“I read Mamba Mentality everyday during rehab” Klay Thompson honors Kobe Bryant and Gianna after winning best comeback accolade
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Klay Thompson pays tribute to his Lakers idol Kobe Bryant
“Kobe !”, something all of us shout with glee as we shoot even a paper ball into the dustbin from long range, including the Splash Brother Klay Thompson. Kobe Bryant has been one of the most influential and hardworking basketball players in the history of the game, and not a day goes by when we tear up remembering his greatness, on the court and off it. His eternal drive and commitment to the game remains unparalleled, which we today refer to as ‘Mamba Mentality’ is something which Kobe personified and that mentality lives on today as his legacy, something which powered Klay Thompson through his intense rehab from injury.
On Wednesday, Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson won the ESPY award for Best Comeback Athlete after battling back from two severe injuries to win his fourth NBA championship. During his acceptance speech, Thompson not only thanked the family of late Los Angeles Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant but he also revealed that the Black Mamba provided him with the inspiration he needed during his rehab.
“I mean who pays a guy after tearing his ACL?” – Klay Thompson pays homage to his idol Kobe Bryant at the ESPY awards
There was a lot of speculation about where Klay Thompson and Golden State will be at the end of this NBA season, after suffering their worst couple of years in recent history. People forget that ‘Warriors’ is their name, it is a part of who they are, winning is in their DNA. Poole found his groove, Klay made a comeback after being out for 2.5 years, and Curry, well he being the Chef has deep fried all his opponents. After having gone through so much, Golden State have reinstated their position back among the elite, with Stephen Curry as their ‘Achilles’, and Klay Is loving it.
The horrific end to the 2019 NBA Finals, which saw Klay suffering a torn ACL, coupled with 2 of their worst seasons in recent history, some people were assuming the dynasty had died, well, seems like it won’t so soon. He has had an insane comeback season and recieved his award for the Best Comeback athlete of the year, and he revealed how his childhood ideal and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s mentality, willed him on much stronger than ever.
Bryant is considered to be one of the greatest LA Lakers in franchise history. He brought his Mamba Mentality every time he stepped on the court, and that is what made him special. Having played for 20 seasons, Bryant achieved everything because of his undying passion and love for the game. When Kobe Bryant got drafted in 1996, he wanted to make a name for himself, he went after MJ, and ended up doing something no one had done before. Bryant formed a bond with Jordan and became his mentee. Kobe studied MJ’s game and adopted every aspect of the same. His famous, ‘Mamba Mentality’, is inspired by Jordan Himself, only one of his many stories of greatness.
“You don’t wanna see us next year”, These were Stephen Curry’s words on May 21st, 2021 after a disappointing loss to the Grizzlies in the Play-In Tournament. About 11 months down the line, the Warriors have stepped up and claimed what is theirs, their opponents have bowed down, and the haters are nowhere to be seen, as the Golden State Warriors clinch their 4th NBA Title in 8 seasons. Kobe once Klay’s book and wrote “rings, rings, rings, rings”. Well, Klay got his fourth ring now, and with the Splash Bros back to banging 3’s, who’s going to stop them now !
Kobe Bryant’s tragic helicopter crash in January 2020, still haunts the entirety of the NBA community, as we were left numb with the news of him passing away. At the end of the day, Kobe’s legacy will shine the brightest among most of the athletes of his generation. What he accomplished transcended generations as he set the benchmark for what it means to work hard to become the best version of yourself. You will always be remembered Kobe, Mamba Out !
Also Read : “Proud DADDY of Boston Celtics” Stephen Curry goes beyond all limits to reveal Kevin Hart’s influence on him
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Aditya Minocha
(216 Articles Published)