That’s all I ever wanted to be I was never worried about my reputation — that’s how I earned one. That’s how I became the Black Mamba.
News of Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash in Calabasas, California en route to a basketball game which his 13-year old daughter, Gianna, is devastating enough. Kobe and Gianna died along with seven other people aboard including the pilot.
Tragic times like this that basketball fans prove they are more than invincible. It is time we—millions of Kobe’s fans all over the world—sustain and support one another in any way we can.
And to celebrate Kobe’s life, here are some of his memorable quotes to draw inspiration and strength from and live by.
Kobe Bryant quotes to live by
I’ll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it’s sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.
I don’t want to be the next Michael Jordan; I only want to be Kobe Bryant.
Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.
There’s a choice that we have to make as people, as individuals. If you want to be great at something, there’s a choice you have to make. We all can be masters at our craft, but you have to make a choice. What I mean by that is, there are inherent sacrifices that come along with that. Family time, hanging out with friends, being a great friend, being a great son, nephew, whatever the case may be. There are sacrifices that come along with making that decision.
If you don’t believe in yourself, no one will do it for you.
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.
The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win.
The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.
I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I’m like, ‘My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don’t have it. I just want to chill.’ We all have self-doubt. You don’t deny it, but you also don’t capitulate to it. You embrace it.
Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.
I create my own path. It was straight and narrow. I looked at it this way: you were either in my way or out of it.
Winning takes precedence over all. There’s no gray area. No almosts.
When we are saying this cannot be accomplished, this cannot be done, then we are short-changing ourselves. My brain, it cannot process failure. It will not process failure. Because if I have to sit there and face myself and tell myself ‘you are a failure,’ I think that is almost worse than dying.
I’m reflective only in the sense that I learn to move forward. I reflect with a purpose.
Pain doesn’t tell you when you ought to stop. Pain is the little voice in your head that tries to hold you back because it knows if you continue you will change.
The beauty in being blessed with talent is rising above doubters to create a beautiful moment.
It’s the one thing you can control. You are responsible for how people remember you—or don’t. So don’t take it lightly.
Pain doesn’t tell you when you ought to stop. Pain is the little voice in your head that tries to hold you back because it knows if you continue you will change. Don’t let it stop you from being who you can be. Exhaustion tells you when you ought to stop. You only reach your limit when you can go no further.
Either way, I refuse to change what I am. A lion has to eat. Run with me or run from me.
What a journey this has been. Setting this mark is a huge honour.
Losers visualize the penalties of failure. Winners visualize the rewards of success.
Learn to love the hate. Embrace it. Enjoy it. You earned it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everyone should have one about you. Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.
And when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend.
So what can I say… Mamba out!
