Kobe Bryant’s thoughts about participation trophies are perfectly Kobe

Kobe Bryant’s remained busy since retiring after 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s dabbling into film, digital content, and technology. Now, he’s been named as a member on the board of directors for Los Angeles’ 2024 Summer Olympics bid.

Kobe, Al Michaels and Janet Evans made the big announcement together on Facebook Live, but the trio’s casual chat was the best part of the event. Bryant, of course, had a few gems that must see the light of day.

Michaels asked Kobe how he’d been keeping busy. He’s making short form content or expanding on his #musecage, but he’s also making time to drag his oldest daughter Natalia with him to work out in the wee hours of the morning .

“Aside from those things, I've convinced my 14-year-old daughter to start training with me at 5 a.m. in the morning. Just working out, it's good quality time to spend with your kids, at five in the morning,” Kobe joked.

“She hates it, she fights me every morning.”

Of course Dad Kobe is instilling that #MambaMentality on his daughters. Even better than that, though, was his response to Michaels asking about his thoughts on participation trophies.

“My kids are playing basketball and came in fourth place in the tournament. They were like, disappointed, getting ready to leave. 'No, you guys have to stay for the ceremony,' they said. ‘What ceremony?’ 'Oh you guys get fourth place trophies.' What!? That exists? All the kids were disappointed, 'we don't want a fourth place trophy!'

“So I said you get the fourth place trophy, you go home, you put it up right where you can see it. When you wake up in the morning you look at it, and you remind yourself of what you'll never win again,” Kobe said.

And that is your routine reminder that the Black Mamba really is the GOAT.

*All quotes transcribed via Facebook Live