Despite having the best roster at the Olympics, Team USA struggled in their final two warm-up games. Against both South Sudan and Germany, LeBron James had to bail the team out in the final minutes of the game. But that hasn’t gone unnoticed. From 2000 Olympic Gold medallist Kevin Garnett to Kendrick Perkins, many former players criticized the team’s performances. Interestingly, these legends echoed one point: the USA needs a winning mentality. So, why not Kobe Bryant‘s famous Mamba Mentality?

The need for the 5x NBA champion’s influence became apparent when ‘Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation‘ shared two images on X of Team USA’s hotel in Lille, where Bryant’s iconic picture adorned the wall with the quote, “Silence Em.” The X handle captioned the post with, “Mamba Mentality reminder at hotel for Team USA basketball,” accompanied by a shushing emoji. This was a stark reminder of Bryant’s enduring legacy and the mindset Team USA could use.

Team USA’s Olympic journey is set to start on Sunday, July 28, against Serbia. While head coach Steve Kerr described his team as no less than the “Dream Team,” fans still haven’t entirely bought in. Despite playing five warm-up games and maintaining a perfect 5-0 record, the team, which includes stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, and more, never seemed fully in control.

For instance, in their warm-up game against South Sudan, the USA clinched a narrow one-point win as LeBron James scored with just six seconds left on the clock. While Team USA won, South Sudan earned most of the praise. After the game, Kerr said he was happy his team faced challenges, showing a positive outlook on the close call. However, it highlighted the struggles Team USA had to overcome.

Many fans and analysts believe Team USA is undoubtedly the best but need some mental adjustments to truly embody the Mamba mentality that could lead them to Olympic glory.

Kobe Bryant and his “Mamba” mentality

Even after Kobe’s tragic passing in a helicopter crash in 2020, one of his most enduring legacies is the Mamba Mentality, which he left not only for NBA players but for everyone striving for excellence. Despite not being as gifted as most NBA icons were, Bryant dominated the game through sheer willpower and determination. Most people often regard the 5× NBA champion champ as the LA Lakers’ GOAT, despite the franchise’s rich history. Even Magic Johnson agreed with that.

Moreover, Bryant himself defined the Mamba Mentality as the relentless pursuit of being the best version of oneself. During a training session with young athletes, he explained, “Mamba Mentality is a constant quest to try to be better today than you were yesterday.”

Additionally, many NBA stars frequently mention the Mamba Mentality as a source of inspiration. Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum, for instance, credit Bryant for mentoring them and teaching them how to become better players during their early careers.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.