BEIJING, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 15: NBA Legends Kobe Bryant takes part in a ceremony during FIBA World Cup 2019 final match between Argentina and Spain at Beijing Wukesong Sport Arena on September 15, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Since Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing a couple of years ago, athletes across all sports have tried to do something in his memory to make sure his name never dies off as one of the greatest competitors any sport has ever seen.

Nowadays, many players use the term “Mamba Mentality” to pay homage to the late Kobe Bryant, who died in 2020. However, Warriors general manager Bob Myers takes issue with people casually using the slogan so loosely.

 

“When people use the Mamba Mentality, you guys don’t do that,” Myers said in a recent episode of The “All the Smoke” podcast. “You’re not him. Nobody should be allowed to say that. I’m sorry. There is nobody there like him.

“When people say that, it bothers me and I’m like, I don’t pretend like I do that, but I’m like, you don’t get to say that. That’s not a throwaway line … I’m sorry, but that went with him. Come up with something else.”

Bryant was known as one of the most passionate and determined competitors the NBA had ever seen and general manager Bob Myers of the 2022 NBA champion Golden State Warriors has come forward to criticize athletes who have utilized the “Mamba Mentality” term.

Myers went on to say that while there are definitely players in the NBA who are competitive and want to beat their competitors, but very few people desire to kill their opponent’s will like Bryant did.

“Not many guys want to take your will,” Myers added. “A lot of guys want to beat you. Not many guys want to take your will and make it, so you know never to try that again.

“‘Like, how dare you try to beat me? How dare you think you’re going to come out here and beat me?’ but nobody lives like, that’s what I’m saying. That is not normal.”

While Myers believes nobody can live up to what “Mamba Mentality” represents, Jonathan Kuminga is utilizing the line from Bryant to solidify his role on the Warriors.

The GM just might change his opinion if the former No. 7 overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft can use it to live up to his potential.

During his 20-year career, Kobe averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. His determination led to him being a five-time champion with the Lakers.