Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 10:43 am  |  13 responses

SLAM #39

R.I.P. Big Dipper / Kobe 4:82

Originally published in SLAM 39

The 6th Man: The first time I saw Kobe Bryant was in Pittsburgh, at the ’96 McDonald’s High School All-America game. Already the most well-known high schooler in the country, he cleaned up there, entered the NBA draft, and the rest, as they say, is history. Since that day, I’ve seen Kobe—including commercials and Laker broadcasts—156,958 times. I have close friends that I see less frequently than Kobe. I have family I see less frequently than Kobe.

Meanwhile, unseen, another talent blossomed. Shareef Abdur-Rahim was also a McDonald’s All-American, but was overshadowed in the ’95 game by higher-profile classmates Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter and Stephon Marbury. Drafted by the Grizzlies after one year at Cal, Abdur-Rahim vanished off the face of the televised earth.

This stands to be the breakout year for both, in different ways. For Kobe, the season finale may be the “Rings” episode instead of another “Sweeps” week. And for Shareef, this year will be the one where the rest of the world discovers his unreal talent. Since his humility won’t allow him to say it, we will—Shareef Abdur-Rahim will change the game. And hopefully we’ll all get to see it happen.

My immediate thought upon seeing Wilt Chamberlain at the ’98 Basketball Hall of Fame inductions was “Why is he wearing that ridiculous-looking medallion?” My second was, “I hope he can’t read minds, because he could crush my head like a grape.” Even at 62, Wilt looked like he could go out there and play 48 minutes, frustrating any new-jack center with finger-rolls and hooks.

The Big Dipper still holds 25 regular-season records. The 100-point game you know about, but there’s also the 48.5 minutes a game he averaged for an entire season. And never, over 47,859 minutes, did he ever foul out of a game.

We’ll miss you, big man.

Out,

Russ Bengtson
Editor-in-Chief

Issue 39 KobeIssue 39 Shareef

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  • Freedom Fries Posted: Jun.10 at 10:53 am
    Hands down the best thing about young Kobe was the rad Kobe hair – he should bring that look back. Loved it to pieces – no irony folks, best hoop look evah.

  • WhaHuh Posted: Jun.10 at 11:09 am
    Why you cut ‘yo ‘Fro, I mean I liked ‘yo ‘Fro

  • thenut32 Posted: Jun.10 at 11:10 am
    I forgot all about Reef, i also forgot how wack those jerseys were.

  • Ken Posted: Jun.10 at 11:23 am
    Wow, I had forgotten how ugly those old Grizz unis were.

  • MeloMan22 Posted: Jun.10 at 11:25 am
    i miss the Vancouver Grizzlies

  • PeteRawcks Posted: Jun.10 at 11:56 am
    Man those Vancouver jerseys are fire.

  • Tyrone Shoelaces Posted: Jun.10 at 12:59 pm
    Man those Vancouver jerseys should’ve been set on fire.

  • Joe Grabowski Posted: Jun.10 at 2:35 pm
    Nah man, PeteRawcks is right, those jerseys are HOT.

  • SLAM ONLINE | » Win Kobe’s Jersey! Posted: Jun.24 at 11:03 am
    [...] •SLAM #39 Scoop discussed a young Kobe’s aspirations. [...]

  • VancouverManeuver Posted: Jul.13 at 10:37 am
    Shareef Abdur-Rahim and the Vancouver Grizzlies are the best team ever.

  • VancouverManeuver Posted: Jul.13 at 10:38 am
    Vancouver Grizzlies are the best team ever.

  • SLAM ONLINE | » SLAM Cover Archives Posted: Mar.18 at 12:37 pm
    [...] 1-2, Cory Johnson Issues 3-38, Tony Gervino Issues 39-87, Russ Bengtson Issues 88-105, Ryan Jones Issues 106-Present, Ben [...]

  • Jasmine Posted: May.2 at 12:14 am
    Those jerseys are the boom!! Man I missed out on a lot of magazines. Seem interesting.

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