“No Matter What Happens the Storm Eventually Ends!”: When Kobe Bryant Shared the Most Important Lesson He Learned From 20 Years in NBA
When we look at the Los Angeles Lakers, we always think of Kobe Bryant. The Lakers and Kobe are synonymous, at least to people born during or after the 1990s. The Black Mamba was drafted in 1996 and played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers.
During that time, he won five championships in one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. He won three with Shaquille O’Neal from 2000 to 2002. The other two came much later, in 2009 and 2010.
Kobe was known to be one of the fiercest competitors basketball has ever seen. He had a burning desire to win and did absolutely everything in his power to make it happen. Once in an interview after his retirement, Kobe was asked to share what he had learned about himself during 20 years in the league.
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Kobe Bryant spoke about the importance of staying ready
In 2015, the Black Mamba sat down with presenter Robin Roberts for an interview. That’s when she asked Kobe, “What have you learned about yourself in those 20 years in the NBA?”
Bryant thinks about it for a second and says:
“What I learned is that you always have to keep going. Always. What I’ve found is that no matter what happens, the storm eventually ends, and when the storm does end, you want to make sure you’re ready. So I really learned to put one foot in front of the other, good, bad or indifferent, because finally this storm passes.
“Always carry on. The storm eventually ends.
-Kobe Bryant
pic.twitter.com/NY1E4VgU8X
— Kobe Highlights and Motivation (@kobehighlight) December 31, 2022
It’s a great lesson to remember as we start the new year. Storms are part of life. They were always coming and going. You have to stay prepared. Have a goal and make a plan to achieve it. Make a script and stick to it. When the storms come, face them and keep working on your script. Eventually the storm will pass and you will come out stronger on the other side.
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Kobe inspired a whole generation of basketball players
Growing up in the late 90s and early 2000s, no player has captured more attention than Kobe Bean Bryant. The Mamba was on a whole other level. His work ethic and dedication to sport have inspired millions of children around the world.
Among current NBA players, many are trying to emulate Mamba’s teachings and follow in his footsteps. We have guys like Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum running their own teams, just like Kobe used to. Even though Kobe is no longer with us, his teachings would still be there to guide us and show us the way.
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