The legend of Kobe Bryant lives on. Back in 2003 he was one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet and arguably the best player the NBA had seen in a generation. We reflect on the origin of his famous nickname...
Kobe Bryant: the controversy
The Los Angeles Lakers were coming off of the back of a 3 peat and as history would later show, they weren’t done yet. Unfortunately, not all that glitters is gold and in July of that year a highly publicized sexual assault case was brought against Bryant by a 19 year old hotel employee. Bryant had checked into to a hotel in Edwards, Colorado to await surgery at a clinic nearby. His accuser alleged that the assault took place in his room.
Bryant would later admit to a sexual encounter but maintained that it was consensual. The case would eventually be dropped as his accuser refused to testify and Bryant himself he would go on to publicly apologize to his accuser, family and the general public after which a private out of court settlement was reached.
Black Mamba
With his reputation in tatters and various sponsorship deals under threat Kobe was forced to rethink many things about his personal and professional life. That’s when he introduced the idea of an alter ego and ‘Black Mamba’ was born. Inspired by the code name of an assassin in the cult favorite film, Kill Bill by Quentin Tarantino, Bryant sought to not only reinvent himself but create a means of deflecting the intense backlash that he had begun to face.
In an interview in 2014 in The New Yorker he would state “the name Kobe Bryant evokes such a negative emotion. I said if I create this alter ego, so now when I play this is what’s coming out of your mouth, it separates the personal stuff right? You’re not watching David Banner, you’re watching the Hulk.” Alluding to it yet again in 2015 this time with host Ahmad Rashad, Bryant would be even more specific, “When I step on that court, I become that. I am that killer snake. I’m stone cold man.”
Mamba Forever
With his on court performances speaking for themselves it didn’t take long before Nike took notice and the Mamba brand was officially born. Yet it wasn’t just a lucrative shoe and merchandise deal which Kobe agreed to, instead he had something much bigger in mind and as such the ‘Mamba League’ was created. The product of an association between Nike, Bryant and the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club, the league was specifically aimed at giving inner city kids free access to the sport.
Additionally Bryant would later go on to create the ‘Mamba Sports Academy’ which took things a step further by offering athletic and lifestyle training to competitors at all levels in a variety of different sports. Nike themselves would even hold a ‘Mamba Day’ in honor of Kobe’s retirement in 2016. Incidentally Bryant was on his way to a Mamba Sports Academy game with his daughter and associates when he tragically perished in a helicopter crash.
“He was a beloved member of the Nike family. We will miss him greatly. Mamba Forever,” A statement from Nike read.
FAQs
In a 2018 story by Kent Babb for The Washington Post, Bryant explained how he happened upon the black mamba for his alter ego when he was watching Quentin Tarantino's movie, "Kill Bill," during which an assassin used a black mamba to kill another character.
Where did Kobe's nickname Mamba come from? ›
That's when he introduced the idea of an alter ego and 'Black Mamba' was born. Inspired by the code name of an assassin in the cult favorite film, Kill Bill by Quentin Tarantino, Bryant sought to not only reinvent himself but create a means of deflecting the intense backlash that he had begun to face.
Where did the black mamba get its name from? ›
Black mambas are actually brown in color. They get their name from the blue-black of the inside of their mouths, which they display when threatened. Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Where did Kobe Bryant grow up? ›
Growing up in Italy alongside two athletic older sisters, Shaya and Sharia, Bryant was an avid player of both basketball and soccer. When the family returned to Philadelphia in 1991, Bryant joined the Lower Merion High School basketball team, leading it to the state championships four years in a row.
Is Kobe's dad still alive? ›
Joseph Washington "Jellybean" Bryant (born October 19, 1954) is an American retired professional basketball player, current coach, and the father of the former Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Bryant was the head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks from August 22, 2005, until April 4, 2007.
How did the White Mamba get his nickname? ›
The nickname "White Mamba" was originally given to Brian Scalabrine by his teammate Paul Pierce during his time with the Boston Celtics. The nickname is a play on Kobe Bryant's nickname, "Black Mamba," and was given to Scalabrine as a tongue-in-cheek reference to his skills and personality on the court.
What is mamba? ›
mamba. noun. mam·ba ˈmäm-bə ˈmam- : any of several venomous elapid snakes (genus Dendroaspis) of sub-Saharan Africa that are related to the cobras but lack a dilatable hood. especially : a southern African snake (D.
What was Black Mambas real name? ›
Beatrix "the Bride" Kiddo (codename: Black Mamba) is the protagonist of the martial arts films Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), directed by Quentin Tarantino. She is portrayed by Uma Thurman. Her name is not revealed until the second film.
What is the kiss of death snake? ›
Black Mamba: Kiss of Death.
Who inspired Kobe Bryant? ›
The NFL Hall of Famer connected the dots between Bryant being someone who idolized Michael Jordan, then emulated him and had the gall to believe he could surpass the legend almost universally recognized as the greatest NBA player ever. “When I say Mamba forever, I'm a big Michael Jordan fan.
When late Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Fame shooting guard Kobe Bryant changed his jersey number from eight to 24 during the 2006-07 season, he explained it at the time as "growth" from his prior digits.
What is Kobe Bryant known for? ›
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, Bryant won five NBA championships and was an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, a 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a two-time NBA Finals MVP.
Who sold Kobe's ring? ›
Goldin was also the auction house when Joe and Pam Bryant first sold the ring in 2013 for $173,000. Ken Goldin said that an auction house selling the same item more than once is “extremely common.” “It happens every auction with every auction house, especially in sports collectibles,” he said.
How much is Kobe's ring? ›
A buyer has purchased Kobe Bryant's 2000 Lakers championship ring for $927,000. The fee included the buyer's premium, and is the highest price ever paid for an NBA title ring. The previous high mark was $705,000 for Bill Russell's 1957 ring (the first of his 11 championships), paid in 2021.
Where is Kobe Bryant buried? ›
The small cemetery where Kobe Bryant is buried contains the graves of some notable people — including one arguably as famous as the basketball star. Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were buried Friday at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach. They were killed Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash.
How did Kobe come up with the Mamba mentality? ›
"I came up with it during one of our tours. Because I put the kids through so many drills and clinics, and I just thought to myself, 'Mamba Mentality. ' I actually said it,” Bryant said in his Mamba Mentality Tour in 2016 via ET Online.
What is the meaning of mamba mentality? ›
The Mamba Mentality is a mindset that is all about pushing yourself to be your best, no matter what. It is about being obsessed with your craft and never giving up on your goals.
What does the black mamba represent? ›
Like most snakes, black mambas can be associated with great wisdom and a sharp mind. Snakes are powerful symbols, and those whose patronus takes the form of a serpent tend to also be powerful people in kind. The black mamba is unique in that it only forms for those who show a special kind of mind.
