Mamba Mentality is as informative as it is nostalgic. If anything, it is a case study on greatness, a personal account of what it took and what it takes to be better-than-good.
“A lot of people say they want to be great, but they’re not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness. They have other concerns, whether important or not, and they spread themselves out. That’s totally fine. After all, greatness is not for everybody.”
As a long-time and die-hard Kobe Bryant supporter, I found solace and inspiration in these little vignettes about the way he approached his playing career. My favourite is perhaps his thinking around balancing the demands of his standard of work and family. He wouldn’t compromise on either, so that left the decision easy, he simply didn’t sleep as much. What’s most impressive about this is that he maintained it across two decades without compromising on performance (clearly, see 5 rings & 7 finals) and on his relationship with his family. If normal people do this, they would probably burn out after a month or two.
Like he says, greatness is not for everybody, and in recent generations, perhaps this idea has been lost to the wind. Nowadays everyone can be great, or so that’s what we’re told when we’re young – we don’t hear about the sacrifices required to get there.
“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.”
Verdict
Recommended. I already knew I would love it. If you like, or respect, Kobe Bryant in even the smallest way, I know you will too.