Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has revealed the meaning behind the 'Mamba Mentality.' Bryant, nicknamed The Black Mamba, was one of the biggest competitors the game of basketball has ever seen. The 38-year-old was never satisfied with himself, as he was consistently trying to find ways to improve and get better during his 20-year professional career.
Bryant marked one era of Lakers' rich history, leading the team to five NBA championships since he arrived in Hollywood in 1996.The 2010 NBA Finals MVP retired at the end of the 2015/2016 season following a couple of injury-plagued years.
His departure left the Purple and Gold without a true leader as the team has failed to sign any superstar name in recent years. However, the team hopes promising Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, the No. 2 picks of the last two drafts, will fulfill their enormous potential and help the team get back to its winning days.
'Just focused on being in the moment'
"'Mamba Mentality' is a constant quest to find answers. It's that infinite curiosity to want to be better, to figure things out," Lakers legend Bryant explained on Facebook during his new shoe collaboration with Nike announcement, per Eric Avakian of Lakers Nation. "'Mamba Mentality' is you’re going, you’re competing. You're not worried about the end result."
Bryant added that you're ''not worried'' about the end result, what people may say, about disappointing others.
''You're just focused on being in the moment. That's what 'Mamba Mentality' truly is,'' Bryant further added.
Hart rated at 70
Lakers rookie Josh Hart has received a solid rating of 70 for the upcoming video game NBA 2K18. The 22-year-old announced the news on his Twitter account. The most popular basketball video game in the world has started revealing player ratings as the NBA training camp is approaching.
Only up from here... @NBA2K pic.twitter.com/icZGCoSjeE
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) August 17, 2017
Previously, Hart's fellow teammates and Lakers rookies Ball and Kyle Kuzma were rated at 80 and 72, respectively. 2017 NBA Las Vegas Summer League MVP Ball received the highest 2K rating for a rookie since John Wall. Meanwhile, 27th pick and Las Vegas Summer League Finals MVP Kuzma overachieved and left many impressed, as he was a key part in the Purple and Gold winning it all.
Villanova product Hart was the last pick of the 2017 NBA draft, having been selected at No. 30 by the Lakers. The 2016 NCAA champion could have received a higher rating, but his Summer League campaign ended after just two games. Hart, who was prevented by an ankle injury to showcase his skills in Sin City past July, averaged 18.4 points and 6.4 rebounds during his last year at Villanova.