Yang Lan: your's first match was against China. It's not easy because they are playing at home. What are your expectations?
Kobe: My expectation is that this environment is very special for us. I don't think we will experience it again. This competitive environment. The atmosphere of the stadium will be very warm, but someone must be the first to meet the host. It's our turn We are all very excited. This is a good opportunity for us to show ourselves on the stage of the Olympic Games.
Yang Lan: Did you hear Yao Ming's comments on the first game?
Kobe: Never heard of it.
Yang Lan: He said that if China wins the United States this time, he will retire.
Kobe: Oh.
Yang Lan: Because this will be the highest point of his career, do you think he has a chance?
Kobe: There must be opportunities. But I think, after hearing what he said, China fans would not want to see him retire, and no one would want Yao Ming to retire.
Yang Lan: So you must win.
Kobe: That's why you should boo China so that it has no chance to retire.
Yang Lan: Winning the gold medal is your only goal, right?
Kobe: Yes, that's right.
Yang Lan: Silver medal means failure, right?
Kobe: That's right. For us, everyone's expectation is that we will win the gold medal, so you are right.
Yang Lan: Which teams pose the greatest threat to the United States?
Kobe: For us, every game is equally important. Everyone knows that.
Yang Lan: To be honest, you must have some competitors that you value most. It is impossible to attach equal importance to every game.
Kobe: No, no, no, for us, every team is an opponent, but the media usually mention Argentina, Spain and Greece more, but for us, we can't ignore any other team, so we have to work hard one by one. Step by step.
Yang Lan: Do you think the US team is in a state of regaining the championship?
Kobe: Yes, we train very hard. We're ready.
Yang Lan: What did Coach K tell you? How does he adjust your state?
Kobe: He just said, remember that you are playing for your country. The whole United States is watching and supporting you, and the children who want to be players in the future are watching you. You should remember who you play for on the court.
Yang Lan: In the past, American professional basketball players often paid little attention to the Olympic Games.
Kobe: Right.
Yang Lan: Is the situation very different now?
Kobe: It's different now.
Yang Lan: How is it different?
Kobe: People pay more attention to the Olympic Games than the NBA championship. We are more eager to win the Olympic champion than the NBA champion. When you pay so much attention to the Olympics, things will change.
Yang Lan: What did you say to your partner? What did you say to yourself and your teammates about the importance of this Olympic Games? What is the special significance for the American national team?
Kobe: There is a lot of pressure. We only won the bronze medal last time, which also shows how important basketball is to the United States. You must win the gold medal. You can't win the second or third place, so there is extra pressure on us, but it is inevitable. We welcome this pressure.
Yang Lan: Are you anxious?
Kobe: I don't think it's anxiety, it's expectation. We can't wait to get into the game. We realize that this is a very important opportunity, and we are ready.
Yang Lan: What failures do you think your team can handle in the former US team?
Kobe: I talked to some former national team players. First of all, they feel that there is no sincere cooperation, not necessarily on the court.
Yang Lan: What's the reason?
Kobe: My understanding is that the relationship within the team is complicated, and there are small groups in twos and threes.
Yang Lan: Oh. Like "I'm tired of this guy".
Kobe: Yes, as you said, those players are not very harmonious. But in this team, we are all very close, because the personalities are compatible and it is easier to cooperate on the court.
Yang Lan: Is it easy to play in a team with so many superstars? Each of you is the core of your team and your usual opponent. Do you have any individualism or team spirit when you play in a team?
Kobe: I think it is easier this way.
Yang Lan: Is it easy?
Kobe: I think it's because each of us should be bold in our own NBA team. It's easier for us now, because you don't have to work so hard. I don't need to score 30 points, grab 6 rebounds and 6 assists. I am very tired. I don't want to play like this all summer. Now this is a good relaxation for us. You need to play hard, but you don't have to lead the team.
Yang Lan: So you feel less pressure than in the NBA, right?
Kobe: For everyone's physical exertion, that's right. Speaking of stress. It's bigger here, because you want to win the championship for your country, but I think personal physical consumption is much smaller.
Yang Lan: What do you think is the biggest advantage of this team?
Kobe: It is the tacit understanding of our cooperation, which is the best. We run in well. During training, our two teams play practice matches, which can form a good rhythm. We are very cohesive because we get along well.
Yang Lan: Is there a process of integration? Have you always been good friends?
Kobe: When we started training, we immediately became one. Everyone is joking and teasing each other, and there is no need for any process. But the longer we spend together, the more we know or get familiar with each other, and we get along well from the beginning.
Yang Lan: It's natural, isn't it?
Kobe: Yes, that's it for the time being.
Yang Lan: What are you willing to do in this team that you don't usually have to do?
Kobe: I will do anything. Anything.
Yang Lan: Can we give water and towels to everyone?
Kobe: Not only that, if I give you popcorn, I will give it to you. As long as it helps us win. I will do anything.
Yang Lan: Let's talk about the opening ceremony. You attended the induction ceremony with the US team, and President your was there. The audience cheered. You took a lot of close-ups. How do you feel?
Kobe: This feeling is incredible. As soon as we walked into the stadium, my first reaction was: Wow, the scene is too big, so many people, so many lights. Then when you walk on the runway, you can see teams from many countries, and people from every country are applauding to celebrate the opening of the Olympic Games. Then I saw the audience waving the American flag and shouting America, America. I feel excited because I have never been there. I got goose bumps all over with excitement. It's incredible.
Yang Lan: What do you think of the ignition ceremony?
Kobe: It's amazing. When we entered the stadium, we were all wondering how the main torch would be lit. When we see the torchbearers flying, we are like this. The scene was beautiful, and then we saw the scenes of countless torchbearers passing the torch on the screen, which was amazing.
Yang Lan: This is also an incentive for your morale and team cohesion.
Kobe: Yes, on the whole.
Yang Lan: Win glory for our country.
Yang Lan: What is the best experience about China for you? Do you know that your jersey is the best seller in China NBA?
Kobe: Yes, I know. Every time I come to China, it is a wonderful experience for me. Everyone always gives me a very warm welcome. I walked into the stadium yesterday and saw the fans in the audience shouting MVP (Most Valuable Player) or calling my name, which was very good. This can make me work harder because I know many people support me. There are many people watching you.
Yang Lan: Are you going to cross the street?
Kobe: No.
Yang Lan: I dare not let you go out, do I?
Kobe: They won't let me go.
Yang Lan: Have you studied Chinese?
Kobe: Good morning.
Yang Lan: Good morning.
Kobe: Good morning, they taught me this. Hello, how are you? Thank you! I'm trying to remember these words, because you always want to be friendly to everyone and come downstairs to say hello in the morning. You want to say hello and thank you, so I learned these most commonly used words.
Yang Lan: Do you have any stories to tell us, such as the interaction with China fans?
Kobe: Yes. I came here last year, walked into a Nike store and signed some jerseys and sneakers. For fans, there were many outsiders, and one climbed the telephone pole across the road. He wanted a ball signed by me, but I couldn't pass it to him, so I signed a basketball and threw it across the street. He caught it with one hand, which is the most wonderful ball I have ever seen.
Yang Lan: Good catch.
Kobe: Good catch.
Yang Lan: Is playing ball a relaxing process for you?
Kobe: Yes, a very calm process.
Yang Lan: It's calm, isn't it?
Kobe: Right. Very calm. Because that's my specialty. I'm happy to be interviewed, but I'm not very good at it. Playing ball is my birthright, just like being like a duck to water.
Yang Lan: Like a duck to water.
Kobe: Right.
Yang Lan: How do you define your own style? What is Kobe's style?
Kobe: My style is based on creativity, unlimited creativity, and I try my best to achieve my goal. I want to give full play to my creativity and imagination when I stand on the court.
Yang Lan: So you think playing ball is like art.
Kobe: You can say that because you are improvising and feel the rhythm of the game and the energy of the audience. In the face of each other's defense, you should constantly think of new ways to beat them. You should take part in the competition.
Yang Lan: Every athlete will go through a stage of stagnant development. Do you feel this way?
Kobe: I try to avoid it. I can always find something that can be improved from the game. I think this is the secret. Don't be complacent, look for it. I can improve here or there. Constantly push yourself to find freshness and fun from the game.
Yang Lan: Where does your motivation come from?
Kobe: I don't know. I don't know. I just like basketball. It's interesting to me.
Yang Lan: You don't need a coach to chase after you and say, Kobe, run! Run! You don't need it. Is it?
Kobe: No. Of course, I will try my best to run. After so many years, it has become an instinct.
Yang Lan: You seem to have changed a lot in recent years, both as a person and as a player.
Kobe: I don't think so. I've always been like this. The only change is that I have given people a better chance to know the real me, instead of just training hard. Because of this, people say that you have changed, but I have not. I've been like this all these years.
Yang Lan: What kind of misunderstandings are most likely to occur in the media or the public?
Kobe: I think the most common thing is that when you watch me play, you will think that I am always serious. Actually, it's completely wrong. I'm crazy.
Yang Lan: What tricks can you play?
Kobe: I am very interesting. Of course, I am not a professional dramatist, but I can make others laugh. I like watching movies and bungee jumping.
Yang Lan: Bungee jumping, they want to give you more rope.
Kobe: Yes, they don't want any accidents.
Yang Lan: You said you either love me or hate me. Why do you say that?
Kobe: It's a sense of competition. You either support a person or oppose him. So you will subconsciously say, either support us or oppose us. If you are our opponent, we will beat you, which is a competitive power.
Yang Lan: But it will extend beyond the stadium.
Kobe: Yes, many people will understand that, which means you can't please everyone.
Yang Lan: Have you ever tried to satisfy others?
Kobe: No, my father told me a long time ago that you just have to be yourself, be confident and love your family. Have fun in your career and do your best. Even if you are the most perfect person in the world, there will still be people who don't like you, so be it.
Yang Lan: (Tomorrow) President Bush will be there to watch the game between China and the United States. Will your wife and children be there?
Kobe: No, they just 18 came to Beijing to watch the rest of the game. I hope they can watch us accept the prize.
Yang Lan: President your is sitting in the audience. Will it give you extra pressure?
Kobe: Yes, there will definitely be extra pressure, which also shows the special significance of the Olympic Games. The challenge of our team winning the gold medal, the support given by our country, and the attendance of our president and his family at this important game are all very special.
Yang Lan: Imagine if your wife and daughter were there, whose support is more important to you.
Kobe: My family, no doubt.
Yang Lan: Never mind the president.
Kobe: Yes, family always comes first.
Yang Lan: Will it distract you if your family is present? Will you always look for them in the audience and try to make eye contact with them?
Kobe: I always do that. Even if I play in the NBA, if my family goes to the scene, I will check whether they have arrived and everything is normal.
Yang Lan: What kind of signals will they give you to show encouragement?
Kobe: My daughter will blow me a kiss like this.
Yang Lan: Just keep blowing kisses.
Kobe: She always does. Every time I look back at her, she always does.
Yang Lan: It's so cute.
Yang Lan: At the America's Cup last year, I heard that coach K edited the most wonderful clips of your playing, and showed them to the whole team to learn from your performance. Is that so?
Kobe: Yes. I thought the same thing.
Yang Lan: What does this mean?
Kobe: It's my pleasure. K is one of the best coaches we have ever had, if he follows my example.
Yang Lan: Is it your birthday on the final day?
Kobe: It was the day before.
Yang Lan: It was the day before.
Kobe: Yes, it was the day before the final. I celebrated my 30th birthday on August 23rd.
Yang Lan: What are you going to give yourself for your birthday?
Kobe: It would be great to win the gold medal. That would be the best birthday present.
20 10 Guest High-end Interview: At 20 10, Beijing time on August 2, CCTV high-end interview broadcast an exclusive interview with Kobe Bryant, and Kobe revealed the real reason for changing his No.24 jersey in the program. The result is quite different from the previous version.