Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers wants athletes to refrain from using the phrase «Mamba Mentality.»
During an appearance on the «All The Smoke» podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Myers said he thinks it’s disrespectful to the late Kobe Bryant because he was unique.
«When people use the ‘Mamba Mentality,’ you don’t do that. You’re not him,» Myers said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The «Mamba Mentality» encompasses living with purposeful intensity, being fully committed, and removing all self-doubt. Bryant built his legendary NBA career on unwavering self-confidence.
Myers went on to say that he gets upset when he hears people utter the phrase.
«No one should be able to say that. I’m sorry. There’s no one out there like him… When people say that, it annoys me and I’m like, I’m not pretending I’m doing that, but I mean, you can’t say that. That’s not a throwaway phrase.» … I’m sorry, but that was with him. Think about something else.»
NATALIA BRYANT, DAUGHTER OF THE LATE KOBE BRYANT, FILES A REQUEST FOR RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST ALLEGED STALKING
Myers also noted that the league is full of great players, many of whom are very competitive. However, Myers believes that Bryant had the unique ability to take opponents’ wills from him.
«Not many want to take your will. Many want to beat you. Not many want to take your will and do it, so you know not to try it ever again. ‘Like, how dare you try to beat me? How dare you think you’re going to come here and beat me but no one lives like [that], That’s what I’m saying. That’s not normal,» Myers said.
In an interview with Amazon Book Review in 2018 about his book «The Mamba Mentality: How I Play,» Bryant explained the beginnings of the phrase.
«The Mamba mentality is about focusing on the process and relying on hard work when it matters most,» he said. «It’s the ultimate mantra for competitive spirit. It started as a hashtag that came to me one day and has become something that athletes, and even non-athletes, embrace as a way of thinking.»
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Myers has been named Executive of the Year twice. Under Myers’ leadership, Golden State has won four NBA championships.