Hear ye, hear ye! Retired basketbal legend, Kobe Bryant has returned to Manila on the early Saturday morning to meet his local fans. Considered to be the greatest players in his generation, the well-known basketball celebrity arrived early in Manila for his “Mamba Mentality Tour” with sports apparel, Nike.
It was his first visit to Manila since retiring from the NBA after 20 successful years with the Lakers. Although he left the sport, Bryant continued to be fit and made himself busy even while he was away from the game.
“It’s still important for me to stay in shape so I’m still working out, still training, doing all sort of things. And then I also continue to create, innovate our performance products with Nike so I’ve been extremely busy.”
He is also popularly known as the “Black Mamba” for imitating in the court the eponymous snake’s ability “Strike with 99% accuracy at maximum speed, in rapid succession.” He became a five-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP and won the 2008 Season Most Valuable Player award in the process.
“The sum of the ‘Mamba mentality’ to me is to be on the constant quest to try to be the best version of yourself.” And concluded, “That’s what the mentality is.”
Although he covered his storied NBA career with a 60–point output against Utah Jazz and even actually outscoring the whole Jazz squad, Bryant said that he would never forget how unbelievable it was for him. He expressed that, “No, there’s no way this is happening.”
And commented that, “People could go in there and say ‘Nah, it’s not happening. That’s fantasy land.’ It’s surreal, I can’t believe it happened that way.”
And when pressed on about his retirement, the 37–year–old baller stated that he doesn’t intend to go back to the game anytime soon since, according to him, he is already at peace with it.
“I really have no inclination to play anymore…. I’m really, really fortunate cause it’s really hard for players at this age to leave the game and have peace with it.”
“I’m glad I do. Very blessed to have that feeling.”
Source: ABS-CBN
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