USA – “One on one” with Kobe Bryant

LAS VEGAS (FIBA Americas Championship 2007) – Arguably, he’s the guy leading Team USA. Against Brazil his misión was to stop Leandrnho, and he succeded. Against Puerto Rico, Larry Ayuso became his last victim. It’s clear that Kobe Bryant didn’t come to Las Vegas with vacationing in his mind.

What are your impressions on the game against Puerto Rico?

Well, we have to keep showing what we are capable of. This is a process and we need to keep improving every day. We can’t afford to loose our focus.

There was a lot of talking with the Puerto Rican players.

No, no, it was nothing. They fouled hard and we talked a bit, but this is basketball, there was nothing special to it.

Kobe, you had a special education, different to that of the majority of the NBA players, because of the fact that you were raised in Italy. Being so young, was your adaptation to the NBA different because of this?

I learned a lot watching club competitions in Europe because there you could learn the game’s fundamentals; which is not always the case in the USA. Now, we’re witnessing the talent that the European players have. I was fortunate of being able to growth there.

And you went back this year to those cities you lived in…

Yes, I was in Montecarlo, Reggio Emilia, where I have a lot of friendo. It was really entertaining.

People appreciate that a lot. 

That's the place where I grew up, and where I learned the game.

Have you watched Belinelli playing?

Belinelli is a great player. I was hoping that he was a bit lower in the Draft, so the Lakers could pick him, but it didn’t happened.

Kobe, are you like a teacher to your teammates?

No, what I try to do is to work hard and take things seriously. My role here is to be aggressive in the defense. My scoring isn’t that necessary. Defensively, I like to take on the other team’s best scorer, is in that that I want to have a great night.

If you set the example then nobody in the team can be selfish.

This team has a lot of weapons. It’s not that necessary for me to score. I scored a lot with the Lakers, because they need me to, but I love passing the ball and guarding. If there’s a chance to do it, I’d love to do it.

Fabian Garcia
FIBA Americas