2020 NBA Champions

Man. If I’m being honest, I really don’t know how to feel. I’m just hoping that writing this article will help me process. I’ve grown up alongside my brother always hating Lebron. We hated the fact that people dared say that someone was even close to as good a player as Kobe was. We would criticize him for being way too passive and always bring up him choking in the Dallas series. I would honestly find every opportunity to criticize him. We idolized Kobe, of course we felt this way. Even throughout this series, especially that game 5, I would constantly be cussing out Lebron. Everytime someone compares him to Michael Jordan or Kobe, or calls him the GOAT, I cringe. But after he delivered the Lakers this championship tonight, I quite frankly don’t know how to feel. How should I feel about a player that I have always hated, delivering my favorite team a championship, especially this year? 

I want to be really happy, and to a certain extent I am, but at the same time I’m a little lost and confused. My brother texted me after the game and I can’t put it any better, it read “(This championship) was surprisingly emotional. Actually feel grateful for LeBron. Can’t understate how meaningful it feels for the Lakers to win this year.“  I watched this game at my cousin’s house and I really wasn’t showing much emotion when the Lakers won, but as soon as I read this text I knew it was time to take my leave and call my brother. I called him on my way home, and if I’m being honest I could barely muster any words. I just sat there as tears started to form. But it’s a phone call I don’t think I will ever forget. And these words I probably won’t either, my brother said “You know there are some moments in life when you feel lost, but then suddenly something like this happens, and you remember what’s truly important and you refocus.” 

If I’m being honest, I’m probably never going to like LeBron, and I’ll probably continue to be a big hater because that’s just who I am. But my brother’s right, I am grateful for what he and the rest of the Lakers accomplished tonight. I can’t imagine how the Bryant family is feeling tonight, but I’m certain that Kobe is in heaven, proud. Proud that his team, the one he devoted so much of his life towards, overcame adversity and got the job done. And for that I will be forever grateful.

And as I continue to find my path, I hope that I can follow in Kobe’s footsteps and continue on the constant quest to be the best version of myself each and every day.

Thank you, 2020 Lakers. And forever thank you, Kobe.

— 

Prabh