In his 17th NBA season, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant remained a dominant force, averaging nearly 39 minutes per game in pursuit of a sixth championship. While time had eroded some of his explosive athleticism, his basketball intellect was at its peak. This evolution was not lost on opposing coaches like Doug Collins, then with the Philadelphia 76ers, who observed how Bryant had refined his game, making every movement on the court calculated and purposeful.
Collins, in a 2013 interview, noted that for elite players, the game becomes more efficient with age. “As guys get older, for the guys who are really the savants, the game comes easier,” he explained. “They don’t waste energy… the game slows down. He knows where he wants the ball, how he wants to get it, how he’s going to get it and what he’s going to do to you once he gets it.”
Bryant’s methodical approach and relentless drive reminded Collins of another legend he coached: Michael Jordan. Having coached Jordan with both the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, Collins identified a shared core value between the two superstars—an unwavering commitment to playing every single game. “He and Michael both, a badge of courage for them would be playing 82 games, not winning the NBA scoring title,” Collins said. “He wants to answer the bell every night for his team and that’s what great players do.”
This shared philosophy extended to practical strategy. Bryant himself revealed that he learned how to endure the grueling 82-game season from Jordan. Rather than sitting out games for “load management,” Bryant adopted Jordan’s method of conserving energy during the game. “One of the things I learned from MJ when it comes to doing second nights of back-to-backs or when it’s the fourth game in five nights, you can alter your game a little bit,” Bryant explained. “I might be on the perimeter in the first two games, now I’ll slide down to the post… there are ways where you can kind of alter your game where you can get rest within the game but still be efficient.”
This intelligent approach to durability was a key factor in their remarkable longevity and sustained success. Bryant played for 20 seasons and Jordan for 15, both at an elite level, accumulating numerous championships and individual honors. Their dedication to being available for their teams every night not only defined their careers but also solidified their legacies as two of the most committed competitors in sports history.
