August 23.

　　If there hadn't been that accident, today would be Kobe Bryant's 42nd birthday. However, the cruelest part of life is that there is no if.

Data map: On January 26, local time, basketball superstar Kobe crashed and died in a helicopter accident.

　　Back in time on January 26 this year, when a helicopter fell in California, the lives of Kobe and his second daughter, Jaina, were permanently fixed on that day.

　　A memory of the passionate youth of countless fans has also faded from Zijin to black and white.

　　In the days he left, Kobe's voice and smile still often appeared in this world. Every time, when the past picture jumps into view, people can always recall Kobe's short and wonderful life.

Data map: On January 26, local time, basketball superstar Kobe crashed and died in a helicopter accident. His second daughter, Jaina, also died.

　　All this starts with the oldest city in the United States-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which is the origin of the story. Today 42 years ago, basketball player Joe Bryant, who played for the Philadelphia 76ers, welcomed his third child, named "KOBE."

　　In his childhood, Kobe moved around with his father's transfer. From Philadelphia to San Diego to Houston, this was just the prelude to his childhood travel. Later, the Qiao family "wandered" to the Apennines. Far away in a foreign country, Bryant chose to use basketball to enrich his soul.

　　With his father's retirement, when Kobe was 14 years old, the family was able to return to their homeland. Perhaps because of growing up in a different environment, Kobe at that time seemed a bit out of tune with the American teenagers. Fortunately, basketball has always been his most loyal friend. He trained and competed frantically. After entering high school, he began to make his mark in the country.

Data map: Kobe and his family attended the jersey retirement ceremony.

　　Zhang Ailing once said: "Be famous early. If you come too late, happiness will not be so happy." This sentence is exactly the portrayal of Kobe.

　　After graduating from high school, Bryant skipped his college career and entered the NBA directly. He put on his beloved Lakers jersey, and the brilliant "Zijin career" began.

　　Today, people can't count how many classic moments he left on the court. But 5 championships, 2 finals MVP, 1 regular season MVP, 2 Olympic champions... a series of honors are the best footnotes of his legendary career.

　　In remote Africa, there is a poisonous snake named "mamba". They are long and fast. Mamba has a killer nature, brave and combative, and ruthless. In an interview, Kobe compared himself to a "black mamba." Since then, this name has become his exclusive pronoun, and has also derived the "Mamba spirit" that has inspired countless young people.

　　Kobe has once interpreted this spirit: enthusiasm, persistence, strictness, counterattack and fearlessness. If you think about it carefully, these 5 words have always run through his life.

　　The love of basketball, the dedication to victory, the strictness to himself, the response to injuries and the fearlessness of rumors have created Kobe, who has countless fans all over the world.

Data map: On April 14, 2016, Kobe ushered in the last game of his NBA career.

　　He could have been with the fans for a long time. But only 4 years after yelling "Mamba out", Kobe ended his short life in a deplorable way.

　　Every day after he left, many people put their thoughts on idols in their own way. These thoughts stem from his enthusiasm for life, from his miracles on the court, and from the Mamba spirit he left behind...

　　Everyone has a unique Kobe in his heart. Every aspect of his life is enough to move people's hearts. We don't want to forget him, not only because of his charm, his spirit, but also because he is connected with our passing green years. And that was a carefree, passionate day.

Screenshot of Vanessa social media

　　I vaguely remember that last year today, Kobe's widow Vanessa posted a set of family photos to celebrate her husband's 41st birthday.

　　"Things are people and nothing is done. If you want to talk, tears will flow first."

　　When time points to this day again, we can no longer see the "Black Mamba" facing the candles and making new birthday wishes.

　　But stubborn we still want to say: Kobe, happy birthday to you.

　　Xing Rui