Via Bill Plaschke of the LA Times:
Finals. You look hurt. You look like you're not having any fun. And you
look like you can't close games."
"You know me better than to ask me those questions," he said.
"Is your knee bothering you again?"
"I swear, my knee is fine."
"So what's happening to you in the fourth quarter?"
"Haven't you seen them guarding me with four people?"
"The Lakers can't win unless you can close out these games."
"It worked the other night when Fish got off."
"It can't work like that consistently, and you know it."
"It will happen for me, other guys will start making their shots, I'll
get a little space, I'll be fine."
"Are you sure you're not wiped out?"
Bryant stopped, turned to me, eyes suddenly bright, smile suddenly
peeking out from underneath a 2-week-old mask.
"They think I can't do this for two more wins?"
Plaschke points out that in the fourth quarters of the last two games, Kobe is 3-12.
As for Kobe's demeanor, remember that everything Bryant does is orchestrated. His under bite scowl during games. His terse responses during post game media sessions. It's all part of Kobe's plan to show the world that he's just as intense (if not more intense) and desires to win more than Michael Jordan.
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