3 reasons why late Kobe Bryant was a great athlete, and 2 reasons why he was not

Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 20 years in the NBA, Bryant won five championships, an MVP award and numerous other accolades.

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard spent his entire career with the LA Lakers, making it one of the most successful franchises in the modern NBA.

Bryant was an exceptional athlete who dominated the basketball courts for two decades. Here are some of the reasons why he was a great athlete, but also why he was not.

Reasons why Kobe Bryant was a great athlete

1) Kobe Bryant was a hard worker

Bryant is one of the hardest workers in the league's history. Thanks to his hard work and determination, the shooting guard was able to elevate his game and become one of the top guards the league has ever had.

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The LA Lakers legend truly loved basketball and gave his best to perform at a high level all the time. Even when dealing with injuries, the five-time NBA champion worked hard to bounce back and get back on the court.

2) He was a great two-way player

Bryant is mostly known for his exceptional scoring skills and clutch shots. However, offense is just one side of the game where the shooting guard performed well.

Bryant was a fantastic defender as well.

During his 20-year NBA career, Bryant made an All-Defensive team 12 times, which is impressive. While his career averages of 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks per game don't sound amazing, they don't tell the whole story.

3) Kobe was a leader

Aside from his fantastic on-court skills, Kobe Bryant was a fantastic leader. His locker room presence was a big factor in why the LA Lakers achieved a lot of success.

The Lakers guard spent his entire career in Los Angeles and was a leader on many different teams. Even after Shaquille O'Neal left the team, Bryant stayed with the Lakers and helped them win back-to-back championships.

Reasons why Kobe wasn't a great athlete

1) Problematic teammate

While he was a great leader, Kobe wasn't always the best teammate. His feud with Shaq is a big reason why the superstar center was traded to the Miami Heat.

Bryant's competitive spirit made him one of the best players in the history of the league, but it also alienated him from his teammates. Additionally, he was considered too selfish with the ball and was sometimes too demanding.

2) Not a good role model for the younger generation

Kobe Bryant was involved in several controversies during his NBA career. However, his sexual assault case was the most controversial moment of his life. Furthermore, Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's wife, filed for divorce due to his infidelity.