Daily Archive for February 12th, 2010

Pau Gasol Media Session

Published by Mike Trudell on February 12, 2010 12:38 pm in All-Star 2010.

As mentioned in the “Kobe Bryant Media Session” post, we’ll have video of L.A.’s All-Star players’ respective media sessions on the ver at All-Star Central page later today. In the meantime, here are a few comments from Pau Gasol:

Q: On Shannon Brown’s chances at the Slam Dunk Contest:
Gasol: I think he’s impressive enough to take the whole thing. The way he jumps, the way he palms the ball so much … I think it will be shocking for him not to (win).

Q: On if Brown dunks on D.J. Mbenga the most in practice:
Gasol: Probably. But most of Shannon’s dunks are on the break. He takes off, and you know how he dunks. But (yes), D.J. is definitely the guy who gets dunked on the most, because he goes after everything no matter (what).

On if he’s ready for the “Shooting Stars” competition:
Gasol: Not yet. I still have to figure out what the spots are. I think we still have to assign them. It will be interesting, but I hope I can make my spots and help the team. In this case it would have helped me to take some halfcourt shots (like Sasha Vujacic).

On Kobe Bryant’s absence from the game and health:
Gasol: It’s a pity that Kobe can’t play, but I know that he needs that ankle to heal, and that’s for the best of the team. It’s a good thing. He brings so much excitement and hype to the (All-Star) game … (but) I’ll do my best in the game and try to stay out of trouble, out of danger and try to have fun.

Kobe Bryant Media Session

Published by Mike Trudell on February 12, 2010 11:03 am in All-Star 2010.

Kobe BryantOver at All-Star Central later today, we’ll have video of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Shannon Brown’s media sessions from Friday afternoon in Dallas.

To whet your appetite, here’s some Kobe:

On his ankle:
Bryant: It’s doing OK. It’s still sore, obviously. Just gotta treat it and get it ready.

On missing the All-Star Game:
Bryant: Weird. Especially here. This is a historical All-Star Game being played at Cowboy Stadium, so it’s a shame that I have to miss this one.

On Shannon Brown keeping it “Old School” in the Dunk Contest:
Bryant: What I mean by that is to kind of take it back to the way the Dunk Contest used to be and just showcase your god-given ability, just go up there and fly. Like he can. Not get too fancy, just get up there and do what he does.

On his rehabilitation:
Bryant: I’m doing therapy non-stop, around the clock until it’s ready to go. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later … The back’s fine, the finger I can’t do anything about – it’s broken. It is what it is. The finger is going to have to be taped probably as long as I continue to play.

On how he thinks he will feel after the All-Star break, with 10 days of rest:
Bryant: I’ll definitely be healthier than I was the last (month). That’s a plus. I won’t have to limp around, won’t have to take short cuts throughout the course of the game. I can play with a lot of energy in the that I was at the start of the season.

On if the Lakers are the team to beat:
Bryant: We’re the champions. Absolutely. I said the same thing about Boston the year before. Until somebody knocks you off, you’re the team to beat. But I feel confident with who we have. I like our depth, I like our size, I like our chemistry.

On if the Lakers need to do anything before the Feb. 18 trade deadline:
Bryant: I don’t think so. That’s (Lakers General Manager) Mitch’s (Kupchak) call.

All-Star Media Session No. 1

Published by Mike Trudell on February 12, 2010 8:54 am in All-Star 2010.

Shannon BrownBetween 12-12:30 p.m. at the player’s hotel in Dallas, Shannon Brown will get his first taste of Slam Dunk mass attention during the All-Star Saturday Night participant media availability.

While Brown has previously pledged not to reveal any of his ideas (meaning he’ll be covering much of the same questions he’s gotten in L.A. for the past few weeks), we’ll be on hand to see what he has to offer (“I can fly” would be a good generic quote, right?).

Also going through the All-Star Saturday media tour will be Pau Gasol, who’s scheduled to participate in the “Shooting Stars” competition, so we’ll check in with the Spaniard as well.

Then between 12:30-1:15 p.m., the Western Conference All-Stars will address collected press members, meaning more Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant’s first session.

Stay tuned.