The legend of Kobe Bryant lives on. Back in 2003 he was one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet and arguably the best player the NBA had seen in a generation. We reflect on the origin of his famous nickname...
Kobe Bryant: the controversy
The Los Angeles Lakers were coming off of the back of a 3 peat and as history would later show, they weren’t done yet. Unfortunately, not all that glitters is gold and in July of that year a highly publicized sexual assault case was brought against Bryant by a 19 year old hotel employee. Bryant had checked into to a hotel in Edwards, Colorado to await surgery at a clinic nearby. His accuser alleged that the assault took place in his room.
Bryant would later admit to a sexual encounter but maintained that it was consensual. The case would eventually be dropped as his accuser refused to testify and Bryant himself he would go on to publicly apologize to his accuser, family and the general public after which a private out of court settlement was reached.
Black Mamba
With his reputation in tatters and various sponsorship deals under threat Kobe was forced to rethink many things about his personal and professional life. That’s when he introduced the idea of an alter ego and ‘Black Mamba’ was born. Inspired by the code name of an assassin in the cult favorite film, Kill Bill by Quentin Tarantino, Bryant sought to not only reinvent himself but create a means of deflecting the intense backlash that he had begun to face.
In an interview in 2014 in The New Yorker he would state “the name Kobe Bryant evokes such a negative emotion. I said if I create this alter ego, so now when I play this is what’s coming out of your mouth, it separates the personal stuff right? You’re not watching David Banner, you’re watching the Hulk.” Alluding to it yet again in 2015 this time with host Ahmad Rashad, Bryant would be even more specific, “When I step on that court, I become that. I am that killer snake. I’m stone cold man.”
Mamba Forever
With his on court performances speaking for themselves it didn’t take long before Nike took notice and the Mamba brand was officially born. Yet it wasn’t just a lucrative shoe and merchandise deal which Kobe agreed to, instead he had something much bigger in mind and as such the ‘Mamba League’ was created. The product of an association between Nike, Bryant and the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club, the league was specifically aimed at giving inner city kids free access to the sport.
Additionally Bryant would later go on to create the ‘Mamba Sports Academy’ which took things a step further by offering athletic and lifestyle training to competitors at all levels in a variety of different sports. Nike themselves would even hold a ‘Mamba Day’ in honor of Kobe’s retirement in 2016. Incidentally Bryant was on his way to a Mamba Sports Academy game with his daughter and associates when he tragically perished in a helicopter crash.
“He was a beloved member of the Nike family. We will miss him greatly. Mamba Forever,” A statement from Nike read.
FAQs
The nickname "Black Mamba" was not initially self-assigned by Kobe Bryant. It was first introduced to him by Quentin Richardson, a former NBA player and Bryant's teammate in the 2003–04 season. The genesis of the nickname can be traced back to the movie "Kill Bill," directed by Quentin Tarantino.
What does black mamba refer to? ›
Black mambas live in the savannas and rocky hills of southern and eastern Africa. They are Africa's longest venomous snake, reaching up to 14 feet in length, although 8.2 feet is more the average. They are also among the fastest snakes in the world, slithering at speeds of up to 12.5 miles per hour.
How did Kobe come up with the Mamba mentality? ›
"I came up with it during one of our tours. Because I put the kids through so many drills and clinics, and I just thought to myself, 'Mamba Mentality. ' I actually said it,” Bryant said in his Mamba Mentality Tour in 2016 via ET Online.
Who was named Black Mamba in basketball? ›
Black Mamba (Kobe Bryant)
What does mamba mean? ›
mamba. noun. mam·ba ˈmäm-bə ˈmam- : any of several venomous elapid snakes (genus Dendroaspis) of sub-Saharan Africa that are related to the cobras but lack a dilatable hood. especially : a southern African snake (D.
Who was nicknamed White Mamba in the NBA? ›
Brian David Scalabrine (born March 18, 1978), nicknamed the "White Mamba", is an American former professional basketball player who is currently a television analyst for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
What is the Kobe Bryant logo? ›
Kobe has a geometric logo design that has been around since the beginning of his partnership with Nike in 2003. The abstract illustration is composed of six shapes that form an image of a sword sheath. Kobe explained in an interview that his talent is the sword and his life experiences stand as the sheath.
What is the Mamba mentality slang? ›
The Meaning Of True “Mamba Mentality”: How Kobe Showed The World. “I don't think there's any two words to describe the life of Kobe Bryant other than that of the Mamba Mentality, a term he himself coined to describe the idea of looking at one's shortcomings or fears, and approaching them head on.
Where did Black Mamba come from? ›
It is native to parts of sub-Saharan Africa. First formally described by Albert Günther in 1864, it is the second-longest venomous snake after the king cobra; mature specimens generally exceed 2 m (6 ft 7 in) and commonly grow to 3 m (9.8 ft). Specimens of 4.3 to 4.5 m (14 to 15 ft) have been reported.
What was Kobe obsessed with? ›
Kobe Bryant's obsession towards basketball was in his blood. He didn't just decide to become one of the all-time greats after entering the NBA and playing for the LA Lakers. He decided to pursue greatness when he was a teenager in Philadelphia.
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.
Why was Kobe called Mamba? ›
That's when he introduced the idea of an alter ego and 'Black Mamba' was born. Inspired by the code name of an assassin in the cult favorite film, Kill Bill by Quentin Tarantino, Bryant sought to not only reinvent himself but create a means of deflecting the intense backlash that he had begun to face.
How much did Kobe sleep? ›
Polyphasic and biphasic sleepers break up their sleep into multiple sessions so that they can sleep less and still function normally. Kobe broke his sleep into two two-hour sessions, giving him a total of around 4 hours of sleep a night.
Did Kobe trademark Black Mamba? ›
BLACK MAMBA Trademark of Kobe, Inc.
What does "mamba forever" mean? ›
" 'Mamba Forever' pays tribute to beloved member of the Nike family, Kobe Bryant. One of the greatest athletes of his generation, Bryant had an immeasurable impact on the world of sport and the community of basketball," the brand said in a statement.
What is the meaning of Mamba mentality? ›
"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." -... | By FitOps FoundationFacebook.
What was Kobe Bryant known for? ›
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).
