After 20 years in the NBA, Kobe Bryant announced on Sunday that he will retire after this season.
For Bryant, it hasn't been a storybook ending, struggling with injuries in recent years, and his game has been affected this season. Nonetheless, the remainder of the season will be a celebration of Kobe's brilliant career.
One of the reasons it's all been possible — Kobe's ridiculous work ethic. From marathon workouts, playing teammates to 100 after practice, and refusing to eat the junk food he loves, these are some of our favorite examples of Kobe's drive to be the best.
He works out harder and earlier than even the NBA's best players.
Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade recounted a hilarious story to ESPN's Michael Wallace about the 2008 Olympics. They said Kobe was up at the crack of dawn working out while everyone was sleeping.
"We're in Las Vegas and we all come down for team breakfast at the start of the whole training camp," Bosh said. "And Kobe comes in with ice on his knees and with his trainers and stuff. He's got sweat drenched through his workout gear. And I'm like, 'It's 8 o'clock in the morning, man. Where in the hell is he coming from?'"
Wade added, "Everybody else just woke up... We're all yawning, and he's already three hours and a full workout into his day."
Source: ESPN
He decided to lose 16 pounds for the Olympics in 2012.
Kobe has never been out of shape, but he decided to change himself as a precautionary measure. He told the Guardian:
"With summer basketball leading directly into the season — and I'm expecting to play until next June — I have to take some load off my knees. I've got to shave some of this weight."
Source: Guardian
He used to show up to practice at 5 a.m. and leave at 7 a.m. ... in high school.
Source: SI
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