Kobe on preparing to play at 36: 'There are certain things that my body can’t do that I used to be able to do'
The legendary athlete in the twilight of his or her career has always made for fascinating subject matter. It typically offers a rare show of vulnerability, of fear and impending doom; a glimpse of the human being that has theretofore appeared to many as a higher life form.
There is a hint of that humanization in Chris Ballard's Sports Illustrated profile of an aging Kobe Bryant. At points, you get to peak behind that oft-impenetrable mask and see a little bit more of Kobe's true face than you're used to. But the vulnerability is practically non-existent. You might sense it bubbling under the surface, but Kobe gives nothing away. He seems as sure of himself as he's ever been, even as he nears 36, works his way back from a second major surgery in as many years, and prepares to play out what he's said will be the last two seasons of his career.
"That’s what makes him Kobe," one NBA GM is quoted as saying. "That unnatural confidence."
"There are certain things that my body can’t do that I used to be able to do," Bryant admits at one point. "And you have to be able to deal with those. First you have to be able to figure out what those are. Last year when I came back, I was trying to figure out what changed. And that’s a very hard conversation to have.
"So when I hear the pundits and people talk, saying, 'Well, he won’t be what he was.' Know what? You’re right! I won’t be. But just because something evolves, it doesn’t make it any less better than it was before."
Whether you buy that confidence or not, the piece is well worth a read, and offers a smattering of great moments, anecdotes, and quotes. Here are a few highlights:
Kobe on getting a sentimental, Jeter-like send-off from fans
No, no, no, no, I’m good. If you booed me for 18, 19 years, boo me for the 20th. That’s the game, man.
On the upcoming Lakers season
I hear people say, ‘They don’t have a championship team.' Yeah, maybe from your perspective...but Boozer does this, Jordan Hill does that, Lin adds that. What’s the best way to put all these pieces together and use them to win? That’s the puzzle to figure out, and if we can figure out that puzzle, we’ll shock a lot of people.
A GM on what awaits Kobe after basketball
You know how it’s been hard for Jordan in retirement? It’s going to be way worse to be Kobe. He has fewer friends and the same competitive drive. At least MJ likes to golf and play cards.
A testimonial from Kobe's physical therapist
He has the highest pain threshold I’ve ever seen.
On writing an autobiography
I’m not ready yet. Writing carries such a level of transparency. I think if you’re going to write a book, you have to be ready to be completely transparent about everything that’s taken place. And I’m not at that place yet.
On leadership
You can’t afford to placate people. You can’t afford to do that. You’re a leader. You’re not here to be a social butterfly. You’re here to get them to the promised land. A lot of people shy away from that because a lot of people want to be liked by everybody. I want to be liked too. But I know that years from now they’ll appreciate how I pushed them to get us to that end result.
That time Kobe challenged a Chinese teenager to a game of full-court one-on-one
On game point Bryant pivoted and pivoted again just above the free throw line and then faded that Kobe fade and unleashed that gooseneck follow-through and the ball splashed in and the crowd went berserk and the watching players pumped their fists while Kobe stood, arms outstretched as if he’d just won his sixth ring and not an informal game of one-on-one in Shanghai. Afterward, in true Kobe fashion, he took the mike and explained to the kid that he needed to work on his left hand, making sure the emcees translated it correctly.
Whatever happens next year, it'll be nice having him back.