Opportunities to rise

When I heard the news, I was in shock. Complete denial. I couldn’t grasp what TMZ posted and kept refreshing my phone to see if it was true. When the LA Times confirmed the tragic news, my stomach ached and tears immediately filled my eyes. 

I wasn’t ready to let go of my dream of meeting one of my biggest role models. 

“No way was Kobe Bryant dead,” I thought to myself. I couldn’t even say it out loud or come to terms with the news. I turned to one of the most influential books I have ever read: Mamba Mentality. I couldn’t get myself to open it that day and instead just stared at the front cover for hours thinking about the impact he has left on the world. It wasn’t until today that I reread every intelligent and well-thought-out thing he had to say.  

The book changed how I see the game of basketball and life. 

I tremendously admire his grit, love for the game, competitiveness to win, work ethic and curiosity. He never gave up, always leaving everything he had on the court. He was someone I looked up to since I was young and is one of the reasons I am so passionate about basketball. 

Kobe portrayed many exceptional qualities throughout his lifetime, but one that really stuck with me was his perseverance. He navigated around every obstacle he encountered through hard work and determination; he was superhuman. 

In Game Two of the 2000 NBA Finals, he busted his ankle, and said at the end of his career that it was the worst ankle sprain he ever had. He still managed to bring home a championship that year. All summer after the injury occurred, he started tap-dancing to build back up his ankle strength, while also improving his footwork. One of my favorite things he says is, “Everything negative — pressure challenges — is all an opportunity for me to rise.” I look at challenges in a positive light, thanks to Kobe, as they bring improvement.  

When Gary Vitti, trainer, told Kobe he had fractured his finger on Dec. 11, 2009, Kobe’s immediate response was, “Alright, cool, now get me back out there.” Kobe strived to do everything in his power to make it known that he was unbeatable and that this injury wouldn’t stop him from achieving greatness. 

Because he used to always release off his first two fingers, he was forced to change his shooting form. He had to adapt to releasing off the middle finger, and not letting his index finger interfere. He went on to win his third championship that season, in 2009, despite the roadblock he’d had to overcome.

Another instance that demonstrates the type of player he was, was April 12, 2013, when he had three minutes to go in a game against the Warriors and tore his achilles. In Mamba Mentality he wrote: “It became evident fast, though, that I should take the free throws and get the hell out of there.” Kobe knew he had to finish the game, because if he left, he sure wasn’t coming back.

These moments define the type of player and person Kobe was. He gave maximum effort constantly and always aimed to be better than he was the day before. 

“You always want to outwork your potential. As hard as you believe you can work, you can work harder than that.”

Kobe left a mark on the world and me that will never be forgotten. From now on, every time I step on the court, I”ll think about Kobe telling me to keep pushing myself harder, and that anything is possible if I’m locked in.   

It makes me sad that the next generation won’t be able to be in the presence of the greatest player of all time, although I know his legacy will remain forever.