Remembering Kobe Bryant Part I

" You can manipulate an opponent's strength and use it against them." Kobe Bryant

"If you really want to be great at something you have to truly care about it. If you want to be great in a particular area, you have to obsess over it." Kobe Bryant

"A lot of people say they want to be great, but they're not willing to make  the sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness. They have other concerns, whether important or not, and they spread themselves out. That's totally fine. After all, greatness is not everybody." 
                                                                                                        Kobe Bryant

" One of the main takeaways was that you have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light. Meaning: It takes a lot of work to be successful, and people will celebrate that success, will celebrate the flash."                                                                  Kobe Bryant

"Those times when you get up early and you work hard; those times when you stay up late and you work hard; those times when you don't feel like working. You're too tired, you don't want to push yourself, but you do it anyway; that is actually the dream. That's the dream. It's not the destination, it's the journey."                             Kobe Bryant

Source: The Mamba Mentality:" How I Play" Kobe Bryant 


Toni's Thoughts: I am still in total disbelief that our dear brother Kobe Bryant has made his transition at the age of 41. As you all know he died a helicopter crash last Sunday along with his 13 year old daughter Gianna "GiGi" Bryant and seven other passengers. I grew up playing basketball and I loved watching players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson just to name a few. Additionally, my family is generations of Lakers fans. My high school alma mater's colors were Royal Purple and Gold just like the Lakers. The Lakers won the 2009 championship the day after I graduated from high school.  I would try to shoot my lay-ups like Kobe and I studied how he played defense. I have fond memories of spending my summers playing basketball with my brother and cousins. We loved watching the NBA Finals during the Lakers 2000-2002 3 peat years. It was always a joy as a family to watch Kobe play on Christmas.  Kobe Bryant was someone I admired because he loved his craft and enhanced it. He made basketball an art form.  I remember I had to go to bed early the night he played his final game in 2016. I was in graduate school and had to get up early to take final exams the next morning. I was pissed and sad that I missed The Black Mamba's last game. I could only watch the highlights.  I was five years old when Kobe came into the league so I feel like  I have grown up with Kobe he was one of my sports heroes and he was a huge inspiration to me my heart hurts for his family and the families of all the passengers that perished in that helicopter crash. This is my first post dedicated to Kobe and I want to celebrate his accomplishments in honor of Black History Month. These are my top five favorite quotes made by Kobe and the clips below are highlights from his amazing career. The last eight minutes of Kobe game became one of the best memes and GIFS on social media so I am including the clip below. Stay tuned for part two of my tribute to Kobe Bryant.


Thank you for the memories Kobe we will all always love you and your greatness.

Kobe's High School Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFtTJdfwahQ


Kobe 1997 Dunk Contest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqVibdD3UqA


Kobe 2000 Western Conference Finals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I5e1fh2TXs


Kobe "Party Up" DMX Mix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkpUGWqedd8

Last 8 Minutes of  Kobe's Game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYx0mILo9-Y

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