His teammates got the complete experience when they played with him. Bryant always did his best to lead his team through his natural scoring ability, but he was also a well-rounded player and superb leader.<\/p>\n
As a teammate of Bryant\u2019s for two seasons on the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>, Wesley Johnson got a close look. Johnson also recalled the exact moment during their time together when he realized Bryant was the real deal.<\/p>\n Over the years, people have learned how Bryant approached the game during his career. He was always serious about winning, which led to a unique passion for the game. He achieved impressive success, especially with the last two championships in 2009 and 2010.<\/p>\n Those two titles stood out, considering Shaquille O\u2019Neal was not there due to their feud<\/a>. During his time with the Lakers, Johnson recalled a particular moment that stood out to him. It involved Klay Thompson<\/a> and how the Golden State Warriors<\/a> guard motivated Bryant to play better.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, what stood out was when we played against Golden State. Klay just signed his deal, and he went crazy; he wasn\u2019t missing. We lost the game. It was a rough two years when I was there. He texted me a long text message,\u201d Johnson said to Lakers Nation<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was saying that it was his gift and his curse to do everything by himself. Mamba Mentality, it was fitting. To hear and see that text, he\u2019s saying that he could basically take on everybody by himself. If he had to.<\/p>\n \u201cMe reading that in my first year with the Lakers, and seeing that. I was like \u2018Oh, I see this side of him\u2019. This was not the workout [version of] Kobe; this was the killer Kobe in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n During his storied 20-year NBA career, Bryant became a worldwide icon for the sport. He became synonymous with basketball during the 2000s and 2010s. <\/p>\n Even after his passing, he still has a strong impact on the young generation and how they view the game.<\/p>\n \u201cBro you can\u2019t walk\u2026he\u2019s hobbling in the gym. I followed him for three hours\u2026 that mamba mentality wasn\u2019t a sell. This is real.\u201d<\/p>\n Wesley Johnson shares a LEGENDARY Kobe story from after he tore his Achilles, and getting back to training just days after, when he could barely\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/7h5buipIKD<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) June 10, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n The Mamba Mentality is part of his legacy, as more players work hard to reach their dreams today. They are following the model set by Bryant, who ensured his hard work bore fruit.<\/p>\n Johnson is among the teammates who were lucky enough to learn from the Lakers legend. Over the years, players have continued to emulate Bryant, and that has resulted in success. Jayson Tatum<\/a> comes to mind as one of the biggest Bryant fans in the NBA.<\/p>\n ![\"Wesley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-467313918-941x627.jpg\")
Photo by Victor Decolongon\/Getty ImagesWesley Johnson recalls the moment he realized Mamba Mentality was real<\/p>\n![\"Kobe](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-139369178-936x627.jpg\")
Photo by Christian Petersen\/Getty ImagesKobe Bryant\u2019s \u2018Mamba Mentality\u2019 still lives on<\/p>\n