Steven Taylor on Remembering Los Angeles’ Black Mamba — Steven Taylor, Taylor Equities
Steven Taylor understands that it is now two days after the 2nd anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s unfortunate accident. However, one must understand that writing about the memories of someone who inspired not just Steven Taylor, but perhaps everyone in Los Angeles can stir up quite a mixture of emotions. It’s a concoction of nostalgia, happiness, and sadness towards the untimely passing of Los Angeles’ legendary Black Mamba.
Steven Taylor remembers it like it was yesterday. We were all just going about our daily lives. It was a beautiful morning as we recall, that one fateful January 26, 2020. Just as Steven Taylor and the family are about to have breakfast, the news finally hit the boob tube; Kobe Bryant, legendary Los Angeles Lakers player, his daughter Gianna, and several other passengers died in an accident after their helicopter crashed.
That moment felt so unreal. To think that this 41-year-old Lakers veteran would suddenly say his goodbyes to everyone who loved and idolized him dearly. Steven Taylor would always look upon Kobe Bryant as a shining example of hard work and dedication. This man values hard work above all and it certainly made him very popular among LA Lakers fans. One of LA Laker’s best shooting guards and an admirable human being, he spent 20 of the best years of his life doing what he loved best.
His time as an NBA player was certainly the best time of the Lakers. He made history as one of the best basketball players of all time, but that certainly didn’t get into his head. He practiced, he perfected his gameplay, and he won the admiration of not just his colleagues, but even with the normal, everyday people he encountered. When one visits LA and asks anyone about Kobe Bryant, almost anyone has a story to tell about their encounter with the famous NBA veteran.
Even today, two years later after the unfortunate accident, Kobe Bryant is still well-remembered. He still lives on in the memories of everyone who loved him dearly. Legendary Lakers veteran and general manager Jerry West spoke of his “shock and sadness” when he learned of Kobe Bryant’s passing during an interview. One can also remember the visible sadness displayed by his friends when they heard the news; Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan gave such tearjerking interviews that the audience can clearly remember the pain and the loss they felt.
Black Mamba’s greatness will never fade. It will never die, thanks to the fans who remember the great man all too well. 2 years after his death, a fan built a sculpture of Kobe and his daughter and placed it on the site of the helicopter crash. One can see countless murals on the streets of Los Angeles, in which Steven Taylor also dedicated a mural in honor of the legendary player.
Again, thank you for the great game of life, Black Mamba. Los Angeles will never forget you.
Originally published at https://steventaylorlandlord.com on February 1, 2022.
