What made the game special was that it was Kobe Bryant’s lastgame as a professional. Bryant has been the franchise player forthe Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years, so the historical significancealone made it special.

However, in his typical style, Bryant didn’t just wave to fansand toss up a few shots. He gave 100% in a record setting,jaw-dropping performance that was among the best of his amazingcareer.

Bryant scored 60 points, not only the most by a player in hisfinal game, but also the most by any player in a game thisseason.

His effort also resulted in a come-from-behind win.

This year’s 17-65 record was the worst in Lakers franchisehistory, but you wouldn’t know it today in Los Angeles. Bryantjerseys are everywhere and the city is rocking a seriousafterglow.

Bryant’s performance was also special because he is no longer alightning quick, high-flying prodigy. He’s someone with whom manyof us can relate: Old man Kobe.

I don’t think he dunked the ball once. He missed free throwsbecause his stiff knees don’t bend very well anymore. He washuffing and puffing and straining to stay in the game in the fourthquarter.

He achieved the win and new record through sheer willpower,which is his hallmark.

Love him or hate him, Bryant offers plenty of lessons forbusiness executives.

1. Talent means nothing without effort. There’sno doubt Bryant is an extremely gifted athlete. However, colleges,high schools and playgrounds across the country and around theworld are filled with talented athletes. Bryant’s work ethicdetermined his success. He was the first player to arrive topractice and the last one to leave, and he never, ever gainedweight or got out of shape during the off season.

Bryant didn’t just work hard for the Lakers, either. One year,while preparing for the Olympics, he practiced from 4 a.m. to 11a.m., refusing to leave the court until he made 800 shots. FellowOlympic players said they’d often shuffle into the team breakfastat 7 a.m. and find Bryant there, drenched in sweat with ice packson his knees, because he’d already put in three hours in the gym.And then, he’d join them for the regular team practice.

2. Not everybody will likeyou. Likeability is important for an entertainer, andprofessional sports are a form of entertainment. Bryant is verywell liked in Los Angeles, but many consider him to be the NBA’sworst villain. In fact, during his last game, Nike poked fun with anew commercial entitled The Conductor, in which Bryantdirected a choir of haters, many of them famous faces who havepublicly criticized him.

Winning isn’t everything, but it’s very important, especially ifit’s your primary job responsibility.

I know plenty of credit union industry executives - and a fewregulators - who have as many industry enemies as they do fans.These men and women have succeeded to the benefit of their membersand stakeholders, and that’s what matters most because that’s whatthey were hired to do.

Too often, the credit union community cares too much about whatother people think, and as a result, we miss out on opportunitiesfor success.

3. Be audacious. One of the main reasons peopledon’t like Bryant is because he’s so audacious. The nerve of that guy, to always take the game winning shot andshrug off his critics. In fact, Bryant seems to feed off criticismas if he’s driven, in part, by spite.

I’m not a big Lebron James fan for the same reasons peopledislike Bryant. The nerve of that guy, arrogantly announcing hewould take his talents to Miami, only to return to Cleveland, wherefans just a few years prior had burned his jersey. Who does that?Lebron James, that’s who. And because he did, the Cavaliers made itto the NBA Finals last year, bringing joy and revenue to a citythat needs both: Cleveland’s 8.5% unemployment rate is more than200 basis points above the national average and its job growth isflat.

4. Be loyal. Few professionals spend theirentire careers with the same employer, but Bryant spent all 20years with the Lakers. He is the only NBA player to do so,outlasting John Stockton and Tim Duncan, men better known for theirloyalty. Those two played 19 years with the Utah Jazz and SanAntonio Spurs, respectively. (Still active, Duncan could tie thatrecord next year.)

Bryant's team loyalty was underscored by a star-studded group offormer teammates who joined him on the court after the game.Shaquille O'Neal, Gary Payton, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, Rick Foxand several others attended the game to support theircolleague.

Bryant considered leaving the Lakers a few times. He almostjoined the Chicago Bulls in 2007. But, he didn’t. He referencedthis during his post-game speech to fans, saying while he’s proudof his Lakers championships, he’s more proud of the years he stuckwith the team during losing seasons.

5. Follow your dream. Bryant stayed with theLakers because he grew up a Lakers fan and always dreamed ofwearing purple and gold. Not everyone can grow up to play for hisor her favorite professional sports team, but without that dream,it’s impossible. The dream also fuels hard work, loyalty, audacityand the ability to shrug off criticism, which are crucial forsuccess.

Heather Anderson is executive editor of CU Times. She can bereached at [email protected].