"I Fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times" - Bruce Lee.
This week's edition focuses on the wisdom, principles, and mindset of basketball legend Kobe Bryant through his notable work in the book "Mamba Mentality," which he authored.
Introduction: Quick Back Ground on Kobe Bryant
Born August 23rd, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
18 Years Old when Kobe made his NBA Debut
He becomes the Youngest player to score in the playoff game
Devoted to the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 Seasons, the longest tenure by anyone in the history of the NBA
Won 5 Championships for Lakers - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010
Won 2 Final MVP Awards
18 Times NBA All-Star Awards
Was part of 2 time USA Olympic Gold Medal Winning Basket Ball team
He Scored 60 Points at Age 37 in his final NBA Game, the most by any player in the 2015-16 Season
He ended his career with an all-time record of 33,643 Points, just behind Kareem Abdul Jabber and Karl Malone in the History of the NBA
Post-retirement, he focused on various business ventures and storytelling in particular.
He won the Oscars for Best Animated Short Film for "Dear Basketball" in 2018
He Passed away on January 26th, 2020, in a helicopter crash in California along with his daughter Gianna and seven others.
He was undoubtedly the greatest of all time on the field of basketball.
Chapter 1: Mindset
From the beginning, I wanted to be the "Best." I had a constant craving to improve and be the Best.
Inspiration came from the Love of the Game.
I never needed external forces to motivate me.
I didn't need the extra push to be Great. From Day 1, I wanted to dominate.
By Reading and paying attention to details in class and practice, I strengthened my focus and ability to be fully present and not have a wavering mind.
I have always tried to train and prepare intelligently.
As I got older, my pre- and post-match workout routine evolved. The one aspect that hasn't changed is my Obsession with the game.
You need to enter every activity every single time with a definite want and need to do it to the best of your ability.
I always liked the peace and calm of the Arena before everyone else got there. It was just me, the court, and my imagination and dreams.
In Essence, I try to feel the environment's energy and allow it to move through me. This propels me and fuels me to perform well.
I never felt outside pressure. I knew clearly what I wanted to accomplish and how much work it took to achieve these goals.
The expectations I had set far for myself were higher than anyone expected.
Winning Championships is one of the greatest joys on this planet. That feeling drives me always to want more.
The drive stemmed from being part of the rebuilding process after struggling for a few years and working and working to reach that pinnacle. I never wanted to experience the familiar feeling of defeat.
The Game is full of ebbs and flows—the good, the bad, and everything in between. With all those going around me, I had to figure out how to steal my mind to remain calm and centered and return to its original space before things spiraled.
Chapter 2: Work Ethics
Starting early, I could set myself up for extra workouts each day.
Over the long horizon, that's a lot of extra hours in the Gym.
My midnight workouts have become a legend. They were purposeful, born from a mix of real-world responsibilities and relentless obsession for the game.
I never thought about my daily preparation. If I want to play at this level, I have to do this, so I'd show up and do it.
My Routine was grueling. It involved early mornings and late nights, stretching, training, lifting, hooping, recovery, and film study.
It involved lots and lots of hours. It made me stronger and more prepared during the season's peak and playoffs.
Chapter 3: On the Importance of Mentor
It's important to Cultivate relationships with the Greats who came before.
It's important to have them, those north stars, who you learn from and look up to,
The game's greats taught me the lessons that gave me the edge to outplay my competition.
I revere the players who made the game what it is and cherish the chances I had to pick their brains.
They would have already encountered any nuances of the game and its play.
Instead of reinventing the wheel, talk to them to learn how to deal with those challenges.
Chapter 4: On Greatness
If you want to be great at something (or) in a particular area, you need to care for it, to be obsessed with it.
Many people say they want to be great but are unwilling to sacrifice to achieve greatness.
They have other concerns, and they spread themselves out. After all, Greatness is not for everybody.
Greatness requires a lot of time, sacrifices, tough choices, and sacrifices of your loved ones and family.
People do not understand how much effort and effort many put into one person chasing a dream to be great.
You can't achieve greatness by walking a straight line.
What separates great players from all-time great players is their ability to self-assess, diagnose weaknesses, and turn those flaws into strengths.
Chapter 5: On Curiosity
I wanted to improve, learn, focus, and fill my head with the game's history.
I devoured real-time game films and watched everything I could get my hands on.
Watching, studying, and asking the most important questions was always fun.
The biggest element that changed over time in that film study eventually became imagining alternatives and options in addition to the finite details of why some actions work, and others don't in the games.
No Matter with whom I was, I would fire question after question, regardless of the situation.
A lot of people appreciated my curiosity and passion for the game.
My Approach has always been that I would rather risk embarrassment now by asking these questions, regardless of response, than be embarrassed later when I've won zero titles.
Chapter 6: Craft Building, Peak Performance, Mastery
I learned a lot by studying and watching the greats across different fields. One of the main takeaways is you need to work hard in the dark to shine in the light.
It takes a lot of hard work to be successful. Behind success are dedication, focus, and seriousness, which all outsiders never see.
The commercials and contracts will disappear if you stop being dedicated to the craft.
I was an absolute perfectionist in everything, including the sneakers I wear and the technology that went into them. I cared about every fine detail.
I didn't want anything to distract me from the game instantly. Sneakers don't have to be comfortable; they should help you perform better.
My Balance as a young player is off. During the play, Michael Jordan and I had a teaching moment. There was a photo of our respective postures. After studying it, I corrected my posture and balance.
It's to the point where if you know the basics right, you have an advantage over many others.
Chapter 7: On Being Innovative & Creative
I hurt my ankles and realized I needed to strengthen them proactively. After researching, I found that Tap Dancing was the best way to build my ankle strength while improving my foot speed and rhythm.
I had a Finger injury. I could not use my first two fingers for the point of release, so I trained and practiced to release from the middle finger. Making this change took a lot of practice. I had to mentally download the software and the new form and then drill it in.
Kobe Bryant won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2018. He was awarded for his work on "Dear Basketball," a short film based on a poem he wrote announcing his retirement from basketball. This achievement made Bryant the first professional athlete to win an Academy Award.
Chapter 8: Importance of Coaches
Coaches are teachers.
Good Coaches teach you how to think and arm you with the fundamental tools necessary to execute properly.
They make you understand the game.
Good Coaches tell you where the Fish are.
Great Coaches teach you how to find them. That's the same at every level.
Chapter 9: Leadership Philosophy
I liked challenging people and making them uncomfortable.
That's what leads to introspection and improvement.
I dared people to be their best selves.
I started doing homework and watching how every player behaved.
I learned their histories and listened to their goals. I learned what made them feel secure and where their greatest doubts lay.
Once I understood, I could help bring out the best in them by touching the right nerve at the right time.
Wrap: On Mamba Mentality
The Mindset isn't about seeking a result.
It's more about the process of getting that result.
It's about the journey and approach.
All endeavors need to have that mentality.
Even after reaching the pinnacle, it was never enough for me
I always wanted to do better. Wanted more.
I can't explain it other than my Love for the Game, which fueled me until I hung up my boots.
All the above facets explain this Mamba Mentality, it’s way of Life for Kobe.
Final Words from Kobe
"Basketball took me everywhere. The Game provided me with every opportunity I could have imagined, and I learned an innumerable amount along the way.
Without basketball, I would not have understood how to create or write. I would not understand human nature, nor would I know how to lead.
The game taught me the Art of Storytelling. Without it, I would not have an Emmy or an Oscar.
I would not have creative dreams and visions still to unfold.
Basketball took me everywhere. Now Iam taking the game everywhere."
Inspiration Corner
Kobe Bryant on Greatness
https://youtube.com/shorts/3OO4rWMYZvM?si=yf49Yq5FHt2W_dxN
