Kobe Bryant Interview with Jimmy Kimmel on AXS TV

Kobe Bryant sitting with Jimmy Kimmel tonight at Nokia Theatre. He says his goal is going for No. 6. "I just want that jewelry."

Arash Markazi ‏@ArashMarkazi 47s

Kobe says he doesn't know if he will be back on opening night but is trying his best.

Kobe when asked if he'll play less minutes next season: "That's the goal ... I could sit out until June, I just want that jewelry"

Kobe is hoping Nick Young and Wes Johnson will cut down his minutes next season.

Kobe Up Close: Really look forward to them (younger guys) carrying the weight.

Kobe on tweeting "I thought it was pretty damn cool"

Kobe doesn't look impressed by his statue in China. Maybe it's the shorts.

Kobe said he grew up a Lakers fan watching Magic, Kareem, Byron and Worthy and the Showtime Lakers.

KOBE says - I don't know if I'll be ready opening night but I know I'm way ahead of schedule...via @AXSTV

#Lakers

Kobe said he said he will never accept the honor of being the greatest Laker from Magic because he learned so much from him.

Kobe said when he sat with Magic at the Dodgers-Yankees game it was the first time they've ever sat down and talked that long.

The "I Love You Kobe!!!!"'s won't stop echoing throughout Nokia Theatre

Kobe recalled a 1-on-1 game he played with a trash-talking kid in 8th grade when he moved back to the US. Still remembers his name: Victor

Jimmy Kimmel to Kobe: "You said you wouldve gone to Duke if you didn't go to NBA. Are they the ones who offered u the most $?"

Kobe just said he actually wouldve gone to North Carolina, not Duke, if he didn't go to the NBA bc of the competition

Would Kobe had gone to Duke with Coach K? LaSalle like his dad? Nope. UNC, he says, so he could practice versus Vince Carter and improve

Kobe on giving advice: "I'm not the patient type to try to give advice. Get your a** in gear. If you want to do something, do it."

Asked if he would tell kids to go to college, he said, he would tell them to "follow their dreams"

The first college Kobe ever received a letter from was from West Point but never really considered it. "I was just happy to get a letter."

Kobe said Clippers told him he had best workout theyd ever had, but said they wouldn't draft him. Kimmel "that's why they're the Clippers"

Kobe said he was close to signing with the Clippers but in the end chose the Lakers for Dr. Jerry Buss. #TheCloser

Kimmel on Kobe potentially leaving the Lakers for the Clippers: "Wouldn't that be like signing an endorsement deal with RC Cola?"

Kobe addresses Shaq situation: Started looking at different teams as FA, including Clippers "but purple and gold special to me."

Clippers told Kobe before draft they weren't going to select him because the city of LA wouldn't take them serious. #ClippsBeingTheClipps

Samaki Walker was drafted ahead of Kobe. ... Pick after him was Steve Nash, Kobe said.

Jim and Jeanie Buss sitting by each other and TALKING. So they do talk, kids. #Lakers #UpCloseWithKobe

Kobe on Dr. Jerry Buss: "He knew exactly what his vision was. He was very patient, understanding. He allowed me room to grow as a person."

Shaq and Kobe's first meeting was at Jerry's Deli in Beverly Hills and Kobe thought Shaq was cool because he had a big cell phone.

Kobe on the first time meeting Shaq: "It was the coolest thing in the world that he had a cell phone."

Kobe and Jimmy discussing his time with Shaq - Man you can listen to half of the (stuff) that Shaq says... #axsKobe

Kobe on 3 titles with Shaq: No. 2 was his favorite. Still bother us to this day that we let that Game 1 drop

On his favorite title with Shaq: "Number 2. We should have gone undefeated. It still bothers us to this day that we let that one game drop."

Kobe on Jordan: "Its a big brother type of relationship."

Kobe says he did not bring Michael Jordan a gift at his 50th birthday party! Haha

Kobe says he learned most about the NBA was from Michael Jordan.

Kobe on the toughest he's played against: "Allen Iverson, Melo, Durant. The guy will gave me the most trouble though was Tracy McGrady."

MVP chants have echoed during the commercial breaks in Nokia

Kobe named Iverson, Melo, Durant and McGrady as the toughest he's played against. LeBron wasn't mentioned.

Kobe's toughest opponent: "Allen Iverson"

Player that gave him the most problems: "Tracy McGrady"

Kobe on Dwight Howard: "Dwight is a great kid. We have different perspectives on what it takes to win and what it takes to be successful."

Kobe on convincing Dwight: "It wasn't about me, it was about the organization and setting up the organization for when I retire."

On trying to convince Dwight to stay: "It's about the organization and trying to set them up the best I can for when I retire."

Kobe: "It never bothered me when other people said you only won because of Shaq. It bother me when Shaq said it."

Kimmel is doing his best to goad Kobe into saying something controversial. Kobe isn't biting

Kobe said he's sure he will be a Laker for life.

Kobe: It never bothered me when other people said I only won because of Shaq, but it bothered me when HE said that

Kimmel: "Will you miss @MettaWorldPeace." Kobe: "Tremendously."

"Who's one player you want on the Lakers, right now?"

1 second later, Kobe says Derek Fisher.

Kobe said he was taking a shower after losing the 2008 Finals to Bostonand Artest came into the shower and told him he wouldn't lose again.

Kobe said funniest player he ever played with was Shaq and Gary Peyton. Said he would take DFish back of any other player.