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3 ways Boston Celtics stars can show the “Mamba Mentality”

By Andrew Hughes

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: A detail of a tribute in remembrance of former NBA player Kobe Bryant who died in helicopter accident on Sunday, during the first half between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Arena on January 28, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: A detail of a tribute in remembrance of former NBA player Kobe Bryant who died in helicopter accident on Sunday, during the first half between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Arena on January 28, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Gordon Hayward: persevere through injuries

The basketball career of Kobe Bryant was defined not only by titles, but by perseverance. Bleacher Report once took a look at the injury history of the late great Bryant and boy, was it quite the laundry list of ailments.

Bryant was a different breed of warrior. As Joshua Sexton pointed out in his piece, the “Black Mamba” played with injuries that would have sidelined lesser men:

"There is no doubt Kobe Bryant is one of the most polarizing athletes of all time. But whether you love him or hate him, there is no doubting the man’s uncanny pain threshold, which he has exhibited time and time again throughout his career. Kobe often plays through injuries that would likely sideline some of his contemporaries for weeks."

He would go on to describe a grand total of 11 injuries. The piece, keep in mind, was written before his torn Achilles heel in 2013 that forced him to miss most of the 2013 postseason and much of the 2013-14 season.

Bryant was an inspiration for playing through injuries. Now, in his honor, Gordon Hayward has to do the same.

Hayward’s gruesome ankle injury during the opening contest of the 2017-18 season was one that kept him out for the entire season and had ramifications deep into the following year. With that seemingly behind him, Hayward had a scorching hot start to the 2019-20 season.

That said, he was injured again and missed time due to a fractured hand. Now that he is back, the best way to honor Bryant’s legacy is to live the way Kobe asked Hayward to in his lengthy Instagram post after the injury:

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