Kobe Bryant is one of the all-time greats in the sport of basketball. What separates him from the rest of his peers is that Bryant is a student of the game. Bryant respects those who have come before him and uses that knowledge to improve his own game.
-== Top 7 Kobe Bryant Games of the 2014-15 Season ==-
Bryant not only learns from his own sport, but also pays attention to other dominant athletes in different sports around the world. Bryant grew up in Italy while his father was playing professionally in the Italian league and developed a love for the sport of soccer.
Barcelona is Bryant’s favorite soccer team and he is not shy to admit it. One of Barcelona’s greatest players is moving on to another club after nearly two decades with the club. Bryant took to Twitter to honor Xavi and even called him a legend:
Gran Carrera! #BarcaLEYENDA #6ràciesXavi
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 26, 2015
Xavi spent 18 seasons with Barcelona and played a big part in winning three Champions League titles. He has countless team and individual awards, but at 35 years old, his time in the sport of futbol is quickly coming to an end.
Xavi is not retiring, but Barcelona is the only club he has known his entire life. That sounds familiar. Kobe is in a similar position, he is one of the all-time greats, but Father Time is just around the corner. Hopefully Bryant does not follow in Xavi’s footsteps and play for another team. Then again, Bryant could go to Europe and make a lot of money, so that’s always an option.