As Kobe Bryant enters his 18th campaign in the NBA, perhaps one of only a few seasons remaining, I thought it would be interesting to look back at some of the best Kobe quotes throughout his career. I’ve chosen the top 8 in honor of Kobe’s original number.
Apr 10, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives past Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Will Barton (5) at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
1. “The whole Michael thing drives me nuts sometimes because people won’t leave it alone. He’s bald, I have hair. He’s almost 40, I’m 22. Seriously though, I wish people would let it be and let me be Kobe.” – Basketball Digest, 2001
It’s funny how this quote is from 2001, and yet every single year since then he has been compared to MJ. No matter what type of career Kobe has, he will always be compared to Jordan, rightfully so or not. It is difficult for anyone to look at Kobe’s career as just his career. It always has to be compared to what Jordan was able to accomplish, and likely will be placed up against LeBron when all is said and done as well.