A Celtics view of Kobe Bryant
When you grow up as Celtics fan, you learn to hate the Lakers around the same time you learn the alphabet.
Most other NBA fanbases have a similar opinion, but when you’re born in New England, it’s tradition to hate the purple and gold. The rivalry goes way back to the ’50s, but for our generation, Kobe Bryant was our reason to hate the Lakers. Kobe was cocky, arrogant, and he seemed to think that he levitated above everybody else.
He was also very good. Bounces always seemed to go his way, refs liked to protect him, and he has five rings. He was the perfect candidate to be the most hated player in the league.
Kobe rekindled a seemingly dead rivalry when he entered the league in 1996. It’s a rivalry that started back in the ’50s and ’60s, where the Celtics won 11 NBA Championships in 13 years, with seven of the wins coming against the Lakers. The rivalry continued in the ’80s were eight of nine championships were either won by the Celtics or the Lakers.
Kobe blessed our generation with the rebirth of the greatest rivalry ever. He allowed me to enjoy the same rivalry that my parents and grandparents saw decades ago. First it was Russell-Wilt, then it was Magic-Bird, and my generation finally got to enjoy a rivalry of our own in Kobe-Pierce.
When I heard the news that he was retiring after this year, I couldn’t help but feel sad. As much as I hate him, I can’t help but respect him as a basketball player. He played the game with passion, grace and the perfect amount of flash. The night that he scored 81 points was the single greatest performance I’ve ever witnessed, but that’s just the type of player he was. He was an explosive scorer who could find a way to take over the game. If his team wasn’t playing well, he had the ability to go out and win the game on his own.
Kobe had that killer instinct that was only ever seen before in Jordan. He didn’t beat you because he was better at basketball, he beat you because he wanted to win more than you. He would stop at nothing, even if it meant taking every shot for his team. That is what truly separated him from everybody else. He was a winner. That’s the type of player I love, and that is the type of player that everybody wants on their team.
I still hate him with all of my heart, but I appreciate what he has done for the NBA and the world of sports. After 20 years, two numbers and one horrible rap album, it’s been a hell of a career. The NBA will never be the same.
— Joe is a senior majoring in finance. He would like to point out that Larry Bird is still the best basketball player of all time. Any comments or disagreements can be tweeted @joefish_2 or emailed to joebaraiolo@gmail.com.