The Kobe Bryant Effect
Since I read a lot about the psychology of excellence and talk a lot about getting into “the zone,” I couldn’t help but notice Laker Kobe Bryant’s championship-leading performance. By now, you would know that the Los Angeles Lakers made it to this year’s finals. At the forth quarter stretch of the last game, Kobe totally took over the game to blast the San Antonio Spurs.
Last year I totally hated Kobe. The NBA announcers said you’d either love of hate him. Well, before his performance this season (particularly during the playoffs), I’m one of those who hated him. Why? He was a cocky ball hog who couldn’t take any team to the championship. He was all SHOW and no results. That’s what he was.
Now that has changed. There are two very distinct differences to the Kobe today versus that of the previous NBA seasons:
1. He now passes to his team mates. Kobe has discovered a simple basketball concept - the drop pass. An assist to a trusted team mate will always do wonders. It frees up a player and makes the defenders concerned about other players. Kobe probably learned that 50+ point game performances don’t matter if your team doesn’t win.
2. He has learned that killer fadeaway jump shot. Kobe always drives and slashes to the hoop. That doesn’t matter much if 3 defenders are waiting close to the rim. Michael Jordan had a simple jump shot that made him difficult to guard. Now, Kobe learned it. You see, great players can both drive to the net and yet put in a simple SURE-SHOT middle range jumper. Making that jump shot into a fade away - which is extremely difficult to blog, virtually guarantees a score every time.
These two basic skills have contributed to what I now call the Kobe Bryant effect. It translates to a game winning performance.
Kobe has evolved. He has learned to go beyond himself. He now leads. For that, I’m now a solid fan.
Kobe’s performance is inspiring. Just look at yourself. How do you evolve to the next level? You know you are already good at something - perhaps a skill that you have ingrained in your mind. Can you now trust other people with some of your work? Can you learn new skills?
Personally, I consider this the CRUX of leadership and growth. To get past this would be to create your own effect to your team, family and friends. I reflect about the magnificent Ely effect - now what would that be?
How about you? What is your effect?
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