All The Smoke Cuttino Mobley on Growing Up with Kobe, Playing with Hakeem & Barkley and Mentoring Yao
Jul 3, 2025
Cuttino Mobley, a former NBA player who shone with the Rockets and Clippers, shares fascinating stories about growing up in Philly with Kobe and Rasheed Wallace. He recounts lessons learned from legends like Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley and his mentorship of Yao Ming. Mobley also candidly discusses being sidelined by a misdiagnosed heart condition and critiques youth basketball coaching. This heartfelt conversation blends basketball wisdom with life lessons, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and friendship.
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Simplicity is Power
- Mastering simplicity is essential in both basketball and life.
- Great players, like Kobe and Jordan, excelled by focusing on fundamentals.
Communicate Emotions Openly
- Speak your feelings immediately to set boundaries and create understanding.
- Children learn by watching, so model the behavior you want to see.
Allow Mistakes Early
- Encourage kids to make mistakes early to learn and grow.
- Understand consequences exist, but early experiences build wisdom for later life.