Home > Work > The Mamba Mentality: How I Play
1 " 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 Bryant , The Mamba Mentality: How I Play
2 " 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. "
3 " you can manipulate an opponent’s strength and use it against them. "
4 " What I mean by that is: if I wanted to implement something new into my game, I’d see it and try incorporating it immediately. 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 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. "
5 " I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my game, but I also wasn’t willing to sacrifice my family time. So I decided to sacrifice sleep, and that was that. "
6 " Good coaches tell you where the fish are, great coaches teach you how to find them. "
7 " If you really want to be great at something you have to truly care about it. If you want to be great in a particular area, you have to obsess over it. "
8 " The only aspect that can’t change, though, is that obsession. "
9 " You have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light "
10 " Some people, after all, enjoy looking at a watch; others are happier figuring out how the watch works. "
11 " One of the main takeaways was that you have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light. Meaning: It takes a lot of work to be successful, and people will celebrate that success, will celebrate that flash and "
12 " When everyone else was thinking it was time for bed, his mind was telling him it’s time to get ahead of the competition. "
13 " If you want to be a better player, you have to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. "
14 " The key, though, is being aware of how you’re feeling and how you need to be feeling. It all starts with awareness. "
15 " A lot of people say they want to be great, but they’re not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness. "
16 " The only way I was able to pick up details on the court, to be aware of the minutiae on the hardwood, was by training my mind to do that off the court and focusing on every detail in my daily life. By reading, by paying attention in class and in practice, by working, I strengthened my focus. By doing all of that, I strengthened my ability to be present and not have a wandering mind. "
17 " From the beginning, I wanted to be the best. I had a constant craving, a yearning, to improve and be the best. I never needed any external forces to motivate me. "
18 " What separates great players from all-time great players is their ability to self-assess, diagnose weaknesses, and turn those flaws into strengths. "
19 " One of the main takeaways was that you have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light. Meaning: "
20 " Good coaches, however, teach you how to think and arm you with the fundamental tools necessary to execute properly. "