Kobe Bryant has had a long and illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers and along the way has had the opportunity to speak with many of the most influential people both in basketball and the world as a whole. One person who really inspired Kobe was deceased international superstar, Michael Jackson.
Jackson called Kobe during his second season in the league at a time when Bryant said he was receiving a lot of criticism for being so serious all the time.
In an interview on HBO’s Real Sports, Bryant revealed what Jackson told him, as transcribed by Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation:
Michael Jackson gave Kobe words of encouragement. Jackson told Bryant: “Don’t change for them. You have to stay focused.” (@RealSportsHBO)
— Ryan Ward (@Lakers_Examiner) February 24, 2016
Jackson also gave Kobe advice about what he needed to do to become one of the all-time greats, via Ward:
M.Jax to KB“if you want to be 1 of the all-time grts, you have to study the all-time grts. Be obsessive about what you do, & how you do it.”
— Ryan Ward (@Lakers_Examiner) February 24, 2016
Whether it is in sports, entertainment, or any other facet of life, the greatest always share that desire to be the best at any cost. Kobe is renowned for his work ethic and determination and Jackson made sure that Kobe knew that it was necessary for him to achieve what he wanted to.
Jackson is considered by many to be the greatest pop artist of all-time and he still holds many records, so getting advice from him at such a young age surely helped to motivate Kobe. Five championships and multiple accolades later and it’s safe to say the advice was right.
