What if Kobe Bryant went to college

Kobe Bryant came into the league during a time when the NBA saw a number of big names make the jump from high-school to professionals, skipping college, and thus skipping the development it brings. The high-school youth either made the transition well (KG, Jermaine O’Neal) or were disappointments, who struggled with the cosmic-like shift, resulting in the deterioration of development and self-confidence (Kwame Brown, Sebastian Telfair, etc.)

I think it’s safe to say The Black Mamba made that transition very nicely – 5 time NBA champion, 2 time Finals MVP, 1 Regular Season MVP, 15 all-star appearances and future Hall of Famer.

However, if we ponder over the idea of Kobe Bryant deciding to play collegiate basketball for Duke University – where he was expected to sign a letter of intent – what would be different in Bryant’s legacy? The breakdown actually sheds light onto the psychology of his machine-like work ethic, as well as the unwavering mind-set.

In 1996, a cocky 18-year old who had the world’s attention, joined an already ego-centric LA Lakers team with proven veterans, like Eddie Jones, Shaquille O’Neal and Nick Van Exel. Kobe Bryant was the youngest member on the squad, and from day 1 described as a loner in the locker-room. A young gun itching to prove himself and the talent he knew he possessed, but with no one to follow him. He was unproven when entering the Lakers squad, without the humbling guidance that Coach Krzyzewski would have instilled into Bryant at Duke.

And it hurt his first two seasons of growth – averaging 7 ppg, and coming off the bench as a trigger-happy scorer, before he developed other aspects and understandings of the game on his own.

Then there was the infamous game 5 against the Utah Jazz, Kobe’s first post-season. 3 game-winning shot attempts by the rookie – 3 air balls. If it were anyone else, let alone an 18-year old, after the first air ball attempt, they’re letting one of the other veterans take the next game-winning shot. But the Black Mamba had serious guts from day one, and jacked up two more. It says a lot about his confidence; he wanted greatness, and was not afraid to go after it.

One thing is certain – he worked on his own game, fuelled by his isolation and the huge chip on his shoulder. Bryant went hard at the gym regularly at the crack of dawn. It’s a high-level work matched by few in the history of the game, and one which he maintains to this day. It is also why that once he established himself as the best in the league, he never truly trusted anyone else with the ball – at least not instinctively. No one else around him has had his kind of work code. Since the end of the Kobe-Shaq era, the only person he ever trusted was Derek Fisher, his fellow ’96 draft class peer.

If Bryant had gone to college, showcased his dominance with boys his age, learnt to play with others (under Coach K he would’ve have to), the transition to the NBA would probably have been smoother, and his ability to mesh with teammates more amenable. Perhaps the relationship with Shaq would also have been different, prompting the dominant duo to stay together and win more titles.

This is a “what if” scenario that does not get much notice because of how supremely Kobe’s career has turned out. So who cares if he didn’t go to college? His drive to be great overwhelmed all obstacles for a 17-year old thrown into Hollywood amidst stars and glamour. He has more than lived up to it, and he earned it.

Still, Bryant now has to undo the approach and mentality he has adopted for 17 seasons. The same approach that kept him afloat through the tough beginnings, and eventually elevated him to greatness. A mind-set he had to take to survive, without the outlook collegiate basketball would have provided.  He must learn to trust his new teammates who were brought in help bring him more championship rings.

The Black Mamba is already starting to adjust to balancing his role as a scorer and facilitator, for the first time in his career. With the weapons at the Lakers disposal it is imperative for him to do so.

Kobe is also in a position to gradually pass on the torch to Howard, which he has held for so long, with grace. It would be a poetic ending to an already extraordinary tale.