Transcription
Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant, you and Fish on the drive for five. You got it done. How do you feel, Kobe?
You know what? It's surreal, to be honest with you. It's, uh, I, I still don't know how we won that game. You, it just seemed like one of those games where nothing was going right for us, but, you know, we, we felt like we were supposed to win. Um, but we just didn't know how it was going to happen.
All right, Co, when you look at this game, you know, the great players, you're struggling a little bit. Let me know, 'cause I want to know what are you going through in your mindset? Hey, how am I still going to put my imprint and win this game? Two things: get to the free throw line. Mhm. I got to attack. Uh, my jumper is not falling. I got to figure out some gaps, which is tough to do against this team, you know, because they do a great job shrinking the floor. So I had to get to the free throw line. I had to rebound the ball. You know, rebounding has won every single game in this series. And, uh, I had to make sure I got my little behind on there.
Kobe, if you, you know, you're getting, I, I know you're thinking about the game. And in the first half, obviously, I mean, there are a lot of times you're forcing things. And, you know, it, I just wanted to ask you at halftime, Phil's going to come in and talk generalities to everybody, but did he talk to you specifically about anything, or did you hear messages that were maybe aimed at you?
No, we, we're on the same wavelength so much. I know when I'm effing up. You know what I'm saying? So, like, I can, I can sit there in the locker room and just relax and collect myself. You know, I think, you know, one of Phil's, um, great attributes is that he knows when players need to hear something, when they don't. And when they don't, he'll give you your space. And he knows how bad I wanted this, you know? But the problem was, I wanted it too much, and I was exhausted. So it was just like, you know, it was a no-win situation. I had, I caught a ball at the top of the key late in the fourth quarter and just, just lost it. I mean, just stuff like that. So when that happens, you got to try to step back, relax, and, uh, let the things flow.
Now, this is five. It's five. What's different about, what's different about this one as a team and for you individually?
This is the toughest one to get. Why? Uh, 'cause Boston is a heck of a team. They're, they're, they're tough. You know, they're nasty. They're extremely well-coached, execute extremely well, make big shots. And, uh, you know, it, it was, it was a heck of a series, man. When we split and lost the second one here, going up to Boston, that was the most fun I think we've had 'cause our backs were against the wall. And it was tough going into the Garden and winning. And, uh, then going down 3-2 and then having to bounce back and win. Um, this is the sweetest one.
Got you. Rely so much, obviously, Kobe, at different times on different guys. But it seems like this year, the reliance for you came first and foremost in the form of Pau Gasol. And all playoffs long, Pau just was amazing. And, uh, it wasn't like redemption for him. I mean, this was just an improved Pau Gasol. So how, how excited, how happy were you for him in the terms of the way he played and what he contributed for you?
Well, I'm extremely happy for him. Um, I think, you know, '08 was nothing more than a learning experience. It's not something where, you know, people say he's soft, he's not soft. He learned. You know, that was the first time he's ever been past the first round. He had to go up against these dogs, you know what I mean? So it was a learning experience for him. And since then, he just took his game to a whole another level. And, uh, I thank God every day for him because I, I prayed and prayed for some help, and, you know, he fell in our lap.
So, Kobe, 11.7 seconds left in the basketball game. Y'all are up two. Phil puts Sasha in the basketball game. Sasha's foul. Sasha steps to the line. A calm comes over the arena. He goes, bang, bang. He makes it a two-possession game. Y'all don't look back. Your thoughts on him stepping up, his only points of the basketball game, and if I'm not mistaken, he did not hit a three at all last year in the Finals for you guys against Orlando. Talk about how proud you are of your teammates stepping up and hitting two critical free throws.
Well, I'm very proud of him. Um, he's like a little brother to me. You know, I tease him quite a bit. And, um, but one thing about Sasha is that he doesn't let confidence, I mean, I mean, he really, he's not afraid of pressure situations at all. I mean, if there's a guy on the floor that I'm going to pass the ball to to hit a game-winning shot after Derek is out, um, because he just has absolutely no fear whatsoever.
Talk to me about that finger, uh, and then we'll let you get out of here and, uh, party on the night. Uh, it's because you, you've been prolonging surgery. And Smitty and I, and all of us here at NBA TV have been, have been documenting. That's not the only finger that's jacked up on your shooting hand, okay? But what are you going to be doing with that index finger in the off-season? What might you go under the knife, reconstruct that bad boy or what?
Yeah, I got to do something. Uh, I can't shoot with it. You know, without the tape, without the splint on, I can't handle the ball. We're not used to seeing you having seven turnover games, dude. I mean, it's tough. I mean, I, it's, it's tough to handle the ball. I mean, you, you don't want to make excuses when the season's going on. It's hard, you know? And, uh, I got to do something with it. I, I can't play next season with the way it is.
Understand. Get on with the party. Enjoy number five. And, uh, you're only 31 years old, Kobe. All right. You and all these guys are coming back for three more years. I love hearing that. You know, as the season, as the playoffs started, it was, oh my God, he's 31 years old, he's done. 31. He's only 31. I love it.