We’d never truly comprehend the impact Kobe Bryant had on his teammates who directly came in contact with him if it weren’t for these Lakers stars opening up about it. Someone who played alongside the ‘Black Mamba‘ for the majority of his NBA career found support in the late Bryant during his darkest times. Even after losing his friend, he claims Kobe is still saving him. As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for the biggest tribute to Bryant yet, Lamar Odom summarizes the ‘Mamba Mentality’ for him.

Even before he was thrust into reality TV fame, Lamar Odom’s troubles were well-documented. After relying on Kobe Bryant for emotional support, Odom revealed what about his teammate inspired him.

Lamar Odom reflects on Kobe Bryant’s competitiveness

After beginning his NBA career in 1999, Lamar Odom was traded to the Lakers in 2004. He was with the franchise till 2011, during which he won two NBA championships, the Sixth Man of the Year Award, married Khloe Kardashian and starred in his first reality show. All alongside his Lakers teammates, including Kobe Bryant.

Odom was coming out of his off-the-court struggles when Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, passed away in a 2020 helicopter crash. But ‘Bean’ is still keeping his old friend grounded. Odom revealed that while he was on the SiriusXM NBA Radio show recently.

The hosts brought up the historic moment coming up for the Lakers next year. A statue in Bryant’s memory will be erected at the Crypto.com arena in February 2024. That moment means a lot, even to Bryant’s teammates like Odom.

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While he’ll be one of the few Lakers legends who will have a monument in their home court, Odom said there’s more to Kobe that makes him great. “He was so easy to learn from and follow because all he wanted to do was chase greatness.”

Kobe Bryant’s competitive mindset was notorious. There was never a time during his 20-year playing career when he was content with laying back. Odom has seen firsthand that Bryant would keep trying to get better and play with the intent to win. His ‘Mamba Mentality’ infected the rest of the Lakers to play at the same level as him.

Bryant’s still helping Odom out

Lamar Odom made a hair-rising revelation a couple of years ago. He claimed that Bryant came to him in his dreams and apparently spoke to him. “He said the afterlife ain’t what people make it up to be,” Odom said.

Odom’s revelation was met with cynical responses from fans. But it’s not really farfetched as Odom did have a connection with Bryant he’s still talking about. “He was chasing greatness,” Odom said on SirusXM. “If you wanna be great, just look at this guy. He’s close to it, he’s not there yet, and he’s still chasing it. For all the young guys, it was easy to look up to.”

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Lamar Odom will always speak about Bryant to convey how he inspired him, too. It’s still a friendship that lives on and remains etched in Odom’s memories.