RealGM

http://sports.globaltimes.cn/basketball/2010-07/556123.html

Kobe Bryant wrote:Practice all the time so that when you're out there playing you don't even have to think about it. Don't worry about all the hoopla - the only thing that matters is believing in yourself.

More than just a basketball reference for me. Practice makes perfect, whatever you do, develop that into something great and just run your own race... remember only YOU are the only obstacle stopping you from achieving the greatness you dream of. Man i love Kobe, makes me feel pumped for a lame day at the office!!!

Dude had better fixed his dang finger already... Just sayin'.

But nobody is perfect, so why practice?

practice? we're talkin bout practice

NO REAL need to give the Chinese Youth a Pep talk Kobe...
The United States already owes them a Trillion-Billion! And their children test scores are way higher than ours. So what we cream them in Basketball but its only a matter of time before that isn't true.

How about giving the youth of America a Pep talk... Oh wait! Nike isn't paying you to do this in Compton huh, or Brooklyn or Memphis.

Just sayin'!

kobe can't have his finger fixed, he was told to take 6 weeks off after breaking it, but decided to play through.....he developed arthritis in the finger....his finger will never be the same....he will play with the bandage the rest of his career.....let me stop posting before jfar decides to ban me or something

Even though he's decently educated and smart, I don't think an athlete who never went to college and banks millions is the best guy to go talk to inner city kids and tell them to follow their dreams and practice hard.

While that message is great, he would be better off telling them about the reality of life. Go ofter your dreams, but have a backup plan and a reliable way to navigate through life.

I went to a few basketball camps when I was young, a bright eyed cocky kid who thought he was good enough for anything and through practice and hard work could do anything including make the NBA. Rick Majerus sat us down and gave us a harsh lesson in reality. He said look around the camp, lots of great players... 1 of you will make it in this game, maybe none. (There would actually be 2 but that's beside the point) He laid it out, there are a little over 300 roster spots in the NBA and now with international recruiting there are literally 50 million practicing hard, being groomed for those spots. Many of whom will potentially be bigger, faster, stronger, more gifted, and yes have more privileged access then you.

It was pretty eye opening for a young kid, and it was also refreshing to see a coach more concerned with the life and well being of his kids and even players then the success of his program. His motto was be a person first, get educated, go for your dreams once you have a foundation.

Unfortunately, society and media are all about music, sports, and bling. Only way for an inner city kid to succeed (especially black kids) is to be a sports star or a rapper. Go big, go flashy, its the only way... While Kobe is a great role model for his work ethic, I just don't think he's a great role model for that type of kid. They need someone to show them how good life can be with a nice education and a 50-70k a year job. You can live pretty damn well for that money in most of the country. Its just hard to beat out all the superstar hype, but entertainers and sports stars total you are looking at a few thousand people with bigtime money and millions that never get anywhere...

anyway end rant...

@supaflash - Word I hear ya.

I grew up in Los Angeles and I remember kids on the playground thought they would all some how play for Duke UCLA or the Laker or Bulls. All thought they were the next A.I. and Jordan. Just because they could dunk on a playground rim. Maybe they had a "killer" cross over and shook everyone in the neighborhood. But can't handle school.

But I look at this kid (#8 in USA Prep 3 Star) who just got a free ride out here. Lanky tall not very athletic pretty good handles who can shoot lights out from anywhere in the gym. I have watched him during highschool never seen him dunk. Never seen a crossover from the kid. But he is intelligent gets decent grades and got fundamentals down. Skys the limit for this kid. Goes to UK for free. Bet he gets a degree. Maybe a chance at the Pros. Some where he figured out that its best to take care of school too in order to make life just a bit easier for yourself. Kudos to his parents.

Loved how they asked about the difference between organized and street ball

The day the NBA is played like street ball the NBA will die.

@ Supaflash, very true. I only look to Kobe for his work ethic.

About having a school foundation i agree. My passion is makin music and basketball, it has been since i was a kid but my parents made it clear to me that education was the most essential thing to obtain that could improve my chances of having the life i wanted. That's why i study law, it's something i love that can give me the income i want to live a comfortable life. Along the way i study music but i remember, law is my bread and butter while music is the passion, the dream, whatever you'd like to call it.

Kobe can do whatever he wants in the summer as long as he is not playing and is getting his rest and rehabing any injuries.

Hopefully he doesn't get dunked on