Reporter: "Still waiting for a big smile outta you. You're up 2-0. What's the story? Are you not happy or? You're only half happy or?"
Kobe: "What's there to be happy about?"
Reporter: "You're up 2-0"
Kobe: "Job's not finished. Job finished? No, I don't think so."
*Kobe Bryant to a reporter after winning game 2 of the NBA Finals, two games away from winning the championship*
The world was struck with tragic news on Sunday, January 26th, 2020 as Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianni Bryant, and 7 others, lost their lives in an helicopter accident. Just a few years from Kobe's last game, in which he scored 60 points, he has accomplished amazing feats. Apart from the game of basketball, Kobe has impacted the lives of people around the world. Perhaps it was his legendary accolades, putting him in the greatest of all time conversations along with Michael Jordan and Lebron James. Perhaps, it was the type of player he was. Perhaps. I don't know Kobe Bryant personally, but I do know the type of person and player he was. Diligent, determined, overconfident, resilient. He scored 81 points in one game. He shot two free throws after his achilles injury. He came back to play even better basketball, even after this so called "career-ending" injury. Kobe did not accept mediocrity. He didn't accept "good". He was the first in the gym, and the last one out. If you thought you worked hard on the court, he worked even harder. Kobe Bryant was that player. His focus was on what was in front of him, never at the end goal. He inspired many to get up and not be so lazy. "Mamba Mentality" they called it. Having this type of mindset, that you are the greatest ever, you're going to work at it until you accomplish your goal, and you're going to keep going on after that. He instilled and inspired this mindset into a plethora amount of people. Now that Kobe Bryant is gone, I'm more than sure this mentality will stick around. It was the reason many picked up a basketball, or decided to chase a goal, and it will be the same reason they never drop the basketball, or never stop chasing the goal.
I remember I was super young. My parents bed layed in the middle of the room. I was scared to sleep alone, so I was situated on a mattress next to their bed. My dad was watching basketball highlights, specifically Kobe Bryant. He was a huge fan of the Lakers and Kobe. I wanted to watch as well, so I did. In the video, there was a point counter in the top right corner. As the video went on, the counter was reaching 20, 40, 50, eventually up to 81 points. The crowd was going wild, as Kobe was hitting three after three, layup after layup. The fire and desire in his eyes, nobody could stop him on the court, and his opponents knew that. Kobe Bryant was the first example my dad explained to me about the basis of hard work and dedication. It was the perfect example. Kobe, you embody hard work and diligence. I'll keep the Mamba Mentality. #MambaOut 8.24. #NoLimits
