These Kobe Bryant quotes showcase the amazing mind behind the basketball great. It’s clear he had great verbal prowess in additon to the grit, perseverance, and determination that made him a basketball legend.
Kobe Bryant, a 20-year journeyman of the Lakers and an 18-time All-Star who amassed five NBA titles and was widely considered one of the game’s all-time best players, passed away in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020.
Kobe Bryant died far too young, but he left an indelible imprint on basketball, society, and the world.
Kobe Bryant will be remembered forever for the innumerable game-winning shots he made, the number of points he scored, the championships he won, the vicious dunks he performed, and the deadly mid-range game he possessed.
Beyond the honors and professional achievements, Kobe will be known for his Mamba Mentality, with which he motivated so many people.
Kobe Bryant introduced the basketball world to the Mamba Mentality through his renowned work ethic and unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Because he maintained this mentality from the start of his career until the very end of it, he is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished athletes who has ever taken the field.
In this article, we’ve compiled 30 of Kobe’s most memorable quotes from his 20-year basketball career to honor his legacy.
Most Popular Kobe Bryant Quotes
Bryant had a beautiful and direct way with words, which was an ability he worked hard to develop just like his on-court abilities.
Here we’ve chosen the most popular Kobe Bryant quotes that highlight his verbal prowess as well as the grit, determination, and drive that made him a legend.
#1
“I don’t want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.”
#2
“I’m chasing perfection.”
#3
“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. No matter what the injury – unless it’s completely debilitating – I’m going to be the same player I’ve always been. I’ll figure it out. I’ll make some tweaks, some changes, but I’m still coming.”
#4
“My parents are my backbone. Still are. They’re the only group that will support you if you score zero or you score 40.”
#5
“Can I jump over two or three guys like I used to? No. Am I as fast as I used to be? No, but I still have the fundamentals and smarts. That’s what enables me to still be a dominant player. As a kid growing up, I never skipped steps. I always worked on fundamentals because I know athleticism is fleeting.”
#6
“Magic has five championships. I have five championships. I’m pretty sure we both know what we’re doing.”
#7
“What people see on court is another side of me; it’s not me.”
#8
“I draw from the crowd a lot.”
#9
“One thing you gotta know about me is I have absolutely no filter. I have no problem saying what the hell I think of someone.”
#10
“Everyone looks at your watch and it represents who you are, your values and your personal style.”
Inspirational Kobe Bryant Quotes
Regardless of how big your objectives are or how difficult the obstacles you may encounter in life, obstacles can have a good or negative impact on you.
You will have a lot of options for how to move forward on your path to achievement. However, human nature dictates that route becomes binary in the presence of obstacles. You can either fight through it or give up.
These inspirational Kobe Bryant quotes are sure to motivate you on your journey.
#1
“Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.”
#2
“I’m reflective only in the sense that I learn to move forward. I reflect with a purpose.”
#3
“Sports are such a great teacher. I think of everything they’ve taught me: camaraderie, humility, how to resolve differences.”
#4
“I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I’m like, ‘My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don’t have it. I just want to chill.’ We all have self-doubt. You don’t deny it, but you also don’t capitulate to it. You embrace it.”
#5
“If I panic, everyone else panics.”
#6
“I’m more than comfortable just sitting back and scoring 21, 22 points or whatever and getting 10, 11 assists whatever the case might be. More than comfortable with that. It’s just a matter of the pieces that you have around you and what you can do to elevate everybody else.”
#7
“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
#8
“It’s different from being 21 and you think there’s endless amount of opportunities. At 33, the ending is much, much closer.”
Related: Score Big: 30 Winning Michael Jordan Quotes
#9
“I’ve played with IVs before, during and after games. I’ve played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball. I don’t miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn’t that serious in the first place.”
#10
“The topic of leadership is a touchy one. A lot of leaders fail because they don’t have the bravery to touch that nerve or strike that chord. Throughout my years, I haven’t had that fear.”
Kobe Bryant Quotes About Chasing Success
Five NBA titles and ranking among the league’s top scorers are achievements that he could not have attained on their own. Bryant had to be consistent and a good leader to accomplish these and many other significant achievements.
The following quotes outline how Kobe concentrated on transforming challenges and critical situations into success.
#1
“People just don’t understand how obsessed I am with winning.”
#2
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it’s sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.”
#3
“Winning takes precedence over all. There’s no gray area. No almosts.”
#4
“If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail.”
#5
“In an individual sport, yes, you have to win titles. Baseball’s different. But basketball, hockey? One person can control the tempo of a game, can completely alter the momentum of a series. There’s a lot of great individual talent.”
#6
“The important thing is that your teammates have to know you’re pulling for them and you really want them to be successful.”
#7
“I’m extremely willful to win, and I respond to challenges. Scoring titles and stuff like that… it sounds, well, I don’t care how it sounds – to me, scoring comes easy. It’s not a challenge to me to win the scoring title, because I know I can.”
#8
“I like playing for the purple and gold. This is where I want to finish up.”
#9
“Dropkick Murphys get me going, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana… plus, all the regular hip-hop stuff.”
#10
“I focus on one thing and one thing only – that’s trying to win as many championships as I can.”
Final Thoughts
We hope you liked reading these amazing Kobe Bryant quotes!
Interested in reading some more amazing quotes from famous figures? Check out these articles:
- 30 Profound Michael Jordan Quotes From The Legend Himself
- 30 Usain Bolt Quotes That Remind Us Why He’s The Greatest
- 30 Serena Williams Quotes That Show Why She’s Tennis’ Number One
- Babe Ruth Quotes: 30 Quotes In Memory Of Baseball’s Hero
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Kobe Bryant: A Basketball Legend
Kobe Bryant was a basketball legend who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years and was widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He won five NBA titles and was an 18-time All-Star. Unfortunately, he passed away in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, leaving behind an indelible imprint on basketball, society, and the world [[1]].
The Mamba Mentality
One of the defining aspects of Kobe Bryant's career was his Mamba Mentality. He introduced this mindset to the basketball world through his renowned work ethic and unrelenting pursuit of excellence. The Mamba Mentality emphasizes a relentless drive to improve, a focus on the process rather than the outcome, and a commitment to giving your all in every situation. It is a mindset that Kobe maintained throughout his career, making him one of the most accomplished athletes in history [[1]].
Kobe Bryant's Verbal Prowess
Kobe Bryant had a way with words that was as impressive as his on-court abilities. He had a beautiful and direct way of expressing himself, which he worked hard to develop. His quotes showcase his verbal prowess and provide insights into his mindset, determination, and drive. Let's take a look at some of his most popular quotes and the concepts they highlight [[1]]:
- "I don't want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant." This quote reflects Kobe's desire to create his own legacy and not be defined by comparisons to other players.
- "I'm chasing perfection." This quote emphasizes Kobe's relentless pursuit of excellence and his constant drive to improve.
- "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. No matter what the injury – unless it's completely debilitating – I'm going to be the same player I've always been." This quote showcases Kobe's determination and resilience in the face of challenges and injuries.
- "My parents are my backbone. Still are. They're the only group that will support you if you score zero or you score 40." This quote highlights the importance of family and the unwavering support Kobe received from his parents throughout his career.
- "Can I jump over two or three guys like I used to? No. Am I as fast as I used to be? No, but I still have the fundamentals and smarts." This quote emphasizes the importance of fundamentals and intelligence in maintaining dominance on the court.
- "Magic has five championships. I have five championships. I'm pretty sure we both know what we're doing." This quote showcases Kobe's confidence and competitiveness, comparing his achievements to those of Magic Johnson.
- "What people see on court is another side of me; it's not me." This quote suggests that Kobe's on-court persona was different from his true self, highlighting the intensity and focus he displayed during games.
- "I draw from the crowd a lot." This quote reflects Kobe's ability to feed off the energy of the crowd and use it to fuel his performance.
- "One thing you gotta know about me is I have absolutely no filter. I have no problem saying what the hell I think of someone." This quote reveals Kobe's straightforward and honest nature, emphasizing his willingness to speak his mind.
- "Everyone looks at your watch and it represents who you are, your values, and your personal style." This quote suggests that Kobe believed that personal style and values are reflected in the way one presents themselves.
Inspirational Kobe Bryant Quotes
Kobe Bryant's quotes are not only insightful but also inspirational. They provide motivation and guidance for anyone striving for success. Let's explore some of his inspirational quotes and the concepts they convey [[1]]:
- "Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise." This quote highlights Kobe's ability to turn adversity into motivation and use it as an opportunity for personal growth.
- "I'm reflective only in the sense that I learn to move forward. I reflect with a purpose." This quote emphasizes the importance of learning from past experiences and using that knowledge to move forward.
- "Sports are such a great teacher. I think of everything they've taught me: camaraderie, humility, how to resolve differences." This quote recognizes the valuable life lessons that sports can teach, such as teamwork, humility, and conflict resolution.
- "I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. You don't deny it, but you also don't capitulate to it. You embrace it." This quote acknowledges that self-doubt and fear are natural, but it encourages embracing them and not letting them hinder progress.
- "If I panic, everyone else panics." This quote highlights the importance of leadership and maintaining composure in high-pressure situations.
- "I'm more than comfortable just sitting back and scoring 21, 22 points or whatever and getting 10, 11 assists. It's just a matter of the pieces that you have around you and what you can do to elevate everybody else." This quote emphasizes the importance of teamwork and elevating the performance of those around you.
- "The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do." This quote reflects Kobe's desire to inspire others to achieve greatness in their own pursuits.
- "At 33, the ending is much, much closer." This quote acknowledges the finite nature of one's career and the importance of making the most of the time available.
- "I've played with IVs before, during and after games... I don't miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn't that serious in the first place." This quote highlights Kobe's toughness and willingness to play through pain and injuries.
- "The topic of leadership is a touchy one. A lot of leaders fail because they don't have the bravery to touch that nerve or strike that chord." This quote emphasizes the importance of courageous leadership and addressing difficult topics.
Kobe Bryant's Pursuit of Success
Kobe Bryant's success on the basketball court was a result of his unwavering dedication and focus. He was obsessed with winning and was willing to do whatever it took to achieve victory. Let's explore some quotes that highlight his pursuit of success [[1]]:
- "People just don't understand how obsessed I am with winning." This quote emphasizes Kobe's relentless drive to win and his dedication to the game.
- "I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot." This quote showcases Kobe's willingness to do whatever is necessary for the team's success, regardless of his role.
- "Winning takes precedence over all. There's no gray area. No almosts." This quote reflects Kobe's single-minded focus on winning and his unwillingness to accept anything less.
- "If you're afraid to fail, then you're probably going to fail." This quote highlights the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success and not letting fear hold you back.
- "In an individual sport, yes, you have to win titles. But basketball, hockey? One person can control the tempo of a game, can completely alter the momentum of a series." This quote recognizes the impact that individual players can have on team sports and the importance of leadership.
- "The important thing is that your teammates have to know you're pulling for them and you really want them to be successful." This quote emphasizes the significance of supporting and uplifting teammates to achieve collective success.
- "I'm extremely willful to win, and I respond to challenges. Scoring titles and stuff like that... it sounds, well, I don't care how it sounds – to me, scoring comes easy." This quote showcases Kobe's competitive nature and his focus on winning championships rather than individual accolades.
- "I like playing for the purple and gold. This is where I want to finish up." This quote reflects Kobe's loyalty to the Los Angeles Lakers and his desire to end his career with the team.
- "Dropkick Murphys get me going, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana... plus, all the regular hip-hop stuff." This quote reveals Kobe's musical preferences and the role music played in motivating him.
- "I focus on one thing and one thing only – that's trying to win as many championships as I can." This quote encapsulates Kobe's singular focus on winning championships and his commitment to achieving greatness.
Conclusion
Kobe Bryant's quotes provide a glimpse into the mind of a basketball legend. They showcase his verbal prowess, determination, and drive for success. Whether it's his Mamba Mentality, his inspirational words, or his pursuit of greatness, Kobe's quotes continue to inspire and motivate people around the world.
