Latest news with #MambaMentality
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kobe Bryant Learned French Just To Trash Talk Spurs Legend Tony Parker: "I'm Not Gonna Say It, It's Crazy Stuff"
Kobe Bryant Learned French Just To Trash Talk Spurs Legend Tony Parker: "I'm Not Gonna Say It, It's Crazy Stuff" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Kobe Bryant's mamba mentality of doing whatever it takes to win has made him a legend in the NBA. Even after the Lakers legend's unfortunate demise in 2020, NBA players still recall stories of how competitive Bryant was and how he strived for perfection. Even his opponents cherish the memories they have of guarding him or going up against him on defense. Among them is the San Antonio Spurs legend Tony Parker. Advertisement Tony Parker recently appeared on Kai Cenat's Twitch stream marathon for his collective 'Any Means Possible' (AMP) and spoke to his friends about Kobe Bryant while showing them his own house. "He started to trash-talk to me in French during the Playoffs. So he learned the language to trash-talk me in French. Because you know Kobe used to guard me, they put Kobe on me all the time. And he would start talking in French, I was like 'Wow!'." When one of Cenat's friends asked him what he said, Parker hesitated in revealing the details. "Nah! I'm not gonna say it, it's crazy stuff," said Parker. Advertisement "He learned the language just to talk sh**?" said Cenat in shock. "It didn't work, but mad respect that he learned the language," concluded Parker. Tony Parker Shocks Kai Cenat And Friends With Championship Room Tour When Parker appeared on Cenat's Twitch stream marathon titled "30 Days of Summer", he took them on a tour around his mansion. During that tour, he revealed a secret 'Champions Room' where he had displayed memorabilia from his 18-year NBA career. It had jerseys from his All-Star game, his championship rings, and his trophies (like the 2007 Finals MVP). Cenat and his friends were left in sheer disbelief, seeing this secret room behind a wall that opens up like a door. In his illustrious 18-year NBA career, Parker averaged 15.5 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.7 rebounds. He was a pivotal part of Gregg Popovich's dynasty team with the Spurs alongside legends like Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili for 17 years. Advertisement Kobe Bryant and Tony Parker faced each other 38 times in the regular season and 22 times in the Playoffs across their careers. While Parker was ahead 26-12 in the regular season, Bryant led that match-up 14-8 in the Playoffs. Once again, Bryant was saving his best for when it mattered the most. In his final season in the NBA, Parker also played for the Charlotte Hornets before eventually retiring in 2019. Related: Ex-NBA Player Says Kobe Bryant Pushed Shaquille O'Neal Out Of Lakers Due To His Ego This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Los Angeles Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Kobe Bryant's words inspire Tyrese Haliburton after ‘shock' Achilles injury in Finals
A day after having to leave the biggest game of his life, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton shared his first public comments since tearing his right Achilles tendon early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. 'Words cannot express the pain of this letdown,' Haliburton wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after undergoing surgery Monday to repair the tendon. 'The frustration is unfathomable. I've worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense.' But for the majority of his five-paragraph post, which Haliburton accompanied with a photo of himself smiling and forming a heart with his hands from a hospital bed, the two-time All Star also delivered a message of optimism and determination. And he did so, in part, by quoting late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who overcame the same injury in 2013. 'I think Kobe said it best when in this same situation,' Haliburton wrote. ''There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.' 'And that's exactly right. I will do everything in my power to get back right.' Bryant's words were part of a lengthy Facebook post early in the morning on April 13, 2013, hours after tearing his left Achilles tendon while driving to the basket during a game against the Golden State Warriors the previous night. After suffering the injury, Bryant famously stayed in the game long enough to sink two free throws. In his post, Bryant describes his raw emotions and even uncharacteristically expresses some self-doubt before his famous Mamba Mentality inevitably surfaces. 'All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times!' wrote Bryant, who was 34 at the time. 'The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that?? 'I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated again maybe not! 'Its 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and Im wide awake. Forgive my Venting but whats the purpose of social media if I wont bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in.' That's where Bryant writes the words that Haliburton quoted. 'We don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run,' Bryant wrote later in the post. 'We endure and conquer.' True to his word, Bryant returned to the floor with the Lakers on Dec. 8, 2013. He dealt with several other injuries — including a knee injury that ended his 2013-14 season just six games after he returned from the Achilles — before retiring at the end of the 2015-16 season, his 20th in the NBA. More than a decade later, a 25-year-old star is using Bryant's words as inspiration, days after being unable to help his team in a 103-91 loss to the Thunder with the NBA championship on the line. Here is Haliburton's full post: 'Man. Don't know how to explain it other than shock. Words cannot express the pain of this letdown. The frustration is unfathomable. I've worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense. 'Now that I've gotten surgery, I wish I could count the number of times people will tell me I'm going to 'come back stronger'. What a cliche lol, this s— sucks. My foot feels like dead weight fam. But what's hurting most I think is my mind. Feel like I'm rambling, but I know this is something I'll look back on when I'm through this, as something I'm proud I fought through. It feels good to let this s— out without y'all seeing the kid ugly cry. 'At 25, I've already learned that God never gives us more than we can handle. I know I'll come out on the other side of this a better man and a better player. And honestly, right now, torn Achilles and all, I don't regret it. I'd do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers. For the chance to do something special. 'Indy, I'm sorry. If any fan base doesn't deserve this, it's y'all. But together we are going to fight like hell to get back to this very spot, and get over this hurdle. I don't doubt for a second that y'all have my back, and I hope you guys know that I have yours. I think Kobe said it best when in this same situation. 'There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.' And that's exactly right. I will do everything in my power to get back right. 'My journey to get to where I am today wasn't by happenstance, I've pushed myself every day to be great. And I will continue to do just that. The most important part of this all, is that I'm grateful. I'm grateful for every single experience that's led me here. I'm grateful for all the love from the hoop world. I don't 'have to' go through this, I get to go through this. I'm grateful for the road that lies ahead. Watch how I come back from this. So, give me some time, I'll dust myself off and get right back to being the best version of Tyrese Haliburton. 'Proverbs 3:5-6 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.''
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dawn Staley Sends Strong Message to Vanessa Bryant on Saturday
Dawn Staley Sends Strong Message to Vanessa Bryant on Saturday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Since taking the helm in 2008, Dawn Staley has compiled a 475-110 record at South Carolina and guided the Gamecocks to three NCAA championships (2017, 2022, 2024) and seven Final Four appearances. Advertisement As she gears up for what many expect to be another strong 2025-26 college basketball season, Staley made headlines for a different reason on Saturday. She took to Instagram to share a photo of the new Nike Kobe 4 Protro CHBL "Lightning" sneakers, set to be released this summer, with the caption, "@vanessabryant I don't mean to flood your timeline but truly grateful and thankful to receive part of @kobebryant legacy and your vision and love for him elevate that legacy! Don't ever stop….mamba mentality!" The pair of custom Kobe sneakers were gifted to Staley by Vanessa Bryant as a token of appreciation for her pivotal role in advancing women's basketball. Advertisement Staley has also had a long-standing relationship with Nike. As a collegiate star at the University of Virginia (where she led the team to three Final Four appearances and one National Championship), Staley earned her first signature shoe, the Nike Zoom S5, in 1999. That partnership laid the foundation for her ongoing affiliation with the brand. In 2024, Staley was one of four coaches included in Nike's Athlete Think Tank 3.0 initiative, which was designed to "turn their vision for a more equitable future of sport into a reality." In February 2025, she posted an enthusiastic review of A'ja Wilson's Nike A'One Black Label Player Edition shoes to support Wilson's signature line. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley.© Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images In January 2025, Staley signed an extension worth $25.25 million over five years, anchored by a $4 million base salary that escalates by $250,000 annually, plus a $500,000 signing bonus. Advertisement This deal runs through the 2029-30 season, solidifying her status as the highest-paid coach in women's college basketball history. Related: Dawn Staley Sends Strong Message to Former South Carolina Star After Major News Related: Flau'Jae Johnson Names Favorite LSU Teammate of All Time Without Hesitation This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Kobe Bryant's nephew Jett Washington commits to Oregon football team
Jett Washington, the nephew of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has announced that he will play college football for Oregon. The 17-year-old is considered one of the top NFL prospects in the class of 2026. He also visited Alabama and USC, while schools including Georgia, Michigan and Texas made offers for Washington. But the five-star safety has decided to join the Ducks as he bids to emulate his uncle and reach the very top of sports. Bryant enjoyed a Hall-of-Fame career with the Lakers, playing 20 seasons in Los Angeles and cementing himself as one of basketball's biggest stars. But back in January 2020, at the age of just 41, Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash. Washington is the son of Bryant's sister, Sharia, and he is considered the No 2 safety in the class of 2026. View this post on Instagram A post shared by On3 Recruits (@on3recruits) The 17-year-old has previously said it is 'special' to be related to Bryant and that he spends 'every day' trying to evoke the NBA legend's 'Mamba Mentality'. Washington joins the Ducks as the No 18 overall recruit. 'I've built a great relationship with them,' Washington told 247Sports. 'I went up there for the Ohio State game last season, and it's a place I could see myself at. 'My relationship with the coaches has been big. When you're there, you feel the energy. 'It's everywhere inside that building and just being around coach Dan Lanning, he's a defensive head coach and always involved in the defense, so you know you're going to get development.' Washington, who stands at 6ft 5ins, also played high school basketball for Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas.
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Recent NFL projection may have gifted every Eagles rookie with extra motivation
Recent NFL projection may have gifted every Eagles rookie with extra motivation An NFL rookie projection speaks loudly, but the Eagles will speak even louder. Five years after Kobe Bryant's untimely passing, his 'Mamba Mentality' still provides quite the intriguing study. It has shifted from attitude to philosophy, a theory shared by Philadelphia Eagles, NBA stars, and even the hardworking men or women at the office. Most of the general public won't ever drop 81 points in a single professional basketball game. Heck, most NBA stars won't do that. They'll have to find contentment in the building blocks, an unquenchable thirst to be the best at something. What does that have to do with football, you ask? Well, thank you for asking the question. Though they're young, there may be some baby 'mambas' growing at the NovaCare Complex, and if they're anything like Kobe, they'll do anything to find some added motivation. They won't have to look too hard. just gifted them with a heavy dosage. An NFL All-Rookie Team projection is embarrassingly void of any Eagles Gennaro Filice is a deputy editor at He doesn't pick up the pen or pluck keys on the keyboard very often, but when he does, what he offers isn't to be missed. Recently, he tried his hand at projecting the members of the 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team. Not a single Eagle was mentioned. Call it an embarrassment. Call it an oversight. Whatever you call it, if this draft class is what we think it is, it can certainly be viewed as motivation. Now, everyone could play the devil's advocate. Maybe the theory is that Jihaad Campbell won't be healthy early. Maybe he'll miss too many important snaps. Then again, the thinking could be something else. How about another theory while the wheels are turning? This is Zack Baun, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Cooper DeJean, Reed Blankenship, and Quinyon Mitchell's defense. They'll be the young leaders Vic Fangio relies upon. Maybe the theory is that Andrew Mukuba and Ty Robinson will be part of a heavy rotation at their respective positions. That being said, there may not be enough snaps for them to make a case to be placed ahead of early favorites to make the all-rookie team. The argument makes sense. Still, that isn't exciting enough. Most would prefer the more emotion-filled response to projection. This list is disrespectful. It should be viewed as fuel for the rookie's fire, and this entire season should be treated like a revenge tour. Perhaps, it's off-base, but that's how Mamba Mentality works. Find motivation in everything, even if you have to make up your own. After all, that's exactly the strategy Kobe used sometimes.
