Kobe Bryant: The Warrior Ethos and Pride of Sparta

The Warrior Ethos is a code of conduct. Virtues of courage, loyalty, self-command, determination, these are all tenets of the Warrior Ethos.

We've all known Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant to typify this way of life throughout his 16-year career. But it was on full display Friday night vs. (poetically) the Golden State Warriors when he tore his Achilles and became sidelined for  the season.

Blame gets passed around for the misfortune. Is Mike D'Antoni at fault for allowing his shooting guard to log 45+ minutes a night game after game in the playoff push? Should management and Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak have forcefully stepped in? Is Kobe Bryant responsible for the mishap?

Like a true warrior embracing the Warrior Ethos, Kobe Bryant cannot be at fault: he knows no other way.

Was this the final moment of Kobe Bryant's career? 

We've seen remarkable feats of rehabilitation from the most determined in sport lately. Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings recovered from a torn ACL in December 2011, defied all odds and returned ready for the season opener to gain 2,097 rushing yards and be named the league's MVP. 

Robert Griffin III is another, whose recovery from a torn LCL and ACL in this year's playoffs has been termed "unbelievable"by Dr. James Andrews, the foremost authority on ACL tears in the sport.

The Mamba is of the same ilk. A mere hour after rupturing his Achilles, Bryant said he's hearing the doubters in the back of his mind saying he won't be able to return from this injury and that its only going to fuel him to make a speedy recovery.



Return or not, what we saw Friday night was a warrior compete in a must-win game. This is what sport is all about.

The will to win under any circumstance.

It was beautiful in the most tragic sense.

Under the Warrior Ethos, there is no quit. There is no fear. Only challeng...

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