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The One

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 8. Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Game Worn ‘Achilles Tendon’ Kobe 8 Sneakers.

Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Game Worn ‘Achilles Tendon’ Kobe 8 Sneakers

Auction Closed

February 7, 04:52 PM GMT

Estimate

600,000 - 800,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Nike, Nike Kobe 8 Elite “Lakers Home”

Size 14

Circa 2013

There is no moment in Kobe’s career more emblematic of the ‘Mamba Mentality’ than ‘The Achilles Game.”

 

Perhaps more than anything else, Kobe Bryant is remembered as the perfect embodiment of the competitive spirit. Unrelenting, unforgiving, determined, and ultimately demanding the most from himself, Kobe pushed himself to be one of the greatest to ever play the game. At Kobe’s memorial service, Michael Jordan would say of Kobe, “This kid had passion like you would never know… Kobe left nothing in the tank.”

 

While Kobe was of course blessed with a natural gift for the game of basketball, what really set him apart from the competition was his unrelenting drive to make himself better, every day, no matter what. In that sense, he has become an inspiration, not just to a generation of athletes but also to a generation of business leaders who admire and try to emulate the Mamba Mentality. 

 

On April 12, 2013 against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, Kobe’s body seemed to be rebelling against him. Early in the second half Kobe hyper-extended his knee. He could barely walk across the court, hobbling on one foot and both of his hands to midcourt, trying to recover and get himself on both feet. He did, eventually, and he returned to action – contributing 32 points. 

 

Later in the game, with about 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter, Kobe went down again. This time, he was clutching his left heel. Reflecting on the moment in the Showtime feature Film MUSE Kobe said, “As soon as I made the move, I knew it. It feels like the shock absorbers in the back of your foot are just gone… I remember feeling the silence. I remember feeling the fear. 35 year old. 17, 18 years in the league. I’m like – this could be a wrap. And that’s what the silence was.”

 

Gary Vitti, the Athletic Trainer for the Los Angeles Lakers at the time, recalled the moment Kobe tore his Achilles tendon in an interview. 

 

The first thing Kobe said was, “I tried to pull it back down.” Reflecting on the moment, Gary thought, “No one has ever said that to me.” Gary replied to Kobe, “It doesn’t really work that way.”

 

Kobe wanted back in the game. “I’ve been trying to walk on my heel, to see if I could run on my heel, to see if I could play that way.”

 

“It don’t work that way.”

 

Desperate to return Kobe said, “Can we go in the back, maybe you can tape it up, I could finish that game?”

 

“It doesn’t work that way either.” 

 

The Lakers were in a tight game. Gary agreed to compromise. “I’ll let you shoot free throws. I’m gunna tell Coach. After the second free throw we’re going to fowl and get you out of the game.”

 

Kobe replied, “I’m shooting them.”

 

Kobe proceeded to the line, and in an iconic moment, standing on just one foot, Kobe shot his free throws. He drained both of them. Kobe had to be clawed out of the game. As he limped off the hardwood to go into the locker room, the entirety of Staples Center stood to give Kobe a standing ovation. 

 

Following the game Kobe limped over to his locker, using his crutches for support, preparing to give an interview to the Los Angeles sports media. One of the reporters asked, “If anyone’s going to get through this, its probably you right?” Kobe smiled and tearily bowed his head into his hands. “Oh man, shit.” Another reporter asked, “You’ve had tons of personal and professional challenges in your career. Is this at the top of the list?” Kobe, replied, “Yeah, you know, but it’s fueling me. It’s fueling me. I can feel it already.”

 

‘The Achilles Game’ is remembered as a perfect embodiment of Kobe’s spirit, an unrelenting desire to be the best at all costs, to put the game ahead of himself, and to the resilience he had to eventually recover and come back from his injury. 

 

Kobe posted on Facebook just following the injury the below: 

 

This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that?? 


I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me...Then again maybe not! It's 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I'm wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what's the purpose of social media if I won't bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever. 


One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day. 


"If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear". Ive always loved that quote. Thats "mamba mentality" we don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer. 


I know it's a long post but I'm Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.


Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru. 


Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always. 


Mamba Out

 

Kobe of course did return to the NBA. It was not the end of his story. 

 

"If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear."