Reflecting on the life of Kobe Bryant

As a long-time basketball fan, I’ll try to put Kobe Bryant in perspective. He grew up in Ardmore, PA, the son of an NBA player, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant. At 15 he was playing pickup ball against NBA players. At 17 he was drafted by the Lakers, still not old enough to drive. He was the “next Michael Jordan” and even passed Jordan for 3rd place on the all-time scoring list. He inspired the current generation of players. LeBron James took the torch from Kobe and actually passed him on the scoring list 12 hours before he died. I was watching the game because LeBron’s Lakers (Kobe’s old team) were playing the 76ers (in Kobe’s old neighborhood). LeBron received a standing ovation from the Philly fans (normally a tough crowd) and Kobe immediately tweeted out his congratulations.

I asked my dad if he could think of any other great athletes who died at a young age. He mentioned Lou Gehrig. For me, Roberto Clemente was the first to come to mind. 2020 is the first year Kobe is eligible for the Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place this summer. He played 20 years in the NBA, made the All Star team 18 times and won 5 championships.

Kobe Bryant was a lifelong learner and already well into his second act, starting a venture capital firm, writing a book, and winning an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. He spoke three languages including fluent Italian and was an international icon who befriended and helped top athletes in tennis and soccer, including Novak Djokovic.

It’s this second act that makes Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s deaths all the more tragic.

~ Kevin Duffy

Nine victims of helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, R.I.P.

Kobe Bryant (1978-2020)

Gianna Maria Bryant (2006-2020)

John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli (wife), Alyssa Altobelli (daughter and teammate of Gianna)

Sarah Chester, Payton Chester (daughter and teammate of Gianna)

Christina Mauser (assistant girls basketball coach)

Ara Zobayar (pilot)

Kobe Bryant on the dream

Those times when you get up early and you work hard.  Those times you stay up late and you work hard.  Those times when you don't feel like working.  You're too tired.  You don't want to push yourself, but you do it anyway.  That is actually the dream.

~ Kobe Bryant, jersey retirement ceremony

Kobe Bryant on ego and reaching a high level of success

To reach a certain level of success in any field that you're in, you have to have an ego that's going to say, "I want to be the best.  This is what's going to drive me and come hell or high water, this needs to get done and I need to be successful."  It's a choice that you have to make.

Kobe Bryant, "The Finale," YouTube, 1:50 mark, October 19, 2014

Kobe Bryant on success: "no excuses"

I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success.  Great things come from hard work and perseverance.  No excuses.

~ Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant on work ethic

I can't relate to lazy people. We don't speak the same language. I don't understand you. I don't want to understand you.

~ Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant on inspiration

The most important thing, the thing that unites all of us, is that we can INSPIRE and CHALLENGE one another TO BE BETTER.

~ Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant on passion and learning

When you love something, you'll always come back to it. You'll always keep asking questions, and finding answers.

~ Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant on tenacity

If you see me in a fight with a bear, pray for the bear.

~ Kobe Bryant

Basketball great Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash at age 41

You always have to be on edge. You always have to take every practice, every game, like it is your last.

~ Kobe Bryant R.I.P.

Kobe Bryant, a.k.a. "Black Mamba"
NBA #4 all-time scorer with 33,643 points
August 23, 1978 - January 26, 2020