Kobe Bryant returns, preaches 'Mamba Mentality' to Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — Back in a country that shares his intense passion for basketball, retired National Basketball Association superstar Kobe Bryant lets Filipinos in on the “Mamba Mentality” – a key ingredient to his hoops success – and offers sound advice to Olympics-aspiring Gilas Pilipinas.

Bryant, a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and recipient of multiple individual plums highlighted by the 2008 NBA MVP honors, urges Pinoys to adopt the same winning attitude that served him well throughout his stellar 20-year career.

“It’s the constant quest to be the best version of yourself, the quest to be better today than yesterday,” said Bryant, in town for the “Mamba Mentality Tour” for Nike, his first since marking his final game with 60-point explosion in a 101-96 win over Utah last April.

The 37-year-old "Black Mamba" is known for his work ethic, tirelessly doing sessions on his own ahead of his team’s formal practices.

In everyday life, his “Mamba Mentality” also comes into play. “The other day at the house, my kids wanted me to make lasagna. When I make lasagna, it has to be the best lasagna I could possibly make; measure every detail of it,” he said.

A two-time Olympic champion himself (2008 and 2012), Bryant was asked about what a team like Gilas needs to achieve its dream of making it to Rio and readily gave two pointers: Believe and work hard.

“First, you have to have belief. Imagination is the most important part; that’s where it starts. They have to believe,” Bryant said in an discussion with select media representatives.

“Secondly, it’s practice, practice. Everybody can walk around and have hope all day but having hope would be meaningless if you don’t work to achieve (your goal). So for them, the best advice I can give is practice really, really hard, work together and identify what your weaknesses are and work to make those your strength,” he added.

Competitive basketball out of the way, Bryant shifts his focus on Kobe Inc., a multi-level business he started aiming to, among others create books, TV shows and films that will inspire kids.

Bryant ruled out coaching but opened the door for team ownership.

“Ownership, maybe, but in a passive sense. Coaching? No. If I’m a coach, I can only teach 15 players but through story-telling, I can teach millions. I think that really will raise the level of the game more so than I can do by coaching,” he said.

Bryant is on his seventh visit to the basketball-crazy Philippines. His itinerary included yesterday’s presser and the “Mamba Mentality Night” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, and today’s “Kobe Academy” where he’s set to train with select players.