The 2nd Greatest Player on the Planet

Ever since I was a kid, I have loved following the NBA.  I even thought, make that, knew I would one day be a player.  I was so sure of it I made a $500 bet with my brother.  I never paid him. The point is, I have a passion for everything about the league.  I love the atmosphere, the pressure of big games, being a part of history and just having something to take my mind away from reality.

My dad bought season tickets every year growing up and I had the opportunity to see the likes of Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Kevin Duckworth, Jerome Kersey and Buck Williams run their way to the NBA finals twice.  Those were amazing experiences I will never forget. Since then, I have been to hundreds of games and seen a lot of amazing players, but the one player I never got to see in person that I regret to this day is Michael Jordan, THE greatest player of all time. Currently, there is one player that seems to be unanimously compared to #23, Kobe Bryant, so when I was given the chance to see him play for the first time and to do so from the third row, I jumped at the chance.  

I took tons of pictures and video.  I felt like a giddy little school girl because I knew this may be the only time I see someone of his ability play in person.  Let me say, he did not disappoint.  I am including some video of him taking it to the baseline dunking, and just some random shots I took during the game.  My camera isn't great, but I thought I would at least share my experience from my seat.

Remember, I am a die hard Blazer fan and Kobe was on the team that ripped my Blazers' heart out in the 2000 playoffs, so writing this entry is extremely difficult for me, but the fact is, Kobe is ridiculously good.  The guy could score 50 a night if he wanted.  Honestly, he is unstoppable. 

Check out how easily he drives baseline and dunks.  Sorry, that ain't right.

This is no man crush, just extreme respect.

Next on my list is LeBron James.  That may be a few years.