My Kobe Story

In 2003, I received a call that would forever change my life. It was from a client of mine with the Los Angeles Lakers, asking if I would be willing to work with Kobe Bryant—just one month after the alleged incident in Colorado. I didn’t hesitate. In less than a second, I replied, “Absolutely.” Two days later, I met with Kobe in Newport Beach. Neither of us knew it then, but that day would mark the beginning of a journey that would transform both of our lives in extraordinary ways. Over the next 17 years, we worked side by side to help shape one of the most remarkable personal and professional stories the world of sports has ever known.

 

Naturally, much of our focus was on his mental toughness and on-court mindset—what I do with all elite athletes—and together we achieved incredible results. But where we truly created magic was in the areas many athletes often overlook: his business and financial strategy, his home and family life, his relationships within the team and beyond, and long-term planning for a legacy that would endure long after basketball.

 

From the very first meeting, I knew Kobe was different. We spoke for nearly three hours that day, and at one point I asked him a series of simple but telling questions. I said, “What do you want to be as a father?” Without hesitation, he replied, “I want to be a great father.” I followed with, “What do you want to be as a husband?” He said, “I want to be a great husband.” Then, “What do you want to be as a man?” and he answered, “I want to be a great man.” Finally, I asked, “And what do you want to be as a basketball player?” His eyes sharpened as he said, “I want to be the greatest who ever played the game.” I nodded and told him, “Let’s focus on those first three things — and the rest will take care of itself.” And from that moment on, we went to work behind the scenes of his life, building something extraordinary.

 

Kobe went on to become known not only as one of the greatest to ever play the game, but also as an incredible father, a devoted husband, and an inspiring man. While debates will continue over where he ranks among basketball’s all-time greats, few will argue that he was the favorite son of Los Angeles and one of the most beloved athletes in America and around the world. I’m simply grateful I had the privilege to stand alongside him on that journey, one of the few fortunate enough to help shape the Kobe Bryant story into what it became: a true ICON of American Sports.