Over at All-Star Central later today, we’ll have video of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Shannon Brown’s media sessions from Friday afternoon in Dallas.
To whet your appetite, here’s some Kobe:
On his ankle:
Bryant: It’s doing OK. It’s still sore, obviously. Just gotta treat it and get it ready.
On missing the All-Star Game:
Bryant: Weird. Especially here. This is a historical All-Star Game being played at Cowboy Stadium, so it’s a shame that I have to miss this one.
On Shannon Brown keeping it “Old School” in the Dunk Contest:
Bryant: What I mean by that is to kind of take it back to the way the Dunk Contest used to be and just showcase your god-given ability, just go up there and fly. Like he can. Not get too fancy, just get up there and do what he does.
On his rehabilitation:
Bryant: I’m doing therapy non-stop, around the clock until it’s ready to go. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later … The back’s fine, the finger I can’t do anything about – it’s broken. It is what it is. The finger is going to have to be taped probably as long as I continue to play.
On how he thinks he will feel after the All-Star break, with 10 days of rest:
Bryant: I’ll definitely be healthier than I was the last (month). That’s a plus. I won’t have to limp around, won’t have to take short cuts throughout the course of the game. I can play with a lot of energy in the that I was at the start of the season.
On if the Lakers are the team to beat:
Bryant: We’re the champions. Absolutely. I said the same thing about Boston the year before. Until somebody knocks you off, you’re the team to beat. But I feel confident with who we have. I like our depth, I like our size, I like our chemistry.
On if the Lakers need to do anything before the Feb. 18 trade deadline:
Bryant: I don’t think so. That’s (Lakers General Manager) Mitch’s (Kupchak) call.