big.

You're a good-looking man, I

have to say.

I appreciate that.

Seeing you in person.

I appreciate that.

Like the beard. I think you

made the right decision. It's

your trademark now. You can't

shave that now.

What are you doing?

(laughter)

I'm trying to get a

trademark going of my own.

I see. I see. I see.

This is an interesting

thing.

Your agent is now the general

manager of the Los Angeles

Lakers.

Yes.

Does that mean he's

your agent anymore?

It's over.

It's over?

I mean, I told him once

a lifetime opportunity to be the

general manger of the lakers?

You got to take it.

I'm happy for him.

He's happy.

Best of luck to him.

Do you mean an agent?

I would love to represent you.

Are you entertaining offers?

Having meetings?

No, I still have an agent.

You do.

Yeah, she's my agent.

Well, alright.

You know. I want to ask about

this. I don't know who made this

deal for you.

You've got this candy now which

I guess it's kind of a big deal.

for an athlete.

(laughter)

To be on a candy.

I'm going to open this.

I'm interested in the candy.

Itself.

Because it really, boy, tell you

what, it looks just like you.

(laughter)

Taste it. Go ahead.

Taste it.

It tastes like you do.

(laughter)

Oh my god.

Is that exciting to

have your own candy?

Yeah, as kids, adults,

everyone loves candy.

Reggie Jackson had his

own candy bar.

Do you even know who Reggie

Jackson is?

Ehh.

Oh, no!

You kids today.

Yankees fans are crying in New

York right now.

Yeah.

Yeah, no, Reggie was a baseball

player.

Yeah.

Old school.

I know Reggie Jackson, I do.

Yeah. Yeah.

You don't have to know who these

people are.

You're making -- Kobe Bryant

said on this very show. I asked

him if there was one guy he'd

want.

Who would it be?

He said it was you.

You were a Lakers fans as a kid.

(cheers and applause)

Coming for Kobe, that's an

honor.

I just try to compete at a high

level every night.

Coming from him, one of the best

to ever do it, means a lot to

me.

Did you get excited

when you heard he said that?

Had he said it to you

personally?

We talk. We're really good

friends.

He's never told me that in

person.

What was it like the

first time you played against

him?

He's your favorite player.

What does that feel like?

Nervous in the beginning.

Then once the ball - he had the

ball, and I was guarding him.

I had to try to stop him.

I had no other choice.

You guys played in a

kind of pickup game.

Yeah.

What is it called?

The D-League.

Here in down during

the NBA lockout?

Lockout, summertime.

It's like Washington Park.

It was just a little small gym.

Kid play there?

Kids play there.

He came out.

I had 50 points, though.

How many did he have

If.

Um -- He had like 40?

But he had the game winner.

He had the game

Winner, of course.

That's what he does.

Is he the most competitive guy

you've played against?

Yes, for sure.

For sure.

He shows it on the court as

well.

Just by his demeanor.

Are you glad

you don't have to play against him?

I think we all miss him. He's

a legend.

Do you ever have

any --

I'm in season. He doesn't

want them problems anymore.

He doesn't want that.

from you?

He's too old now.

48 double-double this

year.

Which is astonishing.

Do you feel like you are the

MVP?

The most valuable player of the

league.

(cheers and applause)

You can see how far the Lakers

have fallen that you're now in.

L.A. and people are rooting for

a Houston Rocket.

But do you, inside yourself,

feel like you are the most

valuable player?

Yeah, yes.

You do?

Yes.

Preseason, or before the season

started, they predicted us to be

like 10th.

Now we're 3rd.

The third best record overall in

the NBA.

You know, it just -- from last

year, we barely made the

playoffs.

Now we have an opportunity to

contend for a title.

You don't need an agent. Really. It sounds like you got it all covered yourself.