Ben Strauss of Politico Magazine published a profile on Kobe Bryant in which the five-time NBA champion explained what he misses about President Barack Obama, and how America’s first black president stoked the coals of activism among NBA players.
“He made locker rooms more politically aware,” Bryant said. “Conversations changed. Obviously, now with the violence we’re seeing across the country, that’s something athletes are understanding more and more. He was rare. We all miss him to a certain extent.”
The piece goes on to detail the close relationship between the NBA and the Obama White House, particularly the active involvement of stars like Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in promoting his policies and agenda.