6 Kobe Bryant quotes about leadership and competition

6 Kobe Bryant quotes about leadership and competition

Six Kobe Bryant quotes that will make you rethink your beliefs on death, leadership, and competition

The advice and words of the NBA legend are still valid today.

Kobe Bryant was one of the most divisive figures in professional sports for the 20 years he spent playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant’s performance at the greatest level of basketball, though, could not be disputed, whether you liked him or despised him. In addition to winning five NBA titles and the NBA MVP award, Bryant also assisted Team USA in winning two gold medals in 2008 and 2012.

Additionally, Bryant was an NBA All-Star 18 times, second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (LeBron James has the most among active players, with 16 All-Star appearances). At the first All-Star weekend following his unexpected and terrible passing, the NBA will undoubtedly hold a memorial for Bryant, but his legacy will endure.

Here are eight of the superstar’s most insightful remarks that will help you understand his philosophy and emulate some of his Mamba Mentality.

Regarding how he feels about dying

“Life is impossible without death. There cannot be light without darkness. It is a recognition of that. It was actually an acknowledgment of the mortality that all athletes face when it came time to choose whether or not to retire that I made that decision. And if you fight it, you’ll always be engaged in that internal conflict. Therefore, I feel at ease with it.” November 2016, CBS

Regarding his debut season’s playoff failures “As a young player, you frequently don’t really understand how something like that and a circumstance like that may ultimately pay off. However, if you use it as motivation and drive to get to where you are now, you will be able to look back on it with pride.” January 2016, Daily News

about his management style

“I like testing people and making them feel awkward. That’s what triggers reflection, and reflection drives development. I guess you might say that I dared them to be their best selves.” the 2018 book The Mamba Mentality: How I Play

On rivalry “I’ll decide whether your season’s objectives conflict with where I want to go in 20 years.

“If not, good luck to you in your search. However, if they do

“I’ll pursue you relentlessly. It only makes sense.” – Players Tribute as quoted in the Daily News in April 2017

Regarding juggling his social life and work
“Friends occasionally get together. Banners remain up indefinitely.” in June 2015, ESPN

Upon leaving basketball “Regardless of what I do next

“Always going to be that child

“the socks were rolled up.

“trash can in the background

“:05 seconds have passed.

“I’m holding a ball.

Dear Basketball, via Players Tribute, November 2015, “5… 4… 3… 2… 1”