Kobe, LeBron & Magic
KOBE Bryant arrives. Chats for a while with Magic Johnson. Kobe finds his seat at ringside. Sits there. Smiling.
The crowd roars to greet Kobe Bryant’s arrival at Staples Center, the iconic home of the NBA’s Lakers in Los Angeles, California.
Did I not say here once that I was at Staples Center in 2006 to watch a live Laker game, starring Kobe Bryant?
I was then with my bosom bilas Jun Magturo and golf/ wine mate Tony Sisante.
From Staples, we motored to a Chinese joint called Full House. I had the most delicious wonton noodles in that isolated nook of the California elbow. But that’s another story.
Once Kobe Bryant had himself seated this evening for the Laker-Nugget game, LeBron James had obviously taken the cue. In no time, the old LA Showtime was back.
But there are tales more compelling than that. Before watching LeBron and the Lakers defeat the Nuggets, Kobe Bryant introduced his book “Mamba Mentality.” It was highlighted by a book-signing ceremony attended by a throng of Laker devotees.
In his heyday as a Laker for decades that produced NBA titles under the famous coach Phil Jackson (he also gave Michael Jordan and Chi-
cago six NBA crowns), Kobe Bryant was famously monikered “The Black Mamba.”
You want more of Kobe Bryant?
OK, sit tight, fellas.
Do you know why the Bryants named their son, Kobe?
Well, Kobe’s parents love to travel. In one of their trips—to Japan—they stumbled upon a joint specializing in beef. Kobe beef was the joint’s specialty.
Kobe’s parents being beef-lovers, they had a feast of the world-famed Kobe beef.
So, even before Kobe could see the light of dawn, his parents already named him Kobe. And Magic Johnson?
Like Kobe, Magic won trophies while being also a Laker all his NBA life.
He wasn’t born Magic.
An American sportswriter gave him that because of Johnson’s uncanny ability to dish off assists without looking.
No one now practically knows anymore that Magic Johnson’s real name is Earvin Johnson.
The no-look pass phrase was invented because of Magic Johnson, who could play guard, forward and center—all with equal dexterity. Magical.