Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar teammate was stunned by 38 y/o’s work ethic

Kobe Bryant never knew how to take a day off from basketball, which surprises even those who have played with multiple all-time greats.

The work ethic that The Black Mamba had is not a secret to the world. Throughout her 20-year career, Kobe was a gym rat.

And by gym, we mean the practice courts at Staple’s Center (now Crypto.com Arena), which was the second home of the five-time NBA champion.

Even his teammates and coaches, like his idol Michael Jordan, grew tired of how little he valued other things in life compared to basketball.

“Kobe Bryant, do you sleep man?

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And so the 18x All-Star used to forget most of the time about the boundaries that keep a man sane and allow him to keep his professional and personal life separate.

When he used to do it, he would forget that he is the only one in that area and expect his teammates and coaches to be there with him too.

Former Lakers coach recalls Kobe Bryant texting him

Byron Scott, who played with the likes of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy and won 3 championships with them, knew the work ethic of the all-time greats quite well.

But what he saw in Kobe after becoming coach of the LA Lakers in 2014 was something he had never seen before. You must be wondering if it was the last two years of an injury that troubled Bryant.

After peaking at age 18, not even injuries could stop that man from giving it his all over the past two years.

His former coach tells a story from 2016, which was his last year as a coach and Bryant’s last year in the NBA.

Kobe truly gave everything he had for the love of the game and his hunger to achieve MJ greatness. And even when it seemed quite impossible, he didn’t give up on everything and let his body heal in a normal rehabilitation process like everyone else.

Until his last day in the league, The Mamba didn’t let that mentality slip for a day. It had become his lifestyle. And even after his retirement, that work ethic stayed with him until he was here.

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