8. “What I’m doing right now, I’m chasing perfection…and if I don’t get it, I’m going to get this close.” – 2000, Kobe Bryant: Hard to the Hoop, by Mark Steward
Feb 22, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) smiles during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The Lakers beat the Mavs 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
What amazes me about this quote is that it came from the year 2000. Kobe has kept that same fire and drive alive 13 years later. It would be easy for a 35 year old to lack the same motivation as they once had. Look at how many other contemporaries Kobe had that are no longer relevant. Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady are two of the best examples, as those three were at one point the three best scoring guards in the league. What Iverson and McGrady lacked was the will and desire to chase perfection. McGrady and Iverson were both known to be better in game performers than practice players. That is the main difference between Kobe and the others. He wants one more crack at title number six. It is what fuels him, even at his older age. If Kobe had already won title number six or seven, it would be very possible he would have retired. But until he can douse the fire of his motivation, he’s here to stay.