Q & A KOBE BRYANT:Controlling the spotlight

EL SEGUNDO — While fielding questions from reporters after practice on Monday, Kobe Bryant squinted and blinked when speaking into microphones and tape recorders.

Apparently, a light from a TV camera was too bright for his eyes.

“That light is bright as hell,” Bryant said. “Do you have a filter on that thing?”

Throughout his topsy-turvy career, the light has always seemed to shine on Bryant, who lives in Newport Coast. Sometimes he has basked in it. Other times, he has shunned it.

This year, while the Los Angeles Lakers cling to a playoff spot, Bryant has had to control that light, making sure it shines on others, too. Many games throughout the season, he’s in demand.

Yes that light was shining brightly recently when he scored 50 or more points during a four-game stretch. That led many to question if he’s the best ever to play the game.

That speaks volumes considering he’s yet to win an NBA MVP award. But, he continues to take on the spotlight.

From scoring 81 points in a game (Jan. 22, 2006) to netting 19 points with 13 assists (in a 126-103 win over Sacramento on Sunday), he’s had to answer a plethora of questions.

On Monday, after speaking with reporters — Bryant called Coach Phil Jackson’s selection into the NBA Hall of Fame “a no-brainer,” — he took time out to answer a few more questions from the Daily Pilot sports staff:

Question: How would you describe this season?

Answer: It’s been a fun season. It’s been a roller-coaster season because we’ve had so many injuries. We’ve had to battle through a lot. But it’s been a fun season. Now that we have the guys back healthy, now it’s just about building that rhythm again.

Q: How does it feel to be one of the top players in the NBA and to play for a team that’s struggling to make the playoffs?

A: I don’t think we’re struggling to make the playoffs. We’re pretty much a lock to make the playoffs. But it feels good. I feel like we’re a young team, but we’re not far away.

Q: Do you get frustrated at times?

A: Not really. It’s been frustrating this year because we’ve had so many injuries, but without the injuries, we got guys like Luke [Walton], Lamar [Odom] and Kwame [Brown], we got guys who have been together for a while. You add a couple of pieces here and there and then you got a championship contender.

Q: You think you have a 100-point game in you?

A: No, I don’t think so. The game is so different now than it was when Wilt [Chamberlain] scored 100 points. I just don’t see it being possible.

Q: What’s your opinion of the NBA rule that says high school graduates must play at least one year of college ball?

A: You can make the argument both ways. Personally, it worked well for me and worked well for [Tracy] McGrady and LeBron [James] and a bunch of others, but there are also cases where it didn’t.

I think it’s good that kids are going to college. I think it makes the college game exciting. The education part is something you can always have. You don’t have to go to college as soon as you come out of high school, some kids travel to Europe.

Q: Why did you pick Newport Coast to live?

A: I really don’t know. It’s a great area. It’s peaceful. People don’t seem to bother you too much. It’s a great area. You’re in the middle of everything. You got Disneyland down the street, you have Knott’s [Berry Farm] and you got the beach. You got pretty much everything you want.

Q: What was your lowest moment in the NBA?

A: Losing is always tough. Not making the playoffs for the first time in my career a couple years ago was tough. But you have to bounce back from that.

Q: What was your highest moment in the NBA?

A: You have to go back to winning championships. That’s the most fun.

Q: How do you want to be remembered?

A: As a champion. Plain and simple. A champion.

Q: Who’s your vote for MVP? (asked with reporters)

A: I would probably give it to Dirk [Nowitzki] just because his team is having such a magnificent year. They could win 70 games depending on how they finish out. He’s having a terrific season. I know he has worked extremely hard from where his career started to where he is now. I would vote for him.

Q: Don’t you think you deserve it?

A: That’s not how it’s being voted. You have to have the best record in the league or one of the best records in the league. Maybe that time will come for us in the near future.