My favorite NBA player growing up was Gary Payton. I couldn’t emulate his trash talk, but I did everything I could to match his defensive intensity whenever I stepped on a basketball court. For me, steals, assists and locking down the players I was guarding were always more important than scoring loads of points.

I always thought every season was the one where he would win an NBA title, and sadly, for the most part, I was disappointed. I remember the 1998 playoffs where the Lakers knocked out the Sonics. It was mostly thanks to Shaq, Eddie Jones and Robert Horry, but Kobe did get in a few minutes here and there. I also remember Kobe dropping 45 on GP’s Sonics back in 2003 (including 12 three-pointers!).

Yet, there was also the 2003-2004 season where the Lakers brought Payton and Karl Malone on board for what seemed like the last best chance for either of them to win a title. While Payton did end up winning a title with the Heat, that Lakers team will probably always be considered as underachieving by some despite winning 56 games in the regular season. It was probably the most time I spent watching Kobe, and certainly the most time I spent rooting for him.

For as much as people talk up his stats on offense, I like to remind them that he was a 12-time All-Defensive Team selection. Like others have recounted countless times, his drive to be the best, most complete, basketball player is what elevated him above many of his peers. Becoming not just a prolific scorer, but also lock-down defender showed just how serious he was about his craft. That’s a lesson all of us can apply, whether it’s sports, jobs or family. Be the best you can be in the moment, and always strive for improvement.