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Kobe Bryant sat down the former Los Angeles Lakers forward and current Time Warner Cable Sportsnet analyst James Worthy for a wide-ranging interview where the two discussed everything from which players inspired Kobe to the 37-year old's thoughts on the greatest player of all-time debate. Bryant also described what lessons he is trying to teach the Lakers' younger players.
"It's about tactics," Bryant repeated twice for emphasis. "Don't get emotional about situations. Speak tactically." Bryant then detailed a specific scenario where this would help the very young Lakers. "So if Julius and D'Angelo are having a conversation about something that took place, don't make the conversation about 'you need to get over here. you need to do this that or the other.'" Instead, Bryant would advise them to ask more specific questions to get to the root of the problem."Okay you want the ball in the post. How exactly do you want the ball in the post? How can we get it to you?"
Bryant says this changes the conversation "from problems, to immediately going to problem solving," which is a more productive way for a team to communicate than assigning blame.
Bryant also had some other notable quotes throughout the exchange with Worthy:
Kobe Bryant says he would advise his 19-year old self to observe his teammates more
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) November 21, 2015
Kobe says Gary Vitti has meant "everything" to him over his career
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
Kobe says "if the wheels come off, the wheels come off" but he has to try to play out this season
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
Kobe says he wants to "accelerate the learning curve" of the team's younger players and to help them find their individual games.
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
Kobe's advice for the younger players: tune out the critics. "Relax, and learn"
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
Kobe: "I do like to teach. I enjoy it."
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
Kobe, on what has meant the most to him throughout his career: "the relationships." Mentions @paugasol and @PhilJackson11 specifically
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
Kobe says the team lost to Detroit in the Finals because they were not as ready to run "their automatics" when pressured
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
Kobe says it doesn't matter to him who is the greatest player of all time, speaks of valuing "the process"
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
Kobe describes one time when Chick Hearn sat out a game when Bryant was injured and gave him personal play-by-play in the training room
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
Said game also apparently included some "not safe for TV" Chick-isms.
Kobe Bryant describes talking with Paris train heroes as a great moment, described them as "real life heroes"
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
"The right thing to do was to dap them up"- Kobe on celebrating his late three against the Pistons with the three Paris train heroes
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) November 21, 2015
All quotes transcribed via Time Warner Cable Sportsnet