I have many favorite Kobe Bryant stories, but this particular one has always stuck out to me for many reasons.
Back in the 2005-06 season, Kobe was in the middle of one of the best seasons of his career. And he had worked tirelessly to achieve this. Every off day he would go into the gym and work on his craft. He would have his trainers put him through rigorous workouts, make 500-750 shots, and push his body to the limit.
One particular day in early December, he was in the middle of his workout. He was making shot after shot after shot. But then, something happened. Something that did not happen often.
HE GOT BORED!
Bored with making shots. But he did not want to go home, lest he give up an opportunity to improve himself. Instead, he started running. And he kept running.
He proceeded to do 97 suicides in a row.
97!!
If you are unfamiliar with what a suicide is, it is a conditioning drill in which a player starts on the baseline, runs to the free throw line and back. Half court line and back. Opposite free throw line and back. And finally, end to end.
He did that 97 times.
That is the definition of crazy. But he knew that in order to put his team in the best position possible to win, his body had to be in the best shape possible.
All of this, because he loved the work. Because he was willing to push his body to the point of being uncomfortable.
So next time you are at the gym and get bored of shooting or dribbling, ask yourself, what else can I do to get myself better today?
I know what Kobe did
Coach Connor
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