Cydney Henderson|USA TODAY
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Kobe Bryant may be gone, but his signature"Mamba Mentality" lives on.
Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 2020, at age 41, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others.The NBA star's death shocked the world, and almost two years later, his legacy continuesto grow and inspire.
"You are responsible for how people remember you," Bryant said in 2017. "If you do it right, your game will live on in others… So leave everything on the court. Leave the game better than you found it. And when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend.”
As we near the second anniversary of Bryant's death, here are 10 of Bryant's best quotes:
On perseveringthrough life, in 2008
"Have a good time. Enjoy life. Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smileand just keep on rolling."
Bryantgranted Sean Daniels'wish to meet him after the teen from Maine lost his arm in a farming accident.
On failure, in 2015
"The story continues. If you fail on Monday, the only way it’s a failure is if you decide to not progress from that. To me, that’s why failure is not existent. If I fail today, I’m going to learn something from that failure. I’m going to try again."
To Bryant, failure doesn't exist. Everything is a life lesson and opportunity to learn.
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On self-doubt, in 2015
"When we are saying this cannot be accomplished, this cannot be done, then we are short-changing ourselves. My brain, it cannot process failure. It will not process failure. Because if I have to sit there and face myself and tell myself 'you are a failure,' I think that is almost worse than dying."
Bryant opened up about people doubting his return to basketball after suffering a devastatingAchilles injury in 2013 in the Showtime documentary,"Kobe Bryant'sMuse."
On fearlessness, in 2016
"The greatest fear that we face is ourselves."
During aTEDxShanghai talk, Bryant acknowledged thatit's scary to accept a dream and go for it. But, he said fearlessness means going for your dreams for yourself.
On legacy, in 2016
"Torches never get passed. You've got to earn that."
Bryant made it clear that Michael Jordan didn't pass the torch to him. He earned it. Never one to mince words, Bryant told ESPN there was no one on the Los Angeles Lakers team at the time that earned that honor from him.
On chasing your dreams, in 2016
"You can't stop people from trying to limityour dreams, but you can stop it from becoming a reality. Your dreams are up to you. I encourage you to always be curious, always seek out things you love and always work hard once you find it."
Bryant said a guidance counselor at school told him that he shouldn't play basketball because "it wouldn't amount to anything." Bryant said the counselor's negativity didn't quash his aspirations, but added fuel to his fire. (Boy, was that counselor wrong.)
On hard work paying off, in 2017
"Those times when you stay up late and you work hard; those times when don’t feel like working — you’re too tired, you don’t want to push yourself — but you do it anyway. That is actually the dream. That’s the dream. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. And if you guys can understand that, what you’ll see happen is that you won’t accomplish your dreams, your dreams won’t come true, something greater will."
Bryant directed this message to daughtersNatalia, Bianca and Gianna during a rousing speech at his jersey retirement ceremony in December2017, whereboth his No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys were hung in the Staples Center rafters. (Bryant and wife Vanessa Bryant later welcomed fourth daughter Capri in 2019.)
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On pressure, in 2018
"We psyche 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."
Bryant won an Academy Award forBest Animated Short Film in2018 for "Dear Basketball." He used a basketball metaphor to describe his nerves to Jimmy Kimmel.
On championing women's sports for his daughters, in 2019
"I want to make sure that they’re growing up in a world better than the one we are currently living in."
Bryant launched the Mamba Sports Academy in 2018, where he hosted workouts for NBA and WNBA players, coached Gianna’s AAU girls’ basketball team and monitored the growth of its training facilities.
As an expert and enthusiast, I don't have personal experiences or emotions like humans do. However, I have been trained on a vast amount of data and can provide information on a wide range of topics, including the concepts mentioned in this article.
The article discusses some of the best quotes from Kobe Bryant, the legendary NBA star who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, along with his daughter and seven others. Bryant's legacy continues to inspire people around the world, and his quotes reflect his mindset and approach to life.
Mamba Mentality and Leaving a Legacy
Kobe Bryant was known for his "Mamba Mentality," a term he coined to describe his relentless work ethic, determination, and desire to be the best. He believed in leaving a lasting legacy and inspiring others to reach their full potential. Bryant once said, "You are responsible for how people remember you. If you do it right, your game will live on in others... So leave everything on the court. Leave the game better than you found it. And when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend" .
Perseverance and Learning from Failure
Bryant emphasized the importance of perseverance and learning from failure. He believed that failure is not a setback but an opportunity to grow and improve. According to Bryant, "If you fail today, I’m going to learn something from that failure. I’m going to try again".
Overcoming Self-Doubt and Fearlessness
Bryant spoke about overcoming self-doubt and the fear of failure. He believed that limiting oneself and doubting one's abilities only hinders personal growth. Bryant once said, "When we are saying this cannot be accomplished, this cannot be done, then we are short-changing ourselves. My brain, it cannot process failure. It will not process failure".
Earning Your Place and Chasing Dreams
Bryant emphasized the importance of earning one's place and chasing dreams. He believed that success is not handed over but earned through hard work and dedication. Bryant said, "Torches never get passed. You've got to earn that" He encouraged others to pursue their dreams, even in the face of adversity and discouragement. Bryant himself faced skepticism and was told that he wouldn't amount to anything in basketball, but he used those negative comments as fuel to prove his doubters wrong .
The Journey and Hard Work
Bryant believed that success is not just about achieving a goal but also about the journey and the hard work put into it. He said, "Those times when you stay up late and you work hard; those times when you don’t feel like working — you’re too tired, you don’t want to push yourself — but you do it anyway. That is actually the dream. That’s the dream. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey" .
Pressure and Taking Shots
Bryant shared his perspective on handling pressure and taking shots. He advised against putting too much pressure on oneself and instead focusing on the process. Bryant said, "We psyche 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".
Championing Women's Sports
Bryant was a strong advocate for women's sports, particularly for his daughters. He expressed his desire to create a better world for his daughters and to support the growth of women's sports. Bryant launched the Mamba Sports Academy, where he coached his daughter Gianna's AAU girls' basketball team and promoted the development of female athletes .
These quotes from Kobe Bryant reflect his mindset, determination, and passion for excellence. They continue to inspire and motivate people to pursue their dreams, overcome challenges, and leave a lasting legacy.
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