Kobe

[Deleted User 295]

I have no problem with people being inspired by kobe and wanting to pay respects.

Even golfers at the waste management tourny this week are wearing Kobe jerseys, sporting Lakers headcovers, etc.

Look at the support world wide, especially places like the Philippines. Doesn't bother me at all.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Someone wearing a Kobe jersey to the waste management tourney is a good indicator to never hang out with them.

[Deleted User 295]

Someone wearing a Kobe jersey to the waste management tourney is a good indicator to never hang out with them.

The golfers themselves were wearing them. JT, Finau, even Gary Woodland has Lakers putter cover rocking. I'd hang out with all 3 of them.

[Soklous]

Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!

[Deleted User 295]

Oh god, don't let Plano see that.

[jfish26]

Well this just got quite expensive.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/he ... r-n1127586

[DCHawk1]

Oh god, don't let Plano see that.

Settle down.

Plano -- who is a retired federal LEO -- has what he says is an evidence-informed opinion that Kobe committed a heinous sexual assault and got away with it. I think, given that, that he has been fairly restrained in his comments, choosing not to speak ill of the dead, when he could easily do otherwise.

It's fine to celebrate the guy and to marvel at the changes in his character, but that doesn't change the fact that whatever he did, he got away with it, and most men in that position -- and ESPECIALLY black men -- don't get that opportunity.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Oh god, don't let Plano see that.

Settle down.

Plano -- who is a retired federal LEO -- has what he says is an evidence-informed opinion that Kobe committed a heinous sexual assault and got away with it. I think, given that, that he has been fairly restrained in his comments, choosing not to speak ill of the dead, when he could easily do otherwise.

It's fine to celebrate the guy and to marvel at the changes in his character, but that doesn't change the fact that whatever he did, he got away with it, and most men in that position -- and ESPECIALLY black men -- don't get that opportunity.

Love you, but meh.

[randylahey]

all the kobe tributes are excessive. there was a very small amount of people in the world that were genuinely close to kobe. you know like his wife.. family.. a couple very close friends. and this point making a tribute to kobe is just the trendy thing to do.

every acquaintance of the man acting heart broken and doing tributes is soft and sums up America in 2020

[DCHawk1]

Oh god, don't let Plano see that.

Settle down.

Plano -- who is a retired federal LEO -- has what he says is an evidence-informed opinion that Kobe committed a heinous sexual assault and got away with it. I think, given that, that he has been fairly restrained in his comments, choosing not to speak ill of the dead, when he could easily do otherwise.

It's fine to celebrate the guy and to marvel at the changes in his character, but that doesn't change the fact that whatever he did, he got away with it, and most men in that position -- and ESPECIALLY black men -- don't get that opportunity.

Love you, but meh.

Yeah, I know.

And if it had been anyone but Illy...

[Deleted User 62]

Oh god, don't let Plano see that.

Settle down.

Plano -- who is a retired federal LEO -- has what he says is an evidence-informed opinion that Kobe committed a heinous sexual assault and got away with it. I think, given that, that he has been fairly restrained in his comments, choosing not to speak ill of the dead, when he could easily do otherwise.

It's fine to celebrate the guy and to marvel at the changes in his character, but that doesn't change the fact that whatever he did, he got away with it, and most men in that position -- and ESPECIALLY black men -- don't get that opportunity.

Thanks DC.
As I said, Kobe...the basketball player...was indeed incredible.

Not so much a fan of Kobe the man. Seems like he became a decent man later in his life, and certainly I can appreciate that.

Illannoy has been baiting me in this thread, and I have not responded. I maybe have more going on in my life right now than he does...who knows.

[NewtonHawk11]

The Lakers did a great job on a really tough night. Honored Kobe. LeBron has a nice speech.

Man the video they showed just invoked more rough spots for me, especially as a father. Lots of clips about him trying to be the best dad he could be, let his daughters do what they want Because he wanted to empower them, talked about how is married to his best friend and they have fun because they are best friends, and lots of clips with him and kids especially GiGi.

As LeBron said, “Mamba ouT, but not forgotten.” He’ll be remembered always for a competition-holic who was obsessed with the game and being better everyday in his craft, but then became the ideal spokesperson for what a dad should be to his kids once that competition exited his life.

[HouseDivided]

Fan of Kobe the basketball player.

Definitely NOT a fan of Kobe the person.

Agreed. Not sure why we are celebrating someone who got away with rape just because he could put a leather ball through a hoop. Should’ve been in prison, not on the court. I feel bad for his family, but this stuff is way overboard.

[NewtonHawk11]

Good shot by ESPN. Rob Pelinka watching the game, daughter on his lap, and he’s not letting her go. Not often do you see front office guys in that mode during a game.

But I think most realize in the sports world, that it’s ok to be a parent sometimes more than the outstanding athlete.

[Deleted User 289]

Fan of Kobe the basketball player.

Definitely NOT a fan of Kobe the person.

Agreed. Not sure why we are celebrating someone who got away with rape just because he could put a leather ball through a hoop. Should’ve been in prison, not on the court. I feel bad for his family, but this stuff is way overboard.

Sometimes there are things you (and I and everyone) just don't understand. Apparently this is one of those things.
We live in a forgiving society.
You assume he "got away with rape". Perhaps he did. I feel he in NO WAY deserves to be forgiven for that if he truly did rape her. Not too sure I would say "he got away with it" though.
Not a single one of us is without transgressions. What makes us good people is how we bounce back from our transgressions. Are we remorseful? Do we learn? Do we become better people?
Again, no way Kobe deserves to be forgiven IF he truly raped her but Kobe Bryant did a LOT more good than bad and he did a lot more for the world than just put a leather ball through a hoop. You are choosing to ignore that.

[HouseDivided]

Fan of Kobe the basketball player.

Definitely NOT a fan of Kobe the person.

Agreed. Not sure why we are celebrating someone who got away with rape just because he could put a leather ball through a hoop. Should’ve been in prison, not on the court. I feel bad for his family, but this stuff is way overboard.

Sometimes there are things you (and I and everyone) just don't understand. Apparently this is one of those things.
We live in a forgiving society.
You assume he "got away with rape". Perhaps he did. I feel he in NO WAY deserves to be forgiven for that if he truly did rape her. Not too sure I would say "he got away with it" though.
Not a single one of us is without transgressions. What makes us good people is how we bounce back from our transgressions. Are we remorseful? Do we learn? Do we become better people?
Again, no way Kobe deserves to be forgiven IF he truly raped her but Kobe Bryant did a LOT more good than bad and he did a lot more for the world than just put a leather ball through a hoop. You are choosing to ignore that.

I think that is really easy for us to say. I have to wonder how his then-19; now-36 year-old victim feels about the revisionist mass Kobe hagiography we’ve seen unfolding all week. For me, it’s the same as Tiger Woods. He’s a philandering piece of garbage who treated his wife like a common whore. Who cares how well he hits a golf ball? He’s an ass.

[NDballer13]

Agreed. Not sure why we are celebrating someone who got away with rape just because he could put a leather ball through a hoop. Should’ve been in prison, not on the court. I feel bad for his family, but this stuff is way overboard.

Sometimes there are things you (and I and everyone) just don't understand. Apparently this is one of those things.
We live in a forgiving society.
You assume he "got away with rape". Perhaps he did. I feel he in NO WAY deserves to be forgiven for that if he truly did rape her. Not too sure I would say "he got away with it" though.
Not a single one of us is without transgressions. What makes us good people is how we bounce back from our transgressions. Are we remorseful? Do we learn? Do we become better people?
Again, no way Kobe deserves to be forgiven IF he truly raped her but Kobe Bryant did a LOT more good than bad and he did a lot more for the world than just put a leather ball through a hoop. You are choosing to ignore that.

I think that is really easy for us to say. I have to wonder how his then-19; now-36 year-old victim feels about the revisionist mass Kobe hagiography we’ve seen unfolding all week. For me, it’s the same as Tiger Woods. He’s a philandering piece of garbage who treated his wife like a common whore. Who cares how well he hits a golf ball? He’s an ass.

Because for their millions of fans, 99% of which have never personally met them, their personal lives aren't why they are fans. When you watch professional sports, it's for entertainment. Literally the only thing people care about is how well Tiger hits a golf ball, or how Kobe can score from positions you didn't think were possible. You don't buy tickets to events based on whether the players you're watching are nice dudes away from their stage. You're there to watch them do things average people can't physically do.

By all accounts, Kobe is a great guy who made one mistake when he was a young adult. Can you say you never made a dumb decision? Yes, what he did, if he actually did it, was absolutely horrible, but one night doesn't define 41 years. How would you react if you were mourning a loved one and heard someone say "Why are they even mourning this guy after he did ______ 25 years ago? He's a piece of shit who should just rott in the ground." Or people remember you by that one night in college you had a little too much Natty Ice and made a stupid decision.

He very well could be an ass who made a terrible decision, but like gutter said, that doesn't erase all the good he did in the world in the 15+ years after that night.

[CrimsonNBlue]

It has been posted twice, once by me, but this piece should be required reading for everyone, especially people with opinions that match Psych and Plano’s. Good for situations beyond Kobe.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/p ... -obituary/

[HouseDivided]

Sometimes there are things you (and I and everyone) just don't understand. Apparently this is one of those things.
We live in a forgiving society.
You assume he "got away with rape". Perhaps he did. I feel he in NO WAY deserves to be forgiven for that if he truly did rape her. Not too sure I would say "he got away with it" though.
Not a single one of us is without transgressions. What makes us good people is how we bounce back from our transgressions. Are we remorseful? Do we learn? Do we become better people?
Again, no way Kobe deserves to be forgiven IF he truly raped her but Kobe Bryant did a LOT more good than bad and he did a lot more for the world than just put a leather ball through a hoop. You are choosing to ignore that.

I think that is really easy for us to say. I have to wonder how his then-19; now-36 year-old victim feels about the revisionist mass Kobe hagiography we’ve seen unfolding all week. For me, it’s the same as Tiger Woods. He’s a philandering piece of garbage who treated his wife like a common whore. Who cares how well he hits a golf ball? He’s an ass.

Because for their millions of fans, 99% of which have never personally met them, their personal lives aren't why they are fans. When you watch professional sports, it's for entertainment. Literally the only thing people care about is how well Tiger hits a golf ball, or how Kobe can score from positions you didn't think were possible. You don't buy tickets to events based on whether the players you're watching are nice dudes away from their stage. You're there to watch them do things average people can't physically do.

By all accounts, Kobe is a great guy who made one mistake when he was a young adult. Can you say you never made a dumb decision? Yes, what he did, if he actually did it, was absolutely horrible, but one night doesn't define 41 years. How would you react if you were mourning a loved one and heard someone say "Why are they even mourning this guy after he did ______ 25 years ago? He's a piece of shit who should just rott in the ground." Or people remember you by that one night in college you had a little too much Natty Ice and made a stupid decision.

He very well could be an ass who made a terrible decision, but like gutter said, that doesn't erase all the good he did in the world in the 15+ years after that night.

I get what you are saying, and I don't fault family and close friends for mourning the loss of their husband/father/son/teammate. What I don't get is people who enjoyed watching him play basketball acting as if someone really important in their life died. One of my students from L.A. was sitting in class moping yesterday that he was stuck in Kansas and missing "getting to honor Kobe like he deserves." Never met the guy, never watched him play live, but he somehow deserves their adoration. I just don't get that.

[HouseDivided]

It has been posted twice, once by me, but this piece should be required reading for everyone, especially people with opinions that match Psych and Plano’s. Good for situations beyond Kobe.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/p ... -obituary/

Beautifully-written article. I still believe there are some acts that make you a piece of $h!t no matter what you do from then on. Rape and marital infidelity are at the top of the list for me. I understand that is not the case for everyone.