"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot"
About this Quote
The subtext is also image-control, in the smartest sense. Bryant’s brand was built on alpha confidence, relentless shot-making, the myth of the closer. By naming the bench and the water cup, he preempts the oldest critique of superstars: that they’re only committed when they’re centered. He’s telling teammates, coaches, and fans that buy-in isn’t conditional on spotlight. The promise isn’t “I’ll sacrifice”; it’s “I’ll subordinate everything to the scoreboard,” which is more intense than altruistic.
Context matters: Kobe’s career spanned phases when he was the unquestioned engine and moments when the roster, coaching decisions, or injuries forced adaptation. This quote reads like a player who understands dynasty basketball is a machine with many unglamorous parts, even if he’s usually the chrome. It also signals leadership by example, the kind that doesn’t romanticize chemistry but treats it as another skill to master. Winning, for Kobe, isn’t a moment. It’s a posture.
Quote Details
| Topic | Teamwork |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Bryant, Kobe. (2026, January 15). I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/ill-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win-games-whether-its-32345/
Chicago Style
Bryant, Kobe. "I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot." FixQuotes. January 15, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/ill-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win-games-whether-its-32345/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot." FixQuotes, 15 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/ill-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win-games-whether-its-32345/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.




