Kobe Bryant wants to be remembered as one of the greats. While he has spent most of his career getting compared to other NBA legends, he wants to be likened to the greatest athletes of all time. As the 35-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star begins a new chapter in his career, one coming off a severe Achilles injury, he is looking towards boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. for inspiration.
Bryant is calling this the "last chapter" of his NBA career. The forward tore his Achilles at the end of last season, leaving many to wonder what type of player he will be upon return. Bryant understands that he might not look the same again, but he hopes to continue dominance in these final years like Mayweather.
"Maybe I won't have as much explosion," Bryant said, via Sports Illustrated. "Maybe I'll be slower, maybe I'll lose quickness. But I have other options. It's like Floyd Mayweather in the ring. There's a reason he's still at the top after all these years. He's the most fundamentally sound boxer of all time. He can fight myriad styles at myriad tempos. He can throw fast punches or off-speed punches, and he can throw them from odd angles."
Mayweather is undefeated in 45 career fights. Bryant hopes to mirror some type of that success. The 15-time All-Star will easily go down as one of the greatest basketball players, but as his career ends, he hopes to get remembered as a true champion.
Bryant has no timetable for when he will return for the 2013 season. He has said he would like to play at least three more seasons after getting healthy from this recent injury. That begs the question of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The star would likely have to take a pay cut if he wants to remain with the Lakers as the team will be looking to sign at least one more big free agent in the summer of 2014. Bryant is not worried about that. He is concerned about being able to play after such a severe injury.
"I have self-doubt," Bryant said. "I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I'm like, 'My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don't have it. I just want to chill.' We all have self-doubt. You don't deny it, but you also don't capitulate to it. You embrace it. You rise above it."
Bryant is not the only one looking for inspiration from Mayweather. The boxing champion recently spoke with the Miami Heat about what it is like to constantly defend a title. LeBron James and company are coming off back-to-back title wins, something Mayweather knows well.
