Post #95 16 April 2016

Gentlefolk,

I can't resist doing another post about Kobe Bryant, although I did a special post dedicated to Kobe four months ago when he announced his intention to retire at the end of this season - see Post #82 dated 22 December 2015.

Post #82 contains a synopsis of his illustrious career and includes short poems written by my English Major students.

The NBA's 2015-16 regular season ended this week with a couple of highlights.

Firstly, Kobe Bryant finished his NBA career with a last game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on 13 April (14 April here in China).

The LA Lakers played the Utah Jazz.  The Jazz led all the way until the last minute when the Lakers overtook them to win 101 - 96.

The arena was full of adoring fans and Kobe rose to the occasion.  Our 37-year-old hero scored 60 points; 22 in the first half and a remarkable 38 points in the second half.

Kobe played like a man possessed.  What he lacked in accuracy he made up with frenetic energy.  He was the Kobe of old, running, turning, twisting, passing, shooting - it was an amazing performance.

Although the Lakers didn't make the play-offs having won only 17 and losing 65, Kobe finished on personal high - his 60 points gave him the highest score for the 2015-16 season!

Suffice it to say that this last game was a fitting farewell to a great champion.

Kobe ended his NBA career with 33,643 points in 1,346 regular season games, averaging 24.99 ppg.

Kobe has been immensely popular in China. "KB20", a designated page on China's major social networking platform Sina Weibo, had more than 410 million views within an hour of the Lakers' game ending. Yes, 410 million views ... only in China!

Kobe has visited China at least once a year since 2006 and fans and the media mobbed him at every public appearance.  His image graced billboards from Beijing to Shanghai.

Kobe's Lakers 24 jersey was the best-seller in China from 2008 to 2013. While the Houston Rockets are sentimental favorites because Yao Ming played there, the Lakers have consistently been one of the most-watched NBA teams because of Kobe.

What made Kobe so admired around the world? Was it his boyish charm? His outstanding athleticism? His extraordinary work ethic (one felt that he always gave his best, and never gave up)?

Probably a combination of all his characteristics.

What Michael Jordan was to the 1990s, Kobe was to the 2000s.  For a while it looked as if LeBron James might inherit the Super Star mantle but ... (see below).

Here are some photos related to Kobe's final game.

A huge crowd gathered outside the Staples Center, waiting to catch a glimpse of  their idol.

Inside the Staples Center, it was all KOBE, KOBE, KOBE. The most expensive court-side seat cost $27,500.  Many celebrities attended the game, including Jack Nicholson and David Beckham.

Picture of Kobe with Shaquille O'Neal when the Lakers won the NBA Championship in 2000, the first of five NBA Championships for Kobe.

For the day LA changed the name of the nearby train station in his honour.

A group of fans came all the way from Zhengzhou, Henan Province.

Kobe participating in the pre-game ceremonies.

Kobe in action against the Jazz.

The Bryant girls, from left Gianna, wife Vanessa, and Natalie.

Kobe fist-bumping with youngest daughter Gianna.

A celebratory kiss with wife Vanessa.

Kobe saluting the crowd after the game.

Kobe at the post-game media conference.

Kobe Bryant, in 1998 and 2016. A legend.

Students at the Sports University of Shenyang, Liaoning Province drew a giant picture of Kobe to commemorate his final game. What a wonderful tribute.

...


As one super-star exited, another was emerging.

On the same day as Kobe's last hurrah, the reigning NBA Champions Golden State Warriors (based in San Francisco) made history of their own.  They ended the regular season with 73 wins and 9 losses.

Their 73 wins was one more than the previous record set by the Chicago Bulls in the 1995-96 season.

Stephen Curry scored an incredible 402 3-pointers, smashing his own previous record of 286.  He averaged an extraordinary 30 ppg for the 2015-16 regular season.

Steph was born on 14 March 1988 in Akron, Ohio.  He is 1.91m tall and weighs 86kg. His father, Dell Curry, was also a professional basketball player, mostly with the Charlotte Hornets.

Steph joined Golden State in 2009 from College, and plays point guard.  He won the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award for the 2014-15 season.

He's not particularly big or strong, but oh what a talent.

No doubt we'll see a lot more of this young man ... but will he capture our hearts and minds the way Kobe did?

Steph Curry and his Golden State Warriors team-mates after beating the Memphis Grizzlies 125 - 104 to record their 73rd win of the 2015-16 regular NBA season.

...

Well, that's it for this post.

Keep well and keep smiling.

Alex & Vera Olah
English teachers at the China University of Petroleum, Qingdao
www.upc.edu.cn
Saturday, 16 April 2016