Sandro Mamukelashvili hasn’t played a single minute in a Lakers uniform yet. But he already has some serious street cred with the fanbase.
The forward signed with Los Angeles this offseason as a free agent, and in his first media availability since the deal, he revealed something that’ll get Lakers fans excited right away. He’s got a Mamba Mentality tattoo. And he’s been modeling his mindset after Kobe Bryant for years, even if he gave it his own personal twist.
“I got a Mamba Mentality tattoo. I just love his mindset,” Mamukelashvili said, via Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation. “Growing up I used to always say, ‘Mamu Mentality.’ It’s a little far from each other, but we’re getting closer.”
Mamu Mentality. It’s a bit of a stretch from the original, sure. But the guy is trying.
What Mamukelashvili Brings to a Retooled Laker Squad
The Lakers went on a spending spree this summer trying to rebuild around their backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Mamukelashvili is part of a big wave of newcomers that includes Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Jaden Hardy and Kevon Looney. Together, they’re essentially replacing last season’s entire playoff starting five.
In Game 1 against the Rockets last postseason, Los Angeles rolled out a lineup of LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard and Deandre Ayton. All five are gone now. The roster turnover is that extreme.
Mamukelashvili is a candidate to start at power forward, though nothing is locked in yet. He played 80 games for the Raptors last season, starting 13 of them, and logged just over 21 minutes a night. He put up career-high numbers across the board: 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. His shooting splits were solid too — 52.3 percent from the floor, 38.9 percent from three and 74.7 percent at the line.
That kind of efficiency from a big man who can stretch the floor fits exactly what the Lakers need around Doncic and Reaves. And if his mentality is anywhere close to Kobe’s, so much the better.
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