It is a historical day for the sport of basketball as Kobe Bean Bryant played the final game of his career and finished strong showing us yet again what it’s all about. Kobe has undeniably been one of the most influential and inspirational people in sporting history. He didn’t always say the words; he went to the hardwood and led by example. Showed what it takes to be great.
As a farewell to Kobe, we countdown #8 best quotes by the basketball community about the magic that the Mamba brought to the game in his 20 year career.
8) Kevin Durant
“He happened to say, ‘You guys can’t even sit at the lunch table with me. I got five championships. What do you have?’”
Being an All-Star himself, KD has often shown potential to be one of the people that the torch could be passed down to after Kobe. That doesn’t mean that Kobe takes it easy on him though. For Bryant, you either win a ring or you lose. There is no middle-ground.
Winning is so important for him that he makes sure that everyone gets equally passionate about the same. Even though he dissed Durant, we know that it only pushed KD to be better and get to the level Kobe is at. Respect comes from winning: Kevin Durant needs to start winning.
7) Pau Gasol
“It was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, telling him, ‘I’m deciding not to play with you anymore.’ I signed with the Bulls because I wanted to put myself in position to win another title. I haven’t been able to do that. I miss him a lot. I miss his presence. I miss that attitude. Not many players have it.”
Definitely one of Kobe’s best friends in the league, Pau Gasol has always been a humble guy who always speaks from the heart. It takes a high amount of courage to admit that he misses him as much as he does after voluntarily leaving the organization to play in Chicago.
Gasol won two championships with Kobe and saw firsthand what it meant to work harder than possible in pursuit of greatness and the love of the game. Kobe and Pau shared an amazing relationship and till date, Kobe ranks him as one of the best teammates he had during his career.
6) Michael Jordan
“I’ll start off with Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant in his prime, LeBron in his prime, D Wade in his prime, Mello. That’s a good start. I don’t think I’d lose; other than Kobe Bryant because he steals all my moves”
In a 2K interview with his airness, Michael Jordan, a question was raised about whom MJ would love to play one-on-one against in his prime. This quote was the response. When the best player to ever play the game says that he may lose to you, you have a metaphorical torch in your hand; and when they accuse you of stealing all their moves, it is flattery. That’s exactly how Kobe responded
He didn’t need to deny it. It’s true. Great players play alike.
Jordan still often publicly admits that he has nothing but love and respect for the Black Mamba
5) LeBron James
“I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain, I know the world wanted to see it. I wanted it, he wanted it. He held up his end, I didn’t hold up my end and I hate that. I hate that it didn’t happen.”
Most of us were too young during the Jordan vs. Kobe rivalry and this next potential torch passing was to be our moment, as a generation. LeBron James has probably come closest as far as the next Jordan/Kobe goes.
But we never really got to see them going head to head in an NBA finals matchup.
He grew up watching Kobe, and having a good rivalry with him would probably have been huge for everyone. LeBron refers to the 2007-10 period wherein the Lakers won the Western Conference three times in a row but James couldn’t get his Cavs to the finals and match up with Kobe; probably one of the biggest regrets of his career.
4) Dirk Nowitzki
“Like I said this entire time, he’s our Michael Jordan for my generation. He is one of the best to lace them up, and it’s been a pleasure and an honor to compete against him basically almost my entire career.”
Dirk Nowitzki is probably on his own road to the hall of fame with a Bryant-like career in terms of being with one team for their entire NBA career and hey! They’re both 37 years old. These legends have an enormous amount of respect for each other and they’ve shown it throughout their careers.
He acknowledges the fact that Bryant has definitely been the Jordan for his generation in terms of being the face of the NBA for decades. It’s great to see when legends show respect to each other on and off the court.
Amnesty THAT.
3) Derek Fisher
“Kobe showed me that limits upon performance exist only in our minds. He made me realize that if you have the will to achieve something, and you put in the time and energy, it will happen.”
Kobe has been an exemplar of will and hard work. Along his journey, he has served as an inspirational role model for countless athletes. Derek Fisher goes as far as saying that “Without Kobe Bryant, there is no Derek Fisher”.
He shows gratitude and immense respect for Kobe, citing him as the reason why he achieved the greatness he did as a Point Guard. Everyone on the team may be good at basketball, but champions have the right mindset and the ability to bring about greatness in others. That’s Kobe Bryant’s legacy.
2) Magic Johnson
"He's played through injuries. He's played hurt. And we've got five championship banners to show for it."
NBA legend Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson knows exactly what it takes to reach the level Kobe has achieved. Being a five-time champion himself, he understands the blood, sweat and grit it takes to be 3rd in the all-time scoring above scoring machines like Jordan.
He, of all people, understands how the body can try to limit your game and act like a ceiling to what you can do with it and most importantly he understands that with the right mindset, you can overcome everything and achieve immortality with a championship banner raised high. Magic Johnson still stands as one of Kobe’s biggest mentors.
1) Shaquille O’Neal
“The Greatest Laker Ever”
You can’t have a countdown about Kobe Bryant without the man he had the best partnership with, winning three consecutive NBA titles. The Los Angeles Lakers are a historically proud organization with legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson on their banners.
Saying that Kobe Bryant is above all those men is a bold statement and probably the biggest compliment that could be given. It means even more coming from the Big Diesel considering his feud with Kobe and the Lakers organization.
He can hate Kobe, everyone can hate Kobe, but we all have to respect him. He’s earned it.
