By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Almost 150 reporters from all over the world were waiting in a Toronto hotel ballroom to meet with Kobe Bryant in his first press conference for the upcoming All Star Game.
“This is pretty cool,” he said. “I mean, I’m looking around the room and seeing guys that I’m playing with that are tearing the league up that were like 4 my first All-Star game. How many players can say they played 20 years and actually have seen the game through three, four generations, you know what I mean? It’s not sad at all. I’m really happy and honored to be here and see this.”
Bryant was ready to answer everything and he also spoke about Pau Gasol and the big absent, Dirk Nowitzki: “I am happy that Pau will be here in my last All Star Game. Still without Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki it will be weird because I’ve always been with one of them two. Dirk and I have always had a great relationship, because we both are very competitive and also very loyal to our teams. A summer in which Dirk was a free agent I sent him a message and told him to come to Los Angeles. He replied that he would love to play with me but Dallas is his home”.
Kobe was also asked if Barcelona called in order to offer him a deal and have him in Spain next season. He smiled and replied in Spanish: “Yes, they called, but if they want to win, I can’t play”.