Kobe Bryant: Player Coach
Through watching his larger-than-life experiences, Kobe Bryant taught each one of us how to become successful in the game of life. Most profoundly, however, his purpose is cemented in the sport in which his soul encapsulates; he lived to teach the world how to be the ultimate students of the game of basketball in more than one dimension. One year after his passing, this philosophy lives.
via complex.com
One of the most tragic AsPects of his death was the fact that Kobe had so many people who DESPERATELY depended on him, including me. I decide today, on January 26 2021, that Kobe Bean Bryant lives. Here’s why I believe he thinks so too.
Kobe Basketball Academy 2010
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA (2010). This is when and where I first met Kobe. It is also significant as it is the only time I was ever able to be in his physical presence. I will remember this day forever and carry what I learned from this moment for the rest of my life.
I had just ruptured my achilles tendon, and was days removed from my surgery, which is the reason I appear in a cast. I’ll never forget his expression as we talked about the dehabilitating injury. The same injury, incidentally enough, that he would suffer 3 years later. His warm encouragement that day gave me the foundation I needed to recover and be an even greater player than I was before I got hurt.
competing at his camp
When I met Kobe, it was literally just days after he won his fifth and final NBA championship. But that game was fresh off his mind, as his passion was consumed with inspiring the 300+ kids at his camp that paid an exorbitant amount of money just to feel his presence and become infused with absolute greatness.
I couldn't believe it then, and I still can’t believe it now that I was the first guest invited to speak at his highly competitive camp. More than the invitation, was the challenge that I was met with when I learned that him and I were to go head to head in a coaching duel: he was going to lead an all-boys squad and I was leading an all-girls squad in a shooting competition. This competition was more than a simple exercise at a casual elite sports camp, however. It somehow felt as though this result was going to predict the future of our beloved sport.
We Won
More unbelievable than anything and to anyone (except to me and my team, of course), my girls squad beat his boys squad and left the whole gym stunned at the pure power of female empowerment! My spirit still glows from this impactful moment.
This miraculous win changed everything for me. Even though we were both at the apex of our respective careers as professional athletes, this was the first time I think both Kobe and I saw ourselves as coaches more than just simply players. After meeting him, I was inspired to pursue my own path of success through winning. The following year, in 2011, I won my first and only championship title in the WNBA. I didn’t know it then, but I know now that winning my WNBA championship had everything to do with the challenge of “defeating Kobe” at his camp the previous summer.
This victory implemented in my life an eternal idea that nothing is impossible if you simply choose to believe in yourself and accept the challenge of defeat.
Ice Academy
It also sparked in me a desire to start my own basketball camp to both mentor and nurture the youth of our sport, giving me a new participation in the process of instruction through discipline and hard work. This is how Ice Academy was birthed, and since then it has become an extension of my basketball career in a way that serves me more than it serves those I have reached.
With the help of this man, Doc Cornell, I was able to build a grassroots foundation for the future of basketball, beginning in Rockford, Illinois in October 2012.
Entirely inspired by my experience at Kobe Basketball Academy in 2010, I successfully embarked on the journey of recreating the magic of that moment by paying it forward.
As a retired professional athlete, I can safely say this is by far my greatest accomplishment in my professional career.
Kobe Bryant in his own words and actions
on being a player coach
Much like how I was influenced by Tara VanDerveer at Stanford, Kobe attributed a significant portion of his success to his Laker’s coach, the legendary Phil Jackson. Interestingly, both Coach Jackson and Coach VanDerveer ran the “Triangle offense” when Kobe and I were players under their perspective programs/systems. Our shared success under this offensive system gives me a strong sense of a connection to him as a player. I believe this single aspect—his respect for his coach and his dedication to learning—to be the foundation he possesses as being the ultimate “player coach”.
on fear
He says the greatest fear you face is yourself. It’s scary to admit what you want. Being fearless means going for it, not for anyone else, but for yourself. “Be you…Who are you? Where are you today?" Be still and understand that things come and go.
Fear is nothing but your imagination.
On Challenges
Kobe describes how it’s fun to compete and see where you stack up against opponents—how no matter the outcome, you will always be able to measure yourself. “Every person has the ability to put one foot in front of the other.” He speaks on coming back from his ruptured achilles tendon. What happens next when giving up is not an option. Focusing on what you can control. “Broke things down into sections…look at every challenge at every step.”
“Issue a challenge to yourself and try to respond to it.”
on confidence
Here he talks about separating himself from others, and how he was able to do that through his alter ego “Black Mamba”. Looking at the big picture helps you maintain focus. In regards to being “in the zone”: sometimes you come out of it, but the most important thing is staying in the moment. He speaks on how his conditioning during the summer helped establish the separation he needed to score 81 points the following season, and thus gave him confidence.
On learning
“Greatness is not a destination.” This video highlights Kobe’s transition from student to teacher, as his role changes with his advancement into becoming a veteran Pro. He also speaks on the application of basketball principles to business in his life post NBA. How he asked questions to learn as much as he could.
on hard work
The importance of being a gym rat and the problem with being lazy. Finding balance of working out and having fun, especially as a high schooler. 1,000 makes a day in the summertime helped him score 81 points during the heart of the NBA season. How you can’t shortchange yourself because you won’t reach your full potential taking short cuts. You cheat yourself. How sticking to the fundamentals keeps you ahead in the long term.
on drive
The importance of ego to drive you to be successful and be the best—it is a choice you must make. How not scoring a single point one season when he was 11 years old drove him.
On Michael Jordan
He describes the difference between watching Michael Jordan and playing against Michael Jordan. He speaks on his motivation being that there could be a kid who’s watching him who might be the next him. His only goal was to win as many championships as possible. He grew up watching Jordan and then recognized that they both had that same competitive edge. They had the same DNA; the same competitive spirit.
On being the best
“The consistency of work.” Trying to be the best version of yourself—which Kobe describes as an infinite quest. He also expresses how practice should be more competitive than the games. Being the best is measured by how you inspire others.
how do you use your passion to inspire others?
Life advice
In this video Kobe talks about the importance of compartmentalizing your emotions on your quest towards success. He discusses the power and security of his father’s love. Taking advantage of opportunities. Discusses what he would tell his 8-year-old self. The challenge of transitioning from being a one dimensional person to showing the world that there’s more to life than just being a professional athlete.
He says that ultimately, the way you last forever is by “paying it forward”.
Long live #KobeBryantPlayerCoach
Four time All-American, WNBA Champion, Edutainer and Coach