#273 Kobe Bryant (Mamba Mentality)

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Oct 26, 2022

Explore the essence of Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality, emphasizing the sacrifices required for greatness. Discover how obsession fuels success and the importance of learning from past legends. The discussion links competitive sports with entrepreneurship, showcasing essential skills and emotional resilience. Uncover insights on relentless self-improvement and the power of consistent reading, all while paying homage to the journey of those who strive for excellence. Dive into the mindset needed to truly master one’s craft.

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ADVICE

Chasing Greatness

To achieve greatness, obsess over your craft and make sacrifices.
Greatness demands dedication and tough choices, affecting loved ones too.

ADVICE

Practice and Profit

Practice constantly to improve your profession.
Learn from the greats and apply that knowledge for profit as a founder.

ADVICE

Read Daily

Read consistently for self-improvement and success.
Even a small amount of daily reading can make a significant difference.

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Showboat

The Life of Kobe Bryant

Roland Lazenby

In 'Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant', Roland Lazenby provides a comprehensive and detailed portrait of Kobe Bryant. The book covers Bryant's life from his ancestral influences and childhood, where he was exposed to basketball through his father Joe Bryant, to his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Lazenby uses extensive research and numerous interviews to reveal the complexities of Bryant's public image, his personal life, and his relationships on and off the court. The biography is praised for its thoroughness and engaging writing, making it an essential read for basketball fans and those interested in sports biographies.

The Mamba mentality

How I Play

Kobe Bryant

In this autobiographical book, Kobe Bryant shares his insights on his life and basketball career, highlighting his detailed approach to preparation, both physical and mental. The book includes Bryant's reflections on his leadership, his techniques on the court, and how he studied and competed against other players. It is accompanied by photographs from Hall of Fame photographer Andrew D. Bernstein, capturing Bryant's career from his first to his last NBA game. The book offers a deep dive into the 'Mamba mentality,' which emphasizes the journey over the result and the importance of hard work, dedication, and mental preparation.

Driven from Within

Michael Jordan

Mark Vancil

In 'Driven from Within,' Michael Jordan provides a detailed look at his life, from his early days in basketball to his illustrious NBA career. The book highlights his dedication, hard work, and the internal drive that made him a legend. It also delves into his business ventures, particularly the creation and success of the Air Jordan brand, and features contributions from family members and colleagues. The book is a testament to Jordan's relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to inspire others through his story.

The fish that ate the whale

The Life and Times of America's Banana King

Rich Cohen

This book tells the fascinating story of Samuel Zemurray, who started as a roadside banana peddler and eventually built a sprawling empire involving banana cowboys, mercenary soldiers, Honduran peasants, CIA agents, and American statesmen. Rich Cohen's narrative explores Zemurray's rise to power, his involvement in overthrowing Central American governments, and his complex role in American history. The book delves into Zemurray's personal life, his business exploits, and the moral implications of his actions, painting a nuanced portrait of a man driven by an indomitable will to succeed.

Becoming Trader Joe

Mark Smeby

Joe Coulombe

Patty Civalleri

I Never Had It Made

Jackie Robinson

Alfred Duckett

In 'I Never Had It Made', Jackie Robinson recounts his early life, his time at UCLA, his military service, and his experiences in the Negro Leagues. The book also explores his civil rights activism, political aspirations, and personal struggles, including his relationship with his son Jackie Jr. and his friendships with influential figures like Martin Luther King, Jr.

Go Up for Glory

William Mcsweeny

Bill Russell

In 'Go Up for Glory', Bill Russell candidly shares his journey from a young athlete to a champion basketball player and civil rights advocate. The book explores his experiences with racism, his relationships with teammates, and his reflections on social justice.

What I learned from rereading The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant.

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Episode outline:

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. 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 and they spread themselves out. That's totally fine. After all, greatness is not for everybody. Greatness isn't easy to achieve. It requires a lot of time.

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

Respect to those who do achieve greatness and respect to those who are chasing that elusive feeling.

May you find the power in understanding the journey of others to help create your own.

He dedicates a lot of time in this book to the importance of learning from and studying the great people that came before you.

Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant by Roland Lazenby (Founders #272)

His dissection of the game was at another level. In my entire career, 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.

If I wanted to implement something new into my game, I'd see it and try incorporating it immediately. I wasn't scared of looking bad or being embarrassed.

I had a constant craving, a yearning, to improve and be the best. I never needed any external forces to motivate me.

If something has worked for other greats before you, and if something is working for you, why change it up and embrace some new fad? Stick with what works, even if it's unpopular.

Kobe mentions reading: Jackie Robinson’s autobiography

Reading is forced meditation.

I never thought about my daily preparation. It wasn't a matter of whether it was an option or not. It was, if I want to play, this is what I have to do, so l'd just show up and do it.

I always found that short 15 minute cat naps gave me all the energy I would need for peak performance.

Your routine can change but your obsession can not.

You can find an edge by doing things your competitors are not doing.

I revere the players who made the game what it is, and cherish the chances I had to pick their brains. Anything that I was seeing or going to see, any type of defense or offense or player or team—they had already encountered years before. I talked with them to learn how to deal with those challenges.

I devoured Bill Russel’s autobiography. There were a lot of valuable lessons in there.

If you wanna win championships, you have to let people focus on what they do best, while you focus on what you do best.

You train an animal. You teach a person —Sol Price: Retail Revolutionary & Social Innovator by Robert E. Price (Founders #107)

In our first year together, he (Tex Winter) and I would rewatch every single game together. Preseason, regular season, playoffs. That's a lot of basketball.

As I learned time and again, success in business often rests on a minute reading of the regulations that impact your business. —Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys by Joe Coulombe. (Founders #188)

Coach K is really intense. He and I approach winning and losing the same way in that winning is the goal, and losing is, well, losing isn't even on the table.

Coach K in The Redeem Team documentary: Understand the responsibility. I know I’m not going to fucking lose. I am not going to fucking lose. Not when I’m wearing this (team USA jersey) and not at this time in my career. You’re going to have to fucking shoot me. That’s how I want you to play.

These greats won't hang around you if you don't display the same passion as they do. They won't share their time and memories with you if you don't display the same effort and drive for excellence that they did. I was accepted so quickly because everyone saw how hard I worked. They saw how badly I wanted to fulfill my destiny.

The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King by Rich Cohen. (Founders #255)

It is to the point where if you know the basics, you have an advantage on the majority of players.

“There are two things in business that matter, and you can learn this in two minutes- you don’t have to go to business school for two years: high gross margins and cash flow. All companies that go out of business do so for the same reason – they run out of money.” —Don Valentine

I felt that my destiny was already written. I felt I knew that my future was undeniable and no one, not a person or a play, could derail it.

This is the goal. This is my goal: For almost a decade he did nothing but address weaknesses and add to his game. Now his skill set is completely fleshed out. His game has no weaknesses. He's a nightmare to go up against, and he's worked to achieve that status.

That's the money right there: That thirst and quest for information and improvement.

Driven From Within by Michael Jordan and Mark Vancil. (Founders #213)

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