Kobe Bryant’s most memorable phrases are part of the legacy left to us by this great basketball player after his death in a helicopter crash. Through simple reflections and statements to the media, his way of understanding the sport, leadership, motivation and the effort needed to become one of the legends of the NBA is captured.

Here we will see a selection of these phrases and reflections to better understand and remember this great basketball figure.

Best of Kobe Bryant, basketball legend

Kobe Bryant has left us recently, but his lessons in sports values and leadership remain as an example of how far one can go through effort and discipline. And the fact is that this basketball player not only stood out as one of the best in history; he also , made it clear what his attitude and opinions were on many issues.

Here you will find a selection of highly motivating phrases by Kobe Bryant that summarize his view of life and the philosophy he applied to basketball.

1. If you’re going to be a leader, you’re not going to satisfy everyone. You have to hold people accountable.

Leadership is about allowing each team member to take charge of his or her actions and decisions.

2. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. No matter what the injury, unless it’s completely debilitating, I’ll be the same player I’ve always been.

People’s personalities and interests tend to remain unchanged over time, and this was no exception with Kobe, who is highly motivated to continue to give his all on the basketball court.

3. People don’t understand how obsessed I am with winning.

One of Kobe Bryant’s most direct statements about what moved him to compete constantly.

4. The most important thing is to try and inspire people, so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.

Beyond the actions carried out in sport, there is the social impact this has on other people.

5. If you’re afraid to fail, you’ll probably fail.

A reflection on self-fulfilling prophecy.

6. I’ve made too many pitches since I was eight. But “too much” is a matter of perspective. Some people thought Mozart had too many notes in his compositions.

About the way many critics perceive those who go beyond the limits of the normal.

7. Once you know what failure feels like, determination follows success.

Failure is also part of the motivation.

8. I just let the shots fly. You know, without leaving any bullets in the chamber.

One way of looking at basketball: movements occur spontaneously, almost automatically.

9. Basketball is bigger than scoring points and winning championships. It’s more about whether you’ve been able to inspire people for a moment to want to be a better version of themselves.

Another reflection on what matters most in basketball.

10. If I panic, everybody panics.

Having a leadership role has its disadvantages.

11. I focus on one thing only, trying to win as many championships as I can.

Many extraordinary actions can be derived from a target wave.

12. If I fall off the cliff, or from the pedestal, whatever, I’ll still have learned something.

About his decision not to have a college career.

13. My parents are my backbone. They still are. They’re the only group that would support you if you scored zero or 40.

It is not possible to progress individually ; it is necessary to have the support of other people, often the family.

14. I’m taking everything I’ve learned from the game and using it in whatever comes next. I don’t see it as a separation but as a progression.

One of his statements about leaving top-level professional sport.

15. I can’t identify with lazy people. We don’t speak the same language. I don’t understand them, I don’t want to understand them.

Two very different ways of looking at life.

16. I’m just trying to do what the team needs at the time.

Above all, the best basketball players adapt their game to what the whole team needs.

17. I played through the sweat and pain, not because the challenge called me, but because you (the basketball) called me.

A declaration of love for the sport.

18. As a child growing up, I never skipped steps. I always worked on the fundamentals because I know that athletic form is fleeting.

About the need to learn the basics and not to stay on the surface.

19. Winning takes priority over everything else. There is no grey area

Another of Kobe Bryant’s motivating phrases reflecting his competitive spirit.

20. Anyone who wants to be one of the greats must understand the sacrifices that come with it and try to deal with it.

To stand out positively in something involves a lot of sacrifice.

21. Life is too short to sit around and hold a grudge.

When in doubt, it is better to opt for the philosophy of life less centred on negative emotions .

22. We can be the masters of our creation, but you must make a choice.

Being able to create great things is about deciding to do your best.

23. Do you want me to own a team and take care of these rich, spoiled, stubborn athletes and try to make them perform? No, thank you.

A criticism of those who play basically for the money.

24. The important thing is that your peers should know that you are supporting them and that you really want them to be successful.

The psychological connection between team members is crucial.

25. What people see on the court is another part of me, it’s not me.

In sport only one facet of people is expressed.

26. If you want to win a first place, come play with me. If you want a second place, go somewhere else.

Sport as an activity in which one must aspire to the maximum at all times .

27. I don’t want to be the next Michael Jordan, I just want to be Kobe Bryant.

A proper way to play and understand basketball.

28. Everything negative, pressure, challenges; everything is an opportunity for me to get up.

In many situations, even discomfort gives us reason to keep moving forward.

29. The trophies are for posterity, but what you really want to create is something that goes beyond that.

Once again, Kobe indicates that even though he wants to win, the most important thing is not the material.

30. Sports are a great teacher. I think of everything I’ve been taught: friendship, humility, how to resolve differences.

Important values are transmitted through sport.

31. As I sit here now, when I take off my shoe and look at my scar, I see beauty in it. I see all the hard work, all the sacrifices.

The marks of past sacrifices are associated with all the good that effort brought.

32. It’s hard for me to understand the concept of someone being nervous when I’m talking to them.

Fame is hard to get used to.

33. To play in the NBA, you have to be one in a million. I said to myself: I’ll be that one in a million.

Statistics do not have to stop us from trying what we aspire to if there is reason for optimism.

34. There has been much talk of me as a one-man show, but that is simply not the case. We win games when I score 40 points and we win when I score 10.

The importance of the team is above that of the individual.

35. I’ve played with a broken hand, sprained ankle, broken shoulder, broken tooth, cut lip and a knee the size of a softball. I don’t miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everyone knows wasn’t that bad.

Another example of Kobe Bryant’s obsession with sport; however, it is not advisable to imitate him in this.

36. The motivation is, for me, the game itself; to play the right way and try to win.

An example of the intrinsic motivation of sport.

37. It’s an honor to represent your country, no matter where you come from.

Playing basketball can also have a political dimension.

38. Many leaders fail because they don’t have the courage to touch on uncomfortable issues. Over the years, I have not had that fear.

Leadership is about assertiveness.

39. You have to dare to be big

The idea of standing out in something shouldn’t be scary.

40. I’ll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it’s sitting on a bench waving a towel, watering a teammate or taking the winning shot.

When it comes to contributing to a victory, there are no less worthy roles .

41. Everyone looks at your watch and imagines who you are, your values and your personal style.

There’s a lot more to appearances than that.

42. I’m playing against great players, playing against the best in the world. Competition is what I’ve always wanted.

The NBA as a dream come true.

43. We all have doubts, there is no denying it. But it is also true that we must not give up, but go on.

Doubts are inherent in challenges.

44. Basketball is my refuge and my sanctuary. In it, I go back to being a kid in the playground. When I get here, everything is good.

In the game there is a place to express yourself emotionally.