The Mamba Mentality

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play is Kobe Bryant's personal perspective on his life and career on the basketball court. It showcases his extraordinary and empathetic playing style – a fitting legacy of the late superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers. After retiring from professional basketball, Kobe "The Black Mamba" Bryant decided to share his extensive knowledge and understanding of the game, taking readers on an unprecedented journey to the core of the legendary "Mamba Mentality." He felt a commitment and saw the opportunity to show young players, passionate fans, and dedicated students of the game how to play it "the right way." The Mamba Mentality provides insights into the mind of one of the smartest, most analytical, and creative basketball players of all time. In his own words, Bryant reveals his famous, detailed approach and the steps he took to prepare himself mentally and physically, not just to succeed in the game, but to excel. Readers will learn how Bryant studied an opponent, channeled his passion for the game, and played through injuries. They will also gain fascinating insights as he analyzes specific plays and matchups from his entire career. Bryant's detailed accounts are accompanied by stunning photographs from Hall of Fame photographer Andrew D. Bernstein. Bernstein, who was the official photographer for the Lakers and the NBA for many years, captured Bryant's first NBA photo in 1996 and his last in 2016 – along with hundreds of thousands in between, documenting a unique twenty-year relationship between an athlete and a photographer. The combination of Bryant's narrative and Bernstein's photos makes The Mamba Mentality an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the career of one of the world's most celebrated and fascinating athletes.