NBA Analyst Recalls Story Of How Kobe Bryant Sent A Message To LeBron James And Kevin Durant At 2012 Olympics: “While You’re At The Pool, I Am Gonna Go For A 40-Mile Bike Ride In 140 Degree Heat And I’ll Be The First Guy In Practice Tomorrow.”

Kobe Bryant put himself through a hellacious workout in the 2012 Olympics just to send a message to his younger teammates like LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

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Kobe Bryant was an absolute animal on the court, and he became that animal through years and years of practicing the game of basketball. Kobe is known to have one of the greatest work ethics in the history of the game, preaching his vaunted ‘Mamba Mentality‘ to fellow players and youngsters he was mentoring.

While he was still playing in the NBA but falling out of his prime, he was a part of the 2012 Olympic team, which many consider to be one of the greatest of all time. The team featured the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and more. It also featured Kobe, who sent a message to the younger players on the team by putting himself through a hellacious workout. 

“I remember the young guys like Blake and Kevin were all giddy ‘did you hear what he’s (Kobe) doing? He is on a 40-mile bike ride’. Kobe wanted that out there because he wanted to send a message, ‘I know you guys may think I am old and we haven’t made the Finals in the past seasons, but while you’re in the pool, I am going to go for a 40-mile bike ride in 140 degree heat and I am going to come to practice tomorrow and be the first guy on the floor.’ It’s just to put that in their head. That’s just how crazy he was.” 


Kobe Bryant Never Took Time Off His Game

Everybody knows how hard Kobe worked in the gym to perfect his craft. His habits and constant preaching of it has instilled an important lesson in the next generation of basketball players, as everyone understands the value of pushing oneself to reach a goal.

Bryant may have started to lose his position as a top player in the NBA from 2012 onwards, but he made sure everyone knew that he was still outworking them despite being over 15 years into his NBA career. That hard work that Kobe put late into his career allowed him to return from an Achilles injury and have a retirement season in 2016, 20 years after he entered the NBA.

Kobe averaged 12.1 points, 1.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in the Olympics, taking a backseat to the likes of LeBron, Durant, and Carmelo Anthony. Regardless, his veteran presence was crucial for the US Team that summer to bring home the Gold medal.  

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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