Kobe Bryant: 8 Off-Court Moments Of Greatness
A legend on the court, Kobe showcased his greatness off of it too.
On Sunday, 25 January, the world was shocked and deeply saddened to learn that NBA icon Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter Gigi and seven other passengers, had tragically passed away in a helicopter accident on the outskirts of California. Having spent 20 seasons perfecting his craft on the hardwood floor and providing the world with countless moments of greatness, it can be easy to forget just how much of a great Kobe was off the court too.
Over the course of a highly successful NBA career, Kobe elevated himself from an eccentric and driven 17-year-old, to a first ballot Hall of Fame player who is carved into the pillars in the minds of multiple generations of fans and peers alike.
When Kobe officially announced his retirement, it acted as an organic nudge to fans to fully appreciate the greatness they had been fortunate enough to witness over the course a 20 year period. Not without his share of controversial times, Kobe had treated fans to a host of moments and memories that will live on to the end of time, causing those same fans to acknowledge a level of greatness seldom seen.
Finding moments of on-court magic or history making plays that showcase Kobe Bryant's greatness is easy, but here we look at eight - a fitting number - of things he achieved off the court that highlight his greatness in just as equal measure.
8. A Genius Trade Request
During the 2006-07 season, Kobe took it upon himself to apply a piece of his cerebral instincts, appearing on ESPN radio to vent his obvious frustration at the Lakers top brass. The purple and gold had suffered a number of average seasons, falling to a lottery berth and two successive first-round playoff exits, resulting in tensions between he and the franchise being high. On the show, Kobe stated that he "would like to be traded", citing that given the state of their current playing roster he was compelled to reveal that a clear fracture had occurred between his vision and theirs, and that he needed a change of scenery as their goals did not align with his.
Never one to say his piece without first plotting his every move, Kobe then appeared on two more radio shows to further his argument, stating that he hoped the Lakers would do something because he didn't want to be "someplace else". This bombshell left the Lakers scrambling for crisis talks with the superstar, with Magic Johnson and Coach Phil Jackson pleading with Bryant to give them time to take action and re-tool the squad.
In a masterful manipulation of his situation, Kobe had jolted the Lakers into bold reform over the following two months. By the time the Lakers took the floor for opening night the following season, a rejuvenated Bryant found himself accompanied to the hardwood by newly acquired big man Pau Gasol - in a deal plucked directly from what would seem like nothing but an urban legend - point guard veteran Derek Fisher, and versatile swingman Trevor Ariza.
What would follow would be his only regular season MVP award, 57 wins and three straight finals appearances.
Kobe would later add to his legacy of genius by revealing how he had also nixed a potential deal which would have landed him in Detroit that very summer.