“I’d rather get fucked up every so often than train like a pussy and never get injured”

“Society doesn’t build statues of people who had passion. Those that end up standing out from the crowd and making a mark, don’t operate at the passion level. They operate at the obsession level. When you’re obsessed, your goal is the first thing you think about when you wake up, and the last thing you think about when you fall asleep. The object of your obsession even shows up in your dreams.”

“All your heroes were obsessed.”

“A novice is easily spotted because they do too much. Too many ingredients, too many movements, too much explanation. A master uses the fewest motions required to fulfill their intention.”

“Kobe sprinted through life like no one I've ever known.

He had no hobbies or distractions. Didn't play golf, didn't hang out with buddies, didn't go to parties. Occasionally, he'd decide to see a movie and would rent out the whole theater so he could take a small group of friends or family to see it privately, usually twice in a row.

Otherwise, he trained. He practiced. He studied film. Besides his beautiful family, which was his top non-basketball priority, his entire focus centered on one obsession: Winning.

For twenty years in the NBA, Kobe sprinted from season to season, game to game, quarter to quarter. He never slowed down, and he couldn't comprehend those who did. He'd hear about a group of players heading to a concert or a party or another sporting event, and he'd rarely join them. You go ahead and do that, he thought. I'll be right here doing this. That was his time to elevate himself, to do the work others weren't doing. He believed the extra work added years of advantage and experience to his skill set.

He had no patience for waiting or rebuilding. He began and ended every season the same way: racing toward a championship.”