The ball touched the paint a lot of times. When we talk about touching the paint, the ball touches the key for making a layup or making a play for a teammate. We've got to use our length and our speed. Defensively, getting deflections. Give up one shot and rebound.

Kobe enjoys that situation. Stepping up and making the big basket or being involved in a key play.

You talk about Shaq, I would put Tim Duncan in that same category. Mr. Fundamental, just kept things simple. He is a great teammate, a great player, and a great person. When you have those ingredients in a champion, you just want to be a part of that and have an opportunity to play with him.

I think if you're consistent in this league, you'll win a lot of ball games.

He played 23 plays and touched the ball four times, which means he wasn't touching the ball 19 times that he was in there. Blocking isn't his forte. So we've got to figure out a way to work that out.

We went to small ball,