Bryant enjoys passing torch, ‘mentality’

Retired basketball superstar Kobe Bryant enjoying himself during his Mamba Mentality Tour on Saturday night, June 25, 2016, at Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

RETIREMENT from the NBA hasn’t slowed down Kobe Bryant one bit in chasing perfection.

While he has left behind the sport that made him a global icon, the same passion, single-mindedness and conviction continue to live on within Bryant as he takes on several roles from mentor to the next generation of NBA stars and owner of his startup media company, Kobe Inc.

And that’s why he’s on the road once more to preach Mamba Mentality, the approach that propelled him to the highest level of  basketball.

Bryant is also presiding over the Kobe Academy today when selected players from a pre-camp will work out with the NBA legend.

“Mamba Mentality is the constant quest to be better than before,” said Bryant at a press conference of his Mamba Mentality Tour at Shangri-La Hotel at the Fort.

“I feel great about it, that it just doesn’t just stay in the history books and that the legacy has been passed,” added the five-time NBA champion.

Bryant was referring to a comment made by Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving that he took on the “Mamba Mentality” approach in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against Golden State, where he hit the go-ahead triple that lifted the Cavs to the title.

Bryant said he still gives advice to fellow players who seek him out particularly during the playoffs, although he ruled out coaching an NBA team in the near future.

“It is emotionally different, there is so much value in teaching,” said Bryant. “There’s so much enjoyment when they see someone’s light bulb come on.”

Bryant, who retired after a legendary 20-year NBA career, also discussed the recent NBA Finals.

On Golden State’s loss, Bryant said the Warriors “should be obsessing on getting back in the finals next year.”

“If I’m Golden State, I’d think about how I let a 3-1 lead slip away,” said Bryant. “You can’t just brush it aside. You have to be uncomfortable about it and work on those things.”

As for the newly-minted NBA champion Cavaliers, Bryant said the mindset should be on evaluating what made them successful.

But at the same time, Bryant stressed there should also be an inquest on why the Cavaliers fell into a 1-3 hole in the first place. “They were very close to losing,” he said.

Bryant said that while basketball evolved, putting more emphasis on shooting and speed over size, it’s actually more difficult now to make it to the NBA.

“The level of skill has gotten higher,” said Bryant.

“The style has changed, but the commitment to get to that level remains the same if not more so. A lot of players want to get to that level, which heightens the competition.”

Now that the days of chasing championships in the NBA are over, Bryant has set his mind on producing stories through his media company, Kobe Inc.

“A championship for me now is enabling people to be the best version of themselves,” he said. “It’s creating content that inspires people to be the best version of themselves … and in return they share their own stories and inspire others.”