| |
|
NBA -- A Kobe moment for PhilBoxing
By Joan Secuya-Medida PhilBoxing.com Mon, 07 Jan 2013

SAN FRANCISCO -- At age 34 and plowing through his 17th NBA season, Kobe Bryant is supposed to be slowing down as he approaches the twilight of his brilliant career.
But slowing down is exactly what Kobe is not doing. Quite the contrary, all of Kobe's stats this season only indicate an upward trend which validates the fact that the five-time NBA champion and 13-time All-Star is still playing at an elite level.
With an average of 30.5 points a game, Bryant currently leads the NBA in scoring, ahead of both Knicks sparkplug Carmelo Anthony and the Thunder's Kevin Durant, a former 3-time scoring champion.
Kobe is shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3-point range. And he is terrific from the free throw line, missing only 14 of 87 freebies thus far in the season.
Although Kobe's on-court heroics are well-documented and deservedly praised, it's his genuine warmth and friendliness off the court that struck this reporter with equal awe.
While covering the Lakers-Warriors game as a credentialed writer for PhilBoxing.com's growing NBA page, I had the good fortune of meeting Kobe in the bowels of the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California last December 22, 2012.
Although visibly tired after playing 44 minutes in that 118-115 Lakers win, Bryant was kind enough to stop by and chat with PhilBoxing. He also obliged a photo-op.
As a lifelong NBA fan. I've had many, many treasured NBA memories that date all the way back to my childhood years.
Now as a writer, I've slowly added more, one game at a time. And surely, this meeting Kobe will last a lifetime. (JSM)
Photo: The author (R) poses with Kobe Bryant at Oracle Arena in Oakland.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joan Secuya-Medida.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30 , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night , Fri, 17 Apr 2026CHARLIE SHEEHY PENS PROMOTIONAL PACT WITH MATCHROOM , Fri, 17 Apr 2026BEN WHITTAKER OPENS UP ON HIS AMERICAN DREAM, CALL-OUTS AND HEADLINING IN 'SPECIAL CITY' LIVERPOOL THIS SATURDAY – LIVE ON DAZN , Thu, 16 Apr 2026IBA partners with Global Boxing Series for landmark fight night in Navi Mumbai , Thu, 16 Apr 2026IM Arca finishes 2nd in Thailand Blitz By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026Cebuano "Money Punch" Elmo Traya Heading to Georgia for WBF World Title Shot! By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026Unfinished Business: Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright Super Lightweight Rematch Set for May 16 at Norfolk’s Scope Arena LIVE on DAZN , Thu, 16 Apr 2026Rhaki Constantino bags Asian HeyBall Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026GARNICA VS. CORREA SET FOR WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS TITLE CLASH IN LONG BEACH MAY 15 , Wed, 15 Apr 2026IBA Board of Directors convenes for strategic April 2026 meeting , Wed, 15 Apr 2026Cadalso to turn pro in Juego Todo By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 15 Apr 20262-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2 in Las Vegas , Wed, 15 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|