There are some things that we just can’t seem to explain. Coincidences that’ll make you scratch your head and wonder whether there’s a higher force running things or if the sport we love that much is scripted by a supreme entity.
That was exactly the case yesterday, August 23, 2020. It was supposed to be Kobe Bryant’s birthday, the first since his physical disappearance, and, needless to say; the sports community paid homage to one of the greatest icons in basketball history.
Then again, it looks like one player took things way too far when honoring Kobe. That player was Luka Doncic, who had the ultimate tribute for the Black Mamba with his head-turning performance vs. the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Slovenian star carried the load for his team and took down the Clippers in pure Kobe fashion. He was playing with a hurt ankle and limped from time to time, against the biggest Championship contender in the league, without his team’s second-best player available.
And, just like Kobe, Doncic didn’t make a single excuse. He believed he was bound to tie the series and he took destiny into his own hands, stepping back and knocking down a game-winning three-pointer in overtime over Reggie Jackson to beat the Clippers, which happen to be Kobe’s Lakers’ city rivals.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1297667239622082560
Moreover, Doncic scored exactly 42 points, which is how old Kobe would have turned yesterday. Again, this looks like something that came out of a movie.
Let’s not ignore the fact that Doncic had become Gigi Bryant’s favorite player and Kobe even asked him to take a couple of pictures with her when the Lakers hosted the Mavericks. That was the last time the Black Mamba ever set foot in the Staples Center.
Doncic is poised for greatness already, and he’s living up to the Mamba Mentality for sure. He’s determined to leave a legacy.
