Kobe Bryant created his 'Black Mamba' alter-ego as a way to get through the lowest point of his career (2024)
Kobe Bryant's nickname is "The Black Mamba," a name he gave himself. But for Bryant, the moniker was more than a nickname. It was an alter-ego he created to get through the lowest point of his career.
In his 2015 auto-documentary "Muse," Bryant revealed that he created The Black Mamba to deal with the struggles he was going through off the court in 2003 and 2004.
"I went from a person who was at the top of his game, had everything coming, to a year later, having absolutely no idea where life is going or if you are even going to be a part of life as we all know it," Bryant said in the documentary.
"I hear everything the crowd is saying. I hear it." Bryant says following a clip, during which Boston Celtics fans can be heard chanting, "Kobe sucks!" "So, it's like this place where it was my refuge is now being bombarded with all kinds of things they would say."
"I had to separate myself," Kobe explains. "It felt like there were so many things coming at once. It was just becoming very, very confusing. I had to organize things. So I created The Black Mamba."
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Bryant went on to explain that "Kobe" was tasked with dealing with all his "personal challenges," and "The Black Mamba" handled business on the court.
In a 2018 story by Kent Babb for The Washington Post, Bryant explained how he happened upon the black mamba for his alter ego when he was watching Quentin Tarantino's movie, "Kill Bill," during which an assassin used a black mamba to kill another character.
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"The length, the snake, the bite, the strike, the temperament," Bryant told Babb, who also noted that Bryant was well aware that snakes shed their skin. " 'Let me look this s--- up.' I looked it up — yeah, that's me. That's me!' "
Babb later added:
"When Bryant returned to the court, the wholesome young athlete was gone. In his place was a man who could no longer convincingly portray innocence, and Bryant says he felt free to reveal the darkness that had always lurked inside him.
Creating an alternate persona, he says now, was the only way he could mentally move beyond the events of Colorado."
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Bryant went on to explain in "Muse" that the ferocity had nothing to do with his opponents and was more about the "battle that was going on within [himself]" and that the opponents were just in the way "and may get demolished in the process."
This post was originally written in 2015 and has been updated.
In Muse, a 2015 documentary, Bryant explained how the alter ego
alter ego
An alter ego (Latin for "other I") means an alternate self, which is believed to be distinct from a person's normal or true original personality. Finding one's alter ego will require finding one's other self, one with a different personality.
helped him get through the low point in his career, noting that at the time, crowds at his games would “bombard” him with verbal abuse. “I felt like there were so many things coming at once, it was just becoming very, very confusing,” he said.
What is The Mamba Mentality about? The Mamba Mentality (2018) is Kobe Bryant's personal take on basketball, his life, and his career. It provides details on how he physically and mentally prepared for the game, the depth with which he analyzed his opponents, and how basketball taught him to lead and grow.
Hard work outweighs talent -- every time. Mamba mentality is about 4 a.m. workouts, doing more than the next guy and then trusting in the work you've put in when it's time to perform. Without studying, preparation and practice, you're leaving the outcome to fate. I don't do fate,” Bryant said.
Bryant made many charitable donations, including in support of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Kobe continued to be an all-star, even off the court, until his tragic death on January 26, 2020.
Kobe Bryant said that he created the Black Mamba alter-ego in 2003 to separate his on and off court lives. That timeline was more associated with his off the court matters. However, I think he also recognized a level of self-discovery as a person and a player that would carry forward throughout his career.
As Bryant himself explained: “Mamba mentality is all about focusing on the process and trusting in the hard work when it matters most,” he said. “It's the ultimate mantra for the competitive spirit.
"The Mamba Mentality simply means trying to be the. best version of yourself. That's what the mentality. means. Everyday you're trying to become better." - Kobe.
Whether playing a sport or working a job, you should always strive to do and be the best. Kobe had five pillars to channeling your inner Mamba mentality – fearlessness, relentlessness, passion, obsessiveness, and resilience.
It is about being obsessed with your craft and never giving up on your goals. In his book, The Mamba Mentality: How I Play, Bryant said: "The mindset isn't about seeking a result — it's more about the process of getting to that result. It's about the journey and the approach.
Mamba Mentality is about constantly seeking to improve oneself, learning from failures, and pushing beyond perceived limits. Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Life, much like sports, is unpredictable and full of challenges.
“As one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Kobe's spotlight was brighter than almost anyone's, and he used it to help millions of kids. For 12 years he was an ambassador for After-School All-Stars, and he used his time and his resources to inspire our 90,000 kids and help build opportunities for them.
Kobe Bryant (born August 23, 1978, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.—died January 26, 2020, Calabasas, California) was an American professional basketball player, who helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to five championships (2000–02 and 2009–10).
Bryant has served as the honorary chair of United Way of Greater Los Angeles's annual HomeWalk for three consecutive years. Bryant volunteers his time to Make-A-Wish Foundation, NBA Cares and The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and serves as an ambassador for After-School All-Stars.
Kobe Bryant is undoubtably one of the greatest minds ever in the history of basketball. He makes bold and very questionable decisions most of the time it works in his favor. Kobe's big flaw was his passion for winning and what he was willing to do to win.
Well, except for one particular thing that some teams could have hilariously used to prevent him from scoring — bees. Yes, the great "Black Mamba" was afraid of bees. He once told ESPN's Dave McMenamin of his greatest fear: "The only thing I'm afraid of is bees.
Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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