Kobe Bryant was a husband and father of four daughters, just like me. Unlike me, he was one of the greatest basketball players to ever live. He played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and won 5 championships. He ranks 4th on the list of most points scored in the NBA.
On Sunday, his helicopter flew into a hill and Kobe died, along with his 13-year-old daughter and 7 other individuals. In fact, he was on his way to coaching his daughter in a basketball game. Kobe was retired from basketball, but he was in the prime of his life. There is not much I can add to the story that hasn’t already been said. The story is utterly tragic.
Joe’s Perspective: This young audience does not remember the controversy from 2003 when Kobe was accused of raping a woman in a hotel room in Denver. It was a stain on his career. Many thought his image would never recover and some thought it would end his career. Many turned their back on him. To be honest, it is the reason he was eliminated as a subject on my Role Models book that I wrote in 2004.
However, one mistake or a lapse in judgment doesn’t define a person. If it did, we would all be doomed. We all screw up. If you haven’t, don’t worry, your time is coming. Kobe just kept grinding. He kept doing the right thing. He kept making good decisions. In time, that 2003 lapse in judgment became a blip on the radar screen. Kobe ended up being a positive role model, not just a great basketball player. This is why everyone mourns his death. Americans knew he was a great, yet flawed human being. He was a tremendous cultural icon. In retirement, he was on his way to becoming a truly successful businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Your Turn: What are your thoughts on the passing of Kobe Bryant?
FAQs
Kobe was also known for having incredible leadership skills that enabled his teams to succeed throughout his career. He was a strong communicator who seemed to understand everyone's role within the team dynamic and held everyone accountable for their roles.
Why is Kobe Bryant a good role model? ›
Kobe Bryant always wanted to get better. He wanted to be the best he could in every aspect of his life that he could be. After his playing days he would take college courses on various different subjects. You see, Bryant saw the value in a college education; it was a part of his life he could improve.
What was Kobe Bryant's best leadership quote? ›
“To be an effective leader, you have to be a really good listener and not to what's being said, but to what's not being said. You have to be really observant. That was a big transition for me.
What were Kobe Bryant's values and beliefs? ›
Life is Fleeting, Live Like a Legend If we were to summarize Kobe Bryant's life philosophy, it would be: Be resilient, always take the shot, remember the magic of teamwork, build a legacy for yourself and others, and above all, savor every moment of this incredible journey called life.
What is Kobe Bryant's personality type? ›
Kobe Bryant Personality Type. Kobe Bryant is an ISTP, Virgo, and Enneagram Type 8w7.
What are 5 facts about Kobe? ›
Altogether, Bryant won five NBA championships, was an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, a 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a two-time NBA Finals MVP.
What mentality did Kobe Bryant have? ›
This mindset, his mindset, is called “Mamba Mentality,” a distillation of his focus that explained what everyone wanted to know: how he was able to accomplish so much, endure all the sacrifices, and remain so focused on being great at basketball.
Why is Kobe Bryant so influential? ›
Showing Up Beyond the Home Court
Kobe influenced children beyond his own, including writing a series of children's books like “Legacy and the Queen and “Legacy and the Double.” Kobe said he wrote the books to inspire children (including his own!) to work hard and believe in themselves.
Why do people admire Kobe Bryant? ›
One of the reasons Bryant was such a beloved and admired player is because he emulated the player widely regarded as the best player in NBA history: Michael Jordan. The similarities were impossible to miss — both were thin, athletic 6-foot-6 shooting guards. Bryant studied Jordan and his footwork.
What is the main idea of Kobe Bryant? ›
The Mamba Mentality encompasses a mindset that doesn't focus solely on achieving a goal. Instead, it looks at the whole process of getting there – the journey – to the extent that it becomes, as Kobe himself said, “a way of life.”
Bryant ultimately came to believe in Servant Leadership and all it entails. But, he didn't start out that way. Initially, as a basketball player, he was always demanding and pushing.
How did Kobe influence others? ›
“As one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Kobe's spotlight was brighter than almost anyone's, and he used it to help millions of kids. For 12 years he was an ambassador for After-School All-Stars, and he used his time and his resources to inspire our 90,000 kids and help build opportunities for them.
What did Kobe Bryant contribute to society? ›
Bryant volunteers his time to Make-A-Wish Foundation, NBA Cares and The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and serves as an ambassador for After-School All-Stars. In 2007, he launched the Kobe Basketball Academy, at which he mentors and trains athletes ages 8-18.
What is the Mamba mentality leadership? ›
Embracing the Mamba Mentality in business is about striving for excellence, facing challenges with resilience, and leading with integrity—and maybe cracking a joke or two to keep things interesting.
