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.
Still can’t believe Gianna, Payton, and Alyssa are all gone.
(PHOTO CREDIT: D.A.H. Visual Media.)
It’s been tough to move forward from Sunday’s events. I especially can’t stop thinking about the three girls that were in that tragedy. Those three were only 13 years old. Gianna (GiGi) Bryant, Payton Chester, and Alyssa Altobelli all had entire lives in front of them. And they’re never going to experience them. It’s not fair.
They were supposed to be the future. They were going to do great things.
One of the great things that Kobe Bryant did was empower women’s basketball. He was always supporting the WNBA. A lot of women’s basketball players looked up to him. We learned recently that GiGi had aspirations of playing for UConn. And with Kobe coaching his daughter and other young girls, he championed women’s basketball.
Elle Duncan of ESPN had this amazing story in her interaction with Kobe.
“I would have 5 more girls if I could. I’m a girl dad.”@elleduncanESPN‘s story about how much Kobe loved his daughters is something special. pic.twitter.com/1KJx17QRjY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 28, 2020
Kobe called himself a #GirlDad. He had four daughters and didn’t have a son. He was really proud to be a father of four girls and you could see it when he was interacting with GiGi. After he retired from the NBA, all he seemed to talk about was family. On social media, I loved that women showed pictures of their dads and fathers showed pictures of their daughters.
I don’t have any children. But I have four nieces. One is 21 and is studying to be a veterinarian. The second niece is part of the national team in Taekwondo. And I also have nieces that are ages 5 and 3.
I’m close to my youngest nieces. They affectionately call me Monster Rey. I talked about the 5-year-old niece when she suddenly started liking basketball and Kayla McBride of the Las Vegas Aces. And the youngest niece, being three, is still finding out her surroundings.
I think this is the best way I can honor Kobe, Gigi, Payton, and Alyssa. I want to help champion women’s sports. I want to help champion women. I want to help guide my two nieces. Their amazing parents have told them several times they can be what they want to be. Whatever it is they want to do, I want them to do great things. I’m going to do my best to be a #GirlUncle.
I haven’t seen my nieces since Saturday. When I see them the next time, I’m going to hug them a little tighter.
And you all should hug your loved ones a little tighter, too.
We love you, Gigi. We love you, Payton. We love you, Alyssa.
Here’s your scoreboard and play if you need your own distraction.
The Scoreboard
CHI 106 (19-31) @ IND 115 (31-17) (OT)
DET 115 (17-32) @ BRK 125 (20-26)
MEM 127 (24-24) @ NY 106 (13-36)
UTA 120 (32-15) @ SA 127 (21-26)
HOU 112 (29-18) @ POR 125 (21-27)
OKC 120 (29-20) @ SAC 100 (17-30)
Watch This Play
Welcome back, Victor Oladipo.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Chaz Clavant NBA.)
Pacers would go on to win in OT.
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.