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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #24 and Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers share a laugh on the bench during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 15, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 126-86. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #24 and Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers share a laugh on the bench during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 15, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 126-86. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest of all time. Throughout his legendary career, Bryant defied the odds on numerous occasions with his fantastic play. Perhaps the trait that got Bryant so far in the NBA was his work ethic. Kobe was a tireless worker who would never stop grinding till he got the result he wanted. And that was also the case off the court when he would practice before games.
Lamar Odom talks about Kobe Bryant
Former NBA champion Lamar Odom was a guest on ‘All The Smoke’ recently. He talked about his time with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. He revealed that Bryant would be at practice before most of the team, and would be getting his reps in. Despite being one of the most skilled players in the NBA, Bryant would continuously work to improve, regardless of his position. Bryant displayed incredible work ethic, even during the latter stages of his NBA career.
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Odom said, “I wish I would have been around a dude who had practice habits like Kobe… He was trying to be perfect on the court all the time. Even during his little shooting routine, his footwork. Even if he’s getting shots, he’s doing it in a certain way where he’s just trying to get better at it. His work ethic, in the morning, he was a thug at 10 in the morning.”
Kobe was committed to the game
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Clearly, Bryant never cared whether he was in a Game Seven of an NBA Finals or a shootaround; he just wanted to play. More importantly than that, he always wanted to get better. Bryant was one of the most driven players in the NBA. No one had the passion, commitment, and poise to succeed that Kobe did. And his desire to succeed paid dividends throughout his career.
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Lakers Kobe Bryant comes in for a landing as he celebrates his basket late in the 4th qaurter against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center in Denver Monday April 28, 2008. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Kobe is one of the true success stories in the NBA. Entering the NBA in 1996, he won his first NBA championship in just four years. That is faster than Michael Jordan or LeBron James. However, he had the advantage of playing with Shaquille O’Neal in his prime. Kobe went on to win a total of five championships throughout his career, with two Finals MVPs, and a league MVP title.
Is Kobe Bryant the most driven athlete in history? Very few can debate his commitment to the game, and he showed throughout his career how much he loved basketball.
