Before Friday’s matchup against Brooklyn, Kobe Bryant spoke with the media about his early struggles, his young teammates and more.
Below is a full transcription from New York.
Q: On how he assessed himself through four games: Bryant: It’s a work in progress. You see mistakes all the time, like I ordinarily do. It’s just trying your best to correct them.
Q: On how he evaluates his shot selection and other aspects of the offense: Bryant: Opportunities are there. You’ve just got to put the ball in the hole, take advantage of how it presents itself.
Q: On how he compares his first few preseason games to how he feels now after suffering a lows-leg contusion three weeks ago: Bryant: Strength; I had to take about a month off of my strength-training program. It’s more important now than ever to make sure the base is solid.
Q: On whether this took away the advantage that this offseason had over the previous two in that he was able to work out his legs: Bryant: It makes a big difference to continue to work the legs. It’s not really about resting the legs. Legs are gonna get tired. You’ve got to make sure they’re strong enough to withstand them.
Q: On whether this season has been tougher than he anticipated: Bryant: I tried not to think of what it was gonna be or what it wasn’t gonna be. I have no attachment to one path or the other.
Q: On whether he starts wondering if it will be his last visit to certain cities and arenas: Bryant: Of course, absolutely. … I just try to stay in the moment, appreciate it as much as you can. What that means, I don’t think any of us really know. Just try to appreciate it, but it still goes by in a flash.
Q: On if he is going to take an extra look around Madison Square Garden on Sunday considering that it might be his last game there: Bryant: I always try to take a look around. I always try to embrace the moment and feel the energy of the moment. I always try to make it a point to do that. It’s a little different this time around.
Q: On whether it’s like that for most cities this year: Bryant: I don’t break routines. I try not to do anything different, even if it could be my last time there. I try to just honor everything I’ve been doing through my career.
Q: On Brooklyn starting Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who played at the rival (Chester) of Bryant’s high school (Lower Merion): Bryant: It’s special. Every kid that comes out of there from that area, I’m always watching and pulling for them. In terms of a rivalry, I think (our schools) kind of buried the hatchet. … The rivalry isn’t there anymore, but I’m pulling for him.
Q: On what it’s been like playing against young guys who grew up watching him: Bryant: It’s fun begin here. Most of the guys I do play against did grow up watching me. It feels good to compete against them and see some of the same moves (I’ve done). They’ve asked me questions, as I did when I first came in the league with certain players. It feels good to be here.
Q: On what questions he gets the most from younger players: Bryant: A lot of it has to do with mental preparation and how to deal with certain situations. That’s probably 80 percent of the questions I get.
Q: On the interactions he’s had with the young players on his own team: Bryant: The majority of the time I spend with them is really on how to watch film; what to look for, what to see versus just watching game film on the surface level. You’ll be looking at the nuances and momentum shifts and angles — things of that nature.
Q: On whether that feels like teaching a basketball class: Bryant: That’s pretty much what it is, but that’s what being a teammate is. That’s what I had access to growing up: (Ron) Harper, Phil (Jackson) and this coaching staff — they all did the same thing for me.
Q: On maintaining his calmness in a rough start to the season: Bryant: I’ve always been really, really critical of myself. That’s probably why I don’t get fazed much from outward criticism. My criticism’s always been harsher. But I work through things probably a lot faster than most. If I’m upset at myself or have doubt, I’m working through those pretty damn fast, as if they never happened.
Q: On whether there is a balance between self-criticism and patience: Bryant: No, you keep having impatience but understanding that takes patience (laughs). If you patiently sit there, it’s never gonna happen.
Q: On whether he feels like fans in away games will treat him differently considering it could be his final season: Bryant: Maybe. If that would be the case, I would hope we both move on pretty quickly. I’d rather enjoy the hostility. That’s why I love going on the road. That’s what I’ve always enjoyed throughout my career: that road hostility. It’s showing respect for what I’ve done, but showing it that way.
Q: On whether the game is still fun for him: Bryant: Oh yeah, absolutely. I love it.
Q: On what some of the challenges are for D’Angelo Russell: Bryant: I think it’s the frustration of seeing some of his peers and the liberties they have in the way that they play. It’s a little frustrating. But at the same time, I think he’s in a great situation because Byron (Scott’s) making him earn everything. Even though D’Angelo might not see it now, years from now he’ll appreciate it.
Q: On how it was similar for him early in his career: Bryant: I had to earn it. And I think that does something. When you start to make your mark in the league, you know that you’ve actually had to earn your position. It wasn’t given to you.
Q: On whether it was difficult for him not to have a large role early in his carer, like some other players: Bryant: Yeah, because I knew I was much better. I was a much better player than people were giving me credit for. I wasn’t part of those conversations, and that was upsetting. I had not choice but to be patient and just keep on working, working and working. Now I look back and realize that I was surrounded by some great veterans. By playing on a championship contender immediately, I learned at an early age how to win games and how to win championships.
Q: On what his main motivation is for fighting through injuries and rebuilding seasons: Bryant: I love to play. I love to play, man. It’s as simple as that. When you love something, you’ll got through hell for it sometimes.
