We lost two pieces of the game.
We lost two people who were fired with passion, ready and eager to play. 8 and 24 will just never be the same.
But one thing that will always remain is Mamba Mentality.
Mamba Mentality.
That's what you tell yourself when you're sweating and huffing and puffing at 8 a.m. practice during your third set of suicides or when you're on your 14th lap, trying to make it to your last run.
You repeat this when your shots keep bouncing off the rim, ready to shout at the world, but recollect yourself -- breathe in and out -- and, instead, roll the ball off your fingertips. Don't overthink it.
You think this on a hour-long bus ride, blasting "Dreams and Nightmares" by Meek, as you try to put yourself in the right mindset. It's just you and the game.
This stays in your head as you move one earphone to the side and see the court before you. There are fans on the bleachers, but your focus isn't on them, it's on the opponent in front of you, defending you, who's licking their hungry lips and loosening their eager hands because they have the same mindset as you -- Mamba Mentality.
You think this when your adrenaline kicks in, and you're rushing down the court to the top of the key, keeping eye contact with your teammate, hoping the ball comes into your hand.
You're moving in front of and behind your opponent, trying to get open, and with a small window, the ball is in your hands. You feel the rugged indoor ball, but are eye-to-eye with your defender behind the three-point line.
Dribble, cross, step-back, release. It's out your hands and sinks into the basket.
What you've been working for is worth it.
Mamba Mentality.
The game won't be the same without one of the people who's helped shape it, create it, and it won't be the same without an eager, young mind and talent who was taken far too soon.
But the game goes on, and we will go harder and stronger because of who you were, Kobe and Gianna. We will always have Mamba Mentality.
Love,
The world
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