For what seems to have been my entire life, I’ve supported the Los Angeles Lakers like crazy all the way from Australia. I consider myself a die-hard Lakers fan, doing anything possible to watch every single game they play. Since 1999 I have only missed a handful of games, over the years I’ve been glued to the computer watching or listening to the radio broadcasts of each and every game no matter what time of morning, day or night they’re playing.

Along with being a Lakers fan I’m an all-round Kobe Bryant nut. Ever since I first saw him play his been my all-time favourite athlete. What makes Kobe so special to me is his determination, courage, loyalty, and work ethic which truly inspires me like no one else. The way he attacks the game of basketball and his never die like attitude along with his relentless approach to be the best of all time at what he does, injects all the motivation in me needed for my creativity and designs. With all this being said there was never one moment or thought that I would ever get to personally meet with Kobe. Just thinking of this was just so unreal it seemed like a waste of time to ponder over if I’d ever get to meet him.

I made the trip over to Los Angeles to finally live one of my dreams, to see the Los Angeles Lakers play live at Staples Center. The biggest thing I noticed whilst I attended four Lakers games was the electricity and atmosphere the whole stadium drew. After watching thousands of games back at home, to finally be at a game meant so much to me. But all this was just a curtain raiser when I found out the news that I would meet with Kobe Bryant after the Lakers vs 76ers game.

March 17^th had rolled over, the night that I would meet with Kobe after the Lakers played the 76ers. Huge thanks to Nick Kioski and the Lakers organization as they handed me over tickets in a VIP corporate suite to watch the game. The game went down to the wire with Kobe playing the late game heroics role yet again hitting what seemed to be the game winning shot with 6.6 seconds left. But just as I was thinking how insane would it be to meet Kobe Bryant after he made a game winning shot, Andre Iguodala had to spoil it all by draining a remarkable three pointer as time expired. I headed down to the Lakers players race waiting outside to meet Kobe after the post game interviews and a make a wish request he was doing.

As I stood waiting for Kobe to come I built up 4 or 5 questions I’d always had wanted to ask him. When Kobe walked through the doors with a big smile on his face and shook my hand, my mind went blank it was like a dream I’ve had too much but this dream was different, as crazy as it was this time it was real. The first thing I said to him was “man this is crazy Kobe, no joke I’ve spent millions of hours watching you play for the Lakers, this will always be the greatest moment in my life to meet you”. Despite the heartbreaking loss Kobe was all smiles and very talkative, which just concludes what kind of guy he really is, a true gentleman. Bryant, loved the fact that I was wearing his Authentic High School jersey back from 1996, and that I have a entire wardrobe at home dedicated to Kobe Bryant jerseys. My already high respect for him rose even more as he took time out of his busy schedule to meet with me. As I said my goodbyes to Kobe he signed my Lakers jacket which just made the night even more special.

As I look back and reflect on the moment in my life I will cherish most it didn’t matter that I didn’t ask Kobe the questions, and stories that I had always wanted to talk to him about. I realised just being in his presence was all that mattered to me. The dream I had oh so many times of meeting my idol in life finally came true, and I’d like to thank the crew at www.kb24.com, his security team and staff, and most importantly Eric Marentette for making this dream of mine come true.

Kobe’s #1 Aussie fan
Tyson Beck

]]> http://www.tysonbeck.com/2009/03/25/my-experience-in-los-angeles-journal/feed/ 1 http://www.tysonbeck.com/2009/02/06/wwwhopsnetau/ http://www.tysonbeck.com/2009/02/06/wwwhopsnetau/#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:12:57 +0000 Tyson Beck http://www.tysonbeck.com/?p=250 I have finished Creating Basketball Shoe Brand Hops new website. Hops is an up and coming brand of sneaker thats new to the market which is based in Australia. They have plans of doing it big so check out their range of shoes.

www.hops.net.au