When Kobe Bryant spoke to reporters after rupturing his Achilles, it was an image of Bryant all Lakers fans had never seen before. Through all the unreal performances in his 17 year career, he was finally human as his eyes were visibly red.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins, Bryant reveals more of his human side when discussing his comeback from this Achilles injury. Like everyone else, Kobe has self-doubt and doesn’t know how he’s going to come back from this injury:
“I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. We all have self-doubt. You don’t deny it, but you also don’t capitulate to it. You embrace it. You rise above it. … I don’t know how I’m going to come back from this injury. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll be horses—.”
While Bryant has concerns like the entire world, the five-time champion quickly remembers what has gotten him to this point as one of the greatest to ever play this game:
“Then again, maybe I won’t, because no matter what, my belief is that I’m going to figure it out. Maybe not this year or even next year, but I’m going to stay with it until I figure it out.”
This is the type of response everyone expects from Bryant, who is determined to return from a perceived devastating injury and win his sixth to tie Michael Jordan. It has been all Bryant has talked about this entire off-season and has given him the motivation to push forward at age 35.
With Bryant beginning running activities, the basketball world will be waiting to see how Bryant responds as the 25th best player in the NBA according to ESPN NBA Rank. Chances are, Bryant might lose some athleticism, but it hasn’t stopped him from being effective in the past.
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