The stories of Kobe Bryant’s work ethic and dedication to the game of basketball have been told for years. Even the the most ardent of Kobe-haters can not deny how hard he works to be the best on the court at all times.
— Have you seen the ‘Bleed Purple and Gold’ phone case? —
The latest to speak about Kobe is former Los Angeles Lakers’ teammate Robert Horry who won three titles with the Lakers from 2000-2002. In an article on The Players Tribune, Horry said Bryant’s dedication was unbelievable and that every championship team has to have someone like that:
Kobe’s dedication to the game is unreal. And I mean that in the truest sense … it was literally unbelievable. The common denominator in every championship team is the mentality that Kobe has, and the mentality that Hakeem had with me at that Christmas party. You have to be so obsessed with winning that you pull no punches with your teammates, even when you’re in first place. Even when you’re a defending champ.
Horry used an example from Kobe’s rookie year about he and other Lakers’ veterans beating Kobe in a shooting contest after practice every day. Kobe would be the first person in the gym practicing every morning and challenged them until he finally beat them.
Horry is one of the NBA’s greatest winners, taking home seven championships and playing with legends such as Kobe, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, and Hakeem Olajuwon. No one doubts Kobe’s greatness at this point, but it is still great to hear stories about Kobe’s desire to be the best even at a young age.
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