“I, Kobe Bryant…have decided to skip college and take my talents to the NBA.”
With those words, a precocious 17-year-old phenom from the Philadelphia suburbs launched what would become one of the most decorated careers in NBA history, spanning two decades and a Hall of Fame resume bursting with accolades:
? Five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers
? 33,570 points, third all time
? 18 All-Star selections
? 15 All-NBA selections
? Four All-Star MVPs
? Two Finals MVPs
? The 2007-08 regular season MVP
It was less about what Bryant accomplished than how he did it, with a singularity of purpose that impressed even his role model and mentor, the ferociously competitive Michael Jordan.
But whereas Jordan was an artist, polished and stylish enough to make his success look almost effortless, Bryant — who will play his final game Wednesday against the Utah Jazz (10:30 ET, ESPN) — stubbornly hammered away at his objectives until something broke. Often the opposition, sometimes his own teammates, and now his own body after nearly 60,000 total minutes in the regular season and playoffs.
It’s telling that Bryant feuded with the two most important figures in his professional career, Lakers teammate Shaquille O’Neal and coach Phil Jackson.
But as the following collection of quotes will attest, Bryant never wavered from the goal he laid out all those years ago: To wring every last drop of success out of his career that he possibly could, obstacles be damned.
‘Our Michael Jordan’
As difficult as Bryant’s final season has been — career-low xx.x shooting percentage, 16 games missed to injury and rest, the worst record in Lakers franchise history — it’s done little to minimize his legacy. Nowhere does Bryant stand taller than among his peers, who showered him with adulation while wondering how the most competitive player of his generation will handle a life without basketball at the highest level.
“My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind. But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye. And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go. I want you to know now, so we both can savor every moment we have left together.” — Bryant announcing his retirement in a poem addressed to the game of basketball, The Players Tribune, 2015
“You know how it’s been hard for Jordan in retirement? It’s going to be way worse to be Kobe. He has fewer friends and the same competitive drive. At least MJ likes to golf and play cards.” — anonymous NBA general manager, Sports Illustrated, 2015
“I want to congratulate you on an unbelievable career. I’ve always been like a big brother, and you’re like a little brother. We communicate all the time. You’ve been a big help to the game of basketball. You helped the NBA. You’ve got fans all over the world. I am a big fan. I still love watching you play. I’m very, very happy for you, and what you have accomplished within the game. Have a great game tonight — hopefully not too good of a game.” — Michael Jordan addressing Bryant before his final game in Charlotte, 2015
“With 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game. Whether competing in the Finals or hoisting jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game. I join Kobe’s millions of fans around the world in congratulating him on an outstanding NBA career and thank him for so many thrilling memories.” — NBA commissioner Adam Silver, 2015
“It’s special…to share that moment, to have the bond that we have, the respect and admiration and friendship. It’s awesome and I love it. I feel honored that I have this type of relationship, where I’ve earned his respect throughout the years and that we won a couple championships together, which is pretty amazing.” — Gasol following Bryant’s final appearance in Chicago, CSNChicago.com, 2016
“There are always players you wish you had the opportunity to coach, and he would certainly be one of them. One of the all-time great competitors. Obviously his talent is there for everyone to see. But his competitiveness and his consistency are off the charts. He will always be one of the special people that’s been in the NBA.” — Popovich, San Antonio Express-News, 2016
“Kobe’s a special player. He’s done as much as anybody who has ever played the game, and he’s as good as anybody who has ever played the game.” — NBA Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving, LakersNation.com, 2015
“He’s our Michael Jordan for our generation. He’s one of the best to ever lace ’em up. It’s been a pleasure and an honor.” — Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, Associated Press, 2016
“Kobe was my Jordan. Watching him win championships, I remember being at home watching the games with my mom, my grandma and my dad and just idolizing him. I’m not saying he’s better than Jordan. But to me growing up, that’s who I idolized.” — Pacers forward Paul George, Indianapolis Star, 2016
“Kobe, he’s someone that I’ve looked up to ever since I came into the league. Someone that always gave me advice about my game, just coming into the league. He’s seen how hard I worked and for him and all his accolades and his résumé.
“I think that he’s leaving the game in some good hands. You’ve got (Stephen Curry) playing well, you’ve got a whole bunch of guys that’s right behind him giving their all to the game. And just for Kobe himself, he’s going to be a legend no matter what. He’s our (generation’s) Michael Jordan.” — Bulls guard Derrick Rose, ESPN.com, 2016
“In high school I wore a nappy-ass Afro because of Kobe Bryant. I wanted to be just like him, man. And I always said my inspiration came from (Michael) Jordan, but I always thought Jordan was so out of this world that I could never get there. Kobe was someone that I just always kind of wanted to be like and play like.
“I knew I had to be better because of Kobe Bryant. I knew he was in the gym and I knew he was working on his game. And I knew he was great. So every day that I didn’t want to work out or every day I felt like I couldn’t give more, I always thought of Kobe. Because I knew that he was getting better.” — Cavaliers forward LeBron James, ESPN.com, 2015
“He had an amazing career, a guy who changed the game for me as a player mentally, physically. Means so much to the game of basketball. Somebody I’m always going to look to for advice, for help, anything. Just a brilliant, brilliant, intelligent man. Sad to see him go. But he put his mark on the game while he was here.” — Thunder forward Kevin Durant, ESPN.com, 2015
“The game’s in such…a better place because Kobe played in the league for 20 years. We appreciate all he’s done and we want to keep doing the game justice as we do what we do in our careers. He’s a great example, obviously, of what to do on the court, and at least for myself, I want to take that and keep it going.” — Warriors guard Stephen Curry, San Jose Mercury News, 2016
“He was a sponge, all he wanted to do was learn. All he wanted to do was talk about the game. He was fixated on not having a career; he was fixated on having an incredible career.” — West, Los Angeles Daily News, 2016
“When my career is over, I want (fans) to think of me as an overachiever despite the talent that I have. To think of me as a person that’s overachieved, that would mean a lot to me. That means I put a lot of work in and squeezed every ounce of juice out of this orange that I could. Hopefully, they perceive me as a person who did whatever he had to do to win, above all else. Above anything. Above stats. If they say that about me, I’ll be happy.” — Bryant, Yahoo.com, 2010
Part IX: Injuries pile up
