The Mamba Mentality: How I Play

by Kobe Bryant

if you want to be a better player, you have to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more.

I’ve never seen a player as dedicated to being the best. His determination is unparalleled. He unquestionably worked harder than anyone else I have ever played with.

Kobe knew that to be the best you need a different approach from everyone else.

When everyone else was thinking it was time for bed, his mind was telling him it’s time to get ahead of the competition.

He would challenge players and coaches to match his intensity, his desire, to bring their very best every single day, not just at games, but at practices, too.

From the beginning, I wanted to be the best.

You can’t achieve greatness by walking a straight line.

That’s the best advice I can give: listen to your body, and warm up with purpose.

I was curious. I wanted to improve, learn, and fill my head with the history of the game.

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. It’s—no lie—tiring.