Kobe Bryant is currently making his way around the world on his global tour, with his most recent stop coming in the Philippines. Lucky for those not in attendance, video of Bryant’s 24-minute presentation surfaced early this week, which we would love to share with you.
Bryant answered a slew of questions on a wide variety of topics, talking about his passions other than basketball and his role on the Lakers. For those who can’t see, we’ll give you some of the highlights.
What are his other passions aside from basketball?
"If we’re talking about sports, soccer is my second favorite passion. I enjoy hanging out and doing fun things with my family and kids. I enjoy swimming. I enjoy going to movies. I enjoy fishing."
On his changing role with the Lakers, specifically on becoming more of a facilitator…
"The topic of leadership is always a very touchy one for people because most of the time, leaders have to make unpopular decisions, have to do things that are sometimes unpopular. I think a lot of leaders fail because they don’t have the bravery to touch that nerve, or to strike that cord. For me throughout my years, I haven’t had that fear. It’s rubbed people the wrong way, but at the end of the day you want to get results, and that’s what it’s all about. Now as I’ve gotten old, I’ve been able to kind of temper that and better understand how to communicate with individuals a certain way. But as a leader, it’s your responsibility to get the team, or corporation, to that ultimate goal."
On his legacy when he leaves the NBA…
"For me, it’s bigger than playing basketball. Basketball’s going to be over one day. When I leave the game, I want to feel like I left an imprint or mark enough where people, not only basketball players but lawyers, doctors, can have the same type of mentality in what they do as what I’ve had in what I’ve done."
Bryant’s all-time top 5 favorite players…
"I got to start at top with my guards, Magic and Michael. I gotta go, a lot of people forget, particularly our generation has forgotten how good Larry Bird was. We all Laker faithful hated his guts, but the man can flat out play. And then, I gotta go Bill Russell. And then I gotta go Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. That’s a pretty good top 5."
On his first thought when he tore his Achilles…
"As soon as I did it, I said ‘I have to make these free throws.’ It was immediate, as soon as it happened, I knew what it was and I knew I was done. So as soon as it happened, “Boom, torn Achilles, I’m done, I gotta make these free throws.” We’ve come all the way back, fighting all year to get to the playoffs, and this is a big couple points we need right here. It’s my responsibility to step up there and knock them down, then take my butt off the court."