Sports builds on the intensity of everyday life. Even a couple of seconds of distraction allows for the snatching of defeat from the jaws of victory. The pressure to perform is much higher in sports.

I’ve seen Kobe play a couple of times. He hit a game-winner at one of the games. Kobe was a nemesis to my favorite team, the San Antonio Spurs. Time stood still at the end of games when Kobe took control.

I channel my inner Kobe to get things done when failure is not an option. ’No-nonsense’ professionalism keeps the world turning, not experimentation and entertainment. There’s constant pressure to obtain shiny new objects, ‘connect’ with others on social media and to build one’s brand.

Instead of winning popularity contests, Kobe focused on work and maximizing results. I believe this is what is meant by ‘mamba mentality.’ The world needs more intensity, more grind, and less fluff with significant issues facing humanity. The world will miss Kobe for inspiring us to do more.

So how much are you willing to give up? (GQ interview)
I have “like minds.” You know, I’ve been fortunate to play in Los Angeles, where there are a lot of people like me. Actors. Musicians. Business people. Obsessives. People who feel like God put them on earth to do whatever it is that they do…Do we have time to socialize and to hangout aimlessly? No. Do we want to do that? No.  We want to work. I enjoy working.