Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard took questions from assembled media before practice

[championships]

KOBE BRYANT


Q: On his confidence level in the Buss children carrying on the success Dr. Buss had with the franchise over the years:

Bryant: Very confident.

Q: On if something like this can help galvanize the team the rest of the season:

Bryant: I hope so. A lot of the guys here never had a chance to meet him and didn’t really know him. Some of us were too young to understand the impact and significance he had. Now it’s a chance to get somewhat of a history lesson and understand what this franchise is, what it really means, where it comes from and hopefully we can carry that on.

Q: On what it means to be a Laker and if it can be:

Bryant: That’s a tough question for me to answer. I just so happened to grow up a Laker fan. I’ve bled purple and gold my whole life. It’s tough for me. That’s unfamiliar territory for me. That’s all I know. I don’t know if it can be taught or not.

DWIGHT HOWARD

Q: On if his shoulder feels better or if he’s trying to maintain where it’s at right now:

Howard: For anybody who has had a torn labrum, they understand there are days where it feels super good. All it takes that one movement or that one hit and it starts to hurt and it gets numb and all that stuff. There’s really nothing I can do at this point, but continue to rehab, continue to strengthen it and hope I don’t have any problems during games.

Q: On what it means to be playing for the Lakers franchise:

Howard: It’s a great experience, for one. It means a lot to see what this team actually stands for and what they mean. It’s different from being around the league and going to different arenas. It’s a totally different atmosphere here. I understand the longer I’ve been here the more I understand how important this franchise is and how people see this team – the legacy, the history and it means a lot.

Q: On if he’s concerned the Lakers culture will change now that Dr. Buss is gone:

Howard: I don’t think so. This franchise and organization will be great. There are a lot of great pieces here and we’re going to do our job to make sure this organization stays the same.

Q: On how much pressure he feels to carry that legacy on:

Howard: Right now, the only focus is for our team is to make sure we have a great second half and make sure we get on the same page and start winning games.

Q: On if he finds any relief about Mitch Kupchak’s comments that he will not be traded:

Howard: He’s been saying that for the last month-and-a-half or two months. There’s always rumors and stuff swirling around. One thing he tells me every day is to trust him, so that’s what I’m going to continue to do and control what I can control.

Q: On why there is so much controversy surrounding him:

Howard: I really don’t know. I haven’t changed as a person. I’m still going to be the guy I was before stuff started to go down. I don’t know, but I’m not going to change who I am. I’m not going to let the stuff that’s been happening defeat me as a person. I’m going to find a way to push through it.

Q: On if he’s had any conversation with Kupchak or Jim Buss about his future:

Howard: They haven’t really said too much about it all year. There’s always stuff that goes on on the outside. As far as on the inside, what we talk about is how I can improve and what we as a team can do to get better. That’s the only thing I’m more concerned with – how we can win games and how we can come together as a team.

Q: On a report about him being unhappy in Los Angeles:

Howard: Listen, I have never said anything about none of this stuff. So if anybody has a report or anything about what’s going on, if it’s not from me, then obviously it can’t be true. I’m not going to let this situation defeat me. I’m not going to let whatever has happened up until today or in the past affect me. I’m going to get back to being who I am and defeat whatever is in front of me. That’s where I stand in this whole situation. We’re going to look at this second half of the season as an opportunity for our team to do something special and something great, and we’re going to do this for Dr. Buss.

http://blog.lakers.com/lakers/2013/0...ct-on-dr-buss/


Plus they asked Pau a few questions (Mostly about Buss) And asked Kobe and Dwight a few questions about Buss of course.

[Laker fan in OZ]

Dwight's comments sound very similar to a link somebody posted here a few days ago of when he was in Orlando and the whole SVG situation.

I hope he stays but wont believe it until he signs.

[cp3fan]

I think he always sticks to his predetermined plan. He wanted to be in brooklyn, and wont have it anyother way.

[lakersincebirth]

Circus.

[jsthornton7]

We’re going to look at this second half of the season as an opportunity for our team to do something special and something great, and we’re going to do this for Dr. Buss.

That's nice to hear amid the circus at least

[It's Maaaaaagic]

I say trade him for Rondo and Pierce. You can then either trade Pierce, or keep him for a run next season.

I think though, that the Lakes want to trade Pau after this season, because of his WAY over-bloated contract. We could probably get a nice couple pieces for him, but we'd have to roll with Clark, Sacre and Hill as our bigs (and anything we might get in return for trading).

I see no reason to be giving a max contract to a very immature and spoiled Dwight, who has huge flaws in his game.

[Decimotox]

It's nice to hear him say "we" when talking about carrying on the laker tradition and seeing that it doesn't change. I'm still in the "believe it when I see it" boat, but I do hope he sticks around. I just want his attitude to improve on the court. It's pretty obvious they won't trade him, so lets hope for the best.

[LA4life24/8]

agreed, i just want him to not ***** and whine every game, do i think he needs to be a bigger part of our game? yes; but he needs to work pnr all day with nash until we get that down, the rest will come after that one simple play gets worked out. thats where it started for nash in phoenix, pnr with amare, and then the rest fell into place

[Decimotox]

agreed, i just want him to not ***** and whine every game, do i think he needs to be a bigger part of our game? yes; but he needs to work pnr all day with nash until we get that down, the rest will come after that one simple play gets worked out. thats where it started for nash in phoenix, pnr with amare, and then the rest fell into place

There was always a wide open shooter, that's why it worked. Phoenix was loaded with shooters. They'd either double amare, double Nash, or risk one of them beating you....aka wide open shots lol

[bocajr22]

I would rather piss glass then see Pierce and Rondo in Laker uniforms...and I know Dr. Buss would've as well. I am all for getting a deal done and changing this squad but I don't want lifetime celtics becoming lakers. Doesn't sit well...not to mention one is old and getting fat (Pierce) and the other just blew his knee out (Rondo).

[still1ballin]

I don't know what to believe anymore.

[It's Maaaaaagic]

I would rather piss glass then see Pierce and Rondo in Laker uniforms...and I know Dr. Buss would've as well. I am all for getting a deal done and changing this squad but I don't want lifetime celtics becoming lakers. Doesn't sit well...not to mention one is old and getting fat (Pierce) and the other just blew his knee out (Rondo).

I hear ya, and am totally with you...

I just can't take anymore of these new-age spoiled primadonnas, and having a guy like Dwight in purple and gold isn't much better. The idea of him with no rings, mocking an all-time great with 5??? Hell, at this point I'd say trade him for some draft picks.

[GREATNESS ONE]

I don't know what to believe anymore.

Believe in Team Sachs !!!!

[still1ballin]

Believe in Team Sachs !!!!