Kobe Bryant Quotes

Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players. He was an inspirational, no-nonsense man who shaped the world of basketball as we know it. As a basketball fan, Kobe Bryant is my favorite basketball player of all-time. I love his confidence on and off the court. I love his heart and his grit. I love that he leaves it all on the court. Even when he loses he wins because he gives you everything he has. Him scoring 60 points in his last game was one of my favorite Kobe moments. Here are 125 amazing quotes from the legend himself to get you inspired.

Kobe Bryant quotes about life

Kobe Bryant had some inspirational quotes about life that are certainly worth mentioning. He helped many people feel better, and stronger than before.

Here are some quotes about life from the Black Mamba’.

Dedication makes dreams come true.”

“You are responsible for how people remember you.”

“Have a good time. Enjoy life. Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going.”

“I see the beauty in getting up in the morning and being in pain because I know all the hard work that it took to get to this point. So, I’m not, I’m not sad about [retiring]. I’m very appreciative of what I’ve had.”

“Those young guys are playing checkers. I’m out here playing chess.”

Better learn not to talk to me. you shake the tree, a leopard’s gonna fall out.”

“The story continues. If you fail on Monday, the only way it’s a failure is if you decide to not progress from that. To me, that’s why failure is not existent. If I fail today, I’m going to learn something from that failure. I’m going to try again.”

“When we are saying this cannot be accomplished, this cannot be done, then we are short-changing ourselves. My brain, it cannot process failure. It will not process failure. Because if I have to sit there and face myself and tell myself ‘you are a failure,’ I think that is almost worse than dying.”

“The greatest fear that we face is ourselves.”

“A lot of people say they want to be great, but they’re not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness. They have other concerns, whether important or not, and they spread themselves out. That’s totally fine. After all, greatness is not for everybody.”

“Heroes come and go, but legends are forever.”

“May you always remember to enjoy the road, especially when it’s a hard one.”

“People say bad things about you in the paper on Monday, and then on Wednesday, you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. I’ve seen that cycle, so why would I be nervous about it happening?”

Kobe Bryant dream and work ethic quotes

Kobe Bryant had some amazing dream and work ethic quotes to get anyone inspired to work harder, and better. Here are some quotes on each of these, and you can see from this just how important it was to him.

“I’m extremely willful to win, and I respond to challenges. Scoring titles and stuff like that….it sounds well, I don’t care how it sounds-to me, scoring comes easy. It’s not a challenge to me to win the scoring titles, because I can.

 “I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I be afraid 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.”

“If you really want to be great at something you have to truly care about it. If you want to be great in a particular area, you have to obsess over it.”

“You have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light”

“The mindset isn’t about seeking a result—it’s more about the process of getting to that result. It’s about the journey and the approach. It’s a way of life. I do think that it’s important, in all endeavors, to have that mentality.”

“We psych ourselves up too much. Like if you try to talk yourself into, ‘Oh, this is a big moment, this is a big shot,’ you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself. You shot that shot hundreds and thousands of times. Just shoot another one.”

“Because I don’t want chumps, I don’t want pushovers, and if you’re a chump and a pushover, I will run over you.”

“it used to drive me crazy that he was so lazy. You got to have the responsibility of working every single day. You can’t skate through shit.”

“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.”

“I saw you come in and I wanted you to know that it doesn’t matter how hard you work, that I’m willing to work harder than you.”

 “Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.”

“the moment you give up, is the moment you let someone else win.”

“What I mean by that is: if I wanted to implement something new into my game, I’d see it and try incorporating it immediately. I wasn’t scared of missing, looking bad, or being embarrassed. That’s because I always kept the end result, the long game, in my mind. I always focused on the fact that I had to try something to get it, and once I got it, I’d have another tool in my arsenal. If the price was a lot of work and a few missed shots, I was OK with that.”

“Be sad. Be mad. Be frustrated. Scream. Cry. Sulk. When you wake up you will think it was just a nightmare only to realize it’s all too real. You will be angry and wish for the day back, the game back, that play back. But reality gives nothing back and nor should you.”

“We all can be masters at our craft, but you have to make a choice. What I mean by that is, there are inherent sacrifices that come along with that. Family time, hanging out with friends, being a great friend, being a great son, nephew, whatever the case may be. There are sacrifices that come along with making that decision.”

Kobe Bryant quotes on teamwork

There is a running joke that Kobe never passed the ball to his teammates. Although there is some truth to this, teamwork was one of Bryant’s most important traits.  He valued this immensely and worked with his team to win. Here are some quotes about teamwork to get you fired up to work with others.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it’s sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.”

“Through basketball, I learned discipline, perseverance, teamwork, failure, success. These are lessons that can be applied to any field,”

“The most important thing is you must put everybody on notice that you’re here and you are for real. I’m not a player that is just going to come and go. I’m not a player that is going to make an All-Star team one time, two times. I’m here to be an all-time great.”

“I’d rather be perceived as a winner than a good teammate.”

“the important thing is that your teammates have to know you’re pulling for them and want them to be successful.”

“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.” 

“I’ve played with IVs before, during and after games. I’ve played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball.

“I don’t miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn’t that serious in the first place.”

Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling.”

“If you really want to be great at something you have to truly care about it. If you want to be great in a particular area, you have to obsess over it.”

“I don’t think a coach becomes the right coach until he wins a championship.”

“There’s been a lot of talk of me being a one-man show but that’s simply not the case. We win games when I score 40 points and we’ve won when I score 10.”

“I’m more than comfortable just sitting back and scoring 21, 22 points or whatever and getting 10, 11 assists whatever the case might be. More than comfortable with that. It’s just a matter of the pieces that you have around you and what you can do to elevate everybody else.”

What did NBA players say about Kobe Bryant?

NBA players had a ton to say about Bryant, even after his death.  Here are some memorable moments from that time, and a little bit about what players thought of this legendary basketball player.

A sad day thinking about the loss of a friend, a father, a husband, and one of the greatest. Remembering Kobe and his beautiful daughter Gigi and thinking of the family and friends of all who lost their lives two years ago.—Scottie Pippen

I’m thankful to see another year of life but it’s really tough to celebrate when the world lost a great human being on this same day. Rest well Kobe the world is truly missing a great one. So on this day I celebrate you & I say thank you for the battles & the friendship/24–Vince Carter

“It’s like God put Kobe here for us to watch him play basketball.”  Lamar Odom

“You were the toughest man I’ve ever seen in this game,” Alan Iverson

Well the NBA is in great hands, but if I had to pick the single greatest player on the planet, I take Kobe Bryant, without hesitation.” – Michael Jordan

“I remember my rookie year, I was wearing LeBron shoes and playing at Staples. He said, ‘young fella, if you had my shoes on you would get more buckets.’ This made me laugh, and it was cool.” Tristan Thompson

“With Kobe, it was his attention to detail and his obsession with the game and getting better that stood out to me. I was more impressed watching him in practice than I was in games.” Josh Powell

“He ain’t for everybody, I’ll tell you that. I was fortunate to be as close as I was to him. God rest his soul. You can’t be on no bullshit around Kobe,” Josh Powell

“My favorite players were Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant.  Those two are my guys. I got a chance to sit down with Kobe…just picking his brain.” Collin Sexton.”

“Playing in Denver my rookie year, Coach John Lucas made me pick Kobe up full court.  Luc was yelling, ‘turn him, pose! Turn him! you got him!’ so I’m working him and he passes the ball away and gets it and….hits a turnaround jumper. I get back screened and Kobe GETS A LOB DUNK.” James Posey

“I just found it so impressive that a guy at THAT level was in the gym so early doing his thing. And when he came in there for practice, you better be ready to go,” Chucky Brown

“The things I appreciated most about him as a player were how well-founded he was and how dedicated to the game he was,” Mo Evans

“It didn’t seem real that Kobe Bryant was really on the phone with me, helping me through those playoff situations. That was probably my biggest memory of Kobe, taking the time to really be there and help me….”

Vanessa Bryant quotes

Vanessa Bryant was Kobe’s wife. She was devastated when she lost her husband and daughter.  Here are some quotes from her that are inspirational, to show how she’s carried on.

I am happy to announce that we will continue my husband’s legacy with Nike and look forward to expanding his and Gigi’s global impact by sharing the Mamba Mentality with youth athletes for generations to come.

I don’t think it’s fair that I’m here today having to fight for accountability, because no one should ever have to endure this type of pain and fear of their family members. The pictures getting released, this is not okay.

“I just remember not wanting to react because the girls were in the room,”

“I bolted out of the house and I broke down and cried and I just wanted to run down the block and scream. I can’t escape my body. I can’t escape what I feel.”

I can’t say that there aren’t days when I feel like I can’t survive to the next.”

“This pain is unimaginable [but] you just have to get up and push forward,”

And he says,’ Is there anything I can do for you ?’ And I said : If you can’t bring my husband and baby back, please make sure no one takes photographs of them, please secure the area. And Vanessa Bryant said : I will.

I don’t want to look at this, this is terrible.

Kobe’s personal stats speak for themselves. Kobe was on a different le/vel. He never took shortcuts when it came to basketball. He gave this game his all. Kobe played through injury after injury.

My Gigi is INCREDIBLE and I truly appreciate your thoughtful letter. She loves you so much. I miss my baby girl and Kob-Kob so much, too.

“Lying in bed crying isn’t going to change the fact that my family will never be the same again. But getting out of bed and pushing forward is going to make the day better for my girls and for me. So that’s what I do.”

“They inspire me to try harder and be better every day. Their love is unconditional and they motivate me in so many different ways.”

“I want to say this for people struggling with grief and heartbreaking loss. Find your reason to live. I know it’s hard.”

Quotes about Kobe’s death

Kobe’s death in a crash shocked the world on January 6, 2020.  Many were devastated by his passing so suddenly. Here are some quotes from people who knew him remembering the man.

“Family. As I scrolled through Kobe’s feed, and Alex and I talk memories and moments we remember about him … this is the truth that rings out the loudest … family is what matters most.”—Jennifer Lopez

“I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing. Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling. I loved Kobe — he was like a little brother to me.”—Michael Jordan

“It can’t be. You always encouraged me mamba. Gave me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day! Love you man!”—Justin Bieber

“But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability. He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna.”—Adam Silver

“He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force. Kobe was an amazing dad who loved his family deeply – and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the game of basketball.”—Michael Jordan

“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act.”—Barack Obama

 “I’m so sad and stunned right now. In Staples Arena, where Kobe created so many memories for all of us, preparing to pay tribute to another brilliant man we lost too soon, Nipsey Hussle. Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes. Hold on to your loved ones. We miss you, Kobe.”—John Legend

“heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy.”—Taylor Swift

This honestly doesn’t make sense… I just saw you man. This hurts my heart.—Kevin Heart

“Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have.!! I—Lebron James

“There are no words to express the pain I’m going through now with this tragic and sad moment of losing my neice Gigi & my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie,” –Shaq

“As I try to write this post, my mind is racing. I’m in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi have passed away in a helicopter crash. Cookie and I are heartbroken.”—Earvin Magic Johnson

Quotes that remind us of hard work

Hard work is something that so many of us want to achieve. Here are quotes from Bryant himself on the importance of hard work, and remind you to work hard, and play hard.

“From the beginning, I wanted to be the best. I had a constant craving, a yearning, to improve and be the best.”

 “I never needed any external forces to motivate me.”

“Losing is losing. There aren’t different degrees of losing. You either win a championship or you’re s**t. It’s very black and white to me.”

“Rest at the end, Not in the middle.”

“Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.” – Kobe Bryant

“Determination silences doubters.” – Kobe Bryant

 “I want to be the best. Simple and plain.” – Kobe Bryant

“It’s all a matter of protecting your dreams and your imaginations.” – Kobe Bryant

“It’s the one thing you can control, you are responsible for how people remember you – or don’t. So, don’t take it lightly.” – Kobe Bryant

“The biggest mistake we make in life is thinking we have time.” – Kobe Bryant

“I had to organize things. So I created the ‘Black Mamba.’ So Kobe has to deal with these issues, all the personal challenges. The Black Mamba steps on the court and does what he does. I’m destroying everybody that steps on the court.”

Everything negative—pressure, challenges—is all an opportunity for me to rise.”

“This is the moment I accept the most challenging times will always be behind me and in front of me.”

The message was that if you want to win championships, you have to let people focus on what they do best while you focus on what you do best. For me, that was rebounding, running the floor and blocking shots.”

“I’ve shot too much from the time I was eight years old. But ‘too much’ is a matter of perspective. Some people thought Mozart had too many notes in his compositions. Let me put it this way: I entertain people who say I shoot too much. I find it very interesting. Going back to Mozart, he responded to critics by saying there were neither too many notes nor too few. There were as many as necessary.”

Sports quotes for motivation

There are more people than Kobe Bryant who are motivating. Here are some sports quotes to help you get more motivated from some of the greatest players out there. Whether you want to play sports, start a business, go to school, etc. Make sure that you always work hard and never give up.

“The only one who can tell you ‘you can’t win’ is you and you don’t have to listen.”—Jessica Ennis-Hill 

“I just knew if it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it.” —Gertrude Ederle 

“Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible.” – Frank L. Gaines

“The man who has no imagination has no wings.” – Muhammad Ali

“Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind; it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever.” – Jimmy Valvano

“The only way to prove you are a good sport is to lose.” – Ernie Banks

“If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail.” – Mark Spitz

The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer.” – John Madden

“Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears.” —Laird Hamilton

“An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.” —Emil Zatopek

“Once you give them the power to tell you you’re great, you’ve also given them the power to tell you you’re unworthy. Once you start caring about people’s opinions of you, you give up control.” —Ronda Rousey

“There is always going to be a reason why you can’t do something; your job is to constantly look for the reasons why you can achieve your dreams.” —Shannon Miller

“Today, you have 100% of your life left.” – Tom Landry

“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” – Arnold Palmer

“Victory is in having done your best. If you’ve done your best, you’ve won.” – Billy Bowerman

Quotes for basketball players

Are you a basketball player? Here are some amazing quotes from players to help you get fired up on, and off the court so you can play even better.

“A lot of late nights in the gym, a lot of early mornings, especially when your friends are going out, you’re going to the gym, those are the sacrifices that you have to make if you want to be an NBA basketball player.” Jason Kidd

“Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates.” Magic Johnson

“Coaching is easy. Winning is the hard part.” Elgin Baylor

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.: Michel Jordan

“Excellence is a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” – Shaquille O’Neal

“No one knows how big your potential is, how big your heart is, when you start.” –Muggy Bogues

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

“Basketball doesn’t build character, it reveals it.” – James Naismith

“Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved. It’s about being able to take it as well as dish it out. That’s the only way you’re going to get respect from other players.” – Larry Bird

“I think that my God-given physical attributes, big hands, and big feet, the way that I’m built, proportion-wise, just made basketball the most inviting sport for me to play.”—Julius Erving

The invention of basketball was not an accident. It was developed to meet a need. Those boys simply would not play ‘drop the handkerchief’.”—James Naismith

 “Sometimes a player’s greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the team.”—Scottie Pippen

. “All the successful teams I’ve ever seen have three characteristics: they play unselfish, they play together, and they play hard.”—Larry Brown

 “The secret is to have eight great players and four others who will cheer like crazy.”—Jerry Tarkanian

“In order to achieve positive results, one must work for them, not hope for them.”—Bob Knight

What is Kobe Bryant’s most famous quote?

What was one of the most famous Kobe Bryant quotes? Here is one that’s still resonating to this day.

“Winning takes precedence over all. There is no gray area, no Almosts.”
 

Conclusions

There you have it, 125 amazing Kobe Bryant quotes that’ll inspire you to do better, and work harder. While the legend isn’t with us anymore, his legacy lives on, and you can see it through these amazing quotes that are listed here.