To be a Los Angeles Laker Fan… Looking back at the Pandemic Championship
There are over 5 million instances, occurrences, dilemmas, facts and so forth that are truly far more important in life right now than a basketball championship. Let’s get that out of the way.
In this moment, on this day in the middle of October, and at this time where everyone needs hope and enjoyment, the number of people in Los Angeles shedding a tear because their team brought home a basketball championship has the potential to be in the millions, of a city that holds roughly 4 million people, and a world that has fallen in love with this professional organization.
In Los Angeles, hope means everything, and hope embodies the city. In the same vein, Kobe Bryant meant everything to this city, and embodied this vast landscape, as well. Kobe was young and brash when he arrived. Kobe was born with a chip on his shoulder that so many related to. In our youth, any person who falls in love with sports has exalted in winning, and felt the pain of losing. We carry the adolescent years with us throughout our lives, and with sports come those memories. All ages watched on TV and in person as Kobe quietly perfected his craft, while making statements for the entire league to take notice of. Kobe made massive mistakes, upset many people, made enemies, missed thousands of shots, lost games on his own accord, fought through constant injury, and yet left an indelible mark on the city of Los Angeles, as murals plaster walls where space and paint are available. If that doesn’t embody what the true blood of the people of Los Angeles are I don’t know what does.
A new ‘King’ arrived to the City of Angels, and while there was excitement there was not acceptance nor would there be until LeBron brought home a title for this beloved franchise. Tonight, the crowning achievement of a 17th title, to tie the arch nemesis Boston Celtics means everything possible to Los Angeles, and for this night and for the 17th time those who have loved this franchise will celebrate victory.
This victory celebration is far different from any other in its history.
We are heartbroken, and we still suffer a loss that feels so unexplainable. The path taken to achievement, that length of a season nearly a year long to live through, a terrible moment in time never forgotten. There has to be a reminder that there is so much more in our world right now that needs attention, and there’s so much to fight for in life that speaking of this in a public forum feels daunting and uncomfortable. The impact of humans that touch our hearts in sport are moments we take with us from cradle to grave, and the appreciation has to acknowledged.
Tonight, we celebrate, we mourn, and we remember. These men and women who work together for an organization we admire and love so much have reached the crowning achievement, and everyone who has worn the purple and gold will cry, as one human’s impact on our beloved and far-from-perfect city is of a person who made us all stronger, and we bought into the Mamba Mentality. Kobe made us want more, want to be successful, want to take the game-winning shot with the trash bin in the corner of our daily lives. He also made us aware that the love came with work, and the men and women who have put in the work have culminated their life-long dreams of being champions. Sacrifices were made, to make sure we as fans walk with our heads held high, our chests forward and for that moment where we grab a piece of paper, crumple it, swing left, let it go and yell “KOBE” to a swish.
Tonight the cities of Los Angeles and yes, the city of Minneapolis for those who still kept their hearts with this team, exhale in exultation, smile in admiration, and cry in what we lost in heartbreak. To one Dr. Buss who had a vision. To Jerry, Elgin, Wilt, Magic, Kareem, Shaq and Kobe among the countless others, we celebrate with tears of joy and pain and we give thanks to those who have taken pride in being a Laker.
