6 Kobe Bryant quotes that will challenge your view of competition, leadership and death
During his 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was one of the most polarizing people in the professional world. But love him or hate him, you couldn't deny Bryant's success at the highest level. Along with his NBA MVP award and five NBA championships, Bryant helped Team USA win two gold medals in 2008 and 2012.
Lisa Blumenfeld | Getty ImagesBryant was also an 18-time NBA All-Star, second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who is the most active player, with 16 All-Star appearances). The NBA will no doubt mourn Bryant on the first All-Star weekend since his shocking and untimely death, but Bryant's legacy will live on.
Here are eight of the superstar's best, which can provide a window into his state of mind and help you share some of his Mamba mentality.
On his relationship with death“You can't have life without death. Can't have light without darkness. So it's an acceptance of that. , [it was] really an acceptance of this mortality that all athletes face. And if you fight it, you will always have this inner struggle within yourself. … So … I'm comfortable with that. - CBS, November 2016
After failing in the playoffs in his rookie season"A lot of times as a young player you don't really see how something like this and a situation like that can pay off in the end. But if you use it to motivate yourself and use it to motivate you and stand where I stand now, you can look back on it with fond memories." - Daily News, January 2016
On his leadership style"I liked to challenge people and make them feel uncomfortable. That's what leads to introspection and that's what leads to improvement. You could say that I put the people challenged to give the best of themselves." - The Mamba Mentality: How I Play, 2018
On competition"I will choose whether or not your goals for the upcoming season compromise who I want to be in 20 years.
"If they don't, good hunting to you. But if they do…
"I'm going to hunt you obsessively. It's only natural." - Tribute to players by Daily News, April 2017
Reconciling work and social life"Friends hang once in a while. Banners hang forever." - ESPN, June 2015
retired from basketball"It doesn't matter what I do next
"I will always be that child
"With the socks rolled up
"The trash can in the corner
:05 seconds on the counter
"Ball in my hands.
"5...4...3...2...1" - Dear Basketball via Players Tribute, November 2015
During his 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was one of the most polarizing people in the professional world. But love him or hate him, you couldn't deny Bryant's success at the highest level. Along with his NBA MVP award and five NBA championships, Bryant helped Team USA win two gold medals in 2008 and 2012.
Lisa Blumenfeld | Getty ImagesBryant was also an 18-time NBA All-Star, second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who is the most active player, with 16 All-Star appearances). The NBA will no doubt mourn Bryant on the first All-Star weekend since his shocking and untimely death, but Bryant's legacy will live on.
Here are eight of the superstar's best, which can provide a window into his state of mind and help you share some of his Mamba mentality.
On his relationship with death“You can't have life without death. Can't have light without darkness. So it's an acceptance of that. , [it was] really an acceptance of this mortality that all athletes face. And if you fight it, you will always have this inner struggle within yourself. … So … I'm comfortable with that. - CBS, November 2016
After failing in the playoffs in his rookie season"A lot of times as a young player you don't really see how something like this and a situation like that can pay off in the end. But if you use it to motivate yourself and use it to motivate you and stand where I stand now, you can look back on it with fond memories." - Daily News, January 2016
On his leadership style"I liked to challenge people and make them feel uncomfortable. That's what leads to introspection and that's what leads to improvement. You could say that I put the people challenged to give the best of themselves." - The Mamba Mentality: How I Play, 2018
On competition"I will choose whether or not your goals for the upcoming season compromise who I want to be in 20 years.
"If they don't, good hunting to you. But if they do…
"I'm going to hunt you obsessively. It's only natural." - Tribute to players by Daily News, April 2017
Reconciling work and social life"Friends hang once in a while. Banners hang forever." - ESPN, June 2015
retired from basketball"It doesn't matter what I do next
"I will always be that child
"With the socks rolled up
"The trash can in the corner
:05 seconds on the counter
"Ball in my hands.
"5...4...3...2...1" - Dear Basketball via Players Tribute, November 2015
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