Get All Access for $5/mo

Kobe Bryant's Trashiest Trash-Talking Quotes of All-Time Listen to a man who ruled the NBA with his hands and his mouth.

By Dan Bova

Stephen Dunn | Getty Images
obe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers complains to the officials in the game with the Houston Rockets on November 15, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Kobe Bryant laced up for the last time last night as an NBA player, putting on a jaw-dropping 60-point performance against the Utah Jazz. He's done quite well for himself over the years, collecting five championships with his one and only team, the Los Angeles Lakers. He's amassed all kinds of trophies and records over the years, including two Olympic gold medals and four NBA All-Star Game MVPs.

As the third all-time scorer in total points, the man can clearly shoot. And as the following quotes gathered from ESPN attest, the man can also talk. We hope you find inspiration and motivation from the Black Mamba's celebrated mouth.

Better learn not to talk to me. You shake the tree, a leopard's gonna fall out.

The last time I was intimidated was when I was 6 years old in karate class. … That was around the time I realized that intimidation didn't really exist if you're in the right frame of mind.

When I have the chance to guard Michael Jordan, I want to guard him. I want him. It's the ultimate challenge.

I don't [expletive] with bees, man. Other than that, I'm not afraid of nothing.

I don't give a [expletive] what you say. If I go out there and miss game winners, and people say, 'Kobe choked, or Kobe is seven for whatever in pressure situations.' Well, [expletive] you.

Boos don't block dunks.

I was like a wild horse that had the potential to become Secretariat, but who was just too [expletive] wild. So part of that was [Phil Jackson] trying to tame me.

Losing is losing, there aren't different degrees of losing. You either win a championship or you're [expletive]. It's very black and white to me.

I feel like killing everybody every time I go to the arena.

Friends can come and go, but banners hang forever.

Mamba out!

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia ZoneRoad & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little Book of Awesome Stuff, and Wendell the Werewolf

Read his humor column This Should Be Fun if you want to feel better about yourself.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Living

70% of Small Business Owners Experience Monthly Burnout. Follow These 3 Rules to Avoid the Same Fate.

Here are three guidelines to help entrepreneurs achieve balance, growth and success in both their professional and personal endeavors.

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.