Five NBA championships. Two Finals MVP Awards. Eleven All-NBA First Team awards. 18 All-Star nominations. An 81-point game on January 22, 2006 against the Toronto Raptors.
Love him or hate him, no matter how you spin it, Kobe Bryant is one of the most gifted basketball players to ever play the game. On April 13, 2016, his career came to an end; an illustrious career that spanned two decades, all of which he spent with the Los Angeles Lakers after being traded to the franchise by the Charlotte Hornets on Draft Night in 1996.
The achievements are endless, both team-and league-wide. And aside from his accomplishments in the NBA, he also has two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012) to his credit as well.
But in retirement, and in the years that he played, one of the things that shined the most light on him was hearsay. Over the years, many opponents, coaches, and former teammates would share their own personal stories that would add to the legacy of the longest tenured Laker in team history. Below are just a few, along with their significance to any young aspiring student-athlete. No matter your sport of choice, there are lessons to be learned from such a memorable career.
- Countless NBA players have recalled coming to team breakfasts at around 7:00 a.m., only to see Bryant walk in drenched in sweat from working out since around 4:00 in the morning. Whether the rumors are true or not, the lesson to take from the anecdote is that anything worth having is worth working hard to achieve. Oftentimes, our biggest obstacle is our own will and determination. Once that barrier is broken, it becomes that much easier to reach your desired goal.
- Teammates have recalled Bryant remaining at practice for hours after it ended. He would often recruit players to stay with him so that he could work on new moves to add to his repertoire. This concept, which is one that he supposedly learned about Michael Jordan while engaged in a conversation with former Bulls guard Ron Harper, speaks to the importance of fine-tuning. Sometimes, it’s not enough to be great at one aspect. The most successful individuals, in any craft, possess a talent pool deep enough to occasionally surprise opposition with something that they’ve never seen before.
- Former teammate Brian Shaw recalled a story recently in which Bryant challenged him to a game of H-O-R-S-E. At the time, Shaw was 22 years old; Bryant was only 11. The lesson learned here: never be afraid to play bigger than you are. Wins and losses are part of the game, and facing bigger opposition is often the easiest way to understand your own talents and what is needed to take them to the next level.
- Anytime a teammate scored on Bryant in practice, he would make the teammate remain afterwards until they played one-on-one. Don’t be afraid to assert your dominance. Confidence is key. Healthy competition is vital to the development of your craft, so don’t hesitate to let people know you’re the best. Remember, you are your biggest opponent and critic.
- In the final game of his career against the Utah Jazz, former teammate Shaquille O’Neal dared Bryant to score 50 points. By game’s end, he had scored 60. Don’t accept limitations. Part of being the best at what you do is defying expectations. Never settle for what someone thinks you can or should do; if you’re better, stronger, and faster, show it. Sports are an important tool in the growth of youth, and it is often taught that winning isn’t everything. However, it’ll be hard to find anyone that enjoys the losing aspect of competition.
On April 12, 2013, Bryant tore his Achilles tendon in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Coincidentally, he was also fouled on the possession. In typical “Mamba” fashion, he refused to leave the court until he converted both free throws. After making both, he walked to the locker room. Under his own power.
The player may be gone, but the lessons will always remain. If you want to be the best at what you do, know that it won’t come easy. The game, the degree, the job, or whatever you pursue is going to give you its strongest fight. Never hesitate to fight back with everything you’ve got.
ITG Web Content
Mamba Mentality
By James Washington
