Kobe Bryant is becoming increasingly frank with the media. His recent after-game interviews have become the highlight of his lost Lakers season, comparing the team to toilet paper and Titanic.
Just before acquiring a shoulder injury which has ended his season, Bryant agreed to appear for an interview with Chuck Klosterma of GQ. During the meet-up, he revealed his relationships with co-player Shaquille O'Neal and coach Phil Jackson. The basketball star said that he got infuriated with Jackson when he called him out to the media after signing a contract extension in 1999.
"I knew what I could have done individually," Bryant told Klosterma. "I could have gone to another team and averaged 35 points a game. I could have gone anywhere and destroyed people. I gave that up to win championships. So it was infuriating to hear people say I was selfish."
Bryant's series of unfortunate injuries has also presented him a new perspective on teammate O'Neal. He has previously referred to O'Neal as lazy during the latter part of his season with the team.
"There were years where he was lazy. However, during those three championships in which we won, to say he acted like a beast would definitely be an understatement," Bryant added. "To say that I did not learn a lot of things from him which I still make use of until today would be a lie and disservice."
The 37-year-old NBA player also sat down with NBA TV on Monday where he shot down suggestions that he is already prepared to hang up his uniform.