How Kobe Bryant's investment advice changed James Harden's approach to business: 'We going to put a pot together and invest our money'

A few players were as influential as the legendary Kobe Bryant. Beyond his on-court dominance and five championships, he worked hard to become a model for athletes looking to build successful ventures outside of basketball. 

One of the players he took under his wing is one-time MVP James Harden. The Los Angeles Clippers guard recently shared how "Black Mamba" changed his view on investments and money. His reflection shows that Bryant had a different mindset than most when discussing business.

Let it grow

This advice came at the right them for "The Beard" as it made him rethink his finances and think more like a Philadelphia native. His suggestion was not about flashy investments or focused on quick returns; Bryant played the long game.

"Kobe basically was like we going to put a stash of like $5 million and then any like business opportunities it might be a little 200,000 it might be you know $500,000 just depending on what you know what investment it is but we going to put a pot together and we just going to you know invest our money," said Harden. "BodyArmor was the beginning of that, and we saw how it is we built the whole business up, and it took eight to ten years, you know what I mean, and then you know look what it's done, so I put like 500 Grand into BodyArmor."

Kobe's emphasis on paring passion with patience paid off, as his investment in BodyArmor was very lucrative. The late Laker got a $400 million payday after Coca-Cola acquired the brand.

Bryant made sound investments

Beyond BodyArmor, Kobe founded Granity Studios, a multimedia company focused on stories around sports. Through this venture, he wrote and produced the Oscar-winning short film "Dear Basketball," showcasing his ability to excel in yet another arena. Bryant also authored a bestselling book, "The Mamba Mentality: How I Play," which gave fans insight into his exceptional work ethic.

What makes one-time MVP's story so compelling is that he used the same values that helped shape his career. Kobe was known for his hard work, preparation, and refusal to settle for anything other than perfection. Whether on the hardwood or in the boardroom, the NBA legend approached every challenge with the same unwavering focus and drive he practiced with.

Bryant's suggestion to Harden was hardly innovative, but it was adequate. By focusing on players' passions and hobbies and combining them with patience and strategic investments, the Lakers legend provided James with a framework for thinking differently about money. For the former Sun Devil and others who had the opportunity to learn from the "Black Mamba," Kobe's business lectures have proven as useful as his basketball skills.