The Mamba Mentality: How I Play

by Kobe Bryant

One of the qualities that has made Kobe so successful, and always will, is his attention to detail. He always used to tell us: if you want to be a better player, you have to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more.

It’s all about putting me in the place I need to be in for that game. Some games required more intensity, so I would need to get my character and mind in an animated zone. Other games, I needed calm. In that situation, I wouldn’t listen to music. Sometimes, even, I would sit in total silence. The key, though, is being aware of how you’re feeling and how you need to be feeling. It all starts with awareness.

I never had a set routine, an ironclad formula that I practiced night after night. I listened to my body and let it inform my warmup, because there are always variables. If I felt the need to shoot extra jumpers, I’d shoot more. If I felt the need to meditate, I’d meditate. If I felt the need to stretch for a longer duration, I’d stretch. And if I felt the need to rest, I’d sleep. I always listened to my body. That’s the best advice I can give: listen to your body, and warm up with purpose.

essence, I’m trying to feel the energy of the environment and allow it to move through me. That then propels me and fuels me to have a great performance.

The mindset isn’t about seeking a result—it’s more about the process of getting to that result.