keri Altobelli were also on board as well as Payton’s Mother, Sarah Chester. Assistant Coach on Bryant’s Mamba Academy basketball team, Christina Mauser was among the victims. Ara Zobayan, who was Bryant’s pilot of choice was also killed. When more concrete information became available, the pit in my stomach, like many around the world, became larger. So many souls. My heart goes out to each and everyone of their family and friends.

There have been many tributes and special programming on T.V. before and during games. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I was going to watch. But I did. And it has helped. Hearing and watching Shaquille O’Neal talk emotionally and with reverence about Kobe on NBA on TNT’s tribute show was something that I’ll never forget. To see Jerry West almost unable to speak at times, left a hole in my heart. It was clear both men loved Kobe Bryant deeply.

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Personally, I felt a void all week but started to reflect on why I loved watching Kobe in the first place. My favorite time in NBA history is easily the 90’s. I could (and will at some point) write an entire article about that era of basketball. But the short version is that as Michael Jordan and the Bulls were about to capture their second three-peat and close out their run as the greatest team of the 90’s and one of the greatest in NBA history, I wondered if there would ever be anyone that kept me glued to the television like MJ. There was and he was about to become a huge star – even before he became a regular starter for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kobe was such a dynamic player that in the 1997-98 season, he was voted as a starter for the Western Conference All Stars. He took full advantage. He was the leading scorer for the West and second leading scorer overall – behind Michael Jordan. I remember watching Laker games and fans would chant for then Coach, Del Harris to put Kobe into the game.. and when he did.. whew – that crowd was electric. I was hooked but I didn’t know that Bryant would become my bridge (and many others) to basketball into the 2000’s. Watching him and Shaq dominate the beginning of the new millennium was truly a treat. I just wish the run lasted longer. And look.. I’m a Detroit guy. Born and raised in the city of Detroit and still live in greater Detroit. It’s my home base. While I should be (and was) happy that the Pistons won a championship against the Lakers, there was a part of me that was sad and pissed off the Lakers didn’t continue their dynasty. But seeing Bryant come back a few years later and win two more and go to three straight NBA Finals was extremely satisfying.

For me, it’s always been MJ and Kobe. Probably always will be. As I write this, I’m listening to the Above The Rim Soundtrack and when I first turned it on, I thought about when that movie came out. Kobe wasn’t Kobe, yet. But he was coming. I smiled and thought about that time and how much we all listened to the soundtrack and watched that movie, back in those days. Mike was still the man and Kobe was about to be the man. This all happened while we were bumpin’ Biggie, Pac and this.

It was the first smile I had all week when I thought about Kobe Bryant. I’m sure he was listening to it back then, too. If there’s an afterlife – I hope they have an archive so he can listen to it again while he continues to teach Gianna that turn-around fade away. It was a thing of beauty.

The loss of a basketball legend is hard enough, but the loss of a legendary family man, Dad and Husband hurts even more. He will be missed.

Rest in peace to everyone that was on board that helicopter on January 26, 2020. Condolences to all of their family and friends. I know each and everyone of them will be missed. My heart goes out to all of you.

-Tommy Marz

I’d love to hear some of your favorite Kobe Bryant memories. You can tweet me @tommymarzband on twitter. Thanks for taking the time read.