Kobe Bryant, a legend of the Los Angeles Lakers, was cut from another fabric.
Even if Kobe Bryant fell to the 13th spot in the 1996 NBA Draft, he would have a better career than all the players drafted before him.
It wasn’t for luck. Instead, it was Bryant’s insane efforts that made him a legend of the NBA and Los Angeles Lakers.
It also created the more famous “Mamba Mentality” ever, and former Lakers star Byron Scott shared a story about the same thing.
When Bryant made his debut in the 1996-97 season, he was not close to the players at the height of his career.
After all, Bryant averaged 7.6, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Kobe wasn’t a Lakers star, but he’s still a mainstay and Scott recently shed light on it in an exclusive interview with ESPN LA.
“Kobe has taken it to another level with his Mamba mentality.
He added: “That’s the first thing he told me. He said he’d exercise two or three times a day, and said, ‘In ten years, no one’s going to catch you.’
“If you spent a lot of time on it, you’ll be constantly better.”
Bryant retired in 2016 as a five-fold NBA champion and a double-fold NBA Finals MVP, and held several records in his name, making him better and better throughout his career.
Many have heard of Mamba’s mentality, but you may wonder what Bryant did to get the edge over his competitors.
Luckily, Scott, who was with the Lakers in Kobe’s newcomer year, shared a behind-the-scenes routine for the Hall of Fame.
“He would go to the gym every day before practice, then practice, then after practice, and then he would go there with purpose each time,” Scott continued.
“He didn’t just go there. He went there with purpose. So maybe one day he’s working on the midrange game and his footwork,” concluded the 3X NBA champion.
Bryant’s hard work paid off more than five years after his tragic passing, with fans looking at him with the utmost respect and viewing him as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.