basketball stream live The First Time I Saw Kobe Bryant

basketball stream live As a young basketball fan in the mid 90s, Kobe Bryant is a huge reason why I love sports. Enamored with the idea of someone 17-18 years old being talented enough for the NBA, I always rooted for the handful of guys each year that skipped college for the pros. My first favorite player was Kevin Garnett, he was drafted in 1995. That only lasted a year though because when Kobe came out in the 1996 draft, I pushed all my chips to the middle of the table: All in for Kobe.

Having the newest shoes growing up just wasn't a priority in my family but on my birthday one year I went to buy the then-new KB8 II shoes that were all purple and indisputably ugly but I wanted them.

Naturally I modeled my game after his and when my mom finally let me grow my hair out, I couldn't get braids like I wanted so I rocked the mini-afro, like Bean. With the look and an attempt at the game, I earned the nickname "Lil Kobe" in my neighborhood. It made me proud. Such that I got "Lil Kobe" stitched into my AAU warm up shirt when presented with the opportunity. At school for some Junior Achievement event, I bid for and won a Kobe Bryant poster that hung on the wall above my bed until my mother took it down after I moved out.


One distinct moment comes to mind. It was the 1996 NBA All-Star game and I'm pretty sure Kobe wasn't even old enough to buy booze yet. No one really knew about this young stud from Philly except for locals and the hoop-aficionados. A poor kid with maybe 15 tv stations growing up, I only saw the marquee NBA match ups that made national television. Being in Ohio, we usually saw Pacers or Bulls games, hardly ever the west coast teams, especially with a bedtime. The All-Star game was my first glimpse of Kobe.

The West squad was going right to left. The only person on the East team that I recall being on the floor was Dikembe Mutombo. Kobe dribbled the ball down the floor with the ball in his right hand. It was a fast-break (go figure - a fast break in an All Star game) and Mutombo picked up Kobe around the three-point line. Never losing stride, Kobe crossed the ball from right to left behind his back with what started off looking like a no-look pass. Just As Dikembe reacted with a subtle but detrimental pause, Kobe returned the ball back to the same hand with a wrap around dribble that many people had never seen before (2:14).



While the finesse of this move rivaled only one person, Michael Jordan, the play wasn't over. Kobe hadn't broken stride and while the ball handling was nice to watch, Mutombo was still effectively forcing him to the baseline.

Just then, with seemingly no options, essentially trapped on the baseline against a seven-footer, Kobe lofted a high arcing hook shot that teased Mutombo's outstretched finger tips before swishing through the net, completely avoiding the rim.

The move was like a tribute to both Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar all at once. Just like that, Kobe surmounted Kevin Garnett as my favorite NBA player (behind Michael Jordan, of course).

With Kobe Bryant playing his final game tonight, the mini-'fro wearing, lanky kid incessantly pounding a basketball inside me felt compelled to pay homage so while Kobe videos will be shared all over the blog-o-sphere today, I wanted to share a few words on who the Black Mamba was, and is, to me.


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basketball stream live 8 Lessons We Can Learn From Kobe Bryant's Basketball Career

basketball stream live The illustrious career of Kobe Bryant has come to an end. After 20 years, five NBA championships, 18 All-Star appearances, four NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player awards, two NBA finals MVPs, one NBA MVP and numerous other accolades and awards, he is clearly one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Despite being a diehard Celtics fan, I admire Kobe and the legacy he built with the Lakers franchise. I've followed his career through the ups and downs, and he's always been a class act. Even through adversity, he showed a tenaciousness that is unparalleled.

People loved to hate Kobe Bryant because of his basketball skills, commitment and dedication to a game that he loved. He was unapologetic about his discipline and what it took to be one of the greatest players to play the game. The media thought he was arrogant. In fact, in a scathing article in Rolling Stone titled "Kobe Bryant: Goodbye to the NBA's All-Time Asshole", it states:

In an NBA where hot-take hero worship, gravitas-laden branding and unbridled dickwaddery thrive, Kobe lies at the intersection of all three. His retirement marks the end of early-Aughts hero-ball, and as such, the end of an era. So perhaps, of all the many magical gifts that Kobe has given us, his greatest legacy is, that upon his leaving, we can now -- at long fucking last -- move on to something better.

Kobe is the master of the game. He built the Lakers franchise on his back. There's no denying this. Like Michael Jordan, he succeeded because of sheer will. He practiced and he denied himself of many things so he could focus on being the best. We have to applaud him for that.

Kobe's basketball career can teach us many things about life. He exemplified greatness and there are many lessons we can take from here. These are just a few.

1. Commitment: When we pledge to give our all, we don't let anything distract us. Like a marriage through the good times and bad, it's important to remain steadfast. Kobe showed us how committed he was to the Lakers when they were good and even now that they're not so good.
   
   
2. Dedication: When we devote ourselves to a goal or purpose, we don't stop until we've mastered it or realize it's time to quit. Kobe mastered the game and rather than stay until he couldn't play or didn't love it anymore, he walked away. His legacy on the court shows us that we can quit strategically.
   
   
3. Practice: Practice makes perfect. If you want to improve and get better you have to do it over and over again until it becomes second nature. Kobe practiced relentlessly. Through sheer talent, ability and practice he set numerous records in points, free throws and games played.
   
   
4. Discipline: To achieve your goals you have to be disciplined. It requires extreme focus in which you don't allow outside influences to distract you.
   
   
5. Tenacity: You have to be able to keep going even when people and things come against you. Challenges will come, but it's how you deal with them that will determine how successful you become. Kobe endured a criminal case, loss of endorsements and a fall from grace as a model player at one time. Yet, like dust he proved that he could still rise.
   
   
6. Vision: From the time Kobe was a young boy he loved the Lakers. He envisioned that if he worked hard he could be a Laker or a Sixer. He was drafted by Charlotte and traded to the Lakers for the rest of his career. The power of vision will allow you to manifest any dream or idea that you have.
   
   
7. Sacrifice: Success doesn't come easy. It comes with sacrifice. Sometimes that sacrifice can be to our detriment but if properly channeled it can be our greatest reward. I don't know everything he sacrificed, but I'm sure time on the road away from his family and friends took its toll. He lost friends and rivals along the way to become one of the top NBA players of all time. He is hated and beloved because of it.
   
   
8. Determination: It's important that we're purposeful about the things in life we desire. Kobe was so determined to play in the NBA that he skipped high school. He knew that if he were drafted he would do everything in his power to be the best. He set a goal and put a plan in place to accomplish it.
   

Kobe Bryant, a legend, a role model, who with the epitome of grace and class, left the game after leaving it all on the floor every night for the last 20 years. He left us with numerous memories of great basketball games and showmanship. He taught us a lot about the game, but mostly about what it takes to be the best. You will be missed Black Mamba. Salute!

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basketball stream live How the Warriors Were Empowered

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Great teams have one thing in common. Every player shares the same vision of team destiny. At the beginning of this year's NBA season the members of the Golden State Warriors had one solitary vision -- win back-to-back NBA Championships.

However, for the past month a new collective thought surfaced -- set the all-time regular season record of 73 victories.

Eventually this vision of 73 wins became indelibly etched into the subconscious mind of each member of this great team. "Could they do the improbable?" their fans pondered. This secondary vision started to wake each of them up in the morning and put them to bed at night. Winning is why they practiced and why they took care of themselves physically, mentally and technically.

The best basketball team I ever witnessed was the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. I watched from season ticket seats at every home game at the United Center. The Michael Jordan-led Bulls set the NBA record for wins, finishing the season 72-10. They became the first team to ever win 70 regular season games, easily finishing first overall in their division, conference, and the entire NBA. Most thought this record was untouchable. The experts said, "72 wins will never be broken."

How did the Warriors accomplish such a feat?

During all 82 regular season games you would hear no gossip from their locker room. There was no envy or jealousy, even with their amazing teammate Stephen Curry receiving the most notoriety and acclaim. No racism, prejudice or malice was evident or witnessed. There were no rumors or assumption thinking. Management was not second-guessed, even when head coach Steve Kerr took a sick leave and inexperienced assistant coach Luke Walton took the reins. In fact, under Walton's guidance the team went 39-4. Kerr received "official" credit for the wins and Walton's record would be 0-0 for the year. However, Walton had no negative thoughts or complaints about it (Luke did receive Coach of the Month for October/November).

Words like opportunity, focus, discipline, hard work, relaxed, confidence, details, fight, teamwork, and aggressive were all sprinkled in the player's daily media interviews. Enjoyment was a word not spoken, but showcased. It was evident throughout the season, as their superstar leader Curry was cool, playful, relaxed and poised through it all. You could see how he loved the nuances of game. His team followed suit.

Twelve men prepared themselves mentally, physically and technically to be their best version of excellence each and every night. On April 13, 2016 the Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 125-104 to capture the improbable.

73 wins is now a reality!

First off, Golden State is extremely athletic and talented. Although there are many components needed for greatness in addition to talent, all great teams possess these three.

Responsibility
Each team member understands and accepts their role within the team scheme. They know what they do well and what challenges them. As the opponent's defense or offense adjusts, Golden State players adjust according to their responsibility. They know who will take out the ball on the side in the last few seconds of play. They know who can and will bring the ball up court. They know when and how to switch defenders on defense. They know who to block out for a defensive rebound. They know and accept their responsibility.

Each player knows the role of the others on their team. They know and respect the coaches for identifying each role in order to win as many games as possible. Staying within these responsibilities wins games. Players know this.

Andre Iguodala knows his role. As the 2015 Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals, he knows that he needs to bring high energy and instant offense off the bench. In fact, he was the first player to garner last year's honor without starting every game. As All-Star teammate Draymond Green says, "Andre's a pro's pro. That's why we're champions."

Members of great teams are responsible for being in the moment. This just doesn't happen for an entire season. Each person is responsible for learning from the past and then burying it. They prepare for the future, then mentally return to perform in the "Now," where the Zone resides.

Does your team have well-defined responsibilities identified, practiced and honed? If you are the coach, have each team member write their responsibilities, as you make your list of what you believe them to be. Are these lists congruent? Finally, does your team spend more time in the future, present or past? Assess the collective thought by listening and observing more carefully.

Champions spend more time in the present.

Authority
Each player has the authority to do certain things on the court in different situations, conditions and circumstances. They also know what they DO NOT have the authority to do. When the game is on the line, Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green definitely have the authority to shoot the ball behind the 3-point arc. Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli, Marreese Speights, and Anderson Varejão DO NOT.

Each player has the personal authority to monitor his own thoughts on and off the court. Taking personal authority over one's mind is the mark of a champion team member. The collective mental inventory will showcase the eventual winners and losers before the game begins and while it's being played.

Who has check writing authority in your company? Who can leave early? Who can work from home? Which team member can speak for the team? Who has authority to take the company database home? Hopefully, nobody does. Discuss authority openly with all new hires and even reiterate this to your veterans.

Accountability
Management fails most in the area of accountability. Leaders give responsibility and authority, but DO NOT always holds people accountable.

Great leaders hold everyone accountable. Period.

The Warriors hold their players accountable on and off the court. More importantly, the culture of the team is built on the players holding themselves accountable. "They are empowered," echoes Coach Kerr. Holding yourself accountable for your actions and or non-actions bolsters cohesiveness, togetherness and team unity.

Negativity is banished through accountability. Thinking and or acting like a victim or a judge after a poor team or individual performance will relegate teams away from the top of their profession. No victims or judges on the Warriors' roster. Holding yourself accountable, while objectively evaluating your performance regardless of the outcome, is the mark of a consummate pro.

Check your team for accountability. Of course, accountability starts at the top and head coach Steve Kerr (member of the great 95-96 Bulls that won 72 games) holds himself accountable for player's minutes on the court, one-on-one match-ups, overall strategy, and minute-to-minute tactics.



Responsibility, authority and accountability are the three legs of empowerment. Each team member must have all three; otherwise the stool will wobble, causing undue stress, imbalance and uncertainty. Once the legs are balanced, confidence soars and finally one can reach his or her highest level.

The Golden State Warriors gave each player the responsibility, authority and accountability to prepare, adjust and evaluate their own performances. This spawned empowerment, which led to the all-time record of 73 wins in a single NBA season.

Is your team empowered? Review your team members and evaluate the three legs of empowerment.

A team is only as great as the thoughts each person has alone.

Three things happen when a team is empowered.

1. Players feel they are an integral part of something greater than themselves.
   
2. Players feel they are appreciated for their contribution to the whole.
   
3. Performance increases.

Congratulations Golden State Warriors! You had a vision and you turned it into reality. You were extremely disciplined. You were focused like a hungry cheetah. Never losing back-to-back games this season was remarkable and it showcased your confidence, toughness and resilience. And you were so cool in winning 73 games. Even when things looked grim in close games, you never lost your poise. Your jaws were unhinged and bodies were relaxed, especially when the money was on the table. Seeing Stephen Curry being playful in warm-ups and poised in crunch time was something to be remembered.

Lastly, Golden State, you know the zone. You wore it like an overcoat. Celebrate briefly as the postseason begins. Get back to work and finish what you started in September -- winning a back-to-back NBA championships.

Stay in the Zone.



P.S. If you missed Kobe Bryant's last game, you missed one for the ages. After 20 years of wearing the purple and gold of the LA Lakers, Kobe gave the star-studded crowd one last Zone performance. With the sold-out arena watching his every move, the Black Mambo dropped a staggering 60 points on the Utah Jazz. It was the highest individual point total of the NBA season. As he threw down the microphone after speaking to his thousands of fans after the game, he said with a smile, "Mamba out!" and then the 18-time All-Star confidently walked out of the arena. Zone greatness left the court for good.

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basketball stream live Why 'Mamba' Showed Us That With Great Power And Love For The Game, Comes Hate

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The higher you get to the top, the more haters you accumulate.

You shouldn't let this stop you to achieving your greatness.

What Kobe Bryant has taught us over the last several years is what entails the true heart of a champion.

Although the Black Mamba faced many struggles, many challenges that did not go according to his way, many followers who loved to hate him; this only motivated Mamba to get better, to prove them wrong, and keep going despite what their opinions, hateful words, or negative comments were said.

We all have an 'inner Mamba' that we must tap into.

I salute, Kobe Bryant, the black Mamba.

Thank You for not only providing years of athletic performance of what true basketball, sportsmanship, and love for the game entails, but doing it on your own. When the fans let you down, when your teammates let you down, you still showed your greatness.

When people let him down, he still had faith in his one true passion, that Spalding basketball that never let him down. His love for this sport and the game never let him down. Because people will come and go like seasons, his focus and determination never swayed.

Kobe showed us that haters will hate. This shouldn't stop you. Intimidate you. Or conquer you. All he was focused on was slaying on the court.

Mamba used this as motivation to better himself and the game. Slay away, Mamba.

You know you're becoming successful once people start talking about you, either in a good or bad light. You have to get used to it. You can't do anything about it and shouldn't pay any attention to it as the great Mamba did because in the end they will love you for it anyways, even though they've loved to hate you after all these years.

It is better to be feared than loved because once Mamba steps off the court, all the haters will embrace him with respect, and show their love and support, that he finally deserves.

It's better to not be liked for trying to reach your goals, because you're going to reach them anyways, and those same followers and haters will still be watching.

So give them something to watch, show them that you are great; that you didn't let what they said get to your head.

1. Let the haters hate.

Just do you. After all, they will still be there, watching you as you climb to the top of the mountain and finally ask, how you did it.

2. Resist the temptation to respond to these haters.

You've got a chip on your shoulder. The only way you should respond or act is by improving yourself daily. The only person you should try to compare yourself or be better than is yourself.

Mamba proved this time again as he was on that court, day in and day out, bettering himself, while the haters were still talking.

So you miss a few shots here and there. So you had a bad game. So you don't win a championship one year, and they call you a failure. So what? Everybody fails. Mamba fails. But he overcame his struggles through hard work that he would better prepare himself and get his championship next time.

Michael Jordan once said, I have failed over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed. You shouldn't let failure or haters stand in your way.

3. Don't settle for anything less than great because a true champion always wants more.

Mamba didn't settle for one championship. He kept going. Until banners after banners were hung at the Staples Center.

To have the heart of a lion and a true champion, you cant be complacent with one or two wins, you must keep going.

This is what separates the good from the great from the legendary.

Legends will never stop, until age and health permits of course.

To be the legendary, Wilt Chamberlin, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kareem, etc., you have to attain the desire to want more. More wins. More championships.

Despite what the haters will say, you have to keep going because time is on your side.

When you make it big, those same haters will focus on any negative aspect of your life, probably tell you that they can do what you did too.

Do so good, that they will only be talking about your accomplishments in the end.

Do so good, that they will only be respecting you in the end.

Do so good, that they will only be thanking you in the end.

Be the Mamba.

Thank You, Mamba. You were great. We appreciate you.

Thank you to the haters that kept Mamba driven. With or without you, he was still going to climb to the top of that mountain because Kobe was an unstoppable, born and bred legend.

Thank You, Mamba for making us appreciate the haters because without them, you would still be great.

Thank You, Mamba, for forever changing the game.



LA native Angela Mujukian is a Medical Student at St. George's University, Elite Daily Campus Ambassador, and Jedi. When she's not being a Wizard on the wards, or doing research at Cedars-Sinai, she is co-authoring the best-selling book series and movement, 20 Beautiful Women: Volume 3 Edition. Graduate of UCLA, earning a B.A in English, Angela is trained by the LA Times as a News Reporter/Viewpoint Columnist for Daily Bruin. Tackling her dreams one patient or blog post at a time to make the world a better place. Angela's gift of tenacity, strong-will, and a refuse-to-lose attitude distinguishes her as an unstoppable force.

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basketball stream live Lamar Odom Addresses The Latest Khloe Kardashian Divorce Rumors

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Lamar Odom has spoken out for the first time since rumors hit that his estranged wife, Khloe Kardashian, is planning on filing for divorce again soon.

The former pro-basketball player spoke to Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Odom was there supporting his friend and former teammate Kobe Bryant, who played his record-breaking final NBA game with the Lakers. He even appeared in a pre-recorded video tribute for Kobe. 

Following the rumors that Kardashian plans on going forward with the divorce, which was put on hold when Odom was hospitalized last year, Odom said, "We did talk, you know, everything is [up for] discussion. We talk about anything. We’ve been through a lot. It won’t ever stop." 

The most recent divorce rumors began swirling after photos of Odom out at a bar surfaced online. Speaking about all the speculation he faces, the 36-year-old admitted, "It gets tough." 

"Only a few people know the truth, and I just keep that close to my heart," he told ET. 

At this point, Odom said he just wants to get back on the court. 

"I still got it," he said. 

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basketball stream live Kobe Bean Bryant: More Than a Game.

basketball stream live Admit it. Some of y'all don't like Kobe. Over the course of 20 seasons, players have whispered about playing or not playing with him. Even the inimitable Phil Jackson threw a little shade on Kobe between his Lakers coaching tours in his book The Last Season: A Team in Search of its Soul. No disrespect Phil, but it did happen.

Well, news flash. Kobe doesn't care. Never did. And I believe the reason why he doesn't care is because the only thing he loves more than the game of basketball itself is the life lessons it holds for him and for us all. And if it means being hated by a few to bring forward these valuable lessons, so be it.

I've had the pleasure of working closely with Kobe over the years and have witnessed a distinct evolution. Kobe the kid. Kobe the husband. Kobe the champion. And Kobe the leader.

Kobe the Kid
I met Kobe in February 1996 at the NBA All-Star Game in San Antonio, Texas. He was 17. It was me, Steve Koonin, now CEO of the Atlanta Hawks, then head of Sports and Entertainment at The Coca-Cola Company, Arn Tellem, Kobe's agent at the time, my boss Steve Horn and Kobe's father Mr. Bryant. I was a kid myself heading the Sprite brand and we'd just consummated a deal with Kobe (thank you Koonin). During the meeting Kobe yucked it up with Koonin's young son, David, as the rest of us engaged in serious business. Kobe didn't interject a word. He was simply being a 17-year-old kid. Little did I know I was looking at one of the future best players to ever grace any sport in history. The lesson: when you're young, focus on honing your craft and have fun. Leave the big boy and big girl stuff to the big boys and big girls.

Kobe the Husband
As you know, Kobe and Vanessa have two precious daughters. When I lived in California my family, comprised of three daughters, frequented Houston's Restaurant and on occasion would run into Kobe and his family. This was a very different Kobe than the on-court Kobe. He was playful with his wife and his girls. Dare I say even relaxed, just like any other loving husband and doting father. The lesson: context matters. When with family be present. But when on the battlefield of competition be a killer.

Kobe the Champion
Before Kobe won his first title I got the impression he was on an unrelenting chase for the ring. Maniacal in pursuit. After he got the first ring I noticed a different Kobe. No less driven but with broader and more meaningful goals. No longer was it about a ring during a particular season. It was about history. The lesson: the best goals evolve and provide an opportunity for simultaneous self-evolution.

Kobe the Leader
Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trailblazers, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. What do these teams have in common? On the day when the Golden State Warriors strived for basketball immortality of 72-9, these are the only teams to have beaten them. And it was Sunday, March 6th on the floor of the Staples center where the final score read 112 Lakers-95 Warriors when many witnessed true leadership. Kobe Bean Bryant, a 20-year vet, finals MVP, NBA MVP, 5-time NBA champion, scoring champion, 18-time All-Star, was on the bench motivating his young team to one of the biggest upsets in NBA history. The lesson: leadership is more than superior individual contribution, its motivating other individual contributors to accomplish the impossible.

Finally, I need to address the Kobe smile and the Kobe snarl. Early in his career he loved to smile. There's the first championship smile, the alley-oop to Shaq during the Sacramento playoff game smile, and the 81-point game smile to name a few. Then, seemingly and suddenly he didn't smile anymore. But I assert that he never stopped smiling. The difference is that he's been smiling through you rather than himself for years. His unrelenting love of basketball now pervades the minds and souls of countless others and the smiles on your faces are as a result of his genius play. Don't believe me? Look into a mirror as you read this blog about the one and only Kobe Bryant and watch yourself smile. With each accomplishment we all smiled so Kobe didn't have to. He smiled through us.

It's easy to love Magic. We all know this. Ervin, you're my homeboy and you know how highly I think of you as a basketball player and a human being, so please don't spazz when we see each other again. But, your 1000-watt Hollywood smile made it easy for the world to love you. It's why an extraordinary amount of empathy was created as you dealt (and deal) with enormous health challenges with dignity and grace. Kobe didn't have your smile and didn't need it. Rather, he needed a canvas on which to paint a masterpiece in hopes of inspiring others to paint their own unique masterpiece.

To be clear, Kobe and I are not buds and we do not hang out together. Rather, we're two uber-focused people attempting to extract all the knowledge life has to offer. This is why I admire Kobe Bean Bryant, and it's why I submit you should too.

Kobe, thanks for the countless lessons you've provided about life far beyond basketball. And thanks for the many smiles on my face and on the faces of millions of others.

Cheers to a remarkable game and the beginning of a remarkable new reign.

Respectfully,

DC

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basketball stream live Dear North Carolina Coaches, Please Speak Out Against HB2

basketball stream live Dear Coaches Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski and Mark Gottfried,

My name is Anthony Nicodemo and I am the boy's varsity basketball coach at Saunders High School in Yonkers, NY. I also happen to be openly gay.

I have admired all three of you as coaches for the duration of my career. I like to consider myself a student of the game, attending clinics and reading as much as possible.

Recently I read John Feinstein's The Legend's Club. One of the best parts of the book was the author's recounting of coach Dean Smith's passion for standing up for the wrongs of society, in particular segregation against African-Americans. This was in 1964.

In 2016 a great injustice to the LGBT community is being done in North Carolina, Mississippi and I'm sure other states in the near future. Transgender people can no longer safely use restrooms and locker rooms. Gay couples might be asked to leave a restaurant because of their sexual orientation. Please understand that Governor McCrory's executive order changes very little. This is a law that must be repealed and directly violates the civil rights of human beings.

The state of North Carolina loves its basketball. You three men carry as much weight as anyone in the state. Because of this I implore you to speak out and let state leaders know how much their actions are hurting an entire community.

Coach K, I can't tell you how powerful it was to closeted athletes everywhere when you voiced your support for now-openly gay college coach Chris Burns. Saying that you would embrace an openly gay player speaks volumes and gives thousands of kids hope.

Chris and I have known each other for 15 years. Laws like HB2 forced us to live in fear most of our careers. I was closeted until I was 35 and Chris until he was 30, what will turn out to be half of our lives (give or take). Seeing people like Jason Collins live an authentic life set the stage for us sharing our own stories and hoping to inspire others.

I often see college coaches speaking out about the NCAA for ridiculous rules and schools who allow students to storm the court. Why not do the same for LGBT folks that live in your community? Think about one of your players or staff members who could be living a double life. They are now considered less-than in the eyes of the law in North Carolina.

I've had the privilege of forging friendships with so many gay athletes and great people since coming out. Friends like Derek Schell, who played Division 2 ball at Hillsdale College, or Matt Kaplon, a division III baseball player from Drew University in New Jersey, struggled for so long because of laws like this. No one should have to suffer the way they did.

While I could never put my success on the basketball court on par with you three, we have the common bond of caring about our players. I receive countless emails from closeted athletes who are struggling and thinking about taking their own lives. I try to treat them like I would my own athletes, nurturing them to a good place in life. I would never want my players to feel this way.

You have a tremendous opportunity and platform to positively promote change. All three of you have contributed to so many causes and have bettered our society. Please take the time to speak out against HB2, because it is the right thing to do. I promise you will help change lives.

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basketball stream live Kobe Bryant Says Goodbye To The NBA In Most Kobe Way Possible

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Kobe Bryant said goodbye to the NBA on Wednesday night in really the only way he could have: By launching more shots than any other player since at least the 1983-1984 season, including a late-three to give the LA Lakers the lead.

58 POINTS TO GIVE THE LAKERS THE LEAD! #MambaDay http://pic.twitter.com/P5MO0tuAI6

— HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) April 14, 2016

Bryant took 50 shots in all during his final game as a member of the Lakers, connecting on 22 of them on the way to 60 points, the most by any NBA player in his final game. The Lakers came from behind to beat the Utah Jazz 101-96, but that was almost a footnote in a game that was more a celebration of Bryant's two decades in the league than anything else. 

“I went through 20 years of everyone screaming ‘pass the ball!’ and on the final night they’re like, ‘don’t pass it!’” Bryant laughed after the game.

The night was filled countless tributes to the Lakers star, including a video tribute to before the game that featured many familiar faces during Kobe's two decades in the league, including Derek Fisher, Phil Jackson, Pau Gasol, Shaquille O'Neal, Jack Nicholson and even Lamar Odom. Magic Johnson also celebrated Bryant in person, even anointing him the greatest Laker ever.

But in his final game, Bryant was able to make it about, well, the game, with spectacular play after spectacular play, albeit with quite a few misses along the way.

KOBE'S FIRST BASKET OF HIS LAST GAME OMG (he's 1-6) http://pic.twitter.com/qtqBZiThux

— HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) April 14, 2016

WHAT IS THIS, 2008?! #MambaDay http://pic.twitter.com/CBjHtWO7cp

— HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) April 14, 2016

Kobe misses his first 5 shots, makes his next 5. He's got 11 shots and we're still in the first quarter http://pic.twitter.com/A1WaQfNWdZ

— HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) April 14, 2016

There was even a pretty great pass from the other team's three-point line.

And a few friends were there to pay tribute, too. 

Bryant was drafted No. 13 in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, who then traded the teenage shooting guard to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac. He would go on to play twenty seasons for the Lakers.

Over his career, Bryant won five championships and two NBA Finals MVPs. He was selected to the All-Star Game 18 times and All-NBA First Team 11 times. And, of course, he scored, more than 33,000 points in all. Near the end of the game, there was really only one thing left for Bryant to say.

 "What can I say? Mamba out."

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