Mamba Mondas | This is My Challenge

In 2007, we were still trying to figure out who Kobe Bryant was.

The US National team was coming off an Olympic loss to Argentina, and a World Basketball Championship loss to Greece, and they needed leadership. To answer this need, they went out and recruited Kobe Bryant.

Nobody brought more baggage to the Olympic basketball team at that time than Kobe. He ran Shaq off of the Los Angelos Lakers, everyone thought he was selfish, and he demanded a trade from the same Laker team in the parking lot of a grocery store. 

It was an exciting point in his career. He had taken a few hits and was fighting to regain his place and restore his name. He had to prove to the NBA and to the world hat he was a good person and a team player. 

Kobe told a reporter

"I'm glad you're here; you're going to see something. You're going to see the USA be great again. This is my challenge; this is bigger than anything I've ever done."

The same reporter then said, 

"This was the start of the second chapter of the life of Kobe Bryant."

30 seconds into their first scrimmage, there was a loose ball and dove over everyone for the ball. That set a big example for everyone in the gym. That same reporter said, "They dove for loose balls, they got big rebounds, they played defense, they were in people's faces, and ALL of that started with Kobe Bryant."

I saw this quote recently on a Facebook post:

"Maybe I'm a little bias about this, but 'The Redeem Team' documentary was all about Kobe. A guy that many thought couldn't play with fellow superstars, a selfish player, etc., provided what the USA team lacked to reclaim being the best basketball country. Its not just his skills, but his work ethic, the dirty work, showing his teammates what it takes to win. His eyes are set for redemption, for the Gold, for the USA to be great again.

Just pure Mamba,"

Its always the right time to do whats right. Kobe was always ready to do the next, right thing. Kobe was always trying to learn, to grow, and to do and be better.

The Redeem Team documentary showed again that, Kobe was Kobe.