You didn’t have to be a basketball enthusiast or even a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers to be shocked by the news. Yes, Kobe Bryant, the Black Mamba, a five-time world champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest five NBA players of all time, died in a helicopter crash in the Los Angeles region earlier this morning. He was 41 years old at the time.
“Before, during, and after games, I’ve used IVs. With a broken hand, sprained foot, ripped shoulder, cracked tooth, severed lip, and a softball-sized knee, I’ve played. I’m not going to miss 15 games because of a toe ailment that everyone knows wasn’t that bad to begin with.”
“Whether it’s sitting on the bench waving a towel, delivering a cup of water to a teammate, or scoring the game-winning shot, I’ll do whatever it takes to win games.”
“When you give up, you’re allowing someone else to win.”
“I’m not a fan of slackers. We don’t communicate in the same language. I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I don’t want to grasp what you’re saying.”
“I have nothing in common with slackers who blame their lack of accomplishment on others. Hard work and dedication yield great results. There are no justifications.”
“I’ve arrived. There’s no way I’m leaving. I’m going to be the same player I’ve always been, no matter what the injury is unless it’s really incapacitating. I’m sure I’ll figure it out. I’ll make some adjustments and alterations, but I’ll still be there.”
