My favorite Bill Simmons column in recent memory was his deconstruction of a Facebook message by Kobe Bryant, the manically driven, preternaturally talented, and absurdly hard-working Lakers star. Kobe has entered the twilight of his career and has achieved a status few others can match: He's easily one of the ten best players ever to throw on a NBA uni, currently sits at number four on the all time scoring list (and is only a third of a season behind Michael Jordan for number three), and has more rings than all but a handful of players.
Still, some people treat Kobe as an enigma. They don't understand his undercutting of teammates. They don't get why he would push players around like a bullying, overbearing father. They don't understand why he would force guys out like a whiny, manipulative child. What Simmons found fascinating about Kobe's Facebook page is that the explanation for all that is right there, in social media, waiting for everyone to see it. I recommend reading the whole thing, but here're a few excerpts. Kobe is in bold, Simmons' comments are not:
Leadership is responsibility.
(So far so good.)
There comes a point when one must make a decision. Are YOU willing to do what it takes to push the right buttons to elevate those around you? If the answer is YES, are you willing to push the right buttons even if it means being perceived as the villain?
(Translation: I don't care if I take heat for pushing my teammates. I really don't. Say what you want. I can take it.) ...
The ability to elevate those around you is more than simply sharing the ball or making teammates feel a certain level of comfort. ... It's pushing them to find their inner beast, even if they end up resenting you for it at the time.
(I think that's the most fascinating thing Kobe Bryant has ever said. Seriously. He just explained everything. I don't even think he was exaggerating or writing those words for effect. It might be as simple as "Every time I lay into Gasol or Howard, it's because I am pushing them to find their inner beast, and I don't give a shit if they resent me for it." Does he feel like Gasol responded so beautifully in Game 7 of the 2010 Finals — 19 points, 18 rebounds, nine offensive boards — partly because Kobe pushed him to embrace whatever an "inner beast" is called in Spanish? Why do I feel like he does?) ...
Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.
(That's a great quote. I couldn't agree more. I wish I could go back in time and use this as my high school yearbook quote instead of the embarrassing David Bowie passage that I picked.)
This is my way. It might not be right for YOU but all I can do is share my thoughts.
(Hold this thought.)
It's on YOU to figure out which leadership style suits you best.
(And actually, Magic Johnson agrees — so he might be right.)
Like Simmons, I think there's an interesting lack of guile to Kobe's Facebook post. The Mamba's laying out his philosophy for sports and for life. If you don't like it, well, too bad. Find your own style.
Which brings us to early this morning, when Kobe—after apparently tearing his Achilles tendon in the third-to-last game of the season as the Lakers scramble for the final playoff spot against a hungry Utah Jazz team waiting for the LA squad to slip up—took to Facebook to vent his feelings about his body's betrayal. It's a fantastic, honest, slightly drug-addled response. It is verse for our times, the lament of a competitor coming to grips with the toll time takes on us all. The free form grammar, the abrupt line endings and beginnings, the melancholy imagery and the visceral, unguarded emotion applied to the digital page: I think President Obama's found a new poet laureate. It's one of the greatest things I've ever read, both in terms of personal insight and unintentional comedy.
Here, ladies and gentlemen, in his own words and his own punctuation: Kobe Bryant!
This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that
was. Maybe this is how my book
ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me...Then again maybe not! It's 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I'm wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what's the purpose of social media if I won't bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.
One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.
"If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear". Ive always loved that quote. Thats "mamba mentality" we don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer.
I know it's a long post but I'm Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.
Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.
Mamba Out