The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant
Date read: 4/5/23. Recommendation: 7/10.
Kobe Bryant’s firsthand account of his career, his work ethic, and his commitment to the game of basketball. Beautiful, coffee table book with incredible photography. I found Kobe’s perspective on preparation, playing the long game, and bouncing back from failure to be the most useful sections.
Check out my notes below or Amazon for details and reviews.
My Notes:
Preparation:
“More often than not, by the time I pulled in, Kobe would already be parked in the car next to my designated spot, taking a nap. He would be in the gym well before that, maybe by 6 AM to get his pre-practice workout done before anyone else showed up. That was the trademark of the final 10 years of his career.” Phil Jackson
“If I started my day early, I could train more each day.” Started at 5 AM and went until 7 AM, again from 11-2, and 6-8. By starting earlier he could set himself up for an extra workout each day.
“I never thought about my daily preparation. It wasn’t a matter of whether it was an option or not. It was, if I want to play, this is what I have to do, so I’d just show up and do it. My routine was grueling. It involved early mornings and late nights. It involved stretching, lifting, training, hooping, recovery, and film study. It involved putting in a lot of work and hours.” Kobe
Play the long game:
“I wasn’t scared of missing, looking bad, or being embarrassed. That’s because I always kept the end result, the long game, in my mind. I was always focused on the fact that I had to try something to get it, and once I got it, I’d have another tool in my arsenal. If the price was a lot of work and a few missed shots, I was OK with that.” Kobe
“The mindset isn’t about seeking a result—it’s more about the process of getting to that result. It’s about the journey and the approach. It’s a way of life. I do think that it’s important, in all endeavors, to have that mentality.” Kobe
Dedication to family:
“At the same time, starting early helped me balance basketball and life. When my kids woke up in the morning, I was there, and they wouldn’t even know I had just finished at the gym. At night, I’d be able to put them to bed, then go work out again during my own time, not theirs.” Kobe
“There’s a fine balance between obsessing about your craft and being there for your family.” Kobe
How you respond is what matters:
“At the end of my first season in the NBA, we had made it to the Semifinals, up against Utah. But in the deciding fifth game, I let fly four airballs, and we lost our chance at the title. Those shots let me know what I needed to work on the most: my strength. That’s all the airballs did for me. In that game, nerves weren’t the problem. I just wasn’t strong enough to get the ball there. My legs were spaghetti; they couldn’t handle that long of a season. How did I respond to that? By getting on an intense weight-training program. By the start of the next season, my legs and arms were stronger and I was ready to get it on. In the immediate aftermath, I was never concerned by how the franchise or fans would react. I knew I would put in the work, which is what I did. In fact, as soon as we landed I went to the Pacific Palisades high school gym and shot all night long. I went back the next day and worked. And I worked and worked and worked. In my mind, it was never a matter of, ‘Oh no, I’ll never get another shot at this.’ I felt that my destiny was already written. I felt—I knew—that my future was undeniable and no one, not a person or play, could derail it.” Kobe