Basketball

“I only notice the championship banners and think about adding more”: When Kobe Bryant revealed to James Corden why he doesn’t get distracted by a star-studded crowd

Advait Jajodia
|Published June 15, 2022

Kobe Bryant had completed a $15 million investment in Yankees legend, Derek Jeter’s, website ‘The Players’ Tribune’

Kobe Bryant had a rather amusing answer for James Corden when asked about getting distracted by star-studded crowds in the arenas.

Kobe Bryant is easily one of the best basketball players to ever grace the NBA. The Black Mamba will always be known as one of the most impactful players to step on the hardwood.

Bean not only inspired an entire generation of athletes but also managed to implant his famous “Mamba Mentality” way of life, in the minds of his millions of fans.

Kobe surely had one of the best careers during his era, with one overly-stacked resume after the conclusion of his 20-year-long career. His unparalleled work ethic and strive to be the best at any moment is what set him apart from the rest.

Also Read: When Kobe Bryant was enamored by how the future Warriors star reflected his own play as a Lakers rookie

“When I’m playing, I’m by my business”: Kobe Bryant

In an appearance on “The Late Late Show With James Corden”, host James Corden asked Bryant if he would’ve gotten distracted had he seen Rihanna and Cara Delevingne in the crowd. Kobe answered Corden:

“I got to be honest. No. I gotta be honest. Listen man, when I’m playing, I’m by my business. Oh yeah, I’m by my business. The only thing I notice before every game is I look up at the championship banners and think about ‘add more’. That’s it.”

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Indeed, while playing, Bryant was always locked in and didn’t really listen to much outside noise. One classic example of this is the time when the 18-time All-Star blatantly ignored Chris Rock, arguably the funniest man in the world, with his entire focus on the game.

Not reacting to trash-talk or letting the crowd get to his head was one of the biggest reasons why Kobe was able to be one of the most accomplished players ever.

Also Read: When Kobe Bryant claimed to have gone 3-0 against the Magic legend during an Adidas promo tour

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About the author

Advait Jajodia

A 21-year-old with a BBA degree specializing in marketing, Advait Jajodia is an NBA Editor at The SportsRush and a passionate basketball enthusiast. Advait has been immersed in the world of basketball since picking up a basketball at the age of 9. Excelling as a two-time national-level player, specifically as a point guard during the Golden State Warriors' dominant era, he draws inspiration from the electrifying style of Stephen Curry. Beyond the NBA, Advait finds joy in playing various sports, exploring intriguing conspiracy theories, and boosting his 2K rating to 99. He also holds admiration for athletes like Rafael Nadal, Virat Kohli, and Phil Foden, recognizing their exceptional skills.