"I always tried to outwork people. That's just how I made my mark," former NBA player and Duke standout Jason Williams said during a recent interview. He also shared the story of how he once prepped for a game against the Los Angeles Lakers when the team's lineup consisted of none other than Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
"This is the championship Lakers. I'm going to get there at 3:00 (in the morning). I want to make sure I make 400 made shots before I go back into the room and sit in the sauna." Apparently, Williams wasn't the only one with that idea. As he walked into the stadium he saw Kobe Bryant already working out.
"I worked out for a good hour, hour and half," Williams said. "When I came off after I was done I sat down and of course I still hear the ball bouncing." Williams was floored Bryant was still working out, especially since he was already in a dead sweat when Williams arrived.
He decides to unlace his shoes and watch Bryant not only from a strategic standpoint but out of curiosity to see how long the former MVP planned on continuing his rigorous workout. "Another 25 minutes and he got done," Williams recalls. "I think I've seen enough," he remembers saying to himself. That evening Bryant scored 40 points.
After the game Williams asked Bryant about his famous work ethic so he could understand why Bryant put so much effort in improving his craft. "Hey Kobe, why were you in the gym for so long?" he asked. Bryant looked at him and said, "Because I saw you come in. I wanted you to know it doesn't matter how hard you work. I'm willing to work harder than you. You inspire me to be better."
Williams walked away thinking, "I need to start doing more."
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