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A conversation with Joe Bryant

ESPN Radio ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kobe Bryant became the second player in two years to jump directly from high school to the pros when he declared himself eligible for the NBA draft Monday. On Tuesday, his father Joe Bryant, an assistant coach at LaSalle and former NBA player, spoke with ESPN Radio's Fabulous Sports Babe.

Babe: Was there a time when you knew a long time ago, or was it up in the air right until the very end, about Kobe's decision?

Bryant: Well, I think when children are small, they all have dreams, and they say things to you that you say, "Sure, we're going to help you achieve that goal." That's just like if your child wanted to be a tennis player, ice skater, and says, "I'm going to skate in the Ice Capades." And you say, "You're going to do it one day with hard work." But I never thought it would come to this.

Also, when he was in ninth grade, he told one of his classmates, "I'm going right to the NBA." And I said, "Hey, you have to go through college." At that time, four or five years ago, but he has worked hard to achieve his goals, and we're very proud of him because he made a manly decision.

Babe: Last year it was, "Kevin Garnett, he's once in a decade or once in a generation." (ESPN basketball analyst) Dr. Jack (Ramsay) told me earlier today that Kobe is very talented. I talked to (UMass coach) John Calipari and he said the very same thing. But he's 17 years old, and he's going to be playing and having the pro life, and you know better than anybody, Joe. What's that like?

Bryant: No doubt about it. That's why we felt comfortable with it. We gave him the foundation of life that any family would love to give its children. He's aware of the physical play. There's no doubt about his skills; his skills are there to play. Physically, he has to get bigger and stronger. As I said to one reporter, I said, "Hey, all these guys are going to the clubs. Kobe will be back at the hotel reading a book or playing Nintendo." Maybe he'll have a couple of guys stay with him.

Basketball will speak for itself. But it's no doubt about it that he has the personality and there's something about him that's going to attract a lot of people in a positive manner. That's what the NBA needs today.

Babe: It's not farfetched that he could be drafted by the hometown Sixers. They have a lottery pick. Would that be the best of all worlds for him?

Bryant: Well, I think as parents and family, oh yes, we would love it. For him, it's really not important where he plays. You hear some players saying, "I'm not coming out unless I'm in the top four or five picks." Kobe says, "Listen, it doesn't matter. This is what I want to do."

If the Sixers draft Kobe, as a family we would be so happy. And also, we'd be able to really still nurture him which is important. And that's continuing. He's only 17, and kids are still growing; we still grow at 25, 30 years old. We're still learning everyday. So, it's a learning process for him. That's where his heart is. Playing for the Sixers, for the family, that would be great.

Babe: Did he come to you a month ago or two weeks ago or three days ago and say, "This is it, and I'm definitely going"?

Bryant: Not really. We really didn't know until Saturday when he said, "I made my decision." And I said, "And?" And that was it. So I said, "OK." I'm not a dictator. I listen to my children. I think as a parent, you have to be a good listener. When he feels comfortable, he says it.

When he said it Saturday, I was like, "Oh my goodness." So I had to call all these people. "When do you want to do it?" He said, "Monday." And this is Saturday. I said, "How am I going to get in touch with everyone?"

Everyone was great, from the school to the people around him. The coaching staff was super, and everybody is excited about it. No doubt about it, it is a major, major jump. There has never been a player his size to make this. We're so used to seeing 6-foot-10, 6-foot-11, big people, who they say could potentially be great. There's one thing Kobe has being small -- he has the intelligence to play the game. And nobody ever comments on that. He understands how to play. That's probably the biggest upside on him. He really understands the game. That's because he has been around professional athletes.

Babe: As your son, is he more mature about understanding the professional game and its rigors because you were always on the road?

Bryant: That is perfect. He has been there. He has seen it. You know the commercial: Been there. Done that. It is what he wants to do. He has grades good enough to go to Harvard for four years. As parents, that's what we'd like to see him do, honestly.

As parents, we want to make sure that Kobe's going to be well off for years to come. At the worst scenario, play three years, have $10 million in the bank, and can go study at 21. He can go back to Harvard at 21 years old -- and that's the worst scenario.

We're trying to do our job as parents, try to guide and not dictate. We'll try to support him and let him know that we're there to support him.