Kobe Bryant’s identity as a basketball player was so rooted in competition and a relentless pursuit of perfection that it ended up motivating a whole generation of hoopers. In fact, his mentality and passion reached far beyond the limits of the court. From Naomi Osaka to Jason Kelce, the Black Mamba fueled them all. But what happens when such a personality has to finally pull the plug and hang up their boots because they can’t go on?
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It’s a question that scares most pro athletes. The adrenaline, fandom, the highs… None of it is easy to replicate. Kobe, for all that he was, felt the same fears. To the public, it seemed his transition was seamless. He won an Oscar, started training his daughter, and mentored younger players.
But Carmelo Anthony revealed on his podcast that it wasn’t really the case. Anthony, a close competitor of the Lakers legend and eventual friend, confessed that Kobe did not always have a plan.
Carmelo described how, post-retirement, Bryant had to put away the Black Mamba personality and redefine his identity without that fiery passion for winning on the court.
“Well, he had a plan, but he didn’t always have a plan at first. So it took him a minute to really take down the Kobe mask of an athlete. Put the mamba back in the closet,” said Anthony.
He then narrated what happened when Bryant eventually separated himself from his on-court persona.
“I want to get back into the game, so I’m going to go rock with my daughter. I want to get the women’s game back going. It wasn’t just about coaching. It was about getting the women’s game back going,” said Anthony.
The Knicks legend also told his podcast co-host and guest, Jay Shetty, that Kobe “wanted to tell stories, he wanted to write books, fantasy books, and sports fantasy books.”
Before his tragic death, Kobe was working on his plan. He had already created a short film that resonated with youngsters and adults alike all over the world.
But it’s hard not to wonder what kind of stories he would have written if he were still with us. Knowing his penchant for perfection and his brilliant mind, they would have been absolute wonders as well.
