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‘God Is Great’: Kobe Bryant’s 2006 Interview with Stephen A. Smith Provides Glimpse Into Faith

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
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By Lindsay Elizabeth
Author

January 27, 2020

In 2006 interview with Stephen A. Smith asked Kobe Bryant what he learned after what was likely one of the lowest times in his life and career. The NBA legend replied with three words: “God is great.”

In 2003, at the age of 24, a felony assault charge was filed against Kobe Bryant. Despite the accusers refusal to testify and the matter being settled outside of court, Bryant’s reputation and marriage were, for a time, severely damaged. This was the incident Stephen A. Smith was referring to in the interview.

Appearing on the ‘Quite Frankly’ show, hosted by Smith, an NBA analyst and radio host, Bryant shared what it meant for him to pick up his cross and follow Jesus.

‘May the Everlasting Word Bring Comfort’: Ravi Zacharias Issues Powerful Response to Kobe Bryant’s Death

Mike Todd, the megachurch pastor of Transformation Church, shared the interview to his Instagram on Monday morning.

“But what did you learn from that whole experience? Just having to go through what you went through?” Smith asks in the interview, not pointing out what he was talking about specifically.

“God is great,” Bryant answered.

View this post on Instagram

GOD IS GREAT

A post shared by Michael Todd (@iammiketodd) on Jan 27, 2020 at 5:31am PST

“Is it really that simple?” Smith asked.

“God is great,” Kobe responded again, adding, “it doesn’t get much simpler than that.”

“Did you know that? I mean everyone knows that but the way you know it now, did you know it before that incident took place?” Smith asked again.

“You can know it all you want, but until you have to pick up that cross that you can’t carry and he picks it up for you and carries you and the cross, then you know,” Kobe said.

Kobe Bryant’s Tragic Death Reminds Us How Fragile Life Is

Smith, who currently works for ESPN, opened up about Kobe’s death this week on ESPN 2.

“It’s just devastating,” Smith said, clearly emotional. “This is a guy I’ve known for his entire career,” Smith added, noting Bryant’s career on and off the basketball court.

‘May the Everlasting Word Bring Comfort’: Ravi Zacharias Issues Powerful Response to Kobe Bryant’s Death

“He laughed a lot more than people realized,” Smith added. “He was a great basketball player, he was a great father. He loved his wife Vanessa obviously, tremendously. And he was a great friend.”

On Sunday morning, Kobe, along with his daughter Gianna and seven other people, were killed in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The private helicopter was headed to Gianna’s Mamba Academy basketball game.

Social media erupted on Sunday when the news broke, and it has continued to be filled with posts honoring Kobe Bryant’s life.

Everyone from President Donald Trump to Justin Bieber has shared posts commemorating the life of the basketball star.

Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life. He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future. The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
View this post on Instagram

It can't be. You always encouraged me mamba. Gave me me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day.! Love you man!

A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:20pm PST

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