The true legacy of Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant

Conclusion

Kobe Bryant stood alongside an elite group of fellow NBA superstars who were consumed with winning. He joined Bill Russell, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan to collectively head the list of the biggest winners to ever play the game.

The competitive spirit of that group is unmatched. To each of them, nothing mattered on the court except winning. Each was at his best when their team needed them most- in the clutch down the stretch of close games. And not coincidentally, all of them achieved tremendous basketball success.

Kobe was uncompromising in his approach to the game. His work ethic was unsurpassed. He gave fans every ounce of effort he could for 20 years. He helped the Lakers win five titles while providing uncountable and unforgettable memories of greatness. Those qualities alone endeared Kobe to his many fans.

But the growth he showed us as a man off the court captured the hearts of so many more. He actively demonstrated to fathers throughout the land how to be a proud, active dad. He was just starting to show children beyond his own how to be self-confident and motivated. He was a strong proponent of women’s sports.

There will never be another Kobe Bryant. We should all be grateful that we got to watch him and treasure the memories he provided.

All statistics courtesy of www.basketball-reference.com