Throughout my life Kobe has always been the enemy. I’ve never liked him, but always respected his grace on the basketball court. He’s always been an adversary, a roadblock to my happiness in sports. His narcissistic tendencies irked me while at the same time I’ve loved his relentless determination to dominate the game of Basketball. His indifference to his teammates whether it be Shaq or Smush Parker has irritated me but his scoring prowess has fascinated me.  Everything he’s done in his life he’s done with the intent to dominate, to leave his mark and make sure that we remember him.

 You guys know that as a Celtics fan Kobe is basically public enemy #1, a role he relishes. Being the face of the franchise rival is one the comes with tremendous responsibilities. Encapsulated in said responsibilities is to raise your game against Boston something he has done on countless occasions, leaving a plethora of tired Celtic defenders in his wake. The picture above was taken just after Game 6 in the 2008 Finals. What turned out to be the happiest moment I have ever experienced as a Celtics fan was most likely one of the lowest moments of his life as a Laker. It seems to represent the way I view Kobe. When I experience joy in Basketball, Kobe is more than likely experiencing sorrow and vice versa.

Kobe eventually got his revenge unleashing his fury in 09 and 10 finals winning back to back titles. The latter of which still haunts me to this day. Since then he’s been testing the limits of his own physical fortitude by defying father time and astounding us with his brilliant play(albeit with the help of a trip to Germany). He’s had some bumps and bruises but never a huge injury that has sidelined him for a chunk of time. He’s played through torn ligaments in his fingers, sprained ankles etc. but never have we seen him go down like he did against Golden State. Until then I viewed Kobe as an immortal, someone’s whose body would never break but deep down I kind of knew this would happen. I knew that after 17 years of playing through injuries his career would end with him succumbing to one ultimately to big to play through. When I watched him go down I felt the collective “gasp” of the basketball world, and the sorrow of Lakers fans who had just witnessed their champion crumble for the first time.

I’ve heard people throw out the “A” word(Amnesty) since Kobe tore his achilles but to me, even as a Celtics fans who has been rooting for his failure since I’ve been able to walk, it just seems like a slap in the face. It’s a shame that Amnestying the Mamba is even an option. Tom Ziller of SBNation already wrote why such a thought should be put to bed.

His career being an almost perfect shadow of one particular Chicago Bulls Guard, Kobe has already cemented his legacy. The former 16th overall pick is already going to the Hall of Fame. He’s already one of the 10 greatest players to ever play the game. He’s already made his mark, so what’s the need for him to come back? Because he’s Kobe and Kobe isn’t going out like this. He can’t go out like this. In my 15 years of life I’ve never seen anyone play the game with as much fire as he’s played the game and I’ve watched KG for almost half my life. I can’t have Kobe retire for I don’t know what the NBA is like without him. I don’t know what a Celtics-Lakers rivalry means without him. Without him everything seems to lose it’s sizzle.  You know they say “A hero is only as good as his villain,” Kobe’s our villain and I’m rooting for him. For the first time in my life I find myself rooting for Kobe.

Apr 12, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) is looked at by a medical staff member against the Golden State Warriors during the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Friday night against the Golden State Warriors, Kobe Bryant tore his achilles tendon late in the fourth quarter as the Los Angeles Lakers were in the midst of making a comeback. Kobe had taken some ugly hits throughout the game, and with three minutes to go, his body couldn’t hold up and it gave out on him. When he found out that the prognosis wasn’t good, he took to social media to vent his frustration.

“This is such BS! All the training & sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I’ve done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I’m supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
“I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me…Then again maybe not! It’s 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I’m wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what’s the purpose of social media if I won’t bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn Achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.

“One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.

“If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear”. I’ve always loved that quote. That’s “mamba mentality” we don’t quit, we don’t cower, we don’t run. We endure and conquer.

“I know it’s a long post but I’m Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge. Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.

“Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.”

Mamba Out”

Just from reading the emotions that he’s going through, you can’t help but feel for Kobe. Speaking on behalf of many Celtics fans, with the career that he has had up to this point, he deserves respect for what he’s done as a player, even if we hate the uniform he wears every night.

What Kobe has displayed, especially later in his career, is what every young athlete should try modeling themselves after. He gave every ounce of heart on a nightly basis. It didn’t matter what injury or illness hampered him, he played every game as if it was his last. There was no complaining from Kobe, if his teammates didn’t give 100% he called them out. If the Lakers were down late in a game, Kobe fought and most of the time overcame and persevered through any obstacle. As a fan of the game, these are the types of players you hate to see having their season, and maybe even their careers end because of an injury like a torn achilles.

For a 34 year old, returning from an injury that requires surgery, rehabilitation, and practice in the gym to return to the level he was at this season would require a lot of dedication. With it being so late in his career, and having won five championship rings, Kobe doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. It’s going to take time for it to sink in, but for Kobe to make a decision, whether it be retirement or returning for one more season, would be premature, especially since the injury occurred only two nights ago.

Kobe is one of, if not the toughest player in the game today. It’s going to require a lot of will power, but I expect him to give it one more shot and attempt to make a return. He’s the only player in basketball that can be compared to Michael Jordan, and with all the pride that he possesses, he won’t allow his career to end due to an injury.

Feb 7, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward/center Kevin Garnett (5) and Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) battle under the basket during the fourth quarter at TD Banknorth Garden. The Boston Celtics won 116-95. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics head to Los Angeles to take on a Los Angeles Lakers team that has just lost their beloved owner, Jerry Buss, two days ago. The game will have an obvious moment of silence for the great pioneer who really brought the entertainment aspect of basketball into America’s eyes. After the honoring of his memory, the Lakers will look to ride Buss’s memory and play one hell of a game.

The Celtics are coming to Los Angeles, losers against a red-hot Nuggets’ team, who simply just dominated the Celtics. Both the Celtics and Lakers are shells of their old championship pedigree, and both are victims to overwhelming injuries to a star player; Pau Gasol and Rajon Rondo.

This game will highlight the match-up at the center position, as Kevin Garnett will go up against Dwight Howard. Howard is struggling on offense and still has yet to find his niché with Mike D’antoni’s offense. Garnett will still have to play Howard tough down low to make the Laker’s one dimensional.

The tough task in guarding Kobe Bryant will be given to Avery Bradley. Bradley is easily the Celtics’ best perimeter defender and will have an effect on how easy or hard, Kobe gets his shot off. Look for the match-up to be an indicator on who is winning.

The Celtics will clearly miss the presence of Rajon Rondo in this game, even though they have tallied a respectable 8-2 record without him. Lakers’ point guard Steve Nash will look to find holes in a stingy Celtics’ half court defense. If the Celtics can avoid any cheap baskets or, simply,  the wrath from Kobe Bryant, this game will quickly fall to the Celtics’ hands.

The Celtics have the clear edge in fast break offense led by swingmen Jeff Green. Doc Rivers will look to speeding up the tempo and having the elderly Lakers play a full court game.

Trade deadline is looming and both teams are sellers at this point. Most players on either team are viable trade options for other teams, so look at this game as an experiment to see who the Celtics or the Lakers can axe or save to fight the next battle.