Appreciating Kobe Doin Work

It’s odd to suggest that we don’t appreciate one of the best players in the league, a four-time NBA champion, lord-knows-how-many-times NBA All-Star, and Olympic Gold Medalist. And it’s true, this documentary was hard to stomach. But don’t let that distract you. Kobe Bryant’s one of the best players in the history of basketball. Let that marinate for a second.

Then watch highlights from last night:

There’s no telling when superstars might get old, so there’s no guarantee that Kobe can keep this up for much longer. But damn. Talk about someone who’s completely mastered their craft. Just… Great.

Like Peyton Manning in football, Jay-Z in life, Pujols in baseball, or… Jimmie Johnson in racing? (Right? That’s a thing right?) Kobe’s had a tumultuous run in the public eye. But beyond all the Lakers controversy, his preening, occasionally nauseating media persona, and the turmoil of his personal life, there’s something pure about Kobe’s brilliance on the court.

H-O-R-S-E shot over the backboard (:15 sec), lefty buzzer-beater (:41 sec), splits the defense for two (1:06), or the stop-and-go to de-pants Thabo Selfalosha (1:23)? Take your pick. And remember: enjoy it while it lasts.