Kobe Bryant

Kobe in Action (http://www.slamdunkcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/kobe-bryant-425a.jpg)

Is a hero someone who is rich and famous? Of course not--- a hero is someone you look up to or depend on when you don't know when to turn left or right. A man named Kobe Bryant means so much to me. I'm sure you've seen him on the court with the LA Lakers, but have you ever wondered about his childhood? He was born on the 23rd of August in the year of 1978. Sharia and Shaya are his two older siblings, and I'm sure they are proud of their hardworking brother. His passion towards basketball was in his genes as his father Joe, often known as Jellybean, was a professional basketball player himself. He left the NBA when Kobe was five, and he enjoyed teaching sports to his children. Out of the three, Kobe proved to be the best student. Even at 11 years of age, his decisions were clear when he chose to concentrate on basketball.

At the age of 14, his confidence led him to compete against his father. When he was 17, his career with the Los Angeles Lakers began. Soon, Kobe and Shaquille O’Neal, his teammate, helped the Lakers to three championships. Between the years of 2003 and 2004, things got a little mixed up. Bryant was charged with sexual assault. Therefore, the Lakers missed the playoffs. Boy! That was a really bad year!

Kobe ! (http://shaycenter.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/kobe-bryant.jpg)

Kobe Bryant got married when he was 21 in the month of November in the year of 1999. He met a woman named Vanessa Laine when she was working as a dancer in the background on the Tha Eastsidaz music video "G'd Up". They started talking, and then they were engaged 6 months later. On the big day, none of Kobe's teammates attended. Even worse, not even his family attended. Kobe's parents had issues with him marrying at a young age, especially to a woman who was not African-American. His first daughter was named Natalia Diamante Bryant. Vanessa had a miscarriage in the spring of 2005. Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant was his second daughter and she was born on May 1, 2006. I’m sure he probably wanted a son.

You’re probably thinking about what would make this man interesting to me. Some people dislike Kobe for his behavior. However, every night I flip the channel to 36 or 57 to see if he’s on television. Kobe has been through not a couple of bumpy roads but many. He is an inspiration to me because after all the problems in his life, he still keeps moving ahead. Everyone has problems or obstacles in their life, but have you ever just kept moving like he did? He’s had legal troubles and his wife had a miscarriage but KOBE BEAN BRYANT is still standing tall!

In conclusion, Kobe Bryant is a very strong man who inspires me by his characteristics. He reminds me every day that I can do anything I put my mind to---I can be a teacher. He makes me believe that when I make a mistake, I can get right back up again. He might be a failure to others, but to me, he is my hero!