By: Faisal Quyyumi, contributing intern (@_faisalquyyumi) You are arrogant. You are an asshole. You are selfish. You are uncoachable. You are greedy. You are a narcissist. Yet, you are greatness personified. In my first ever NBA game I watched on television, I saw a random player wearing purple and gold casually drop 65 points. I didn’t know it then, but I had just witnessed pure excellence. From that point onwards until tonight, I have studied everything about you: from your passion for waking up at 5 a.m. during summer workouts, to never backing down in a battle even at a young age, to shooting jump shots in the American Airlines Arena after a difficult loss to the Miami Heat, to rapping Jay-Z lyrics in the back of a Greyhound Bus, to giving back to those who are less fortunate than you…you are my idol. Growing up, I was always blessed with an amazing life. Being given two loving parents who sent me to a private school and were always able to provide me with amazing food and also my own car once I got older. Yet, they had forgotten to teach me one important concept; that this world is all about survival of the fittest – enter Kobe Bean Bryant. Over the past few years I have began to analyze your mamba mentality which is that “we don’t quit, we don’t cower, we don’t run. We endure and conquer.” And since properly understanding the true meaning of this it has helped push me beyond my limits in every aspect of my life and furthermore help me reach my goal. To think that I will no longer see you walk onto the court and hit a fadeaway from the elbow, or cross somebody over then throw it down, or take a contested three-pointer even though there is still 20 seconds left on the shot clock will truly break my heart. You aren’t only an inspiration to me but to an entire generation of kids, teenagers, and adults who either hate you or love you, but regardless, will always respect you. Thank you for such an illustrious career as your intensity, ferocity, fortitude, and passion for the game will never be replaced❤️🏀😞 #MambaOut #ThankYouKobe
