Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing is something that’s still looming around. Truth to be told, it’s something that most of us will never get through, like, completely get through.
So, if we, as fans; are having a tough time trying to deal with the news, we just can’t imagine how hard it may be for those who actually got to know Kobe. Not just the Kobe we all saw in the NBA, in the Olympics, and during his interviews. No, the real Kobe.
Naturally, the NBA community has come together to pay their respects for one of the brightest basketball minds to ever live, and Kevin Durant is no exception to that rule.
Durant addressed the Brooklyn Nets’ reporters this Tuesday to open up about Kobe’s tragic passing, reminiscing about his epic career like if it was just yesterday, claiming he felt like he knew Kobe his all life:
“I felt like I knew him my whole life. We see him grow up; we see him retiring, going into his second phase of life. It’s just so many people that are sad about this, and it hurts to even think about it,” Durant said, via ESPN.
Durant admitted that he really cherished all those moments he shared with Kobe and the way he always pushed everybody around him to be the best version of themselves:
“It is hard to comprehend all of this, just having those moments with Kobe, it was always about pressing forward and at this time it is so hard to so. It is hard to keep going right now. I know we are all just mourning,” he added.
Durant was just a rising star in the league when he joined Kobe in Team USA, and like all young players that got to work out with him, he embraced his passion for detail, his relentless work ethic, and – why not – even a couple of his moves.
“One thing I learned from being around Kobe was being yourself — being comfortable with how I played. I never wanted to be like Kobe, but I wanted to have that laser focus. Nothing was getting in the way of what I wanted to do on the floor. That was the mamba mentality,” Durant concluded.
And it’s not hard to feel the same way Durant does. Kobe was a huge part of us. He really touched millions of hearts and lives throughout his 20 years in the NBA, and even during retirement.
Regardless of everything, Kobe was always there for us. He walked right next to us for two decades. He grew with us, we saw him turn into a Champion, a legend. That’s why we all feel like a little part of us is gone forever.
