KOBE Bryant is happy that ‘Mamba Mentality’ has rubbed off on the new generation of players, including a star of the recently-crowned NBA champions Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kyrie Irving credited ‘Mamba Mentality’ for being able to get through the tough seven-game series when the Cleveland Cavaliers fought back from 1-3 down to turn back the Warriors.
"I feel great about it," said Bryant on Saturday. "Everything that I’ve done in my career, the message is staying."
Irving said he channeled his inner Bryant in him, scoring 26 points including a triple that helped propel Cleveland to its first major pro sports title since 1964.
"That was kind of a ‘Mamba’ thing too," said Irving.
Bryant, in Manila as part of the Mamba Mentality Tour, explained the ‘Mamba Mentality’ that has kept himself in top form over the course of his career.
"It’s a constant quest to become the best version of yourself. That’s what Mamba Mentality is. The constant quest to be better today than yesterday," said Bryant, who met the press at Shangri-La Hotel at The Fort and met fans at Smart-Araneta Coliseum in the evening.
Bryant recently retired after a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he is happy to leave something behind for the next generation of NBA players.
"Everything I’ve done in my career, that legacy is passed on to the next generation. The fact that (Irving) was thinking that in Game Seven means that I’ve done something," said Bryant.
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