The Rise by Mike Sielski Summary
Overview of The Rise
Before Kobe became legend, he was just a Philadelphia kid with NBA dreams. "The Rise" unveils never-before-released interviews revealing the young mind that would become Mamba. Even non-basketball fans are captivated by this origin story that Billy King calls "a must read."
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Key takeaways
The Philadelphia Roots and European Foundation
Before the five championships, before the 81-point game, before the Lakers dynasty, there was a skinny kid from the Philadelphia suburbs with an Italian accent and unshakeable confidence. When Kobe Bryant died in January 2020, the world paused in collective grief, but few understood how deeply his Philadelphia roots shaped the legend he would become. At Lower Merion High School, young Kobe wasn't just making bold claims about his future - he was methodically laying the foundation for what would become the Mamba Mentality. As a teenager, he would tell anyone who would listen: "I'm going to be a pro someday." This wasn't teenage bravado; it was prophecy. The Bryant family's journey shaped Kobe in profound ways. His father Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, standing 6'9" with extraordinary coordination, possessed guard-like skills despite his height. Growing up in dangerous West Philadelphia, basketball became Joe's sanctuary - a lesson in survival that would later influence his approach to fatherhood. After playing for the 76ers, Joe's career took the family to Italy when Kobe was six, transforming their lives. In their cottage in Rieti, young Kobe spent afternoons at his father's practices and evenings studying NBA videotapes sent by his grandfather, absorbing every nuance and recreating moves with rolled-up socks when no basketball was available. What if Kobe had grown up entirely in America? Would the same hunger have developed? Those formative Italian years gave him something invaluable - perspective, discipline, and a worldview few American teenagers possessed.
The Outsider's Journey at Lower Merion
Forging the Mamba Mentality
Building a Championship Team at Lower Merion
The Championship Run and NBA Secret Plan
From Lower Merion to the Lakers
The Legacy That Lives On
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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