<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">EL SEGUNDO - Not much has happened in the five months since Kobe Bryant last spoke publicly at the Lakers' practice facility - only the return of Phil Jackson as coach and a recasting of the central characters in the NBA's most watched soap opera. For the first time since Jackson was hired, Bryant talked Monday about the relationship between the two - a relationship he insisted will be all business - while acknowledging the Lakers have "a huge hill to climb" after finishing 34-48 last season. "Things are fine," Bryant said. "There's so much work we have to do as far as installing the offense, and we've got so many new guys, it's going to be a work in progress. He loves challenges, I love challenges, so we're looking forward to this. "We just show up and we're just ready to work, both of us. That's kind of how we do things. We're both very, very driven, and we know about this challenge that lies ahead. We're just focused on that." Bryant had little to say when Jackson was rehired in June, issuing a three-sentence statement that he supported the choice of a "proven winner." The two have had at least one sit-down meeting since and several conversations, all the subject of much speculation. With two weeks to go before training camp begins, Bryant spoke after a photo shoot for a calendar featuring the Lakers players and a group of rescued dogs. The calendar will be sold at Ralphs supermarkets starting in November; Bryant posed with a dog named Bjorn that Jeanie Buss found abandoned in a park near her home. It was only part of a day in which Bryant went running at 4 a.m. and later played in a pickup game with teammates. He said he has benefited from having a full summer to work out, something that wasn't always the case when the Lakers were playing for championships into June. As for Jackson, Bryant was asked if he and his former coach had established a level of trust again. "It's really all business," Bryant said. "I really don't want to turn this season, every (media) session into a me-and-Phil conversation because it takes away from this organization, what we're trying to accomplish. Phil and I, we're just extremely driven. </div> Source
I think Kobe knows what he needs to do to win. He's coming around. Im looking forward to a new and improved Kobe.
I can't wait for the season to start already. I think the Lakers will surprise a lot of people this year and i'm expecting Kwame to put up at least 14/7. Kobe is being smart - saying little as he can to the media, giving the media less fuel to burn.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It was only part of a day in which Bryant went running at 4 a.m. and later played in a pickup game with teammates. He said he has benefited from having a full summer to work out, something that wasn't always the case when the Lakers were playing for championships into June.</div> that was the statement that got me. Running at 4am? now that's dedication. Not to mention the fact he got to practice longer in the offseason than he ever did.
