Don't worry Kobe. We got this.

Many people only see limitations and obstacles. They encounter problems and turn away, viewing said problems as insurmountable. Kobe Bryant possessed what he called The Mamba Mentality. He saw challenges, options, possibilities. How dare anyone put limitations and borders on him and his mission. How dare any of you, Readers, put limitations and borders on what you can accomplish. His very being made us uncomfortable because we saw that, to LIVE such a life, requires faith, sacrifice, and discomfort. That was part of his strategy. As he wrote in Mamba Mentality: “I like challenging people and making them uncomfortable. That’s what leads to introspection and that’s what leads to improvement. You could say I dared people to be their best selves.” That’ll preach. The greatness of Kobe has very little to do with basketball; it has everything to do with a commitment to mastery.

Kobe Bryant, the man, died yesterday at the age of 41. The same helicopter that so reliably moved him from his Newport Beach house to Staples Center for the past 15 years, in the blink of an eye, crashed into the hills of Calabasas. His daughter, Gigi, also died. 6 other human beings died in the crash. “Kobe Bryant”, the symbol, will live on.

He represented the entrepreneurial journey of every creator: a commitment to something greater than yourself; mastery of craft; dedication, determination, and perseverance to achieve one’s mission; removal of dead energy around you; and an obscene, disgusting work ethic. If you didn’t fall in line and exhibit the same energy, go someplace else. We trying to be great over here.

Anyone doing anything meaningful should be saddened by the loss of Kobe Bryant. He was a living embodiment of hard work, determination, and singular focus on achieving his vision. The ups, the downs; the highs, the lows. And, Kobe knew plenty of both.

People often say Rest In Peace at such moments. I won’t say such a thing. Kobe didn’t “rest”. That’s what everyone else did. When you rested, he was putting in the work. When you slept, he was getting ahead. When you were wasting time doing whatever, he was on point. Always plotting to find an advantage; always looking for alpha. Somehow, someway even in death, he’ll get ahead. Even death can’t stop him. Fuck death.

Kobe was my idol. Yes, of course, because of the magic he performed on the court. But, that was just a small part. It was the commitment to mastery. The competitive drive to be the best. the sheer psychotic commitment to win. Studying sharks to learn how to best AI. Hitting 20 straight shots without touching the rim. Doesn’t matter if it’s basketball, a startup, being a father/mother, wife/husband, friend, boss/employee, human being, etc. You. Can. Do. Better. He was teaching that to his kids. May we pluck from his wreath.

People often joked with Kobe about his four daughters. He didn’t have a son to continue the legacy. Gigi would tell her father, “don’t worry, I got this.” Well, don’t worry Gigi, we got this.

Mamba out.