“Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise”, this is the motto by which Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas on Sunday, lived by.

Often referred to as one of the best basketball players in the history of the game, Kobe Bryant played in the NBA , with the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 seasons before his retirement in 2016.

He will be remembered for his insane work ethic that made him what he was.

Tales of Bryant’s work ethic have become folklore.

From early morning workouts, to marathon shooting sessions, to a relentless desire to improve himself, Bryant constantly pushed himself to the limit.

„Pain doesn’t tell you when you ought to stop. Pain is the little voice in your head that tries to hold you back because it knows if you continue you will change“, he said once.

His insane drive is best seen in a photo by Andrew Bernstein who captured one of Kobe’s classic moments — sitting exhausted with Shaquille O’Neal after their first title.

Another photo shows us how Kobe lived and played.

Robert Gauthier from Los Angeles Times who took a photo of Kobe trying to score against Thunder said: “This shot sums up Kobe’s career in one image. No matter the odds, he always believed he could succeed. The Lakers lost this 2012 Western Conference semifinal series to the Thunder in five games, and the franchise continued its recent descent.”

“If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail”, said Kobe on one occasion.

Kobe was either in the Top Ten, or The Big Kahuna himself.

When compared to Jordan, he was not most beloved ever, some were annoyed because Kobe was shooting to much, he was ballhoging, because he had an arrogant attitude, but the fact is he was one of the best.

The Los Angeles Lakers have had some all-time greats during their franchise history, but Kobe Bryant is the best amongst them.

Players like Shaquille O’Neal and Magic Johnson have stated that he is the greatest Laker ever.

Kobe Bryant is the only player in NBA history besides Dirk Nowitzki to have played an entire career of at least 20 years with the same team. For a majority of those 20 seasons, he was a dominant superstar who not only put up big numbers but a proven winner. Bryant helped the Lakers win five titles in his playing career.

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