Kobe Bryant vs. Smush Parker: Does Character Matter?
As I seek to complete a Baylor MBA, I’m working on increasing my professional competence as well as my character. On occasion, I’ll come across a news article on the topic that makes me want to get a better understanding of the situation. The world of sports provided this example most recently:
(Now, full disclosure: this is a sports-related article and blog post…)
From time to time, a transcendent professional athlete appears who achieves greatness in his field and exhibits a great deal of professional character. Sadly, these examples are quite rare, for those who have great character seem to lack the talent level to achieve superstardom, and the overly talented usually often lack the “respect gene” in regards to others. I would argue that Kobe Bryant of the NBA falls into the latter category.
Over the course of his professional career, Kobe Bryant has garnered headlines for actions that have occurred both on and off the basketball court. He has provided his services to more championship teams than any currently active player, which is a grand accomplishment. However, he has had character issues which, in my estimation, prevent him from being a worthwhile role model.
The above article looks into a “war of words” between a player on a past team and Mr. Bryant. While every person is entitled to their own opinion on right and wrong, Mr. Parker makes a distinction that isn’t usually made of professional athletes.
“You can’t knock the man’s legacy, you can’t knock what he’s done in basketball. His work ethic is tremendous. There’s not an ounce of hate in my blood whatsoever. The guy can play basketball — you’ve seen that throughout his career.
“What I don’t like about him is the man that he is. His personality. How he treats people. I don’t like that side of Kobe Bryant.”
This brings up the halo effect that is so prevalent in American society today in regards to our professional athletes. American culture seems to believe that because a person achieves a certain level of success in the public eye, that person is equally as great in every area of life. This article is one of multiple articles that show Mr. Bryant to be less than respectful. However, a frustratingly high number of the commenters in the yahoo article write off the notion of character simply because of Mr. Parker’s lower level of perceived skill.
Too many people in our culture today are lenient on behaviors where discipline is required. As a result, there are a diminishing number of true role models in popular culture today, and this trend doesn’t appear to be reversing any time soon.