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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 circ*mstance.
It was beautiful in the most tragic sense.
Under the Warrior Ethos, there is no quit. There is no fear. Only challenge and courage.
A famous warrior story embodying this spirit comes from the days of Sparta and the war general Dienekes at Thermopylae. As told by Steven Pressfield, author of "The Warrior Ethos",the Spartans had occupied a pass in fighting an army of Persian invaders. They had yet to see the army, but heard it was big.
Pressfield:
As the Spartans were preparing their defensive positions, a native of Trachis, the site of the pass, came racing into camp, out of breath and wide-eyed with terror. He had seen the Persian horde approaching. As the tiny contingent of defenders gathered around, the man declared that the Persian multitude was so numerous that, when their archers fired their volleys, the mass of arrows blocked out the sun.
"Good," declared Dienekes. "Then we'll have our battle in the shade."
At any cost, no matter the wear and tear he endured or the army he was up against, the Mamba invited the battle.
Kobe Bryant made it clear last month to Lakers management and the Lakers coaches that he was going to play 48 minutes each game until his team secured a playoff spot. He was essentially going to play until he couldn't walk anymore.
In Friday night's game versus the Warriors, his promise would ring true.
He hyper-extended his knee in the second half on a bang-bang play at the rim. A timeout was called, athletic trainer Gary Vitti rushed over. This warrior, like he had done so many times before, walked it off and continued to play.
Minutes later, another sprain to his knee. The pain evident on his face as he grimaced down the court in between plays. Still, this warrior walked it off and continued to play.
Then, like the crescendo of a Russian ballet, this superhuman was knocked down for a final blow.
He could not walk.
True to his word, Kobe Bryant played until he couldn't walk anymore.
Yet even after rupturing his Achilles, unable to lift his left foot, Bryant had business to take care of.
He was fouled on the play and given two free throw attempts.
Ankle on fire and the pain noticeable, Bryant dragged his lifeless left foot 30 feet unassisted from the bench to the free throw line for critical free throws in a close game with division rivals and playoff implications.
Two points. All net. No rim.
And that was it. This warrior's time was done.
His team pulled out the much-needed win, but the Staples Center crowd and Laker nation everywhere were left to think if this was the last time they'd see No. 24 in a Lakers uniform.
If it indeed was the last time, it was truly special.
The game's greatest warrior had fought his last battle.
There is a famous saying from history's most respected warrior culture:
The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy but where are they.
We'd be fools to doubt this warrior. Something tells me this wasn't the last time we'll see the Mamba.
As a sports enthusiast deeply versed in the ethos of athletes, particularly those embodying the Warrior Ethos, I can affirm that the article eloquently captures the essence of Kobe Bryant's unparalleled dedication to the code of conduct that defines a true warrior in the realm of sports. The narrative skillfully intertwines Bryant's tragic yet heroic moments with historical references, highlighting the enduring spirit of a warrior facing insurmountable odds.
Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Warrior Ethos: The Warrior Ethos, as described in the article, is a set of principles governing the conduct of warriors. It encompasses virtues such as courage, loyalty, self-command, and determination. Kobe Bryant is portrayed as a quintessential embodiment of the Warrior Ethos throughout his 16-year career.
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Kobe Bryant's Injury and Determination: The article revolves around the pivotal moment when Kobe Bryant tears his Achilles tendon during a game against the Golden State Warriors. Despite the blame game that ensues, the narrative positions Bryant as a true warrior who cannot be faulted because he knows no other way. His determination to play through injuries is likened to the Warrior Ethos, emphasizing the will to win under any circ*mstance.
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Comparisons with Other Athletes: The article draws parallels between Kobe Bryant's injury and the remarkable feats of other determined athletes in different sports. Examples include Adrian Peterson's recovery from a torn ACL and Robert Griffin III's impressive return from a torn LCL and ACL, both showcasing the spirit of warriors in their respective fields.
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Historical Reference to Dienekes at Thermopylae: The article incorporates a historical reference to Dienekes, a war general from the days of Sparta at the Battle of Thermopylae. The story, as told by Steven Pressfield, illustrates Dienekes' fearless attitude in the face of overwhelming odds, aligning with the Warrior Ethos. This reference serves to underscore the timeless nature of the warrior spirit.
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Kobe Bryant's Commitment to the Game: Bryant's commitment to playing through injuries and pushing himself to the limit is highlighted in specific incidents during the game against the Warriors. Despite hyper-extending his knee and experiencing pain, he continues to play, staying true to his promise to play 48 minutes each game until his team secures a playoff spot.
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The Final Battle: The climax of the article centers around Kobe Bryant's ultimate moment on the court. Despite rupturing his Achilles tendon and being unable to walk, he fulfills his commitment by dragging himself to the free throw line for critical shots. This act symbolizes the end of his on-court battles, leaving fans to ponder if it was indeed his last game.
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Spartan Saying: The article concludes with a famous saying from the Spartan warrior culture, emphasizing the focus on the challenge rather than the number of adversaries. This saying is applied to Bryant, suggesting that underestimating his determination would be foolish.
In essence, the article masterfully weaves together Kobe Bryant's journey, historical references, and the overarching theme of the Warrior Ethos to create a poignant narrative that resonates with sports enthusiasts and admirers of indomitable spirit alike.
