Long before he became an integral member of the Sixers‘ starting lineup, Kelly Oubre began his athletic journey by learning the art of Taekwondo. His inspiration? Legendary martial artist, actor, filmmaker, and philosopher Bruce Lee.
As a child, Oubre watched Lee’s films on TV or from his father’s DVD collection and quickly resonated with the core ideals of Lee’s martial arts.
“[Bruce Lee] kind of pioneered the whole thing with Jeet Kune Do,” Oubre said. So, it was a free-form style of fighting but with all the basics, foundations, and structures. But that goes to show how creative he was and how locked in he was in being different and elevating something that not a lot of people wanted to step on toes and do.”
Of Lee’s various ideologies, one Oubre particularly associated with was the idea of one being like water, something Oubre has referenced constantly throughout his career, an idea that is rooted in disciplined mental fortitude.
“Mental toughness, mental strength, and just all the positive things you could do to strengthen yourself, mind, body and soul. [I] just think that he put it as simple as anybody else could put it, being like water, formless, shapeless, and just trying to just go with the flow. Life throws a lot of things at us, but, you know, the mentally strong ones always endure everything.”
As for what that looks like within the context of basketball, Oubre broke down the correlation.
“I mean, obviously there’s a lot of possessions in the game of basketball, the business of basketball. [With] the fans nowadays, you just got to be mentally strong. Be mentally tough. You know, take what the game gives you, but also understand that you have to perfect your craft and come out each and every night with the same constant energy, and that’s what’s kind of helping me get through in my career.”
“It’s just finding that digging deep, you know? Some days, it’s harder than others — like today is a back-to-back — finding that energy, finding that that just that go mode, but at the end of the day, man, I know who I am, and that’s because I just try to be like water. If I don’t feel that well, I can still affect people’s lives, affect the game, affect the team, in other positive ways.”
Water has been the theme throughout Oubre’s career. He’s been called Wave Papi, now Tsunami Papi, and even once said that Monsoon Papi was probably the next step in his evolution. As far as if he feels he’s still on that trajectory, Oubre is focused on continuing to evolve.
“I’m just trying to be better each and every year, each and every day. So, as long as I keep evolving and keep studying, becoming a student and staying a student. I think that I’ll just continue on the same track.”
Following a team practice in January, Nick Nurse spoke about his desire since Oubre joined the team to have him become the focal point of the team’s perimeter defense, particularly at the point of attack.
“He told me he’s been watching me my whole career. And he said that when I went to Charlotte, I kind of just more so focused on offense, and I got away from my bread and butter. So you know, what this team needed of me, and needs of me, is just to come back and find who I am and find that core root of myself, and defense is my bread and butter, obviously, defense and offense, but just kind of getting back to myself because he sees the physical attributes, you know, the athleticism and stuff like that. So, you know, blessed enough to have a coach who brings that out of me.”
Paying defense resonates with Oubre on a metaphysical level — a spiritual level even. Playing in Philadelphia has allowed Oubre to return to playing within himself.
“Yeah, man, you know, I’m a spazz,” Oubre said. “So I like to just go out there and just, you know, play hard on both ends of the floor, but also, you know, get stops, get extra possessions from my team. And it’s just, it’s a good feeling on the inside whenever I can get a defensive stop.”
Oubre has been guided by Bruce Lee’s principles throughout most of his life and remains a student of his philosophies. That foundation on which he has built much of his life has helped him endure the various changes throughout his career.
In Philadelphia, Oubre has been able to rediscover himself, enjoying perhaps the best season of his career. More importantly, Oubre has found a new home for himself and his family, potentially for years to come.
“I feel like I’m at home. Obviously, my kids love it here. My family loves it here, and you know I love it here, just to go out and bring a championship to these fans and this city, man. I think that that would be the best thing that ever happened in my life.”
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