NBA: Kobe Wants To Stay A Laker in Revealing Q&A Interview; Divorce Talk Was Off Limits

Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

Kobe Bryant is beginning his 16th season with the Los Angeles Lakers and seeks his sixth NBA championship, a distinction that would equal Michael Jordan’s six titles.

Bryant, 33, discussed a number of issues in an interview with Yahoo! Sports: his offseason knee surgery; new coach Mike Brown; the Paul and Odom trades; Howard; and whether he might seek his own trade. The one subject Bryant wouldn’t address: his pending divorce.

Q: Do you see yourself retiring with the Lakers? There’s been speculation you might want a change.

Bryant: “I don’t know where that comes from. I don’t have any feeling about [leaving] whatsoever.”

Q: So you definitely want to stay a Laker?

Bryant: “Of course. No question. Why not? I’ve been here for 16 years. I’m going to up and leave now?”

Q: Do you want to be one of those rare stars that played in only one place during a long NBA career?

Bryant: “Oh yeah. That would be special. It’s rare to see that nowadays. It’s almost nearly impossible.”

Q: Why do you believe the Lakers can win a title this season?

Bryant: “We have a good roster here. People look at our roster and it doesn’t have the sexy names people want to see nowadays with the super teams. But I believe it’s good enough to get it done.”

Q: There’s been a lot of talk about the Lakers trying to trade for Dwight Howard. What do you think of the chance he comes to L.A.?

Bryant: “I try not to. I have to lead my guys. If management changes the personnel then I will have to lead that roster when that time comes.”

Q: After getting swept by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round last season, what is the chip on your shoulder like now?

Bryant: “No different. It’s the same as it’s always been.”

Q: Did you dwell on that Dallas series long after it ended?

Bryant: “No, no. I went and got healthy and got back to work.”

Q: How did you vote on the new collective bargaining agreement?

Bryant: “I didn’t vote at all. I got it too late. I really didn’t feel like doing it. I felt everyone was going to pass it anyway, so I didn’t vote at all. But I would have voted yes.”

Q: What was the worst thing about the lockout for you?

Bryant: “It was a waste of time to end up where we ended up. We could’ve figured it out a long time ago.”

Q: You looked at options to play in Turkey, Italy or China during the lockout. Were you close to playing overseas?

Bryant: “Yeah, but not because we were just waiting to see what was going to happen with the season. I didn’t want to go overseas without knowing whether or not the season was going to be canceled. If the season was going to be canceled, yeah.”

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WRITEN BY Marc J. Spears, & FULL STORY HERE