NBA great Kobe Bryant wrote The Mamba Mentality: How I Play.
On Mindset
“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.” Trust the process.
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success.” No excuses
On Work Ethic
“I saw every day as a chance to get better. That’s why I started my workouts at four a.m.” Do the unrequired work.
“I wasn’t the most talented. I wasn’t the tallest. But I was relentless.” Relentless
On Preparation
“Everything was done to become a better basketball player. Everything. Everything.” Deliberate practice
“I practiced as if I was in a game. So when the moment came in the game, it was automatic.” Chase perfection
On Pain and Adversity
“If I could play through the injury, I played. I don’t think about it. I just move through it.” Keep going
“I never felt pressure. I trained for it. That’s why I was prepared when everyone else was panicking.” Train for pressure
On Love for the Game
“Basketball is everything. This is not a job. It’s what I do, it’s who I am.” Passion to play
“I played through sweat and pain, not because challenge called me, but because you called me.” Calling
Lagniappe. Cartoon book review - discipline, preparation, persistence.
Want an effective way to practice free throw shooting in practice?
— Chris Oliver (@BBallImmersion) May 3, 2025
Randomize it. Shoot 2. Get back to practice. Representative of the game because the game has starts and stops, and free throws in random moments. pic.twitter.com/j4lUZjAMRJ
