You see it every time a kid crumples up a piece of notebook paper and launches it toward a trash can. They don't shout "Jordan" or "LeBron." They yell "Kobe!" Honestly, it’s been years since he last stepped onto the hardwood, but the shadow of Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant still looms over every court from Venice Beach to Beijing. Why? Because Kobe wasn't just a basketball player; he was a personification of an obsession that most of us are too scared to actually pursue.
Kobe spent 20 years with the Lakers. Let that sink in. Twenty years in one city, wearing one uniform, and dragging a franchise through the absolute highest of highs and some pretty ugly lows. Most stars today switch teams like they’re changing outfits, but Kobe stayed. He became Los Angeles.
The 81-Point Game and the Myth of the "Ball Hog"
People love to talk about Kobe’s efficiency. Or lack thereof, depending on who you ask. On January 22, 2006, the Lakers played the Toronto Raptors. Kobe dropped 81 points.
Eighty-one.
It remains the second-highest scoring performance in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962. But here’s the thing—critics often call him a "ball hog" for taking 46 shots that night. What they forget is that the Lakers were actually losing by 18 points in the third quarter. Kobe didn't just shoot because he wanted to; he shot because he had to. He scored 55 points in the second half alone. He shot 61% from the field and 54% from three. Basically, he was a flamethrower.
🔗 Read more: What Really Happened With Christian Horner: Why He Was Finally Fired
If you're hitting over 60% of your shots while your teammates are struggling to find the rim, you'd be a fool to pass. That's the nuance people miss. Kobe’s "selfishness" was often his way of being the ultimate teammate. He took the burden so others didn't have to.
Two Careers, One Jersey Retirement
Usually, when a team retires a jersey, it’s a big deal. The Lakers retired two for Kobe. No. 8 and No. 24.
If you split his career in half, you basically get two Hall of Fame players.
- The No. 8 Era: The "Frobe" years. He was athletic, flashy, and paired with Shaquille O'Neal to win three straight titles from 2000 to 2002. He was the kid trying to prove he belonged.
- The No. 24 Era: This was the "Black Mamba." He was more refined. He didn't jump as high, but his footwork was like a master class in a dance studio. He won two more rings (2009, 2010) without Shaq, proving he could be "The Man."
The transition wasn't just about a number change. It was a mental shift. He went from being a physical force to a psychological one. He'd find your weakness and pick at it for 48 minutes until you broke.
The Zen Master and the "Uncoachable" Label
Phil Jackson once called Kobe "uncoachable." This was in his book The Last Season, written after the 2004 Finals loss to Detroit. Their relationship was, frankly, a mess back then. Jackson felt Kobe was too headstrong; Kobe felt Jackson was trying to put a leash on him.
But they figured it out.
When Jackson returned to the Lakers in 2005, something clicked. They realized they needed each other’s brands of crazy to win. Kobe started asking questions—lots of them. He didn't just want to know what to do; he wanted to know why. Jackson realized that Kobe's defiance wasn't about ego; it was about an insatiable thirst for knowledge. By the time they won back-to-back titles in '09 and '10, they were basically in sync. It’s a lesson in how two egos can actually work together if they have a common goal.
The Reality of Mamba Mentality
We hear the phrase "Mamba Mentality" everywhere now. It’s become a marketing slogan for sneakers and gym bags. But to the Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant legacy, it was a very real, very grueling way of life.
📖 Related: Ludvig Aberg WITB 2025: Why He Won’t Change a Winning Formula (Mostly)
It meant 4:00 AM workouts before his kids woke up. It meant playing through a torn Achilles and sinking two free throws before walking off the court on his own power in 2013. It was a refusal to accept the limitations of the human body.
Is it healthy? Probably not.
Is it inspiring? Absolutely.
Kobe’s final act on a basketball court was perhaps his most Kobe-esque moment. April 13, 2016. He was 37 years old. His body was basically held together by tape and sheer will. He scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz. He took 50 shots. It was the most perfect, polarizing, and "Kobe" ending anyone could have scripted.
How to Apply the Mamba Mindset Today
You don't have to be a professional athlete to use what Kobe left behind. The core of his philosophy was simple: be better today than you were yesterday.
If you want to actually live this out, here are a few things to consider:
🔗 Read more: How Fellowship Christian School Football Built a Private School Powerhouse
- Detail is Everything: Kobe didn't just practice "shooting." He practiced the specific angle of his pinky finger on the release. Whatever you do, get obsessed with the small stuff.
- Learn from Everyone: He famously cold-called business leaders and other athletes to ask how they became successful. Don't be too proud to ask questions.
- Own the Failure: Kobe missed more shots than almost anyone in history. He also made more big shots than almost anyone. You can't have the game-winner without the willingness to look like a failure if you miss.
The jersey hanging in the rafters of Crypto.com Arena (still Staples Center to many of us) isn't just about the five rings. It's about the 20 years of showing up. Whether he was a hero or a villain to you, you couldn't ignore him. And in the world of sports, that’s the ultimate victory.
Moving Forward
To really understand the impact Kobe had, look at the WNBA and the growth of girls' sports. His "Girl Dad" era was cut short, but his investment in the Mamba Sports Academy and players like Sabrina Ionescu changed the trajectory of women's basketball forever. If you’re looking to carry on that legacy, start by supporting local youth sports or simply by pushing yourself in your own craft with that same relentless, slightly crazy focus. He’s gone, but the work remains.