Kobe Bryant: The Unwavering Belief in Hard Work and Taking the Open Shot
As relentlessly competitive as the late, great Kobe Bryant was during his NBA prime, he consistently offered guidance to his peers. This was particularly true for fellow Philadelphia native, Cuttino Mobley, with whom he trained extensively during the off-season. According to Mobley, the Black Mamba emphasized translating practice drills directly into game-time execution.
In a recent interview on the “Out The Mud” podcast with Tony Allen and Zach Randolph, Mobley recounted instances where Kobe expressed frustration when he passed up open shots. Kobe wasn’t just a basketball superstar; he possessed an insatiable drive for self-improvement in every aspect of his game. Despite achieving five NBA championships, 18 All-Star selections, and two Finals MVP awards, he never became complacent.
Instead, he continuously analyzed his performance, seeking areas for growth. This mindset is what he instilled in younger players like Cuttino: to always “believe in your work.”
“Kobe used to always say that when we were younger,” Cat shared. “My first and second year in the NBA, he would tell me, ‘Believe in your work. Why are you going to take a thousand shots a day and then pass up a shot when you get it? What’s the matter with you?’ He used to be disgusted when I did that.”
However, Mobley wasn’t lacking confidence; his opportunities were limited while playing alongside Hall of Famers on the Houston Rockets – Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, and Hakeem Olajuwon. “So in my mind, it was like, you better not shoot that ball too much. You might get five good ones every seven minutes, so just chill out,” he explained.
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Mobley noted a common mistake among young players: hesitating to replicate practiced skills in games. “Kobe helped me understand something. And not just Kobe — Alvin Williams, Rasheed Wallace, all of them helped build that confidence. They made me understand that when you work hard, it’s okay to show it,” Cuttino remarked. “A lot of people work hard, but then they’re scared to make a mistake or to show the work they’ve put in. I believe in letting it fly. I want you to try it.”
He clarified that executing a skill in practice differs significantly from doing so in a game. The environments and emotional states are vastly different. Practice offers a calm, controlled setting for experimentation, while games are high-stakes, filled with pressure and intense opposition.
“The emotions are different. You can be the best practice player in the world — you can shoot lights out in practice all day long. But I need you to make those mistakes in the game. Because in the game, the feeling is different,” Mobley expressed.
Kobe Bryant’s impact on basketball is undeniable, and his influence extends to countless generations of players, inspiring them with his relentless work ethic, unwavering confidence, and unmatched competitive spirit.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section.
