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Hello, everyone. First of all, I am not making this post to say something to increase popularity of Kobe Bryant. I don't know Kobe in person so I can't say I like his personality though I certainly respect his basketball prowess.
What I want you guys to help me understand are the following. We all know everyone admires Kobe's work ethic. But how does he still stay motivated after earning $200 million in contract and endorsement? How does he still maintain his hunger for improvement even after winning 5 championships, 1 MVP, scoring titles and everyone saying you are the best player in the world?
It is not just amazing to me but almost inspirational the way he works at his game. He already got the money. He already got the fame. He already got the recognition. Yet he works like a journeyman player who wants that big-money contract. He plays like he always has something to prove. The hunger, fire, motivation, energy and mental toughness never goes away in Kobe in my opinion.
What is he chasing now? Why is he still hungry? He doesn't get complacent with pat on the back?
What I want you guys to help me understand are the following. We all know everyone admires Kobe's work ethic. But how does he still stay motivated after earning $200 million in contract and endorsement? How does he still maintain his hunger for improvement even after winning 5 championships, 1 MVP, scoring titles and everyone saying you are the best player in the world?
What is he chasing now? Why is he still hungry? He doesn't get complacent with pat on the back?
Thanks in advance for any insights.
Kobe right now is playing for his place in history. There are some who just have that inner drive within them, that burning desire to be the best. It's that desire and ethic that separates Kobe from, say, Tracey Mcgrady( injuries notwithstanding) moreso than separation in talent. Right now, Kobe isn't battling with Lebron, Wade, Howard, Melo, Durant etc, he's battling Jordan, Magic, Bird, Kareem, etc. At this stage it's not about how he's viewed today, but how he's viewed 20 years from now.
Kobe right now is playing for his place in history. There are some who just have that inner drive within them, that burning desire to be the best. It's that desire and ethic that separates Kobe from, say, Tracey Mcgrady( injuries notwithstanding) moreso than separation in talent. Right now, Kobe isn't battling with Lebron, Wade, Howard, Melo, Durant etc, he's battling Jordan, Magic, Bird, Kareem, etc. At this stage it's not about how he's viewed today, but how he's viewed 20 years from now.
Kobe right now is playing for his place in history. There are some who just have that inner drive within them, that burning desire to be the best. It's that desire and ethic that separates Kobe from, say, Tracey Mcgrady( injuries notwithstanding) moreso than separation in talent. Right now, Kobe isn't battling with Lebron, Wade, Howard, Melo, Durant etc, he's battling Jordan, Magic, Bird, Kareem, etc. At this stage it's not about how he's viewed today, but how he's viewed 20 years from now.
Yep. I might want to also add that he is just downright a fierce competitor. I read somewhere that during the Olympics, he tried to beat anyone on the team in ping pong and was serious about it during their free time. The dude wants to win in everything.
He's ultra-competitive. He's not playing for money or fame or any of those things. He wakes in the morning and probably thinks: "How can I be better than I was yesterday?" So he takes a few more shots, lifts a couple extra reps, watches an extra few minutes of film every day. He's not fueled by winning; he's fueled buy the fear of losing.
Right, and this is why I like Kobe when most people hate him. I also like Pete Rose, because he played his tail off constantly, forget all the off the field stuff, thats just noise to me. I respect any athlete, whether its Mark Buehrle, Kobe, Jordan, Tiger, Magic or whoever that gives every ounce they have.
This is also the reason I cannot stomach guys like Albert Haynesworthless etc
The intense competitive drive is what separates an OK athlete from an exceptional athlete. Whatever the sport all coaches dream of getting players like Kobe. Actually, I get a little irked with the other Laker players who don't show up 3 hours early for a game just to practice like Kobe does. But Kobe's personality is unique to him and those select few athletes who are absolutely driven to compete and improve their skills.
It is also clearly evident that Kobe has a genuine love for the game. I get the impression that Kobe would play for nothing, that's how much the game means to him. In that way, he has an 'old-school' quality about him that I find in players like Jordan, Bird, Magic. There was just a love for the game there that was clearly evident when they played.
Kobe has an innate keen superior ability to play the game, the guy's a natural, has been referred to as having the highest basketball IQ in the NBA today, to think he was drafted out of HS at 17 years of age and never attended college.
Because he like's to compete and he's a great athlete.
I never played any pro ball. But I played semi-pro football, sandlot football, flag football, cityleague football, cityleague Basketball, CL Softball, wrestled. If it was, there I'd do it.
Coached football, basketball, baseball, and softballwomen/men. Still coach youth baseball. I just love sports.
He's being PAYED to do the most pleasurable thing he can do.
I would play anything now, if I could, for free.
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