Nothing that happened felt real at Madison Square Garden Sunday night. No one in the stadium cared who won. The entire stadium felt in shock about the tragic helicopter accident that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the seven other passengers who were traveling to a basketball game.
My father and I were on a Metro North train en route to MSG to see the Knicks and Nets game. We were in disbelief about the TMZ report. Slowly coming to acceptance when other news organization confirmed Kobe’s death. Then finding out his teenage daughter, Gianna, along with her teammate Alyssa Antabella, her parents, John and Keri Antabella, Sarah and Payton Chester, and pilot Ara Zoboya were also killed the story turned into a death of sports legend to a tragedy that had eight other victims, including three young girls.
Walking into the stadium, the crowd presence was nonexistent. From the body language of the players and the energy from the crowd, the emotions from the news was still extremely raw for everyone in the arena. There was a 24 second moment of silence a homage to his number. Then the teams each let the 24-shot clock expire. The crowd broke out a “Ko-be Bry-ant” chant. Once the game actually started, fans didn’t know how to react. There was no music being pumped in. It was silent in one of the most explosively loud arenas. It didn’t feel right to have a basketball game after all. The tribute felt right. Chanting Kobe at the end of the game felt normal. No matter what was at stake, not a lot for these team, playing a basketball game felt meaningless.
Initially, it didn’t feel like the right way to respond. If there was one guy that would want people to continue the day it is Kobe Bryant. Plus we were already on our way to the stadium. Watching the game, however. The experience was not worth it. Mitchell Robinson completed to impressive ally-oops and the fans couldn’t muster up it’s usual energy.
Nothing about the day or the tragic event felt real. This experience felt ubiquitous throughout the nation. While grieving you feel the need to do something. Even if the something does not feel right because you are feeling grief. Going out to the basketball game with my dad was the best way to honor Bryant. He loved being a father and being there for his four daughters. This image will live in my head for a while
It does not seem fair that Kobe will not be there for his three surviving daughters. If anyone deserved a retirement it was him. No one outworked and produced as much as they could possibly gave like Kobe. But he is gone. And so we have to live vicariously for Kobe and live like he did. Because that is the fairest thing we can do now.
The Efficient Shot 