All-Star Weekend 2004

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, a starter for the Western conference All-Star team, spoke with the media a few days before the 2004 NBA All-Star game, which is taking place in Los Angeles.

Q: How do you see the second part of the season?

Kobe Bryant: Being a lot better than the first. Hope we just stay healthy and in shape. That's what I'm hoping for.

Q: As time goes by, you are now a veteran in the league, how do you see the young players, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony?

Kobe Bryant: It's exciting. It's exciting seeing them come into the league and play so well at such an early age. I'm very excited and happy for them. Hopefully, they can continue.

Q: If you had a choice, where would you play -- New York or Philadelphia?

Kobe Bryant: Well, for me, it doesn't matter to me what place I get traded to. If I was traded someplace -- I'd play anywhere.

Q: What's your relationship with Byron Scott like?

Kobe Bryant: He's been my mentor. When I first came in the league, he's been my mentor. I've been close with his family. It's a shame how the situation turned out for him, but I'm sure something will happen for him.

Q: Is Byron Scott a guy that you would like to play for at some point?

Kobe Bryant: Yeah, he's one of my favorite coaches in the league. I love Larry Brown. I love Byron Scott, Carlisle. A lot of the coaches I admire how they run their team. Just certain things that coaches do that I admire.

Q: Can you talk about the fans?

Kobe Bryant: Since I came here, it's been all love from them, then until now. I appreciate that so much. They have been behind me from day one. That's why I go out on the court and I play hard every night, every night. No matter what I might have going on, injuries or whatever, if I can get out there and play, I'm going to play and I'm going to play hard and try to do the best job that I can to help us win. I want to put a product on the floor they can be proud of.

Q: What do you think about being one of the leading vote-getters for the All-Star Game?

Kobe Bryant: Yeah, when I heard that, I was actually speechless. I just appreciate that so much. I can't describe it, it just caught me off guard.

Q: Does it mean more this year with everything that's going on?

Kobe Bryant: Absolutely. Absolutely.

Q: This must be a very difficult season, but you seem to be doing very well.

Kobe Bryant: You have to be able to kind of block things out, things that are going on around you. That's why I can sit here in front you guys now and be calm -- because sometimes there's just a lot that goes on around you and you just have to remain calm.