Kobe Bryant

There’s a reason why players that have multiple championships have multiple championships. There’s a certain characteristic and an understanding and knowledge and that’s not something that’s easily taught. You kind of have to go through it and it kind of has to be part of your DNA from the beginning.

It’s not a question of if we make the playoffs; we will. And when we get there, I have no fear of anyone.

It's not about the number of hours you practice, it's about the number of hours your mind is present during the practice

I wouldn't say I'm a ball hog. I'm a shooter.

I played T-Mac. I cooked him. Roasted him. Wasn't even close.

I'm playing against great players, playing against the best in the world. The competition-that's what I've always wanted.

This is an award I couldn't have won on my own. I can't thank these guys enough. These are my guys, these are my brothers.

You have to be able to separate business from the love of the game. There were a lot of decisions made business-wise that I wasn't happy with, and I took a lot of blame over the years. But you have to be able to separate that from the love you have for the game.

Everybody wants to talk about NBA players being selfish and arrogant and individuals. But what you saw today was a team bonding and facing adversity and coming out with a big win.

I realize now that there's a strength in dunking that I can use to my advantage. When you dunk all the time it isn't as demoralizing to the opponent, but when you dunk at a key moment in the game you can use it to change the momentum.

I had some shots that I felt like I should've made; I just didn't make them. I'm not going to shoot the ball great every night.

I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber.

The party's just getting started. This is where the fun starts.

It doesn't matter to me what place I get traded to. If I was traded someplace - I'd play anywhere.

You always have to be on edge. You always have to take every practice, every game, like it is your last.

I felt like when we came back from the All-Star break we needed everybody to feel like they were part of the team, ... I'm just trying to do whatever the team needs at any given time.

Basketball is my refuge, my sanctuary. I go back to being a kid on the playground. When I get here, it's all good.

It's disgusting, but my father taught me when your mouth gets dry, just suck the sweat out of your own jersey. There's no bravado to any of it; it's just a disgusting little trick.

I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. No matter what the injury - unless it's completely debilitating - I'm going to be the same player I've always been. I'll figure it out. I'll make some tweaks, some changes, but I'm still coming.

In an individual sport, yes, you have to win titles. Baseball's different. But basketball, hockey? One person can control the tempo of a game, can completely alter the momentum of a series. There's a lot of great individual talent.

What people see on court is another side of me; it's not me.