How Kobe Bryant became one of the NBA's all-time greatest players and an almost mythical figure in the process (2024)

A select few in the sports world are so well-known to go by one name. Kobe was one of them.

Kobe Bryant was one of nine killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020. He was 41 years old and left behind a legacy as an all-time great NBA player, one of the biggest sports icons of the 20th century, and an image almost shrouded in mythology.

From the moment he entered the NBA, Bryant had a platform to become a transcendent star. Not every player arrives under such circ*mstances.

How Kobe Bryant became one of the NBA's all-time greatest players and an almost mythical figure in the process (1)

He entered the NBA in 1996, during the peak of the high-school-to-pros craze. He was a teenage phenom from Philadelphia who spent part of his childhood overseas, spoke Italian, and was said to be destroying fellow draft prospects in pre-draft workouts in 1996.

Advertisem*nt

He famously pushed his way to the Los Angeles Lakers in the draft and joined a team on the rise built around Shaquille O'Neal.Suddenly, one of the buzziest young players in years was in one of the country's biggest media markets.

Bryant played second fiddle to O'Neal early in his career, but he was able to develop into a star in his own right under a bright spotlight.

Though O'Neal was the anchor to those Lakers teams that won three straight championships, Bryant was the more aesthetically pleasing player to watch. Lanky and hyper-athletic, Bryant was the Lakers' perimeter threat, a player liable to drive the lane and dunk or hit a pull-up jump shot at any moment. He became the most exciting player to watch on a team that became the face of the NBA following Michael Jordan's retirement.

In time, the pecking order between Bryant and O'Neal flipped.

A mirror image of Jordan

How Kobe Bryant became one of the NBA's all-time greatest players and an almost mythical figure in the process (2)

One of the reasons Bryant was such a beloved and admired player is because he emulated the player widely regarded as the best player in NBA history: Michael Jordan.

The similarities were impossible to miss — both were thin, athletic 6-foot-6 shooting guards. Bryant studied Jordan and his footwork. In an early-career matchup with Jordan, Bryant even sought Jordan's advice on how to shoot fade-away jumpers.

Like Jordan, Bryant could attack opponents in many different ways. Early in his career, he could blow past opponents and score at the rim.

Later, as age and NBA miles caught up to him, Bryant's footwork and ability to hit tough, contested shots became the staple of his game.

Related stories

Jordan once said Bryant could beat him in a game of one-on-one because Bryant copied all of his moves.

Advertisem*nt

Style matters in the NBA. All baskets count the same, but not all shots are created equally. Fans tend to flock to players who can create their own shot, smoothly scoring in a variety of ways, regardless of defense. Like Jordan, it became hard to look away when Bryant had the ball.

An impressive resume

Over 20 years in the NBA, Bryant built one of the more impressive resumés.

He won three straight titles with O'Neal and the Lakers, but perhaps more importantly to his legacy, he succeeded without O'Neal.

The post-O'Neal Lakers were a crucial part of Bryant's time in the NBA. The Lakers fell out of title contention, winning an average of 40 games from 2004-05 to 2006-07. However, Bryant flourished, averaging 31.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game during that span and asserting himself as one of the league's most dominant forces.

Advertisem*nt

How Kobe Bryant became one of the NBA's all-time greatest players and an almost mythical figure in the process (3)

Some players are criticized for failing to lead teams to great heights by themselves — Bryant received almost the opposite. Fans, analysts, and other players excused Bryant for not leading a rag-tag Lakers squads on deep playoff runs.

Of course, it helped that Bryant got to the mountain top again. The Lakers rebuilt over time, getting Bryant the help he needed. He won his lone MVP in 2007-08 and led the Lakers to three straight Finals, winning championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

In total, he won five titles, one shy of Jordan's six. He was an 18-time All-Star, making it 17 consecutive years. He was a 15-time All-NBA First Team member and a 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. He holds several NBA records today and is permanently etched into the league's history. Just as importantly, he did it all with one team.

A mythologized persona

How Kobe Bryant became one of the NBA's all-time greatest players and an almost mythical figure in the process (4)

Other players from Bryant's era dominated and built lofty resumes, but few garnered the same sort of fan adoration as Bryant.

Advertisem*nt

Part of Bryant's mass appeal was his "Black Mamba" persona and "Mamba Mentality." Bryant created the persona after settling a civil suit over sexual assault allegations out of court in 2005, the lowest point of his public life.

Though Bryant's popularity dipped and sponsors dropped him following the allegations, the persona of ruthlessness and hard work resonated with fans.

Over the years, Bryant became known for a relentless work ethic, as almost mythological stories of endless early-morning and late-night workout sessions made their way around the NBA. In the process, Bryant also waxed philosophical about leadership, success, and failure, creating a larger-than-life image of a player who would never be out-worked and would always get back up.

Bryant, at times, literally did just that. He once played through a game left-handed because he injured his right shoulder.

Advertisem*nt

He tore his Achilles tendon in 2013, and famously stayed in to shoot free throws. He even tried to continue playing before the Lakers pulled him from the game.

Like many legendary athletes, Bryant's career didn't end in grand fashion. He was a shell of himself after coming back from so many injuries, and slugged through high-usage, inefficient seasons, often to the detriment of his team in his final two seasons. The Lakers won 21 and 17 games in 2014-15 and 2015-16, Bryant's last season in the league.

Nonetheless, Bryant treated fans to one last grand finale, scoring 60 points on 50 shots in a wild spectacle on his final game of the season.

In a way, it encapsulated Bryant's entire career — an all-time skilled player, with notable flaws, but an image and flare for the dramatic that elevated him to greater heights in the sports world. There is a reason why when we shoot, we yell, "Kobe!"

How Kobe Bryant became one of the NBA's all-time greatest players and an almost mythical figure in the process (2024)

FAQs

How Kobe Bryant became one of the NBA's all-time greatest players and an almost mythical figure in the process? ›

One of the reasons Bryant was such a beloved and admired player is because he emulated the player widely regarded as the best player in NBA history: Michael Jordan. The similarities were impossible to miss — both were thin, athletic 6-foot-6 shooting guards. Bryant studied Jordan and his footwork.

Why is Kobe Bryant considered the greatest of all time? ›

His maniacal work ethic and intense attention to detail is legendary in NBA circles - it seems like almost everyone in the NBA has a “Kobe Story”. He was known to show up to workouts 2-3 hours early and drenched in sweat by the time anyone else got there.

How did Kobe Bryant become a basketball player? ›

Bryant opted to forgo college and declared himself eligible for the NBA draft when he graduated from high school. The Charlotte Hornets chose him with the 13th pick of the 1996 draft. He was traded to the Lakers shortly thereafter and became the second youngest NBA player in history when the 1996–97 season opened.

What makes Kobe Bryant so special? ›

Skills and Athleticism

Kobe had an extensive repertoire of moves that allowed him to play great basketball. His excellent footwork, deadly jump shot, and ability to drive to the basket made him a skilled player who could dominate on the court.

What made Kobe Bryant a great leader? ›

It was a philosophy rooted in dedication, tenacity, and an unrelenting pursuit of perfection. He not only held himself to these standards but also inspired teammates, competitors, and fans alike. This emphasis on leading by example is a quintessential leadership quality.

What was Kobe Bryant's greatest achievement? ›

Five NBA titles. Two Olympic gold medals. One incredible legacy. Kobe Bryant is undoubtedly one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the men's game.

How did Kobe change the world? ›

Bryant made many charitable donations, including in support of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Kobe continued to be an all-star, even off the court, until his tragic death on January 26, 2020.

What did Kobe do to get better? ›

Like exercising the body, Kobe found that exercising his mind made it a lot easier to center his attention when needed, which turned him into a better player and teammate.

How tall was Kobe Bryant at 16? ›

Kobe was 6'3" at 16.

Who inspired Kobe Bryant? ›

The NFL Hall of Famer connected the dots between Bryant being someone who idolized Michael Jordan, then emulated him and had the gall to believe he could surpass the legend almost universally recognized as the greatest NBA player ever.

What is Kobe's most famous quote? ›

As the NBA icon said best: "Hard work outweighs talent — every time." Gianna and Kobe Bryant.

What is Kobe Bryant's legacy? ›

Bryant's legacy lives on with the Los Angeles Lakers, with the NBA and WNBA (both leagues have awards in honor of him), with Nike and with the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation.

What motivated Kobe to succeed? ›

Kobe watched basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson on T.V, mesmerized by their incredible skill and amazing feats. At just 13 years old, inspired by his great predecessors, he decided that he would be one of the greats in basketball.

How did Kobe motivate his team? ›

Bryant didn't just want himself to be great though, he also wanted the same from his teammates, which is why he always pushed them as hard as he could. In a recent interview, Bryant talked about how he motivated his teammates, which included going out drinking with them and then waking them up at 5 a.m. to workout.

Who helped Kobe Bryant achieve his goals? ›

His father Joe and his maternal uncle John Cox were NBA players. Joe was also a coach and knew what greatness was in Kobe. The family reared Bryant to believe in his abilities, and helped him achieve goals because they knew what went into turning pro.

Who is better, MJ or Kobe? ›

Kobe Bryant: 22.9

With a PER of 27.9, Michael Jordan is the best player of all time, according to the statistic. Jordan has winning potential because of his incredible offensive skill set, and he managed to have shooting splits of 49.7% FG, 32.7% 3-PT FG, and 83.5% FT while averaging 30.1 PPG over his career.

What was the most important thing to Kobe Bryant? ›

The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aracelis Kilback

Last Updated:

Views: 6185

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aracelis Kilback

Birthday: 1994-11-22

Address: Apt. 895 30151 Green Plain, Lake Mariela, RI 98141

Phone: +5992291857476

Job: Legal Officer

Hobby: LARPing, role-playing games, Slacklining, Reading, Inline skating, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Dance

Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.