Kobe Bryant's Quest for Immortality

In light of the Laker superstar's untimely passing, the overwhelming outpouring of emotion is evidence he transcended his profession in a way few could only dream of

The sting of death seems to pierce the human heart deeper than anything else on this planet. It’s the ultimate equalizer. We all have an undisclosed amount of time to grace this earth and nothing splinters the psyche faster than reminders of life’s fragility. Such has been the case with the tragic helicopter accident that claimed the lives of Kobe and his daughter Gianna (Gigi) Bryant, John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Ara Zobayan and Sarah and Payton Chester. Prayers and well wishes have traveled across the globe, many directed at a man only experienced through nationally televised games and highlight reels. That speaks to the influence Bryant had during his prolific 20-year career. When he was thrust into the spotlight as a 17-year-old phenom, he was already a legend in his own mind. While that seemed silly in his rookie year, he looked increasingly prophetic as the dazzling dunks and eye-popping stats started to pile up.

The term “genius” is often tossed about like loose change, but it’s totally befitting in this case. Bryant was a basketball savant. He had an absolutely brilliant understanding of and feel for the game. He was exhaustively dedicated to his craft and the results spoke for themselves. His insane work ethic coupled with his unparalleled skills made him one of the most dangerous scorers in league history. Kobe’s tenacious ferocity on the basketball court was never to be undermined or understated. Whether you want to call it confidence, swagger or egotism, he wanted everyone to know how great he was. It wasn’t about beating opponents as much as it was dissecting them. His daughter represented the perfect conduit for him to channel that energy while he transitioned into retirement. Gigi, already a budding basketball prodigy, was showing shades of the vaunted "Mamba Mentality" at only 13 years old. He was as proud as a father could be about her continuing his hoops legacy, but if there's anything this nightmarish affair has taught us, the legacy he built extended far beyond accolades, numbers and trophies.

Bryant molded himself into a mythical figure. Through the sheer force of his will and God-given talents, he meticulous developed an intimidating persona with enough bravado to fill an arena; and he filled tons of arenas. He was the closest thing to a superhero for some and helped anchor an entire generation of post-Jordan NBA fans. While being perceived as a defiant, conscienceless gunslinger occasionally caused friction with teammates, underneath it all stood a man. For all of his otherworldly abilities on the hardwood, the painful reality has settled in that Bryant was just as mortal as any other man or woman. It's something he made us forget with every chest thump, every circus shot, every fadeaway jumper and every game-winner he hit. It's something we choose to forget every time we witness greatness. While Kobe, Gigi and all of the individuals who passed can no longer continue writing their own stories, they leave behind lasting legacies that will still be forged. They've all had people they've never met speak their names and perpetually shower them with love. That's powerful. It reaches beyond the realm of sports and that's the kind of athlete Kobe Bryant was. Human beings are only granted limited amounts of time, but legends? Legends are forever.