The Mamba Mentality - Kobe Bryant

Reviewer’s Note:

My first memories of Kobe go back to my school days. As a young basketball player, it was a treat to my eyes to watch him play. Watching that Philly kid in that iconic Golden and Purple jersey dunk was my first image of NBA. That one image and I knew I was in love with his game. When he announced his retirement and then produced the 60pt explosion in the last game, my friends and I were screaming. When he said “Mamba Out”, we all were teary-eyed. Kobe, you’re a legend and will always be in the memories of every basketball fan. I hope this article adds some more fans to the long list you already have, and I hope it shows them what you and the Mamba Mentality stood for.

Book Review/ Summary:

When I was thinking about which book will be the best fit as the preliminary review, I was confused between some really good reads like, “Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson”, “The Google Story”, “The Magic of Thinking Big” amongst others. I started thinking about what is the one thing that makes both the younger generation and the older one jump out of their seats, which makes both the generations have equally big smiles, and the answer was clear, “Sports”. And the moment I thought Sports, I knew the first Book Had to be “The Mamba Mentality”.

A lot of people believe that the Mamba Mentality was developed for Athletes, which is partially true. But Mamba Mentality isn’t about sports, it’s about a mindset. As Kobe says,

“Mamba Mentality is all about focusing on the process and trusting in the hard work when it matters most. It’s the ultimate mantra for the competitive spirit. It started just as a hashtag that came to me one day, and it’s grown into something athletes, and even non-athletes, embrace as a mindset.”

The book is a picturesque description of the drills, the workouts, the strategies, the techniques, and the fundamentals that made Kobe Bryant go from the “Kid from Lower Merion High School, Pennsylvania” to “Kobe Bryant, The Legend”. It’s the perfect handbook for any Basketball Junkie.

For the non-basketball reader, I’ll share the things which made me fall in love with Kobe, all over again, after reading the book. Kobe started his days at 5 AM and worked out until 7 AM. Then he went home, spent time with his family, and then went again for two more training sessions from 11 until 2 and 6 until 8. He did this for nearly his entire playing career. He made a minimum of 500 shots every single day.

And all this is just the beginning. Kobe loved the game and was so passionate about it that to learn more about it, he read books related to basketball during ice baths (sitting in a tub full of ice for muscle recovery), and stretching sessions. During one of the seasons, he realized that his ankles need to be stronger to prevent injuries, and make him a better player. To do this he took up tap dancing sessions.

To take things further, he read the referee’s handbook to just scout the blind spots that the on-court officials have so that he could get away with fouls. He even studied video footage of games rigorously. Between games, Kobe developed strategies and techniques to take on the best players from the opposite team. He always wanted to take on the best player, and he never backed down from that challenge. May the opponent be taller, stronger, or bigger than him, Kobe always knew how to defeat and get around him.

Like any other athlete, injuries troubled Kobe as well. He may not have shown it on the court, but he writes about it. May it be Back Spasms, a torn ligament on the shooting hand or an Achilles tendon tear, he never backed down.

With years, even age started to trouble Kobe. However, he didn’t back down even then. He changed his pre and post-match routines, altered his training sessions, and made sure he was ready to be the best version of himself on the court.

And that’s what the Mamba Mentality is about. Never giving up. It’s about trusting your process and giving it you’re everything. Or as Kobe says, the “Mamba Mentality” is a “No lose” zone, where the only possible outcome is winning, and making whatever scarifies it takes to win.

And all this is just about one percent of the immense knowledge Kobe imparts in the book. If you’re a young basketball player, or someone seeking motivation or someone who just wants to see the path to greatness, this book is for all of you’ll. Do check it out.

Happy Reading.