Michael Jordan was labeled a “gunner” when he first entered the NBA. It was said he could shoot but he could not
win. That was the general consensus until about 1989, when the BULLS obtained some quality players….and a Coach
who knew how to lead them.

The initial consensus changed over the next couple of years…..he went on to win 6 Titles, was and still is recognized
as the greatest basketball player in history.

Kobe Bryant came into the NBA on a LAKERS team which had several quality and experienced veterans.
He sat most of his first year and played sporadic minutes in his second.
Early on Kobe, like Michael, was labeled a “gunner”.

Jerry West saw Kobe in a preliminary workout in 1996, before the draft, and left after about 30 minutes saying that it was
the best workout he had seen from any young player, ever..
In the workout, Kobe actually dominated the best defensive player in the league in the 80s, Michael Cooper.

His work habits told everyone around him that he was not settling to be just a good NBA player.

Those work habits quickly began to manifest themselves.

He was one of the two top players in the league by 2000, and along with the Shaquille O’Neal, the other top two player,
led the LAKERS to three consecutive NBA titles. 2000, 2001 and 2002.

In December, 2005 the LAKERS played the DALLS MAVERICKS.
After three quarters the MAVERICKS trailed the LAKERS 92-61.

Kobe had 62 points.

In three quarters…in actually 33 minutes.

He was 18 of 31 from the field and 22-25 from the free throw line.

The MAVERICKS were a competitive team. Yet, over the first three quarters, as a team, they were outscored
by Kobe, 62-61.

He did not play in the fourth quarter, as the LAKERS won.

Ten years ago today, January 22, 2006, the LAKERS played the TORONTO RAPTORS.

The LAKERS trailed by 18 points in the third quarter.

Kobe had 26 points in the first half.
The LAKERS no longer had numerous quality veterans.
They would eventually gain Pau Gasol in 2008 and win two Titles in 2009 and 2010,
but this 2006 team was not talented.

In the third quarter, against TORONTO, Kobe took over the game.
With TORONTO switching four different defenders on him, Kobe score 55 points in the second half.

Think about that.

For the game he played not quite 42 minutes, and was 28-46 from the field and 18-20 from the free throw line.
That’s 61% from the field and he shot within the lane only 5 times.

This is against the best athletes in the professional world.

In March, 1962 when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points…
he took 63 shots from the floor and attempted 32 free throws…..while playing the entire 48 minutes.

When the best players like Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul and others gathered to practice for the 2008 Olympics, they were all surprised at Kobe Bryant’s work ethic and training routines. They each gained from seeing him outwork them
and they stated later that it was from Kobe that they learned what it took to ascend to a championship level.
The work habits paid off in the Gold Medal Game against Spain.
When the Game hung in the balance, as Spain was surging…
Bryant took the lead, turned the Game, hit numerous jumpers and drives and led the USA to the Gold Medal….
in the most pressured of Games.

Hard work pays off.
Persistent, consistent hard work pays off immensely.

Kobe Bryant scored 81 points on January 22, 2006.

In his final season….its valid to not merely recall his 5 Titles, Two Gold Medals, and being the 3rd All Time Leading Scorer.

81 points in 42 minutes from a guard….against multiple defenders.

Worth remembering.

SALUTO

Terry
January, 2016