Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are two legends in sports history. While they were recognized for their dominance in the sport of basketball, another salient feature was their strong personalities. Both men were dedicated to being the best and were highly competitive.
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Through the Jordan era, there was no definitive name for this determination. But, by the time Kobe rose to superstardom, fans, and critics referred to it as the “Mamba Mentality”. A term derived from the five-time NBA Champion’s nickname, The Black Mamba.
Over the years, many premier athletes have channeled it. Using it to achieve feats of greatness and to harness their energy into their sport. Well, in a recent interview, Tom Brady revealed that he called upon the Mamba Mentality on several occasions. Something he learned to do from the progenitors themselves.
Tom Brady learned how to channel his anger by watching Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant
Tom Brady is without a shadow of a doubt the greatest player in football history. After all, seven Super Bowl Championships aren’t exactly easy to win. But, California Cool did it, and he did it with ease.
However, there were times when Brady, a competitive spirit, needed motivation. And, having recently retired, the three-time NFL MVP made his first public appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. It was here that he explained just how he did it, and it has a lot to do with two of the NBA’s biggest superstars.
Brady revealed that anger is an important emotion in sports, and while he doesn’t necessarily need it to compete, he learned how to channel it. How? By looking up to some of the greatest athletes in sports, including Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Two stars who were renowned for their strong mentalities.
“So, I always deal with people who doubt me better. In the sense that the competition, you know, I love it when they give me a little more fuel for the fire. Not that I need it, but it draws a little, and I think there’s a good emotion and sport to which anger. And you’ve seen in some of the great players that I always looked up to, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Jerry West.”
In terms of teachers, Tom couldn’t have done better than Michael and Kobe. And, from the look of how his career panned out, it’s safe to say that their impact on his life was immense.
Tom Brady has both MJ and Kobe in his list of top NBA players
Following his retirement, Tom Brady has begun preparing for life as a FOX Sports analyst. The NFL legend has made appearances on several different podcasts. Most recently, he was on the Lets Go podcast, where he spoke to Kevin Durant about his list of top NBA superstars. And, to the surprise of no one, both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant made the cut.
Granted, almost everybody has MJ and Kobe on their all-time list. But, to hear a legend like Tom Brady say it makes it all the more special.
