You know it's about to be a sad one when you have to write about someone in the past tense. Another unbelievable talent gone too soon. Kobe Bryant tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020, aged 41, with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. He was more than just a phenomenal basketball player and the Los Angeles Lakers superstar. Bryant was the "Girl Dad," a husband, writer, producer, philanthropist, and a truly inspirational figure for many.
Although The Black Mamba left us far too soon, he profoundly impacted basketball, culture, and the entire world. Two years before his death, Kobe wrote his first book, a basketball memoir, The Mamba Mentality: How I Play. In the book, he shared his personal perspective on life and career and his insightful playing style. However, not only his Mamba mentality was put into words and typed out. Derived from plenty of interviews, public messages, and presumably from his book, many Kobe Bryant quotes, both motivational and uplifting, serve as an inspiration for many people worldwide.
Kobe Bryant's inspirational quotes show the tenacity, ambition, and drive that made him an icon and a hero for many. Among the many motivational quotes, Kobe will forever be remembered for all he contributed to the basketball community, the city of LA, his family, and the entire world, really. Although Kobe Bryant's passing is still felt by people of all backgrounds, his unparalleled influence will never be forgotten.
Below, we've gathered some of the most inspiring quotes and quotes about working hard that demonstrate what an actual legend Kobe was. Forever in our hearts, rest in peace, Black Mamba.
Is there a Kobe Bryant quote that inspired you to reach for the heights and move mountains? Let us know!
#41
“Every team needs either a confrontational star player or coach. In San Antonio, Gregg Popovich was that guy and Tim Duncan was not. In Golden State, Draymond Green is the confrontational one; Steve Kerr is not. For us, Phil was not that type of person, so I provided that force. You always have to have that balance and counterbalance, and Phil and I were perfectly suited for each other in that way.”
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#42
“You have to enter every activity, every single time, with a want and need to do it to the best of your ability.”
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#43
“My approach always was that I’d rather risk embarrassment now than be embarrassed later when I’ve won zero titles.”
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#44
“For the most part, before games I just liked being there, hearing the sounds of the environment and observing everything.”
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#45
"The most important thing is you must put everybody on notice that you’re here and you are for real."
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#46
"I can't relate to lazy people. We don't speak the same language. I don't understand you. I don't want to understand you."
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#47
"We psych ourselves up too much. Like if you try to talk yourself into, ‘Oh, this is a big moment, this is a big shot,’ you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself. You shot that shot hundreds and thousands of times. Just shoot another one."
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#48
"There's nothing truly to be afraid of, when you think about it, because I've failed before, and I woke up the next morning, and I'm OK."
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#49
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess."
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#50
"When I have the chance to guard Michael Jordan, I want to guard him. I want him. It’s the ultimate challenge."
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#51
“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 for everybody.”
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#52
"It’s hard for me to grasp the concept of somebody being nervous when I’m talking to them."
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#53
"My parents are my backbone. Still are. They're the only group that will support you if you score zero or you score 40."
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#54
"I saw you come in and I wanted you to know that it doesn’t matter how hard you work, that I’m willing to work harder than you."
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#55
"I’m extremely willful to win, and I respond to challenges. It’s not a challenge to me to win the scoring title, because I know I can."
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#56
"Everything negative—pressure, challenges—is all an opportunity for me to rise."
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#57
"I realized that intimidation didn't really exist if you're in the right frame of mind."
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#58
"There’s no need to get too crazy or bent out of shape. There are still challenges every day. But I’m still having fun. I was born to play this game. I still love it."
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#59
"This is the moment I accept the most challenging times will always be behind me and in front of me."
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#60
"Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses."
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