Bulan Juli 2011 adalah saat pertama saya ke luar negeri. Pengalaman pertama. Paspor masih kosong melompong belum ada stempel destinasi sama sekali. Perjalanan ini istimewa bagi saya bukan hanya karena ini adalah perjalanan pertama ke luar negeri, tetapi juga dalam rangka bertemu Kobe Bryant di Manila, Filipina.
Saat perjalanan menuju Manila, saya deg-degan. Bagaimana rasanya berhadapan langsung dengan Kobe Bryant dan mewawancarainya. Pada hari-H, ada rasa lega dan kecewa. Lega karena saya tak perlu deg-degan, karena wawancara dilakukan bersama-sama dengan puluhan wartawan lain dari Filipina. Kecewa karena tak ada wawancara tatap muka istimewa antara saya dan Kobe Bryant.
Kepergian Kobe Bryant yang mendadak hari ini membuat saya mencari kembali dokumen wawancara ini. Mudah menemukannya karena masih ada di blog mainbasket.wordpress.com. Isinya barangkali sudah tak lagi relevan dengan saat ini. Namun mengingat itu adalah momen terdekat saya dengan Kobe Bryant, rasanya petikan wawancara ini layak untuk diunggah kembali.
Which of your games do you consider the most important?
I think it would be Game 7 against the Boston Celtics. It was the most challenging.
What advice can you give to help enhance the game in Asia?
Continue to learn, continue to teach. Practice, practice, practice.
Given the NBA lockout, how do you keep your rhythm? (Waktu itu, NBA sedang di ambang lockout. Pertanyaan-pertanyaan terkait NBA lockout sebenarnya tak boleh dilontarkan. Namun sulit mencegah media untuk tidak menanyakan hal ini ketika itu.)
Keep on practicing. Don’t stop. I make sure that when it does end, I’m ready.
What do you think contributed to the lockout?
I haven’t spent enough time to actually choose a favorite.
Ending the season on a bad note, what are your plans for next season?
Payback. I’m gonna make them feel my pain.
What are your thoughts on the retirement of Yao Ming?
I haven’t had the chance to reach out yet, but his contribution to the NBA has been amazing. He opened a lot of doors for other players. When he was healthy, he was phenomenal.
Tell us about the foundation you built with your wife.
The foundation fights homelessness, which is such a big problem that has been swept under the rug but definitely something that we can solve. We are growing the foundation and hopefully, it becomes something global.
What do you want to instill in kids?
There is no secret formula. The more you do it, the better you get at it.
Are you interested in once again joining the 2012 Olympics?
I’m more than happy to join.
How do you achieve greatness?
Greatness is very subjective. People have different goals, and whenever someone achieves their goals, that’s greatness.
What made you change your number from 8 to 24?
8 represents the first chapter of my life and 24 is where I am now. It also represents the 24 hours in a day. It reminds me that I should take each day as it comes.
Why aren’t you on Twitter?
I don’t feel like it. If I want to contact someone, I can call or text him. I don’t need everyone else to know what it is I want to say to that person.
What are your thoughts about your dad becoming a coach for the Los Angeles Sparks?
I’m really excited for him. He’s a natural at being a coach and I’m not just saying that because he’s my dad. I’ve been extremely lucky that I have him as a role model.
If you can pick 2 other player to form a Big 3, which players (who are not from your team) will you pick?
That question is very hard to answer. I have to consider a lot of things like chemistry, skills, etc.
What do you want to achieve outside the court?
Help other people. It’s our responsibility to do that.
Who do you think will win in a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Lloyd Mayweather?
Manny is a good friend. His tenacity and competitiveness will win him the title. I’m with Manny.
What is the most important thing you learned from Phil Jackson?
Patience. He was the kind of person who allowed people to grow at their own pace.
What are your thoughts about Shaq’s retirement and his possible stint as a broadcaster?
He’s had a great career. This career change is very interesting. We’ll see.