Mamba mentality. That’s what Kobe calls it anyway. We have no idea if when Nike interviewed the “Black Mamba” himself that when he spoke of what drove him to become one of the best basketball players of all time, he was also referring to Hurley/Nike’s John John Florence as someone who exudes the same quality. Still, Kobe’s little monologue against some insane surfing from John makes a strong case that yes, indeed, he does.
Gabriel Medina’s win in Portugal just made the 2017 world title race a four-person affair. Still, John’s sitting pretty on the top of the rankings, and barring an unexpected appearance from Kelly Slater that would shake things up (which the GOAT is wont to do), John’s the favorite to win Pipeline.
But even outside of the auspices of the current world title race, John John’s ascension in competitive surf has clear similarities to that of Kobe Bryant in basketball. Collectively, the surf world’s known since the ripe age of 10 that John John would be something – and his world title win last year was just the beginning.
