I had no idea what Kobe meant to so many. Over the last 48 hours I’ve been inspired, moved to tears and motivated by his life.
Here are 6 quotes that moved me the most:
1. "I can't relate to lazy people. We don't speak the same language. I don't understand you. I don't want to understand you."
2. “I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I'm like, 'My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don't have it. I just want to chill.' We all have self-doubt. You don't deny it, but you also don't capitulate to it. You embrace it."
3. "When you make a choice and say, 'Come hell or high water, I am going to be this,' then you should not be surprised when you are that. It should not be something that is intoxicating or out of character because you have seen this moment for so long that ... when that moment comes, of course it is here because it has been here the whole time, because it has been [in your mind] the whole time."
4. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. No matter what the injury -- unless it's completely debilitating -- I'm going to be the same player I've always been. I'll figure it out. I'll make some tweaks, some changes, but I'm still coming."
5. "The important thing is that your teammates have to know you're pulling for them and you really want them to be successful."
6. "I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses."