When Kobe Bryant said basketball was his life, he meant every word of it. The Black Mamba became known for his insatiable thirst for success and championships. Bryant’s five rings became as famous as his legendary 3 am workouts, those training sessions in empty high school gyms, and how he pushed past pain when confronted with it.
More than just a game
Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson was in awe of Bryant’s relentless drive. At the same time, he was worried about how basketball seemed to consume every bit of the Black Mamba’s life. Having a singular passion is great. But that forms just one little piece of the pie of life.
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As the elder statesman who has been through it all, Johnson knows that playing in the NBA allows players to deliver a message, much more important than basketball. He knows they are blessed with a unique platform to influence society. Magic advised Kobe to try and have a life outside basketball.
“At the time, Kobe was saying, ‘I’m going to do my job, then I’m out.’ I told him, ‘No, you have to be more than that.’ I said, ‘What do you want your legacy to look like? It can’t just be about winning championships and killing everybody,'” Magic said, per ESPN.
Kobe listened intently, then retorted: “My personality is more in line with Michael’s than yours.'”
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“That’s fine,” Magic says. “Nobody’s saying you have to go around smiling, hugging people. That’s me, not you. Stay you, but effect change by being you.”
It took a while for Bryant to understand what Johnson truly meant. The ace shooting guard careened through his career with a singular goal in mind: to win as many titles as possible. He worked out all day and every day during the off-season. Played his heart out during the regular and postseason. He won five NBA championships, a couple of gold medals, tons of individual accolades, and a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Kobe learned the true meaning
Then, at the twilight of his career, Bryant suddenly claimed all these accomplishments meant nothing. In the final years in the NBA, it suddenly dawned on Kobe what truly mattered in life. He understood the essence of Magic’s advice.
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“The goal he set up initially to become the greatest of all time was a very fickle one,” Kobe said. “What he realized was the most important thing in life is your career moves and touches those around you; how it carries forward to the next generation. He realized that is what makes true greatness.”
After he finally hung his sneakers and jersey for good, Bryant went on a crusade to emphasize this message. He told current NBA players the power and potential they have to influence society. Every single thing they do, whether lifting weights, putting up shots, or crashing the board, echoes into eternity.
The Lakers’ great wanted NBA players to put their heart and soul into the game because everyone is watching. There’s a kid somewhere out there who needs a glimmer of hope and inspiration. Athletes have one of the biggest platforms out there, and they should utilize it for the betterment of society.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.