The Forgotten Bravery of Kobe Bryant

Lorenzen Wright, Samaki Walker, and Todd Fuller were all drafted before Kobe Bryant.  What my younger readers don't realize is that Bryant took a huge risk going into the 1996 draft right after high school.  He was drafted 13th, by the Hornets, who had a deal with the Lakers to trade him to LA.

It could have gone badly.  While Bryant was a high school superstar, only big men like Moses Malone, Kevin Garnett, and Chocolate Thunder had gone directly to the NBA, and it took a 6'11" Garnett to break a decades long hiatus in prep to pro movement.

Bryant's move as an 18 year old was a risk.  6'6" guards are common.  One without college seasoning who is ready for the pro game is, and was, completely unheard of.  Bryant's decision underlies one of the basic tenets of success: risk.  They all say the same thing.  People from disparate backgrounds, with success in radically different fields all have the same message; you have to take risks.

What will be forgotten in the hagiographic articles about Bryant's death is the fact that he began his NBA career by risking everything on the judgement of The Legend Jerry West.  West, the Lakers General Manager, saw in Bryant what others did not.  It is not only a testament to West's ability to see talent, but Bryant's willingness to risk much in order to get his pro career started.

It was a risky roll of the dice, and it worked.  He took a huge risk, and it paid off.  We should all be so brave.