Kobe Bryant: Self-Reflection, Work Ethic, Reading

By Bill Doughty

Kobe Bryant at Arlington, 2012.

Star of Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, NBA rookie Kobe Bryant was interviewed by anchor Tim Russert on Meet the Press in 1998. In the interview, the future #24 Lakers superstar spoke about what it takes to be a better individual in today's society: self-reflection, a strong work ethic and reading.

"I was fortunate to have a family ... a strong family background, wonderful mom and dad, two older sisters," Bryant acknowledged.

Russert asked him what advice he had for other young black men, many who did not have fathers living at home.

"In some cases they don't have somebody to love, to latch onto," Kobe said. "So I think they have to be strong individuals, dig deep inside themselves, look inside themselves, and not look for other venues, other negative paths to walk down, because there are so many of these in today's society."

He added, "So I tell them to dig deep inside, be patient, be strong, hit the books and work hard and continue to dream."

Kobe encouraged young people to follow their dreams and stand up to people who block those dreams. "If you have a goal, if you have something you want to accomplish, they put limits on you; they tell us what we can and cannot do. So I tell them to have faith in themselves."

Kobe Bryant of Team USA meets service members at a Hoops for Troops event in 2012.

Kobe Bryant became an NBA icon with the Los Angeles Lakers. He played on the U.S. national team at the Olympics. And he participated in Hoops for Troops, honoring the military and military families.

In 2012 Kobe, along with the United States Olympic men's basketball team, visited Arlington National Cemetery.

As part of the dream team led by Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Kobe acknowledged the importance of good coaching, respect, commitment, and devotion to his country. In his autobiography, "The Mamba Mentality: How I Play" (Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2018), Kobe writes:

"Our nation means so much to Coach Krzyzewski. He really hammered home the significance of getting to represent our country. Everything he did – from having generals come to speak with us, having soldiers be a part of our preparation process, having us take tours of national monuments – was aimed at increasing our admiration and love for America. You could sense that in the way he had us playing, in the intensity we showed."

"The Mamba Mentality" offers advice and strategies, tactics and priceless insights and memories for young basketball players. Kobe writes, "What separates great players from all-time great players is their ability to self-assess, diagnose weaknesses, and turn those flaws into strengths."

Years ago, when asked what his son was like as a child, Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant said Kobe was studious and hardworking. “He was a good kid — he even cleaned his room,” Joe Bryant said, reminiscent of Navy Adm. William H. McRaven's advice in "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life ... and Maybe Change the World." 

Joe Bryant has a strong connection with Japan. He even gave his son a Japanese name.

Kobe's dad coached the Tokyo Apache and other teams. He visited military bases, including Yokosuka naval base several times in the 2000s and practiced with Sailors of USS Kitty Hawk as well as speaking to young athletes and military families. 

Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant and coach of the Tokyo Apache basketball team, signs autographs and talks to fans after the game Feb. 7, 2007 at Yokota Air Base's Samurai Fitness Center. Bryant also played during the last half of the game. Tokyo Apache, a Japanese professional basketball team, took on the Yokota Warriors varsity team here and walked away with the win, 96 - 74. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Allen)

According to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Joe Bryant "has a message for everyone: 'To have a dream, to have a fantasy and to have a goal.'" 

His words are echoed by his son in Kobe's interview with Tim Russert. So are his words about hitting the books:

“Once you have that, all it takes is a work ethic,” Joe Bryant said. “If you don’t have homework, then you read ahead in your textbook. You do the next page in your workbook. In school, as in life, you have to do the extra work to get better in anything.”

Our thoughts, memories and condolences are with the Bryant family and the families of all those lost in the tragic helicopter crash Sunday that killed Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan.

Kobe Bryant and Jerry Colangelo place a wreath on behalf of the U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball team at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Va., Jul. 15, 2012. (Department of Defense photo by D. Myles Cullen)

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, left, and Kobe Bryant talk at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, July 15, 2012. (Department of Defense photo by D. Myles Cullen)