Exclusive | NBA legend Kobe Bryant on how Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do philosophy inspired ‘Mamba Mentality’
Speaking on his latest trip to China, the former Lakers great explains how Hong Kong’s kung fu master has been a constant guiding force in his life and career
“You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water in to a bottle, it becomes the bottle. Be formless, shapeless like water. Be water, my friend.”
Bruce Lee’s poetic approach to martial arts is one of the countless reasons his legacy lives on to this day – but his philosophies are not just constrained to Hong Kong people, as five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant would attest to.
“The one thing – among many – that I have learned from Bruce’s philosophy of Jeet Kune Do is being able to adapt,” Kobe tells the Post. “It’s about having the fundamental skills available so that you can react to any situation.”
Cynics would question Kobe’s intentions on the mainland; is he truly trying to develop the game, or is he there to line his pockets with more cash?