--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being a Cali kid and growing up watching…" description: "\"Being a Cali kid and growing up watching him play, everybody wanted to be like Kobe. He was a special player.\" — Aaron Gordon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cae/aaron-gordon-6882_growing-up_being-a-cali-kid-and-growing-up-watching_1218640.jpg" --- # Being a Cali kid and growing up watching him play… ![“Being a Cali kid and growing up watching him play, everybody wanted to be like Kobe. He was a special player.” quote by Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cae/aaron-gordon-6882_growing-up_being-a-cali-kid-and-growing-up-watching_1218640.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cae/aaron-gordon-6882_growing-up_being-a-cali-kid-and-growing-up-watching_1218640.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cae/aaron-gordon-6882_growing-up_being-a-cali-kid-and-growing-up-watching_1218640.jpg) > “Being a Cali kid and growing up watching him play, everybody wanted to be like Kobe. He was a special player.” [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Growing up idolizing a star athlete inspired many to emulate his greatness. **In simple terms:** Kids wanted to be like Kobe because he was special. Key Takeaway Recognize role models but forge your own path. Themes inspiration hero worship identity sports culture Mood admirational reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - youth sports camps - school mentorship programs - community basketball leagues - personal branding - career planning Key Concepts idolization legacy personal development Questions to Reflect On - Who inspires you beyond fame? - How can you honor a role model while staying authentic? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on imitation can stifle individuality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [I like Kobe, I like the way he approaches the game. He's a warrior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesean-mccoy/i-like-kobe-i-like-the-way-he-approaches-the-game-he-s-a-warrior/) [LeSean McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesean-mccoy/) > [Kobe is probably an idol for so many players. He was such a great player so you wanted to be like Kobe. He's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/kobe-is-probably-an-idol-for-so-many-players-he-was-such-a-great/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [The Laker brand and name itself is fantastic. When you have a guy like Kobe Bryant in that brand also, it takes it out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-horry/the-laker-brand-and-name-itself-is-fantastic-when-you-have-a-guy-like/) [Robert Horry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-horry/) > [I think there's a lot of different ways to win. You've seen teams that win championships with a super-duper star like Kobe Bryant. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-collins/i-think-there-s-a-lot-of-different-ways-to-win-you-ve-seen-teams-that/) [Doug Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-collins/) > [Give you ice like Kobe wife...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twista/give-you-ice-like-kobe-wife/) [Twista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twista/) > [Every since I started playing basketball, I wanted to be just like Kobe. To get to see him play in person, and to meet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/every-since-i-started-playing-basketball-i-wanted-to-be-just-like/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [I can't play like Kobe, man. There's only one Kobe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-young/i-can-t-play-like-kobe-man-there-s-only-one-kobe/) [Nick Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-young/) > [I like Kobe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-reaves/i-like-kobe/) [Austin Reaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-reaves/) > [If you are an Olympian you are considered to be the best, like Kobe and 'Melo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/if-you-are-an-olympian-you-are-considered-to-be-the-best-like-kobe/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [In my 20s, I could just power through stuff and be fine, but now, in your 40s? It's kind of like Kobe Bryant. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-wu/in-my-20s-i-could-just-power-through-stuff-and-be-fine-but-now-in/) [Daniel Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-wu/) > [Ballin on niggas like Kobe. Fuck all you haters you bore me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ace-hood/ballin-on-niggas-like-kobe-fuck-all-you-haters-you-bore-me/) [Ace Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ace-hood/) > [Money was an issue, but now that that's solved. I ball, I ball, like Kobe in the fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole/money-was-an-issue-but-now-that-that-s-solved-i-ball-i-ball-like-kobe/) [J Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole/) > [On August 24th we should remember Kobe, celebrate his life, and encourage the next generation to dream big just like Kobe did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/on-august-24th-we-should-remember-kobe-celebrate-his-life-and/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [All I used to want to do was shoot fadeaways like Kobe because he was my favorite player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-tatum/all-i-used-to-want-to-do-was-shoot-fadeaways-like-kobe-because-he-was/) [Jayson Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-tatum/) > [Guys like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, they'll take bad criticism in a good way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/guys-like-kobe-bryant-lebron-james-kevin-garnett-they-ll-take-bad/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) ## More by Aaron Gordon > [Everybody has bad days, but how you respond to it is a testament to whether you are a winner or a loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/everybody-has-bad-days-but-how-you-respond-to-it-is-a-testament-to/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [You know me, I work hard, but I play hard, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/you-know-me-i-work-hard-but-i-play-hard-too/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I've taken way too many shots in practice to count.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-ve-taken-way-too-many-shots-in-practice-to-count/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [If we win, everybody gets paid. That's how it goes and that's how it's always been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/if-we-win-everybody-gets-paid-that-s-how-it-goes-and-that-s-how-it-s/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [For as long as I have Orlando on my chest, Magic on my chest, I'm going to give it everything I have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/for-as-long-as-i-have-orlando-on-my-chest-magic-on-my-chest-i-m-going/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I love the game of basketball so to neglect one side of the floor, that's disrespecting the game to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-love-the-game-of-basketball-so-to-neglect-one-side-of-the-floor/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I'm kind of mobile like a guard, so when I'm dunking it doesn't look like a big guy dunking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-m-kind-of-mobile-like-a-guard-so-when-i-m-dunking-it-doesn-t-look/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I'm long, athletic and I'm not really somebody you want to try and shoot over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-m-long-athletic-and-i-m-not-really-somebody-you-want-to-try-and/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I love defense just as much as I love scoring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-love-defense-just-as-much-as-i-love-scoring/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I care more about the win than the stats, every single day of the week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-care-more-about-the-win-than-the-stats-every-single-day-of-the-week/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [To be D-POY is a goal. I don't think it's selfish and I'd love to be D-POY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/to-be-d-poy-is-a-goal-i-don-t-think-it-s-selfish-and-i-d-love-to-be-d/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [Everybody's a critic, including myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/everybody-s-a-critic-including-myself/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I want to set up after-school programs, have basketball camps for the kids and help in the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-want-to-set-up-after-school-programs-have-basketball-camps-for-the/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I play the game to the best of my abilities regardless of where I am on the floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/i-play-the-game-to-the-best-of-my-abilities-regardless-of-where-i-am/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [That's how I came into the league, defensive-minded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/that-s-how-i-came-into-the-league-defensive-minded/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) [Explore all 96 Aaron Gordon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) Brendan Mundorf > [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/) [Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/) > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being a Cali kid and growing up watching him play, everybody wanted to be like Kobe. 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