Why Everyone Should Strive for the “Mamba Mentality” – RIP Kobe Bryant
Image from @TopDawgEnt
When you hear the iconic name “Kobe Bryant” what’s the first thing you think of? Is it the memorable game-winners, championships, dunks, etc.? Or does it bring back memories of shooting paper balls into a trash can yelling “Kobe!” when we were younger?
Well whenever I hear Kobe Bryant the first thing I always think of is “mamba mentality.”
When the news broke yesterday morning, I and so many others had one of those “no way” moments, as you sit there frozen in disbelief.
Social media has been continuing to explode with those showing remorse for the legendary Kobe Bryant, who along with his daughter, Gianna, passed away in a helicopter crash…
These tweets below are just a few of the hundreds I scrolled through.
RIP Kobe 🙏🏾 I just got chills man I can’t believe this
— Myles Turner (@Original_Turner) January 26, 2020
Whatever it was you did, football, basketball, soccer, acting, whatever. Kobe inspired you to be better…
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 26, 2020
I’ll admit I was not a “huge” Kobe fan like many others I know, but I have nothing but immense respect for this iconic player. You can’t ignore the impact Kobe has had on countless individuals. He has been an inspiration to many.
I want to make this clear – the purpose of this post is not to capture attention and capitalize from a tragic situation. But instead share my thoughts on what the mamba mentality means to me, and why everyone should strive for this mindset.
What is the “Mamba Mentality?”
I kept going back and forth about whether to write this article or not, but I realized the concept of the mamba mentality aligns perfectly with the message I want readers to take away from Beers to Careers.
So what exactly is this “mamba mentality?” You can interpret Kobe’s motto however you want, but it’s all about his killer work ethic – having the willingness & determination to work harder than everyone else to be the best.
If you’ve ever followed Kobe’s career I’m certain you have heard the stories of his “military esque” workouts, and always being the first player in the gym even when he was injured.
In a story from ESPN, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh recalled a moment during Team USA preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics:
“Everybody else just woke up. We’re still stretching and yawning and looking at [Kobe] like, ‘What the f—?'” Wade said as he squinted into a frown and then burst into laughter. “We’re all yawning, and he’s already three hours and a full workout into his day.”
No corner-cutting, pure dedication to his career, never satisfied with immediate results, and the thought process of “others are getting better when you’re not.” These are all qualities that personify the mamba mentality.
Notable Kobe Bryant Quotes
Listed below are some notable Kobe Bryant quotes that illustrate what the mamba mentality is all about (Quotes from Everyday Power).
- “Once you know what failure feels like, determination chases success.”
- “I can’t relate to lazy people. We don’t speak the same language. I don’t understand you. I don’t want to understand you.”
- “Either way, I refuse to change what I am. A lion has to eat. Run with me or run from me.”
- “I don’t want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.”
- “Losers visualize the penalties of failure. Winners visualize the rewards of success.”
Jay Williams better explains Kobe’s mentality in the video below.
Final Take
Whenever I hear Kobe Bryant, I think of the mamba mentality. Kobe’s ability to positively impact others beyond his physical reach is a rare trait.
I look forward to reading his biography “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play” in the near future, and plan on writing a book review.
Basketball fan or not, the mamba mentality lives on forever and is a mindset that everyone should aspire to have in their lives.
RIP to both the legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna…
