Diving into the stories, lessons, and greatness of Kobe Bryant from Roland Lazenby's book Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant

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Show Notes

2:15 - Childhood
“Kobe on stage was probably the most focused kid I’ve ever seen on the court. No bullshit, no taking it easy. He’s not going to smile at you. He’s going to kill you from bell to bell, no mercy. He didn’t give a fuck.” - Sonny Voccaro

6:25 - Irrational Belief
"I’m going to be that one in a million.”

8:55 - Kobe's Obsession
“We worked out twice a day. We’d start at ten in the morning; Kobe was there at eight. We’d get done at twelve; Kobe would stay till two. We’d start again at seve at night; Kobe’s be there at five.” We’d finish at nine, he’d stay to eleven. Every day. Non of the pros were doing that.” - Mo Howard

15:00 - His Defining Moment
“Coach, if you give me the ball, I’ll drain it for you.” 

21:45 - Imagination and Curiosity
Sports Illustrated said on Kobe, “Perhaps no player has ever made more use of his imagination.”

28:15 - Being the Man
“I just want to be the man. I don’t know how I’m going to get there. I just have to find a way.”

30:04 - Unparalleled Confidence
Kobe scored 62 through three quarters in 2006. When assistant Bryan Shaw asked if he wanted to go in in the 4th to get 70, he said, “Nah, I’ll get it another time.”

33:15 - Work, Work, and More Work
“He was on his second workout before anyone else had even showed up. That’s when I knew he was a different beast. It told me about his work ethic and his will to be great.” - Dwyane Wade

34:55 - Struggle and Pain

“The moment is bigger than the injury. You don’t feel the pain.”

37:42: Lessons Learned
“Kobe was like a sponge. If he wanted to know something, he’d come and ask you…show me how you do this, show me how you do that.” - Mo Howard