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Kobe Bryant’s Mistake and the Lesson for Our Youth

Kobe Bryant was my favorite basketball player growing up—an idol of sorts. I would often try to emulate his moves on the basketball court, and always yell out “Kobe!” every time I’d shoot anything into a trashcan. His posters were on my wall, his jerseys were in my dresser. I was the ultimate Kobe fan… But that would soon be tested in the winter of 2010. Kobe’s last game in Toronto was on Dec. 7; a little over a w

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Rupen Janbazian

Rupen Janbazian is the editor of Torontohye Monthly. He is the former editor of The Armenian Weekly and the former director of public relations of the Tufenkian Foundation. Born and raised in Toronto, he is currently based in Yerevan.

10 Comments

  1. I found it hilarious at the time that Armenians were bitter about a professional athlete ebdorsing Turkish products. What if he turned around and said, “You guys are hypocrites”. “Every Armenian store sells Turkish products in their stores. The biggest importer of Turkish products, Kradjian, is Armenian.” How would any Armenian answer to that? Before we ask any non-Armenians to ban Turkish products, maybe the Armenian consumer should stop buying Turkish products sold in Armenian stores, imported by Kradjian, an Armenian.

    1. “Turkish products ”

      Unfortunately very high quality with more affordable prices…

      Btw, Hellim cheese is a registered trade mark of Turkish Cyprus.
      And; Yoğurt is Turkish, not Greek.
      Like Baklava, Sarma, Dolma, Döner are…

  2. So proud of our Armenian youth. Every small effort counts in many levels. Even if you reach one important person, that’s a major difference in the long run.Kobe will retire and you never know when he will bring this issue into public in a different view and again make a difference for our community….

  3. 1. Those Kobe-Messi commercials Turkish Airlines had were awesome
    2. I’m in LA for a few days and I noticed a peculiar ad on the back of the buses of the LA metro: “Discover Turkey” and underneath it said Turkish Airlines. I guess the LA city government is also making money from the wholesale murder of the Armenians? Right? When are the protests planned in front of city hall?

  4. Good article and sentimental indeed. I do not understand why we have to crucify Kobe Bryant for doing a simple advertisement for Turkish Airlines. What I know is that many of us in the Middle East including many Armenians from Yerevan fly Turkish Airways because the airline offer good deals and flies in an efficient manner. I wish sometimes we look at ourselves and wander why Armenia does not even have a national Airline. The last time I flew Armavir, I was subjected to intimidation, extortion and was demanded to pay an astronomic charges for extra luggage. In the end, my friend negotiated and made a settlement for a 100.00 US Dollars in cash bribe in order for me to continue my journey. After such corrupt administrative habits, Armavir has gone bankrupt leaving no viable Armenian Airline in the country. These are the more relevant and worthy matters deserving coverage. Criticizing Mr. Bryn does not solve the fact that we can not have a functional Airlines in Armenia. When we learn to criticize and expose our ill habits and unacceptable business practices, we would, one day have a National Armenian Airlines.

  5. An example of ignorance and conceit on Kobe Bryant’s part. The money he received was a drop in a bucket, considering the millions he has made in his NBA career
    –a mere blip on the radar screen as they say.
    He will not be missed.

  6. I am proud of these passionate Armenian youths! Good going, kids! You made it into the textbooks for having appropriately, very appropriately, embarrassed Kobe Bryant and Turkey. Please remember, Kobe Bryant was accused of rape. Expecting him to do the right, moral thing is likely to be hopeless. But good gor you for protesting, and not letti g him get away scot free! Bravo!

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