Kobe Bryant's impact on the game of basketball is unquestionable, the Black Mamba inspiring generations of players to strive for greatness.

The five championships, impeccable footwork and 20-year career didn't come easy, though. While many argue over just how great Kobe is on the all-time scale, few question how hard he worked at perfecting his craft in the gym and during practice hours. 

Bryant's work ethic is legendary, with story after story pointing to Kobe being one of the most driven NBA players ever. The all-hours-of-the-day-and-night workout tales are numerous, and former NBA player Jay Williams went on the record with his own encounter with Bryant's relentless drive. 

Williams was on the visiting end of playing the Lakers and decided to get in the gym early - so he thought - to sharpen his game before facing the Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Lakers. 

"The game was at seven... this is the championship Lakers. I'm going to get there at 3:00, and I want to make sure I make 400 made shots before I go back into the room and then I sit in the sauna and get ready for the game. Who do I see? I see Kobe Bryant, already working out.

"Once I set my foot across the line I started working out. I worked out for a good hour, hour-and-a-half. When I came off, after I was done I sat down and of course I still heard the ball bouncing. I looked down I'm like "This guy's still working out?" It looks like he was in a dead sweat when I got there," Williams said. 

After realizing Kobe was still getting after it, Williams watched him work for another 25 minutes before he finally wrapped up his pregame session. Bryant then went on to put that work to use in the ensuing hours. 

"That game he drops 40 on us. After the game is over I'm like "I have to ask this guy, I have to understand why he works like that." After the game I'm like "Hey Kobe, why where you in the gym for so long.

He was like "Cause I saw you come in and I wanted you to know that it doesn't matter how hard you work, that I'm willing to work harder than you," Williams said.

If there was any doubt that Kobe's work ethic bordered on insanity, this may be the story that finalizes it. That level of drive and competitiveness is what helped set Bryant apart from the rest of the NBA for two decades.