History and Bryant, of course, proved Shaq wrong as the Lakers won two titles without the Big Diesel. But that is just one topic Bryant touches on in a wide-ranging interview with Yahoo!Sports’ Graham Bensinger.
Bryant said that the Celtics not only provided him with one of his lowest moments,but also one of the greatest in his 17-year career. Of all the games he has played since joining the NBA at age 17, rallying from a 15-point deficit in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals to win his fifth championship remains his greatest highlight.
“That was the hardest one,” Bryant said, pointing out that the victory came against four future Hall-of-Famers.
Bryant also reflected on the effects the dismissed sexual assault charges had on him in 2002. He said facing criminal charges changed his outlook on himself and what’s really important in life.
“That’s real pressure,” he said. “That’s life pressure. That’s not a game-winning shot where if you make it, you win and if you don’t you don’t. That (facing possible jail time) is real pressure. ”
Bryant, 34, also held fast to a comment he made during his first NBA season when he said that at age 35 he would be retired and “relaxing with his family overseas.”
“That’s still probably accurate. I don’t know if I will play longer than that,” he told Bensinger, adding that there are several things he can no longer do at his age.
“I don’t have the same motor,” he said.
