Kobe Bryant Once Chose Father Time Above Taking Over the Lakers Front Office: “I’m Staying Right on the Sideline and Coaching My Daughters.”

Published 12/27/2021, 7:30 AM EST

Kobe Bryant was a role model for several generations of people who grew up watching NBA basketball. Even today, people live their lives by the principles they learned from him. Even before the Hornets drafted him into the NBA and traded him to the Lakers on draft night, he was making heads turn. His impact on society extended much further than NBA Basketball. He showed people how to live their life and not the condescending way, but by leading through example.

If he had the option to take over from Magic Johnson after he stepped down as President of basketball operations, this is what he thought about it.

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If you understand the person Kobe Bryant was, one of the key things that mattered to him was family. Especially his daughters, who he loved immensely. So even after giving his entire professional life to the Lakers, he’d give it up to be with his family.

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What Kobe Bryant thought about running the Lakers

When Kobe Bryant appeared on the Ellen Show to help a fan make a shot to win her $25000, Ellen asked him an unexpected question. Since Magic had only recently stepped down back then, Ellen asked him if he would be taking over in Magic’s position. To this, he responded, “No! No! Nope! I’d be staying right on the sideline, coaching my daughters.”

Why did Magic Johnson step down as president of basketball operations?

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Magic Johnson stepped down as President of Basketball Operations in 2019. He stepped down abruptly, stating the reason that he wants to return to his old simple lifestyle. He stated he was “tired of all the backstabbing” and “whispering” that came with his job. Therefore, he stepped down from that position.

Since Magic was a Lakers legend, the natural narrative was that another Lakers icon should step up and replace him as the face of the franchise. Additionally, Jeanie Buss always wanted to involve Kobe more with the Lakers. However, Kobe made his priorities very clear right off the jump. His family always came first for Bryant. RIP Legend.

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Written by:

Chaitanya Dadhwal is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Even though his journalism is driven by his desire to understand both sides of an argument and give a neutral perspective, he is biased towards Houston Rockets and Arsenal, and he has shown exactly how loyal he can be through tough times. Currently a Law student at Jindal Global Law School, he aims to have his own sports management firm one day and enjoys rap music during his time off.

Kobe Bryant Once Chose Father Time Above Taking Over the Lakers Front Office: “I’m Staying Right on the Sideline and Coaching My Daughters.”

What Kobe Bryant thought about running the Lakers

Why did Magic Johnson step down as president of basketball operations?

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