Kobe Bryant is often regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Some would argue that he is the second greatest basketball player to Michael Jordan. Others would even argue the point that because he surpassed Jordan in 2014 for the NBA’s all-time scoring list, he is the greatest basketball player of all time.
Unfortunately, on January 26, 2020, it was reported that the NBA superstar, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant and 7 other passengers were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California Sunday morning. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
But what about Kobe makes him so special from the rest that came before him? Is it his humility? Charm? Determination? The motto, “Mamba Mentality” ?
Kobe “Bean” Bryant was born on August 23rd, 1978 to NBA legend Joe Bryant and Pam Bryant in Philadelphia, PA. In his early childhood, Bryant had moved to Italy, where according to multiple sources, helped developed his work ethic and his approach to the game of basketballa.
Bryant attended Lower Merion High School from 1992-1996, where he was awarded McDonald’s All American and USA Today‘s All-First Team player in his senior year of high school.
Bryant was then drafted into the NBA in 1996, alongside NBA stars Ray Allen, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, and Marcus Camby, where on the same day, he was traded to Los Angeles Lakers.
Throughout his 20+ year career in the NBA, Kobe Bryant was a 5x NBA Champion, 18x NBA All-Star, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist, 2x NBA Finals MVP and overall a great athlete with such sportsmanship and charisma.
Bryant has also been very involved in philanthropy work, such as fostering, adoption, orphans, and AIDs & HIV, At-Risk/Disadvantaged Youths, etc. He is also a global ambassador in China and other countries throughout Europe.
One of the things that impressed me the most about Kobe was his drive and his attitude to unfinished business. In an NBA Finals press conference back in 2010 against Celtics, Kobe’s response to a reporter about the Lakers being 2-0, Bryant said, “The job’s not finished.”
His attitude was very passive to the press as they were enticing him to be excited about their successful lead. He was not impressed because he knew that the 2-0 would quickly be an upset if they slacked up and did not work even harder to maintain the lead.
Kobe, we miss you and we love you. Thank you for being an inspiration to a generation of future leaders of tomorrow. Prayers to Mrs. Vanessa Bryant and the remaining members of the family. #MambaForever
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