When it comes to debates about a players’ greatness the conversation always ends up centering around how many a championships a player has won during their career. This also known on the streets as the ringz argument. And while winning a or multiple championships definitely adds support to an individual player’s overall career credentials, there is a whole lot more that factors into how great they truly are.
The ringzzz argument is what Kobe Bryant’s most loyal fans usually use when they debate the greatness of the Los Angeles Lakers legend, and unsurprisingly, the ultra-competitive Bryant feels the same way – winning it all is more important than anything else. At least that’s how Bryant is teaching his daughters.
During an interview with Al Michaels and Janet Evans, Bryant talked about how his daughters got a participation trophy for finishing fourth in a basketball tournament. Bryant was not a fan of his daughters getting the accolade but told them they need to use it for motivation so they can one day eventually win first in everything that they do.
.@kobebryant has the PERFECT philosophy on participation trophies pic.twitter.com/JQNab5im1U
— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) July 1, 2017
“I said, ‘Well, listen, you get the fourth-place trophy, you go home, you take the fourth place trophy, you put it up right where you can see it,” Bryant said. “And when you wake up in the morning, you look at the trophy, you remind yourself of what you’ll never win again.”
Bryant’s view on his daughters’ participation trophies shouldn’t be too surprising when you consider how he played during his 19-year future Hall-of-Fame career. He was at all times cutthroat and hyper focused on winning by any means necessary. So naturally, Bryant is imparting this type of winner’s mentality to his daughters, but he wants to make sure they understand that there’s a process to winning.
If we don't teach our children the fun inside of the process of winning AND losing then what are we teaching them? #play #learn #grow https://t.co/Z2p3nV3JQD
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) July 1, 2017
It’s a message one would expect a competitor like Bryant to pass along to his daughters. Kobe clearly wants his daughters to compete at the highest level, but is willing to celebrate all of their accomplishments as part of their growth and development.
