Kobe Bryant’s Determination: He Worked
This is an unchanged article I wrote way back in 2007. Mindset and the actions that produce elite life and athletic success is something I have studied and implemented in my own life. Kobe Bryant was easy to study because he had some of the intangible characteristics that produce success.
I left this article unchanged because I wanted people to see the climate and thoughts towards Kobe back in 2007. Excellence is something that a lot of people talk about, but often are resistant too and get a little offended when they see a person attempting to reach or pursue a high level of excellence. The image above is a screenshot of the article I wrote back then with the date.
Starting article from 2007
In less than one week, Kobe faced both suspensions for multiple flagrant fouls and the possibility of referees limiting his effectiveness. In a game against the Sixers, Kobe went up for a shot, but after releasing followed through with what seemed an elbow to Kyle Korver’s head.
Could Kobe have been punishing opponents for referees failing to call a foul? Or could this have been unintentional? Kobe will never tell, so it’s up to the cameras and the refs.
When Kyle Korver was asked what he thought, he responded as follows. “I didn’t think it was that big a deal; I thought it was an offensive foul. After I saw it on replay, it looked a lot worse than I thought it was during the game. It all happens fast. It’s no big deal. It’s just part of the game,” as told by Korver to the Associated Press.
But is Kobe just too good? If you watch him play, he gets fouled more often than the refs are willing to call. His mental focus is rare; his competitive drive is probably far beyond any active athlete in the world, excluding Tiger Woods. The question is, does his greatness and personality result in the dislike for him by many — and possibly even the NBA office? If you listen to Phil Jackson, he summed up this Kobe elbow fiasco as a witch hunt. People have always opposed what they do not have inside of them. Are refs turned off by Kobe? Does their dislike for him creep into the game or Stu Jackson’s trigger happy “FINE-O-METER”?
Kobe Bryant Determination: Kobe is just a different type of guy. He speaks five languages, spent time in Europe, and is the offspring of another well known NBA player, Jelly Bean Bryant. His experience of watching his father provided Kobe with an inside view of the NBA life. A life where everything is scrutinized, every word evaluated, and your play is only a portion of NBA success. What many see as aloof Kobe sees as keeping a clear boundary from the media and the game he loves. What many say is arrogant Kobe views as unwavering confidence he must have to dominate on a day to day level in the NBA. LEARNING: Sometimes people will judge but you must keep focused.
Kobe Bryant Focus: That’s something many of us just don’t understand. And most likely are not willing to follow. Quite possibly, the league doesn’t have an image problem but a jealousy problem. Jealousy of players such as Kobe, who have inner characteristics that many of us cannot even comprehend. Jealous of the money these players make. Jealousy – the root of evil – and why Kobe’s dilemma could be that he is just flat has more drive than most.
Kobe followed up the barrage of flagrant and possible multiple game suspensions with four straight 50 point games.
End article from 2007
What We Can Learn From Kobe and His Decision Making
Life is filled with choices and decisions. We can view it as a circumstance, but in reality, we always have options. Even in life and death situations, we have a choice. In the world we live in, it has become easy to look at the circumstances, obstacles, and painful realities that point to an economic, political, and social imbalance.
The lives we have in rich countries involve a series of choices that would confuse anyone. The game we play now is like an altered matrix where anything can become a reality.
If you want poverty, you can find it. If you want porn, you got it! You want political tap dancing, it’s right here. If you’re looking for an example of success, you can find it, and if you wish to racism, you can see that, too.
We are playing a game, but it is played out over a lifetime. The choices we make can be wise, troublesome, rewarding, life-changing, progress stops, or legacy building.
It is important to make making the right choices!
Here are 7 Important Choices You Can Make in Life
1. Life decisions – Choose to put faith in yourself instead of politics or a president!
Nothing can stop a man or woman that is determined and taking action on a sound strategy!
2. Life decisions – Choose to Save money. Get into the routine of saving a 1/10 of everything you earn through your hard labor. Do it by direct deposit, if possible, so you never see the money.
3. Life decisions – Choose to Give money. Give it to a person, church, or person in need. Try doing this with someone you know. There is a theory that the more money you give, the more you receive, and though this is not a great reason to give money away, it does seem to help others.
4. Life decisions – Choose to Eat Healthy. All food is habit-forming. You eat horrible food — you will most likely get addicted and want to eat more terrible food. You eat good organic food; eventually, you will much to start with, you soon will — at least for some of it! So eat more of that. I love garlic, onions, berries and cherries, certain fish, and most green vegetables. Experiment with food that is good for you (it is well worth having a blood test and seeing a nutritionist) until you find the food you love, and that loves you.
5. Life decisions – Choose to Exercise Every Day. Exercise not only improves your athletic performance but is also clears the mind and makes you feel good. It is simpler to make a habit of exercising every day for a short period than to try to do it three to four times a week for two hours or more.
6. Life decisions – Choose to do something you Love Daily. Most Americans spend half of their waking hours working, and often mad because we do not enjoy it. Therefore it is wise to take up something you enjoy — biking, teaching, and playing with your children, something that will honestly fill you up inside.
7. Life decisions – Choose the Right Partner. Nothing will derail a person more than a toxic partner. It doesn’t matter what the conflict is, often people do not reach their full potential due to their choice in partners.
Everyone has problems; the key is working through them. All the most significant and great people always have someone that is walking with them, in front, beside or wherever they so choose. The key is that greatness is rarely an individual journey.
4 Hours a day which included basketball-specific drills, weight and flexibility training.
We can learn how to recover from past mistakes, how to keep going when people talk about you. Additionally, we can learn from his drive, dedication to the sport of basketball.
Initially, Kobe Bryant made his money from a lucrative basketball contract. He then added several high profile deals with Adidas, Nike, Body Armour, McDonald's, and Nintendo. How many hours a day did Kobe practice?
What we can learn from Kobe?
How does Kobe Bryant make his money?