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Halflife
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GTL
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Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 9815
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 Posted: Wed May 04, 2022 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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Check out the Mamba Mentality leading into game 7 of the NBA Finals
This guy wasn't joking around. He wasn't trying to make friends in the media so they can write puff pieces about him. He wanted to WIN. He didn't downplay it because it wasn't an epic matchup. The damn job wasn't finished. He no longer cared what anybody thought about him. By 2010, those days were gone.
He just wanted to win at all costs, and he did. And for that, we are forever grateful for all the ups (and the downs) during his two decade tenure with this great franchise.
Missing you Kobe, as usual.
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I miss you Kobe. I miss you Gigi. |
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Halflife
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Halflife
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lakeshowtacular
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Joined: 22 Jul 2010
Posts: 635
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| Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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It's been a rough few years without the Mamba, and now that this will get buried in these last pages, I just wanted to share my Mamba story.
I was bartending at a Hotel/Bar in Reno, NV in 2019 and Kobe was staying at our Hotel. Of course, part of working at nicer hotels is you have to practice tons of discretion when famous people are there. So I had heard he was staying there with Gigis Volleyball team. I lost it, he's my dude. I had seen him a few times before in Southern California (where I am from and live now), probably why I was such a fan, but never in an up close and personal situation.
The first night he was in town he walked through the lounge and out on the patio (Hotel is right on the Truckee River). I was trying to get his attention, but you could tell he was just taking a quick walk to check out the place. He had 2 guys about 20 feet from him making sure no one followed him in. We made eye contact and I gave him a big smile and a head nod. He smiled back and I was stoked.
Didn't see him the following day, but on Sunday he and his crew of 2 sat on the patio by the river, and they didn't ask us to, but we closed it off to the public. It's a pretty small spot where he sat, so only another 4 top could fit out there so we just VIPd it for him. They sat out side for about 2 hours, and the server that was at their table had to go to her other job. So I told her I'd keep an eye on them, and let her close out the tab.
After she left, they were outside for about an hour, and when I went to check on them I asked if they needed anything else. Kobes friends said they were good, but Kobe raised up an empty Heineken and motioned for another. I ran back in the bar, and in front of my manager I counted out $7 on the bar in ones. He looked at me like I was crazy, and I said loudly "I am buying this beer". He said "What"? and I repeated emphatically, "I am buying this beer". I took it outside and opened it in front of him and said "Life long Laker fan, thanks for everything Mamba", and then I walked away.
They left about a half hour later and Kobe looked at me from about 15 feet away and said "Thanks man", and left, that was the last time we talked (well only time).
So maybe this a catharsis of some sort, but I just wanted everyone to know I bought Kobe a beer. Thanks for reading, I miss KOBE 
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How dull it is to pause, to make an end, to rust unburnish'd...not to shine in use!
As tho' to breathe were life.
Tennyson |
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jonnybravo
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Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 29288
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| Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:12 pm Post subject: |
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| lakeshowtacular wrote: | It's been a rough few years without the Mamba, and now that this will get buried in these last pages, I just wanted to share my Mamba story.
I was bartending at a Hotel/Bar in Reno, NV in 2019 and Kobe was staying at our Hotel. Of course, part of working at nicer hotels is you have to practice tons of discretion when famous people are there. So I had heard he was staying there with Gigis Volleyball team. I lost it, he's my dude. I had seen him a few times before in Southern California (where I am from and live now), probably why I was such a fan, but never in an up close and personal situation.
The first night he was in town he walked through the lounge and out on the patio (Hotel is right on the Truckee River). I was trying to get his attention, but you could tell he was just taking a quick walk to check out the place. He had 2 guys about 20 feet from him making sure no one followed him in. We made eye contact and I gave him a big smile and a head nod. He smiled back and I was stoked.
Didn't see him the following day, but on Sunday he and his crew of 2 sat on the patio by the river, and they didn't ask us to, but we closed it off to the public. It's a pretty small spot where he sat, so only another 4 top could fit out there so we just VIPd it for him. They sat out side for about 2 hours, and the server that was at their table had to go to her other job. So I told her I'd keep an eye on them, and let her close out the tab.
After she left, they were outside for about an hour, and when I went to check on them I asked if they needed anything else. Kobes friends said they were good, but Kobe raised up an empty Heineken and motioned for another. I ran back in the bar, and in front of my manager I counted out $7 on the bar in ones. He looked at me like I was crazy, and I said loudly "I am buying this beer". He said "What"? and I repeated emphatically, "I am buying this beer". I took it outside and opened it in front of him and said "Life long Laker fan, thanks for everything Mamba", and then I walked away.
They left about a half hour later and Kobe looked at me from about 15 feet away and said "Thanks man", and left, that was the last time we talked (well only time).
So maybe this a catharsis of some sort, but I just wanted everyone to know I bought Kobe a beer. Thanks for reading, I miss KOBE |
Ngl, my eyes are watering reading that. Can't believe it still hurts so much.
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KOBE |
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lakeshowtacular
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Joined: 22 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2022 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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| jonnybravo wrote: |
Ngl, my eyes are watering reading that. Can't believe it still hurts so much. |
Sometimes it will just catch me out of the blue and I lose it. It's great to have LG and likeminded fans to share the tears with, but man it just aint fair.
JB you've always been a fav of mine here on LG, thanks for reading. May comfort find us soon, and may it find Kobes family too.
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How dull it is to pause, to make an end, to rust unburnish'd...not to shine in use!
As tho' to breathe were life.
Tennyson |
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Halflife
Franchise Player
Joined: 15 Aug 2015
Posts: 11657
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Halflife
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danzag
Franchise Player
Joined: 28 Apr 2013
Posts: 20782
Location: Brazil
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| Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 10:09 am Post subject: |
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| lakeshowtacular wrote: | It's been a rough few years without the Mamba, and now that this will get buried in these last pages, I just wanted to share my Mamba story.
I was bartending at a Hotel/Bar in Reno, NV in 2019 and Kobe was staying at our Hotel. Of course, part of working at nicer hotels is you have to practice tons of discretion when famous people are there. So I had heard he was staying there with Gigis Volleyball team. I lost it, he's my dude. I had seen him a few times before in Southern California (where I am from and live now), probably why I was such a fan, but never in an up close and personal situation.
The first night he was in town he walked through the lounge and out on the patio (Hotel is right on the Truckee River). I was trying to get his attention, but you could tell he was just taking a quick walk to check out the place. He had 2 guys about 20 feet from him making sure no one followed him in. We made eye contact and I gave him a big smile and a head nod. He smiled back and I was stoked.
Didn't see him the following day, but on Sunday he and his crew of 2 sat on the patio by the river, and they didn't ask us to, but we closed it off to the public. It's a pretty small spot where he sat, so only another 4 top could fit out there so we just VIPd it for him. They sat out side for about 2 hours, and the server that was at their table had to go to her other job. So I told her I'd keep an eye on them, and let her close out the tab.
After she left, they were outside for about an hour, and when I went to check on them I asked if they needed anything else. Kobes friends said they were good, but Kobe raised up an empty Heineken and motioned for another. I ran back in the bar, and in front of my manager I counted out $7 on the bar in ones. He looked at me like I was crazy, and I said loudly "I am buying this beer". He said "What"? and I repeated emphatically, "I am buying this beer". I took it outside and opened it in front of him and said "Life long Laker fan, thanks for everything Mamba", and then I walked away.
They left about a half hour later and Kobe looked at me from about 15 feet away and said "Thanks man", and left, that was the last time we talked (well only time).
So maybe this a catharsis of some sort, but I just wanted everyone to know I bought Kobe a beer. Thanks for reading, I miss KOBE |
This is awesome, dude. |
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Halflife
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moonriver24
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Joined: 21 Oct 2007
Posts: 15231
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| Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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Kobe was the reason I love basketball again.
If you are wondering... yes I was losing interest in bball once MJ, PJ and the Bulls parted ways. I was a huge MJ fan. The most memorable game was when MJ met Magic and the Lakers. I remember vividly, Magic was fouled inside the perimeter and while falling down he managed to shoot the ball and ...dang! and-1! However as we know it, the MJ and the Bulls dominated the NBA with 2 threepeats, denying many legends like Ewing, Barkley, Stockton and Malone, Hakeem, the dirty Pistons, and even the Lakers from winning it all. The only time other teams were winning coincided with MJ temporarily retiring after first threepeat.
MJ and PJ certainly stole my heart the way they relate on and off the court. After 2nd threepeat, things changed. Mj retired, PJ left and thus the end of Bulls dynasty. I blamed the mess on the GM that had too much power at the time. I resent the way Bulls were dismantled. I would not watch NBA after MJ and PJ retired and left. But thank goodness, PJ was hired to coach the Lakers. But I was still not interested in watching NBA despite Shaq's dominance on news headline. Not until I learned about a young man named Kobe.
His moves were so similar with those of MJ's and as years go by, more. Since the 2000 I was stuck on Kobe. Having watched Pippen and MJ for so long, I could easily see that PJ "force" young Kobe to be Pippen and Jordan in one body. Sometimes he was fully Pippen, sometimes fully Jordan. And most of the time both. Certainly, Kobe stole my heart even though I was not a Lakers fan.
I watched Lakers because I felt as if I was watching PJ, MJ and Pippen play again together. Although this time, instead of three, there were only PJ and Kobe.
Having watched MJ and Kobe in their respective prime, I treated them as equally good. Each had unique strengths that offset one another "weaknesses". For example, if each team needed a slow but sure comeback, MJ would be good. MJ and the Bulls would slowly and steadily kill you. But the team were in big hole and needed a faster comeback, Kobe would be the best choice. This kid could shoot from all ranges when in zone. MJ could not do that. Not as "regularly" as Kobe could. Besides, Kobe was a proven ball handler throughout his years under PJ.
And MJ himself finally admitted that only Kobe could give him most troubles. In his final game against Lakers as a Wizzards, a prime Kobe presented an almost 40 year old MJ honorly with 55 points. (It could have been more if PJ didn't take him out during his hottest time only to insert him back later when he had cold down).
Thank you Kobe.
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Kobe's Top 5 Dunks, 81 points, MJ last gm @Staples |
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Halflife
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