Transcript: TalkAsia interview with Kobe Bryant

CNN: This is talk Asia on CNN, I am Dalton Tanonaka. Our next guest is a young man who went from teenage sensation to world champion to family man and he has an Asian connection… Sort of. Kobe is 22 years old and member of the Los Angeles Lakers in the United States which recently won its second straight NBA title. He joins us now while on a business trip to Asia. Kobe, Thanks for coming in

KOBE: Thanks for having me

CNN: What kind of business are you on, is this another endorsement thing? Do you have to market your product?

KOBE: It's a global marketing campaign that I'm doing for Adidas, to promote my second sneaker coming out, the KOBETWO, as well as the apparel for the sneakers.

CNN: And that's the KOBETWO your wearing?

KOBE: Yeah, those are the KOBETWO's that I'm wearing right now,

CNN: Do you mind lifting it up? It looks kind of sleek… like a stealth bomber. And you play in these things? They look like dress shoes!

KOBE: I do. You see, what we try to do with the first pair of Kobe's is do something that's innovative, do something that's different. Now, with the KOBETWO's, were taking is a step beyond. But there very comfortable, I can't wait to start the season and try to fly in these things.

CNN. Now these kind of trips overseas don't phase you because you have an international background. You were born in the United States and went to Italy because your dad was playing there.

KOBE: Yeah, I moved to Italy when I was six years old. Myself, my two older sisters, my mother, my father. My father played professionally there for eight years, so it really helped me mature quickly, getting used to different cultures and different environments.

CNN: And you're Fluent in Italian, because I've seen you do some commercials in Italian.

KOBE: Yes I am.

CNN: That's the only other language you speak?

KOBE: Well my wife is a Spaniard, so she's teaching me how to speak Spanish.

CNN How about any Asian languages? Have you had to master any phrases coming out here?

KOBE: Well, I try to learn as I go along, but it's a tough language so I don't want to say something insulting and well…..

CNN: So you mentioned your dad, Joe "Jelly Bean" KOBE, Jelly Bean because he was a slim guy and he looked thin as he played. Your name, and I'm sure you get this asked a thousand times, and I said the Asian connection thing because it does have some relation to the city in Japan, Right?

KOBE: It does, My parents actually got the name from a steak house named "Kobe Beef", that's the where the name originated.

CNN: They used to go to it in Philly, they liked it…

KOBE: They used to go to it in Philly and I guess they looking on the menu one day and saw "Kobe Beef" and said, "you know what, that would be a good name for a son"

CNN: And that's your real name? Its not like a nickname or anything?

KOBE: No that's my name.

CNN: So you've never been to Kobe in Japan?

KOBE: I've been there once actually,

CNN: And what did they think when you came by, and you're their name sake

KOBE: They Loved it! I had the opportunity to taste Kobe Beef, I had never tasted it before, and it was pretty good.

CNN: Now you knew you were going to be a star, you told people when you were a kid, you were going to be a star when your going to be a star when your 8 or nine.

KOBE: I found myself having to defend myself a lot, because growing up in Italy, a lot of kids said "Well, basket ball here is different from basketball in America. If you go back to America, you'll never make it there"

CNN: Do they think they were better the American Kids Growing up?

KOBE: They thought the American kids were so much better that for me to go to the united states and play, I would have no chance. So I would tell myself: " Ok, look, I'll sign an autograph for you, I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna make it, you'll see."

CNN: How different was it growing up playing pick up ball in Italy as opposed to back in the United States?

KOBE: It was different because in Italy, you would have mini soccer posts under the basket, so for me to go to a court and play basket ball, and suddenly here come 12 guys who want to play soccer. Now I have to play soccer. I'm not gonna ride my bike all the way home, I'm gonna stay and play soccer until after the game, then I'll play basketball.

CNN: So what was your first game, soccer or basketball?

KOBE: Definitely basket ball because I actually picked up a ball when I was two years old.

CNN: So did your dad school you, or did he leave you to your own devices?

KOBE He let me learn on my own, but I would constantly go to him for advice.

CNN: You must know the kind of impact you have around the world, especially here in Asia, now does it boggle you when kids come up to you, and they don't even speak English, and they try and talk to you?

KOBE: Yeah, its amazing, because the game seems to transcend any language or cultural barriers that may be there. And its beautiful to see people reacting so enthusiastically to the game of basket ball.

CNN: I guess that just shows the extent of satellite TV and the internet. I guess everyone just knows your name.

KOBE: Absolutely, I think Communications and the marketing tools have improved so much, and I think this has allowed the NBA to expand on a global scale.

CNN: And do you think that might raise the level of basketball itself, because when they get to see players of your caliber, they aspire to that and work harder.

KOBE: I think so. If you look at the NBA now, you have a Chinese players playing for the Dallas Mavericks, What happens is through communication through Satellite TV, people can now see the how the NBA is played and they get a chance to learn from these players. As a result, you'll see a lot more of foreign players coming into the NBA now.

CNN: And do you really think though that a kid form China or Italy or Manila or India can play NBA level ball? I mean, you have a few, they are exceptions.

KOBE: I don't see why not. I mean, its just a game. No matter where your from, it doesn't matter. If you pick up a basket ball, and go on your driveway pr go to the play ground, and play basket ball. The more you play, the better you get.

CNN: I guess its just the level of competition, or the constant level of competition that you have to improve.

KOBE: Yeah, but its more so your will power and your drive to improve. You know, if you want to be a NBA basket ball player, and you set yourself in the mind frame that your not going to be denied, and that's what you want to accomplish, then your going to accomplish it.

CNN: And I guess having individual role models from their countries, you mentioned Wang Zhi-Zhi from the Dallas Mavericks, that must be a tremendous thing for the Chinese.

KOBE: Absolutely, I think what he's doing is that he's almost acting as a pioneer. I think kids now are going to look up to him and say "well, he did it and now I can do it". He's kind of laid the foundation for future kids.

CNN: There have been a number of players from Europe, obviously, and South America, But Asia is kind of like the untapped reservoir don't you think?? I mean , we've got so many people out here, this is where most of the world lives. But we only manage to get one player into the NBA?

KOBE: Well, the future is always bright, and he as a player has a lot of potential

CNN: Ok, I want to ask you more on Wang Zhi-Zhi, and we'll continue with NBA star Kobe KOBE when Talk Asia continues shortly, And we'll start taking your E-Mails

CNN: We are back talking Asia with US basketball star Kobe KOBE. Now, part of your tour here in Asia, Great wall of China, doing some hoops, giving just a little demonstration. Your team itself, the LA Lakers will open in Asia, pre season correct?

KOBE: Yeah were playing 2 preseason games in Tokyo, our first two pre season games of the season. Well be playing against the Golden State Warriors, and were all looking forward to that.

CNN: Will it come the day when you'll start a regular season game there?

KOBE: I don't know, maybe in the future. You never know. I mean, the game has expanded so much and the NBA has become so global.

CNN: Because MLB does that and perhaps the NBA will come to that day. You've been asked this so many times in the past few weeks, but we have to ask this: Michael. Coming back, and if he is, how will the players welcome him?

KOBE: I know he's training very hard to come back, and if he does come back, I'll be very happy for him. I mean, he's playing a game that he loves to play, and he was the greatest of all time. Still is so, for him to come back would be a joy to the game

CNN: If you were him, would you come back? What does he have to prove, right?

KOBE: It's Just about the love of the game, not just competing. It's a game that we all enjoy and we all love playing.

CNN: As you know, this is an interactive show, and we get e-mails before you come. And were going to read you our first e-mail from a Rita, out of the Philippines. And she asks "Kobe, how do you feel about being called the next Michael Jordan" You know, they pinned this label when you first came in the league and now they're pinning it on Allan. What do you think about that?

KOBE: There will never be a Michael Jordan. All I try to do is be Kobe KOBE and try to help the LA Lakers win another championship any way that I can.. I'm just a piece of the puzzle.

CNN: I mentioned Allan Iverson, Philadelphia 76'er and competitor in the finals. Whose a tougher competitor, him or Michael

KOBE: heheheh… come on… not even close…Michael!

CNN: How so, Skills, or attitude?

KOBE: I think Michael was able to compete in every part of the game. He was able to compete in every part of the game because of his size. You know, Michael was 6'6 so he was able to compete on rebounding the basket ball, defending every player on the court, scoring obviously, I think his leadership was unparalleled. I think when we talk about not only great competitor of the game, but also in general, Micheal has to be at the top of the list.

CNN: To be fair, Allan's still young, so in 5-10 years, he could be different.

KOBE: Allan has so much talent, and he's only 26, so his upside is tremendous.

CNN: We talked about Wang Zhi-Zhi, of the Dallas Mavericks, the first Asian born player. Did you guys play the mavericks, did you play at all when he was in.

KOBE: Yeah, we played against them, but he played in only a couple minutes so I didn't get a chance to feel him out.

CNN: Is he a prospect do you think?

KOBE: Well, the people that I've talked to have said that he has an incredible amount of potential and he's very talented. There's no reason why he shouldn't be a success in the NBA if he continues to work hard.

CNN: Is he got the weight? He's a little bit thin.

KOBE: It's more about skills. Unless you say about strength, more about skills.

CNN: Because your dad was thin, and you're thin, you're not that heavy. You're about what, uh…two hundred…

KOBE: Two hundred and ten pounds

CNN: That's about almost ninety five kilos or so…OK trash talk. You know, the NBA's going on to miking players and coaches and time outs now more and more. That to me is fascinating, what you guys say to each other on the court when you're going up and down. I mean, is half of the stuff allowed to be seen on national tv or a lot of it is, you know uh, what do you guys say?

KOBE: Well, uh, I can only speak for the Los Angeles Lakers, uh, the things that you hear us say are more strategic movements in the game. Phil prepares us so well for the games that I'll be on the floor, and we kind of talk about certain strategies, and what to do on this player, what to do on that player…

CNN: OK but I'm talking about against your opponent

KOBE: I really don't talk too much trash.

CNN: You don't talk too much trash, but people talk…who are the worst trash talkers in the League?

KOBE: I think you have to look at Reggie Miller. I think he's been a trash talker since he's come into the NBA. Gary Paley, he likes to talk trash…

CNN: And Michael

KOBE: Michael talks trash occasionally.

CNN: And that's surprising because, really, people have this all-American image about Michael but he does talk trash with the best of them

KOBE: Well you see the object of the game is to win, so if you're going to talk trash you might as well try to psyche your opponent out

CNN: Another e-mail. This one's from Nicholas in Hong Kong. How is you're relationship with Shaquille O'Neal?

KOBE: I actually just spoke to Shaq before I came out here on this trip, and Shaq's doing good. He's enjoying his summer vacation, but he's also dieting, and he's training

CNN: Dieting?

KOBE: Oh he's dieting. Yes.

CNN: Why?

KOBE: Because he wants to come back leaner. He want's to come back around 285 is his goal. He's around 310, so he's very serious about

CNN: Well, people ask about your relationship because there is talk that you guys had friction eraly on, but that you worked it out. I mean, is the friction part, fabricated?

KOBE: A lot of it was fabricated, for various reason. But whatever the case may be we managed to pull through that adversity and win another championship.

CNN: Anything, whether your in business or in sports, or in an office, not every one gets along. NO bodies best friends all the time

KOBE: Its like a family. Your going to have your arguments between family members. Its inevitable. But its what you do to come out of that. That's the key

CNN: And you guys came out all right…

KOBE: We did a pretty good job

CNN: Do you think that if you didn't, it would have affected the title run?

KOBE: Oh absolutely, because we weren't playing to our potential, we weren't playing to our standards. I mean we knew that then, and realized that and we went about it as professionals and said "OK, we would have to turn that thing around."

CNN: What is your favorite basketball movie, there have been several in the past few years: "He got game", "Whit man can't jump", "Hoosiers" , I saw one on the plane coming back a few weeks ago, "Finding Forester ", Which on did you like?

KOBE: Hoosiers, its incredibly inspirational

CNN: And that's about an Indiana High School team right? Was it realistic?

KOBE: It was realistic alright, Anything can happen in the game of basketball. That's the beauty about it.

CNN: What about other movies, who is your favorite movie stars and what movies would you like to see?

KOBE: Well, my favorite movie is "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". It was my favorite movie to the point where it became a ritual of mine during the NBA playoffs, before I would take my naps, I take my naps on game days, I would rent the movie and I would go to sleep to the movies.

CNN: Well, you know Chow Yeung Fat lives not too far from here,

KOBE: Does he really? I love the man in movies, it was terrific.

CNN: We should have had him in, you could have met him.

CNN Why did you like the movie? Was it because you wish you could fly like them?

KOBE: The messages that they had in the movie were subtle, but inspirational. Certain things Lee Mu Bai would say. You know, Chow Yeung Fat's Character in Crouching Tiger. Things like "Real sharpness comes without effort."

CNN: So you were there, like writing it down?

KOBE: No, but that's what the Lakers played by

CNN: It's the kind of movie Phill Jackson would have liked, Your coach right?

KOBE: Yeah, Absolutely. Being a Los Angeles Laker, that was our mentality in the playoffs.

CNN: How many times did you see it?

KOBE: Ummm, Maybe about four times

CNN: So you'd go back to it and get some inspiration. How about video games? I hear you're a video game addict and you like to play?

KOBE: I use to be, I use to play video games all the time.

CNN: But now?

KOBE: But now not so much.

CNN: Other things take up your time

KOBE: Yeah.

CNN: What was your favourite? Play station2? What was your favourite game, because obviously, in Asia is where they make them.

KOBE: Well I was a basketball video game expert.

CNN: You Would play Basketball Games? Didn't you get enough?

KOBE: You can never get enough.

CNN Talk Asia will continue shortly, our guest Kobe KOBE of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Block 3

CNN Were back with basketball star Kobe KOBE. Now music has always been a hobby of yours? I think I saw a rap video of yours.

KOBE: No actually, Music was something that I took up as part-time, I enjoyed music…

CNN: Why is it a lot of basket ball stars seem to be recording Rap music?

KOBE: The game itself is a very rhythmic game, and I think that basketball players are just naturally drawn to music.

CNN: And you recorded a CD. Is it out yet?

KOBE: No, actually, I recorded it, but its for my own entertainment

CNN: I saw a show once, and you had another female singer with you too, like a big star.

KOBE: Tyra Banks, it was fun to do it then,

CNN: Are you going to continue doing it? Or was that just like a one off thing?

KOBE: No, the best thing that came out of doing it was that I met my wife. Doing a little video, she was there, she was at the set, I met her there.

CNN: So your married, you're a family man, so your perspective changed, that's why you have no time for video games.

KOBE: Working hard playing basketball, when you come home, you gotta be super husband. CNN: Now how about Shaq, he did a lot of rap CD's maybe you'll do some rap with him someday, probably not…

KOBE: No, we joke around on the plane a lot, you know going home, he'll start rhyming, then I'll start rhyming, and well start having fun.

CNN: Now who are your favorite artists. Who do you listen to when you pop in a CD?

KOBE: Right now, I like this young lady by the name of Alicia Keys, She has this CD out called songs in A minor. I think she;s very talented and her work is exceptional

CNN: How about any Asian artists, are you familiar with any?

KOBE: No, I'm not really familiar with any Asian artists

CNN: I know you got married not to long ago, How do professional athletes like yourself, cope with the family situation. As we all know, its not easy, in any business, but in professional sports, on the road a lot, a lot of temptations, how do you deal with that?

KOBE: As far as temptations, they don't bother me one bit

CNN: Because you know of the big case with Patrick Ewing and Tyrell Davis and all those guys in Atlanta

KOBE: That's a shame to see, but personally, I love my wife so much, I respect her so much, that is a thing I would not consider doing.

CNN: Then how do you A lot when your travelling. That's the big problem, you don't have enough time because your away.

KOBE: It takes mutual understanding. My wife, Vanessa, she gives up a lot obviously, because of my demanding schedule. But also, I have to give some in return. There has to be some give and take.

CNN: Do you think well see more international competition, do thing well actually ever see an actual world championship series with US versus China or Mexico or Europe of Yugoslavia

KOBE: Maybe, If you look at the Olympic that just took place, internation Competition is stepping up.

CNN: Now you were asked to play on that team, but you didn't play.

KOBE: Well, for various reasons

CNN: The main one being that you were getting married.

KOBE: One was that I was getting married, and two was phisically, because during the NBA finals, I turned my ankle pretty bad and I actually didn't start playing basketball until the middle of September, and it took my ankle a long time to heal so I woudn't be able to play.

CNN: Isn't it the dream of every young athlete to win an Olympic gold?

KOBE: Absolutely, and its my dream too, and hopefully, for the next olympics coming up in greece, I'll be healthy enough to play

CNN: Oh really, you want to play?

KOBE: Absolutely, I would love to represent my country

CNN: How about 2008, Beijing has just been awarded the summer games as you know, would you like to play in that one. As you know, the sport is growing due to exposure of NBA basketball. Its creating a tremendous amount of excitement.

KOBE: It is, Yes, if I'm healthy and still ably to play the game, I would love to play in those olympics as well.

CNN: Another E-Mail if we could, from Adam in Hong Kong. If there was anything that you could change about the NBA, what would it be?

KOBE: Anything that I could change about the NBA…. I think right now, its all good. I think with the rule changes, allowing zone defenses, allowing any type of defense, I think that's good. But I would also like the NBA go back to the old rules, of Hand checking. It was more physical.

CNN: Now they tightened it up so you can't touch the guy

KOBE: You know, you really cant go after people, you cant be as aggressive as in the 80's, when Magic was playing, when Bird was playing, it was very physical. And guys would have to prepare themselves, really had to work hard at the game because nothing would come easy

CNN: Who would your dream team be? I mean, we've had various dream teams on the olympics, if you had to pick a starting five, who would you pick? And you can include yourself.

KOBE: No…no.. nowhere close

CNN: Well, someday maybe, now who would you name to your team

KOBE: Magic Johnson, MichaEl Jordan, Oscar RobInson, Wilt Chamberlain, if we go by championship you have to go with Bill Russel, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, I mean, how can you leave Kareem of that list. There are so many great players, to pick 5! You cant lose.

CNN: What about the DOC?

KOBE: You can go either way, you can go Doctor J, you can go Larry Bird, You can go Jerry West, You can go Elgem Balor, You can go Bob petit, the list goes on and on.

CNN: I guess that's why they name the 50 greatest Basketball playes a couple years ago, because they couldn't limit to the first 5.

KOBE: Absolutely, believe it or not, they still left some great players off the list.

CNN: Now we talked about some off season activities, Kobe, what are some other things you do, I know you go on a lot of business endorsement trips, but what really takes you away from basketball?

KOBE: Yeah, my wife and I do a lot of travelling, just going off on vacation, not worrying about anything.

CNN: Like where, where is your favorite vacation spot?

KOBE: We went to Mexico this summer, we love going to movies, we love bungee jumping

CNN Bungee Jumping??? Your contract doesn't allow that does it?

KOBE: Technically, yes. But after winning a championship, they give you a little bit of leeway. We would like to go skydiving, but I'll wait until my NBA career is over.

CNN: Because you can't come back from that one, but bungee jumping? How was that?

KOBE: It was fun, it was an adrenaline rush, we had a great time

CNN: Where were you when you went bungee jumping, over a bridge or were you over a….

KOBE: No, they actually have this whole setup, where they hook you up to a harness and they take you up, I forget how high we were, but we were extremely high, and you pull the chord yourself . It was actually me and my wife, strapped to this harness simultaneously pulled the harness and dropped down together. And here we were, swinging back and forth.

CNN: That's a rush you cant get from playing ball, What was the rush, why did it excite you.

KOBE: Well were both kind of daredevils, we like doing things that are on the edge.

CNN: Can you go to a theater? So when you want to go to a movie, what do you do. GO to the midnight, or a matinee?

KOBE: I was never one to walk around with security guards to much, but after this past season, it has really gotten to the point where it has been very difficult to go out, to enjoy life. I've really had to hire a team of security and they've had to travel with me.

CNN: And that's a bummer sometimes

CNN: Last question for you, e-mail question from a Chi-Quo from Hong Kong and this person wants to know, "Have you ever considered joining weaker teams, where you'd have more chances to score"

KOBE: No, because winning championships is what its all about. When its all said and done, nobody cares about how many points you've scored.

CNN: And your being sincere about that, because some guys love to win the scoring titles, and the rebound titles.

KOBE: They don't mean a thing. They don't mean a thing unless you got the ring. How's that sound

CNN: Not Bad, So, if the ring comes and you get the scoring titles and all that, then that's great

KOBE: All the other stuff is like icing on the cake. You win the championship, everything seems to fall in place.

CNN: And you get some money because you've got a bonus clause in your contract.

KOBE: I would play for free. If they had a team on Mars, then I would play on mars.

CNN: that day might be coming… Alright, Kobe KOBE, thank you very much, Los Angeles Lakers, Basketball star, enjoy your tour in Asia. And thank you for watching Talk Asia, Check out our website at CNN.com/talkasia for next weeks guests. I'm Dolton Tanonaka, See you next time.