In our lives, we come across a lot of scenarios where we are compared with a renowned personality. For example, if someone is good at technology, they would be compared with Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, etc. In different professions, if one is good at something, they are compared with the legends. Some people feel honored by the comparison. However, Kobe Bryant had a different view. After all the hard work and inspiration, he made his name in the NBA Championship.
The quote, “I don’t want to be next Michael Jordan: I only want to be Kobe Bryant” by Kobe Bryant suggests that one should be able to work hard on their interests. When they have achieved their goals, they should be known by their name instead of their inspirational personalities. In several interviews, Kobe Bryant mentioned that Michael is Michael but he is Kobe Bryant. However, Kobe Bryant lived a life of legacy for others to follow.
Who Was Kobe Bryant?
Kobe Bean Bryant, born on August 23, 1978, was an American professional basketball player. He was born to Joe Bryant, a former NBA player, and Pamela Cox Bryant. After his father retired from the NBA, the family moved to Rieti in Italy. Bryant’s grandfather used to mail him videos of NBA games to study. However, he had another inspiration from animated European films about basketball. Furthermore, Kobe Bryant was inspired by the amazing career of Michael Jordan.
The Los Angeles Lakers were his favorite team when he started playing basketball at the age of three. Bryant spent his 20-year career as a shooting guard with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association.
When it comes to the greatest basketball players, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are among the top players. Kobe Bryant won:
- 5 NBA Championships
- 15-times member of the All-Team NBA
- 18-times All-Star
- 12-times All-Defensive Team Member
- 2-times NBA Finals MVP
- NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008
Death
On January 26, 2020, Bryant was traveling to Camarillo Airport with his daughter and seven other occupants in a helicopter. Due to rain and fog, the air traffic was grounded. However, due to extreme fog, the helicopter crashed into the side of a mountain in Calabasas and everyone died due to the impact.
Origin Of This Quote
The origin of the quote “I don’t want to be the next Michael Jordan; I only want to be Kobe Bryant” by Kobe Bryant comes from most of his interviews when an interviewer compared him with Michael Jordan. He replies politely and respectfully that Michael Jordan has been his inspiration and it is an honor for him to be compared with Michael Jordan. However, as a basketball player, he just wants to be Kobe Bryant and be known by his name across the world.
It means that Kobe Bryant wants his name to be among the greatest basketball players across the world rather than Michael Jordan 1, 2, or 3. Furthermore, it suggests that it is good to be different from others.
Meaning Of This Quote
The meaning of this quote by Kobe Bryant suggests that one earns a name in the world because of their hard work and performance in their profession. However, one should be known by their name. Other themes that can be interpreted from this quote are as follows:
Have An Inspiration
In a culture obsessed with ability and talent measuring, we neglect the fact that role of inspiration in our lives is important. Inspiration can help us to achieve our goals by pushing the limits. As there goes a saying by Bob Marley “I no have education. I have inspiration. If I was educated, I would be a damn fool.” Inspiration helps a person to transform their abilities into something good.
In Kobe Bryant’s case, Michael Jordan was an inspiration. Kobe Bryant, on the other hand, has been an inspiration for others, especially Lebron James, Eric Koston, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, etc. With inspiration, you can work hard to achieve your goals. When you stand above all, you become an inspiration for others to follow.
In this quote, Bryant says that he learned a lot from Jordan. Also, there was a time when he came across Jordan in a game. It was challenging for him but he was confident about himself. Kobe Bryant grew up watching Jordan playing basketball. It was his wish to play against Jordan in a game.
Since Bryant became the greatest basketball player in the history of the NBA, he has gotten a lot of compliments that people see the next Michael Jordan in Kobe Bryant. Bryant accomplished his goal due to inspiration that now he is compared with the greatest basketball player of all time.
Be Different
We don’t have to be a slave to the thoughts of people around us. If you want to be successful in your life, you have to brand yourself and create your path. Furthermore, you have to fight against the odds and embrace yourself. Among 7 billion people in this world with different choices, beliefs, goals, dreams, etc. you can be unique in various ways. You might be compared with someone but you should have your name on the top charts.
Kobe Bryant has always been compared with Michael Jordan. It is because he studied Michael Jordan for his basketball career. In various interviews, he clarifies that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are two different people. Furthermore, Kobe Bryant adds to this point of view that our achievements and skills are different. Moreover, Bryant adds to it that Michael is Michael but he just wants to be Kobe Bryant.
From several interviews, it is clear that Kobe Bryant believes in being different. As there goes a quote of uniqueness by Margaret Mead “Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else”. However, distinguishing yourself from a legend means you have lived a legacy life.
Live A Legacy Life
Living a legacy life means living a life that has a positive impact on someone else or generations to come. A legacy that you live or make for generations to come is composed of basic elements such as competitiveness, curiosity, discipline, and obsessiveness. All the greatest basketball players have lived a life of legacy. Michael Jordan became a legacy for Kobe Bryant and Kobe Bryant became a legacy for Lebron James.
Living a life in the right way is important rather than regretting your decisions. As there goes a saying by Mae West “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough”. One can be proud of themselves that they have earned a name globally. Kobe Bryant is not only the famous and greatest basketball player in the United States of America but a global phenomenon. However, becoming an inspiration for other generations to come justifies that you have lived your life in the right way which makes you a legend.
Kobe Bryant – Best Basketball Player In The History Of The NBA
Kobe Bryant was an American professional basketball player who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships. He was one of the best basketball players in the history of the NBA after Michael Jordan. During his early life, he was inspired by Michael Jordan and he read his books, reports, and everything. Also, he followed his steps but he was different from Jordan in various ways. However, Bryant was compared with Michael Jordan because of his skills and achievements.
This quote, “I don’t want to be the next Michael Jordan; I only want to be Kobe Bryant” means that he made his name in the history of the NBA championship across the globe. He wants to be known as the greatest basketball player. Furthermore, it is an honor for him to be compared with Jordan but both are different people. Instead of accepting that he is the next Michael Jordan, he preferred his name to be known across the globe.
