Last Wednesday, Kobe Bryant played in his last NBA game. He dropped 60, wowing us his fans. Even as we swooned over his last stand, his haters and detractors pointed to the fact that he took 50 shots in order to make those 60 points. Kobe – the Ball Hog!
It was almost like the one thing that his fans love is the very thing his detractors hate the most – that he takes too many shots!
Which got me thinking:
In this life, there are people who never discover their talents. Then there are those who are talented but quite passive about the extent of their talents. Lastly are those who are talented and are driven to be the best. People like that have one focus in life – to be the best at what they do and to always come out on top. They cannot help it. That is how they are wired.
To the rest of the world, they may come across as selfish and narcissistic egomaniacs. With this breed, the line between selfishness and the will to win is razor thin.
We see it and describe it as a killer instinct. They do not want to kill anyone. They just want to be the best there is.
This is the breed that Kobe belongs to. His will to be the best basketball player there was meant that he was going to dominate in every instance. In a team sport like basketball, the description of selfishness will unfortunately come fast and furious with such an attitude.
So would Kobe have been better of playing a non-team sport like golf or tennis? I say yes. I think his will to dominate would have been seen as excellence by most, not as selfishness. Beside these single-player sports, there are certain positions in some team sports that would have suited him well.
Let’s explore them:
An NFL Quarterback
No one would have described him as selfish and a ball hog. He would have received accolades as a winner and a killer! I’ve never heard Brady or Manning described as ball hogs. Now a wide receiver would be a terrible position for his nature.
A Baseball Pitcher
Again, a position that would have suited him well. Alone on the mound, pitching fast balls, befuddling batters. No ball hog!
A Soccer Striker
Look at Messi. Who can call him a ball hog? Look at Renaldo! Kobe actually plays soccer. In that position, he would have been expected to score and score often.
Personally, these are two traits I admire in people – talent and the will to be best. When they come together in people I know or in celebrities we watch, read, and/or hear about, I don’t only admire. I also bow!