Kobe
I don’t feel like being analytical this week. This has been a really long, boring, and sad year.
We lost Kobe Bryant this year. He died in a terrible accident on January 26. I don’t really have a way to write this out well, I feel dumb and emotional as I type it. It’s almost like this didn’t even happen, or that I can’t accept that it’s happened. With his death being right around the start of the pandemic, it’s like this entire year isn’t real and is just a bad dream. I hope I wake up soon.
Kobe wasn’t just a basketball player. He was an inspiration. Not just in basketball, in life. Kobe instilled a competitive fire in those who were inspired by him, taking that competitiveness and desire to succeed into all walks of life. I remember in 2011, when I started to watch basketball, he was still playing. He was getting older, but man he was still good. I remember looking up highlight clips of him hitting difficult shots, contested shots, and clutch shots. It’s beautiful to watch, it’s art. I remember playing basketball more, wanting to win and compete. Kobe didn’t inspire me to play basketball more, though, he inspired me to want to succeed, to stay competitive. He inspired me to do everything I do with passion.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=250892702567446
I couldn’t get this video to embed, as it’s only on Facebook. It’s a tribute to Kobe made by a basketball page I’ve followed since I was in high school.
Zion Williamson & The Pelicans
I think Zion Williamson is going to dominate the NBA this season. Averaging 27.8 minutes per game with only 24 games played, I don’t think we’ve seen what he can truly do yet. He came into the NBA somewhat out of shape, was injured by mid October, and then the NBA was season was cancelled.
Zion and the Pelicans are set up to be contenders for the next several years. There is cap space to keep Brandon Igraham, a young offensive star. Ingraham played 62 games last season, averaging nearly 24 points and shooting 39% from the 3 point line. JJ Reddick, a veteran knockdown shooter, is also on the team to provide shooting. Having Ingraham and Reddick to space the floor while Zion drives to the basket is a nightmare for opposing offenses due to Zion’s court sense and passing ability.
The ball doesn’t even need to be in Zion’s hand. The Pelican’s best highlights come when Lonzo Ball lobs a half court alley oop to a cutting Zion. It reminds me of back in the Lebron-Heat era when Lebron and Wade would pass each other crazy alley oops that would be replayed on ESPN for weeks. Lonzo hasn’t been the superstar that people thought he would be when he was drafted, but has been a perfect starting point guard. He’s taller than your average point guard, his defense is great, and his passing is as good as Rondo or Rubio.
Do you think the Pelicans are setting up a dynasty or will all these players be on different teams in a few years?