Everything has a purpose. And that purpose has a story that goes along with it. It just depends on what your passion is.

Being a leader, it's the art of trying to find the balance, the right times with each individual and what they need at that moment. It requires looking outward as opposed to looking inside.

I have my own identity ... The whole Michael thing does drive me nuts sometimes because people won't leave it alone. He's bald, I have hair. He's almost 40, I'm 22. Seriously though, I wish people would let it be and let me just be Kobe.

If I panic, everyone else panics.

It's not about the number of hours you practice, it's about the number of hours your mind is present during the practice

I'm playing against great players, playing against the best in the world. The competition-that's what I've always wanted.

I've pretty much done all I can here and, you know, God will carry me the rest of the way, so I'm pretty comfortable with that.