Los Angeles Lakers: 3 NBA players that have Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality
By Brad Magsam
2. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is a somewhat different type of player. He has never been considered a great shooter; however, he is one of the greatest box score-stuffer in the history of basketball.
Westbrook proved this by averaging a triple-double over the course of an entire season, becoming the first since Oscar Robertson to accomplish such feat.
Since his rookie season as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook has shown a fire within him that mirrors that of the late Kobe Bryant. Westbrook is willing to do what is needed in order to win. He has risked his body more than any other current player by attacking the basket. These drives would often lead to either monstrous dunks or wide-open looks for his teammates.
Similar to Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Butler, Russell Westbrook has a history of being a hot-head. While his history with teammates has been relatively quiet (with the exception of Kevin Durant), opposing teams consider Westbrook a thorn in their side. The star guard has the capability of being a pesky defender which can motivate the rest of his team.
Russell Westbrook is a native of Los Angeles, so one would think that Kobe Bryant played a huge part in his career. Although he has yet to earn himself a championship ring, Westbrook has the Mamba Mentality that gives the Houston Rockets a puncher’s chance for the foreseeable future.