Kobe Bryant is the most fascinating athlete in sports. Fans either love him or hate him, but everyone wants to watch him. Bryant’s interview with Ahmad Rashad on NBA TV was both eye-opening and insightful.
What goes on in his head?
What drives him to be the best?
Who is Kobe Bryant?
Although he touched on several subjects, here are 3 takeaways from the interview:
1) Michael Jordan is the standard-bearer that Bryant is compared to, yet it’s nice to see the friendship and respect that he and MJ have formed. Jordan has 6 rings to Bryant’s 5 (although he claims he should have 7), but when asked which player reminds him of himself Bryant answered, “Russell Westbrook.” Westbrook’s “mean” and “aggressive” style is something that Bryant can resonate with. It’s a great comparison since both players are criticized for similar flaws: selfish, arrogant and hard to play with.
2) When asked what drives him, in lieu of rehabbing his shoulder injury, Bryant says the “process.” His eyes light up when he’s acquired new knowledge and is able to use it to his advantage. Bryant shared how he talked with Tex Winter for an hour on the phone about the Triangle Offense a summer before Phil Jackson was hired to coach the Lakers. His desire to learn also exists off-the-court. While he was recovering from his Achilles injury, he cold-called Oprah, Jony Ive (Apple Executive) and Mark Parker (Nike CEO) to discuss life after basketball. Most athletes would quit after all Bryant’s gone through, but he’s different. Bryant accepts all challenges. That’s what drives him.
3) Kobe Bryant has been labeled anti-social, cold and unfriendly. From the outside that looks to be true, but as he explained about his confrontational leadership style it’s clear Bryant is all about “business.” Bryant believes all the time spent forming relationships takes away from his ability to work at his craft. He is a different animal and despite his social quirks, you have to respect his commitment to his work. Bryant feels he can strengthen friendships after he walks away from the game.
If you didn’t catch Kobe Bryant’s Interview, you should. Bryant may be playing in the final twilight of his career, but so far his course has been legendary. Basketball fans are watching one of the greatest to ever lace them up and when he finally steps away from basketball, he will be missed.
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