| |
|
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:
Fajardo TKOs Reyes in IBF flyweight eliminator By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026P450k in Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026Tyson Fury gets a unanimous decision victory after 12 rounds against Arslanbek Makhmudov in England , Sun, 12 Apr 2026'The Take Over' Renden Oppas Scores Win in Australia By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026CK Ingles: A Chess Player, Chess Team Manager - CHESS KINGS, Chess Tournament and Event Organizer By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center in Brick City , Sat, 11 Apr 2026ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0 , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Staying active is Magsayo’s priority By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Abu Bakar ready to rumble against Singh on April 11 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Atty. Aldwin Alegre is set to compete in the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026 to be held at the Luxurious Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand from April 11-19, 2026. By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL! , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|