Dear Kobe,
In absolute disbelief. Honestly don’t know what to feel. In utter heartbreak.
My eyes don’t drop tears unless it’s someone close to me or someone who had impact on me. They flowed today.
He was one of my childhood heroes. He made my generation’s childhood memorable. To our generation who grew up shouting ‘KOBE’ anytime we threw something. We suffered an unfathomable loss today.
Growing up as someone who wasn’t the tallest nor the bulkiest, I used to be scared to play street ball with the other boys. Thought I wouldn’t be able to do it. But I’d have this urge to still play. I’d watch his videos, interviews, take notes, and then go practice when no one would be there. Soon enough, I started joining the pick up games with all the confidence in the world to show them what I got. I ended up learning a big lesson in my life from him then. It wasn’t the size or the shoes you played with. It was the heart, the grit, the ambition, and the ferocity with which you played. That makes all the difference.
We didn’t have the means to go watch a game in Staples Center but I didn’t miss many games when he was playing. I remember having his posters and putting them up in my room and in my school binder. I remember staying up late and watching his highlight reels even though you'd seen the game, his interviews, everything that made Kobe, Kobe.
As I got older I started to realize the Mamba mentality he used to operate with. It wasn’t just the mentality of winning but the mentality of self-improvement. Wanting perfection. With enough dedication, anything is possible. He normalized the pursuit of greatness.
As an immigrant who had a rough childhood, he was my safe haven. In fact, not just to me but I’d say to the thousands of immigrants like myself. It made me believe I can just hustle my way out to my problems if I just focus on the right things and dream big enough. He was right.
To me he wasn’t just a basketball player but an inspiration in so many ways.
I always found this quote by him incredibly moving: “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
I had the audacity to cold email him and get him on my show as I was about to graduate from college just a year ago. It was a life dream of mine to have him on my show and get advice that he would pass down onto us who are just beginning our lives. Although he didn’t respond, he did read it. I just figured I’ll try again when I have bigger names on my show. That dream will now remain just that. A dream.
It broke me when I reached into my wallet today and pulled out my blue post it note that’s always in my side pocket. It has names of people that have inspired me, who I want to learn from, and who I hope to have on my show to inspire my generation.
Kobe has always been on that list.
You’ll always be inspiration to that 8 year old kid in me. Thanks for everything.
Always and forever. GOAT. RIP Kobe & little Gigi 💔💔💔
-Rushi Shah