This is crazy. Half of the people here are talking about how much we should empathize with the players and their hard times, forgive them for not making their presence known, and just default to the idea that it’s all good, they’re sad, and next time it’ll be better...what? It’s understandable to want to show empathy towards someone who is having a hard time but let’s be real, this is work and it was time to fucking get to it.
I’m devastated Kobe is gone, wrecked in fact - just like I was when others who have been close passed. Do you know who you’re mourning though? This man put everything on the line every time he stepped on the court, he gave every ounce of energy, passion and just sheer will the second the ball was in play. He didn’t give two shits about all of the personal trials in the moment, he just played. And he damn sure lost some folks and drew some controversy during that time.
19+ turnovers, LeBron as a ghost? The fuck is that. It’s all good if you want to coddle them, but don’t for one second pretend like people who are disappointed with this weren’t expecting the Kobe kind of drive. It’s why we loved him so much - it’s why people in LA define themselves by him. The work ethic, the ability to turn off everything else, and most importantly the ability to turn whatever it is you’re feeling into fuel to win. Look at Gasol in 2009 and how he took Garnetts soft comments. I guarantee you Kobe gave the same kind of speech before 2010.
Fucking embarrassing trying to justify this kind of performance. If you love Kobe you know damn well he’d be ripping into all of them regardless of their tears. There’s a time to be sad, a time to mourn, but when you step onto that floor and represent all of the Lakers that came before you, then you better fucking bring it. This was a huge game for this city and we blew it, which I guarantee will have ramifications down the line. You either come together over this or you let it eat away at the team - tonight was the latter. Worst part is these guys will all now live with the idea that they lost the KB memorial game. Whether or not we put that on them it’ll always be a thought in their minds.
That said if we’re looking at it from a non-Kobe point of view, sure I get it. It’s a sad day and the boys gave it their all. We’ll get em next time sluggers.