"The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconsistency." Jim Collins

Watching the NBA All-Star game and the announcement of the top 75 All-Time group of players, I couldn't help but remember my favorite Kobe Bryant moment.

I remember this day like it was yesterday (video above). In June 1997; I was sitting on my friend's couch watching the NBA playoffs.

I was a Los Angeles Lakers fan at this point in my life. I had idolized Magic Johnson and watched him and the Lakers win multiple championships.

I wasn't so sure about this Bryant kid. An 18-year old rookie drafted right out of high school showed some flashes of greatness. But I couldn't believe some of the out-of-place shots he took. Especially in big games!

In the playoff game above, he shot four airballs in five minutes. Four!

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was screaming, "Pass the ball!"

But he didn't, and he kept shooting airballs, and they lost.

Little did I know, 20 years later, he'd become one of the greatest basketball players of all time, hitting 36 game-winners, the most in NBA history.

So why is this my favorite Kobe moment? Because, like no other moment in his career, it spoke to his mentality and total belief in himself.

This belief came from his relentless work ethic, desire to get better, and trust that he would one day be considered one of the best in the world.

There are always consequences in shooting "airballs" in anything we do. But having the guts to shoot eventually outweighs the implications of the present.

The inverse of the Jim Collins quote above would be that the signature of excellence is relentless consistency.

Be consistent is your vision for where you want to go. Be consistent in not just your desire but the actions you take to get better. Don't be afraid to take chances.

As you continue to pay the price with failure, hard work, and consistency, your name might just one day be listed with the great ones!