Quote

I always wanted to play with Kobe Bryant. I used to tease him all the time. Every time I was a free agent, I was like, 'What's up, bro? You got a chance to get the pit that you need. You feel me? This is your chance.'

Kobe enjoys that situation. Stepping up and making the big basket or being involved in a key play.

Part of the reason why Kobe Bryant is such a big inspiration to me is because he was shipped off to the Lakers right out of high school. He went from English class to the Great Western Forum.

I'm much more starstruck by athletes than I am by actors, and I think I saw Kobe Bryant at a basketball party, and I just kind of froze. He's monstrous.

The best quality about Kobe Bryant? You want me to be honest? I don't know. I'll tell you why. I open my arms to everybody. But he never stepped forward for the embrace. So I never really got to know him. I don't know anything about him, and it's kinda sad.

The Lakers had been home to me, unlike the home I had grown up and felt apart from.

I have often wondered why I was never captain of the Lakers.

I never was able to be a Lakers fan - I'm more of a Spurs fan.

I might not be Shaq, but I can be Kobe, you know?

I went from a player who was never fit to a person who actually worked hard to get myself in shape.