Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3047924/kobe-bryant-lives-among-hong-kong-and-asian-fans
Comment/ Letters

Kobe Bryant lives on among Hong Kong and Asian fans

A mural shows Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, at a memorial in Los Angeles on January 27. Bryant and Gianna were killed with seven others in a helicopter crash on January 26. Photo: AFP

The tragic news of the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash has shaken fans all over the world, with millions on social media platforms mourning the loss of such an iconic sports figure.

Basketball fans in the US are naturally grief-stricken, but what is little known was Bryant’s profound influence on fans in Asian cities such as Hong Kong.

Growing up as fans of the NBA, many Hongkongers now in their mid-30s witnessed Bryant maturing from an inexperienced rookie to a universally revered champion on the basketball court.

In addition to his individual achievements, what inspired people the most was his work ethic, never-give-up spirit and determination to play through pain in his career. He played through multiple potentially career-ending injuries including a torn ligament in the wrist of his shooting hand, an Achilles tendon tear and a broken index finger.

The physical agony he had had to endure may have deterred lesser mortals, but not Bryant. It was a testament to his unwavering dedication to the basketball game, his craft and fans. Indeed, many friends of mine have mentioned Kobe Bryant as their source of inspiration in life when adversity hit.

Bryant was just 18 when he won the All-star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest and left viewers in awe of his spectacular dunk moves and creativity. Teaming up with Shaquille O’Neal, an NBA hall-of-famer, Bryant took the Lakers team to the next level, and the dynamic duo helped Lakers win three consecutive championship titles in the early 2000s.

After his retirement from basketball in 2016, he brought his competitiveness to film production and won an Oscar for animated short film Dear Basketball in 2018.

But the long list of accomplishments don’t do enough justice to Bryant’s greatness off the court. He was a great husband, loving father, and an inspiration to the community and the world. In short, he was excellence personified.

Kobe Bryant will be sorely missed. He has passed, but his legacy lives on.

Jason Tang, Tin Shui Wai