This is usually the NBA Hangover, when we jot down thoughts about the league from the previous night. But right now, it is extremely tough to talk about basketball after this tragic event.
If you all could please be my therapist for a few minutes here…
I am glad that some of the world are doing their best to move forward after Sunday‘s tragedy.
I’m still having problems with it. But talking and being around friends are definitely helping me. I’d like to think I’ll move forward one day. No. I KNOW I’ll move forward one day.
But not right now. I can’t just snap out of this and pretend everything is fine. I’m not okay.
This was, however, the first time since that event happened that I thought that I could go on with life.
Everyone dies. We only have a short time in this world. I get that.
But it’s getting your life cut short that’s terrifying and sad. Of course, we’re sad that 9 lives were lost on that Sunday morning. But it’s heartbreaking that there were three girls who were barely teenagers that lost their lives. They had a long life ahead. But Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli, and Payton Chester will never get to experience that.
A very good friend reminded me the stark reality that famous people aren’t immune to this. Kobe Bryant was such a force on the basketball court that it’s easy to think of him as invincible or, at least, very close to it. But he was gone just like that. Christina Mauser is gone. Pilot Ara Zobayan is gone. Alyssa’s parents, baseball coach John Altobelli and Keri Altobelli, are gone along with Alyssa. And Payton’s mother, Sarah Chester, is also gone. Their friends and families were treating that day as Sunday. Instead, it was a nightmare for everyone involved. The city of Los Angeles was in mourning. The whole world was in mourning.
This event really affected me a lot. Like I said, Kobe Bryant was three months older than me. It doesn’t make sense, I know, because he was in a freak accident but it just reminded me that one moment can change everything. And to me, this was more than the death of a professional basketball player that I followed for 20 years. The circumstances around this terrify me. I hate heights. I hate flying. I’ve been in a vehicle accident too many times. I’ve had a few close calls both on the road and in general health. It’s just too much to bear.
I had a hard time sleeping last night. I took a drive out (some of you know that I’m currently trying to get over my road anxieties). I sobbed as I drove around the empty streets aimlessly.
Then I stopped at a local park that I hardly ever go to. It was around 2:30 AM. Instinctively, I went to the basketball court. It only made sense that the court would be my sanctuary. I just stood there in the night lights. It probably wasn’t the wisest decision to be out on the park in the wee hours. But for the first time in almost 48 hours, I sensed a calmness. In the wake of a horrific tragedy, I found beauty and peace within a place that made Kobe a marvel and was going to make his daughter, Gianna, the brightest of shining stars.
I was there until 3:15 AM. As many times before, basketball saved my life again. This was probably why Kobe also used this as his refuge. And it’s why many others have as well.
I saw the Inside the NBA program on TNT when they honored their fallen friend. It was so sad to see Shaquille O’Neal like this. I don’t exactly agree that they’re all in front of the camera while they’re disconsolate. But as the program went on, they talked about how this should be a celebration of life. How this tragedy brought many people together. I’m still scared and I’m still sad. But the reminders from the people on TNT (Kenny Smith, Dwyane Wade, Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, etc.) and the encouragement from friends on social media and through text are giving me a glimmer. And as another friend who passed away too early would say, a sparkle. I miss you and I love you, Colleen Burns.
It might take me a day. It might take me a week. But I’ll get there. Of course, if Kobe Bryant ever knew me, he would probably tell me to attack life with such fervor. He would tell me to be the best uncle to my wonderful nieces. And he would tell me to be the best Rey Moralde I can be.
Until then, let me grieve in my own way.
But I will be back soon.
Here’s your scoreboard and play if you need your own distraction.
The Scoreboard
NY 92 (13-35) @ CHA 97 (16-31)
GS 104 (10-38) @ PHI 115 (31-17)
NO 125 (19-29) @ CLE 111 (13-35)
ATL 114 (12-36) @ TOR 130 (33-14)
BOS 109 (31-15) @ MIA 101 (32-15)
DEN 96 (32-15) @ MEM 104 (23-24)
WAS 131 (15-31) @ MIL 151 (41-6)
PHX 133 (20-27) @ DAL 104 (29-18)
Watch This Play
Bradley Beal was the real deal against Brook Lopez‘s steel.
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA BandWagon Fan.)
The Bucks did win this war but that battle was won by Beal.
GG.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
For the rest of the season, I will sign off with GG, which usually means “Good Game.” But we also know “Gigi” is Gianna Bryant’s nickname. This will be my tribute to her.