Remembering Kobe

It’s still hard to process that Kobe has passed. It’s been a week since the tragic helicopter accident, but I still feel like I’m mourning this legend of the NBA. As a kid, I remember chasing after his rookie cards in packs of basketball cards. He was (in my mind) second only to my all-time favorite basketball player - Michael Jordan. Both him and Michael had a killer instinct that few have. As the years have past since his retirement, I’ve seen Kobe mature and become truly a great human as a father and as someone with goals to accomplish in life. He was taken from us way too soon - as was his daughter and the rest of the people on that helicopter.

The Lakers always draw a huge crowd when they come to Sacramento, but Kobe’s final game in town seemed to have even more. I remember being around so many in the media and press that night fighting to get pictures of Kobe. It was surreal as I never thought I’d be in such a position to be so close to someone such as this. It was my job at the time to primarily get photos of the Kings, but I couldn’t help but to grab a few still of Kobe as he took the court.

It was truly a memorable game, and an experience that I’ll never forget.

When the game ended Kobe walked off the court for the final time in Sacramento. He had an enormous amount of media folks crowding around him trying to get their photos of the legend. I wasn’t that close, but I was able to get the shot shown above using my old Canon 5d mark iii and a 70-200 telephoto lens. You can see Kobe walking off with DeMarcus Cousins and giving his old rival Peja Stojaković a smile.

After the game Kobe went to the media room to talk about his playing experience - primarily against the Kings. Again, I couldn’t believe where I was and who it was that was right there in front of me. Absolutely surreal.

I’ll miss Kobe just like everyone else will.

Thank you for everything and all the memories.