Yahoo! Answers: Face-to-face with Kobe
We asked. You answered. In a really big way. More than 510 of you from the Yahoo! SEA Answers community took part in our “Ask Kobe a question” contest over four days last week.
After hours of sifting through the pages of questions (510 is a lot!), we finally picked two that were unique, thoughtful and, well, different. And the least we could do was ask the four-time NBA champ himself for his answer when we met him today during his 2009 Kobe Asia Tour.
Question 1: What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned since you became a global icon?
Question 2: With all the sacrifice that comes with fame and fortune, has there been a day or single moment that you regret what you’ve become?
Kobe:
“For both questions, I kind of have the same answer. I’ve been very, very fortunate to be in this position. And the biggest life lesson that I’ve learned is to be able to take all the different advice that I’ve been given and to help facilitate opportunities for others, whether it’s for the youth or people that are older. They all have dreams. That’s why I’ve become significantly more open with my foundation and charity work, just to try and help others, guide others. That’s the life lesson that I’ve learned. That’s what really important to me and to be in this position, no, I don’t regret it for one minute. Being in a position to help others, that means the world to them, and to me as well.”
Here are his other thoughts on:
A possible match-up against ex-teammate Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) in the 2009/10 NBA Final:
“It would be crazy. All the stories that could come out of it. All the hoopla — it would run for days and days and days. But for us as players, if that match-up is to happen, we have to take care of business first and take it one day at a time. But that being said, it would be one heck of a show.”
How he stays motivated for every game:
“I love what I do. It’s that simple. And I try to find new ways to do it better. It’s not about the fame or the money. When I was younger and was a nobody, I looked up at the best players in my age group and said to myself, ‘I’m watching you. I want what you have.’ I was working all the time. I trained like a maniac. By the time I was 17, I was training 7-8 hours each day, every day. When I was not on the court, I was doing mental training – watching videos, reading books, analysing team play. Now that I’m one the best players in the world, I know other players are watching me and they’re out to hunt me down. That’s how I keep my edge and keep improving.”
His favourite moment during his career:
“This year’s NBA Finals. Game 5 when we won the championship. Just standing at the half-court, knowing that we’d won. That’s the best moment of my career — by far.”
Toughest opponent:
“There’s no single individual player, because individuals — you can break them down. San Antonio, Denver, Boston Celtics — those are teams that have a strong work ethic and they’re tough to beat.”
Coach Phil Jackson:
“Extremely, extremely, extremely competitive.”
His soccer background as a kid:
“Soccer’s helped me with my footwork and has a lot to do with how I play… How the ball moves around the pitch and the team play. I’m also a big Barcelona and Lionel Messi fan.”
Best advice?
“My father’s advice to me when I was young was ‘No matter what you do, be the best at it. Go for the whole thing.’”
On his future:
“I’ll be a Laker for the rest of my career… I don’t see myself playing any place else. As for coaching? The answer to that is an emphatic ‘no’.”
How he rates himself as a player:
“I don’t, because I’m not done yet. Only when you’re done do you look back. I’m getting ready for next season and will keep going.”
[...] This post was Twitted by vanessaching [...]
kobe you are my legendary idol
you ROCK!!!!!!i wish i can go to see the match…
It really takes a lot of hardwork and love for what one does that it makes a lot of impact whether one succeeds or not. Luck has nothing to do with it. If luck happens, that’s just it, plain luck, which happens once in a while and uncontrolled.
A role model for the young generation
23 is the best..!!
M.J. is the best!!!
Nice job to Kobe Bryant for keeping his work and what he does out of the gossip tabloids. It was unfortunate, that, to Michael Phelps. Kobe is a great inspiration to me and I keep a tab on his quotes. Kobe is one athlete that will be hard to forget (after MJ, of course). ♥
Kobe, you impressed peoples on the world when you lead your team mate with professionalism attitude, your getting old and your getting
matured as par as your behavior and attitude on the court.
keep humble yourself as MJ did on the court, you got what you want
you give the best you can…impressive.
Basketball is an art of game, we excite watching players with a thousands of erobic artistic moves and you are one of this gift.
whatever guys! his airness is still no. 1!
Wow Kobe, went to your “Kobe Asia Tour” last night but did not get anything. You threw and kicked basketballs here and there but i didn’t get any. Wish I caught one with your signature…
haha thx guys
Kobe, I was there yesterday in d Indoor Stadium during your visit here in Singapore as part of your Nike Asian Tour. Too bad u didn’t showed us 1 spectacular dunk like u did in d Philippines.
However, my friend Jesse & I are really excited about u & d Lakers possible match-up against ex-teammate Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) in d 2010 NBA Finals. Ron Artest will surely be of great help. Can’t wait for d season to begin.
But losing a player like Trevor Ariza is like letting go of a player in d making of a Scottie Pippen in d line-up. I was hoping d team could acquire him back. Anyways, best of luck to u and the team next Season. God bless.
Kobe FTW!
Whatever you wan to say to me fans,u can say here
wow kobe im really impressed with ur work ethics and im a huge lakers fan. ure a great basketball player and plz do keep up the good work:)
love ur fakes and dribbles the most XD
GO KOBE
and i didnt know u liked soccer tooL :O
it could have been at staples or the philippines, it had to be singapore when all things almost seemed impossible, thanks for the handshake.
you’re the man kobe!!!! i think i love you na!!!
you’re really an inspiration to many…not just to kids aspring to be like you but to grown ups as well…
Lakers superstar , MVP & ‘2008-2009′world champion player Kobe Bryant aka : Black Mamba , i’m a huge fan of the La lakers squad . I’ve a great chance to see you in person & appearing before all the spectators in the indoor stadium yesterday eveing . It was a damn huge event . & i’m proud to say that i’ve finally seen you in person here in Singapore Indoor Stadium as part of your Asian Tour ‘2009′ .
I read all of your articles , watches all the games from the regular seasons to the semi-finals & till the finals . KB , you’re the most awesome & impressive basketball player , both on court , during practice & off court , i’ve ever seen man . You’re the most valuable , improved , determined & most impressive player of this decade . & after the retird his airness , michael jordan .
I’ve been to the country Philippines for x’mas last year . Yes , i agree that Philippines is one heck of a country which embraces basketball more than mainland china did . China is nothing , compared to the Philippines . The basketball there is bursting like a popped ballon . Everybody in the phils , embraces basketbll like a part of their life & livelihood . The anticipations there in the Phils is much more hotter than in china & Singapore , put together .
You are wise & make the right choice to visit the Phils which not many locals Singaporeans would prefers to go & visit , except me . Co , i’m different from the rest of the ignorant & stuck-up Singaporeans . I’m unique myself as a person & i dun mingle with too many locals here . Coz , they really bored me to death by copying too much from foreigners . & known as diehard copycats only . No originality .
Philippines is a great country , despite poverty striken in many parts of it’s provinces & islands . The locals there are hardworking folks & they’re also struggling to make ends meet too . Known for their friendliness & great hospitality as well as awesome hosts to all foreigners . I’ve already fallen in love with the country Philippines , juz like you did . More than i love my own Singapura poh . Philippines on the whole is a great place with so many awesome resorts to explore , great places for vacations & plenty of ang ganda mo=beautiful exotic belles to see . Better off than In Singapore .
So KB , seems like both me & you as fan & NBA player & superstar shares the same sentiments too . Great & bravo .
Rock on KB ! ! Rock on Lakers player . Go Lakers go .
All the best to the opening of the upcoming new seasons
‘2009-2010′, all star weekend ‘2010′ , etc . See you again in the finals ‘2009-2010′. & may all your dreams come true once again for a repeat . & as you emerged once again as a 5th time NBA world championship team as a player & as a Laker point guard . God blessed ya & goodluck in all your hard wrk & determinations as a laker player .
Fm : Albert Pang(singapore) .
wow,lakers vs. cavs in 2010?
i’m still with the lakers!
go kobe & co. & the lakers!
i hope you can do it w/ or w/o LO!
but i hope odom will still sign w/ the lake show!
COOL!!!
your my idol really, since kobe shoes arrived i will always buy because of lightness and durability… see you…
I would love to enjoy myself in singapore,any good recommendations?
You’re my ever favorite NBA player in the world Kobe Braynt I almost watched all of your game last season until final. I was always sitting to my chair in my office to watched the lakers highlight even I saw the game. I don’t know why but its just Kobe in my mind. I’m now very excited for the next season.. Lakers lakers lakers go go go!
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