Dodgers: Mookie Betts Calls on a Kobe Bryant ‘Mamba Mentality’ in Big Game Situations

There have been several occasions throughout his year in Los Angeles that Mookie Betts has reference Kobe Bryant’s success and mentality in his game. Kobe was a big part of what makes the Dodgers’ outfielder as mentally tough as he is, and maybe even a big part of his success on the field. 

Going into Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, the Dodgers need a Kobe Bryant attitude. When asked on Sunday afternoon whether he draws from that Mamba Mentality during big moments, Mookie noted that it was just second nature to him. 

I think it’s kind of second nature. The way he viewed a lot of things is kind of how I do. And like he always says, the jobs not finished, and it’s not, it’s Game 7 today. We’ll have to go out with that killer extinct and play to get to the World Series.

It’s certainly not the first time that the Dodgers superstar has talked about Kobe with the media. In an interview with Body Armor recently, Betts talked about Bryant sending him words of wisdom to get him going in his career. 

In 2019 I was struggling for a while and I didn’t know who to talk to that had been to the top. So I sent Kobe a text and asked him how he prepared each and every day mentally and what was his way to steer away from failure. He helped me and said each and every day he wants to be the best person in the gym and put on a show each and every day. When I switched my mindset to that things got a lot better.

Betts has also previously talked about the last conversation he had with Kobe before his passing. Mookie had told the Lakers’ legend “I’ll see you when I get to LA“. The Dodgers later traded for Mookie and brought him to Los Angeles. 

If they want to win Game 7 and move on to the World Series, the Dodgers are going to need that Mamba Mentality from Mookie Betts tonight. 

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