Millions of people love Bryant and yet, many more hate him.
Bryant fans love his tenacity, intensity, and off the chart talent that enables him to be considered as one of the top ten players to ever play the game. His accolades and accomplishments from both an individual and combined team perspective have only fueled their fire.
Haters, on the other hand, can’t stand his arrogance. They can’t stand the comparisons to Michael Jordan. They can’t stand the smugness of his look.
But like it or not, Bryant’s career parallels that of Jordan’s in more ways than one can count, and both of their “me first personalities” have undeniably also been intrinsic to their winning ways.
It takes a man and not a mouse to win multiple NBA championships and MVP awards to go along with a Fort Knox sized treasure chest of awards and achievements.
It takes a man to win both off and on the court, and only a man can man-up to the most difficult situations.
And you can’t be a man without the ability to man-up in the face of intense pressure.
Wiktionary.org defines “man-up” as the ability for a man to "be a man about it; to do the things a good man is traditionally expected to do, such as: taking responsibility for the consequences of one's actions; displaying bravery or toughness in the face of adversity; providing for one's family, etc.”
Bryant has had to man-up by doing these things many times during his career, and as the head honcho of the L.A. Lakers, he has generously provided for fami...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
