When the Lakers beat the Bulls in Los Angeles last month, Kobe Bryant had a private conversation with Derrick Rose afterward.

Asked if that conversation might have any symbolic passing of the torch undertones to it, Bryant flashed his legendary competitiveness.

"Oh, sure, but I ain't passing (expletive)," Bryant said.

Asked if Rose has to come take the torch from Bryant, the Lakers' superstar smiled.

"He can certainly try," Bryant said.

Otherwise, Bryant lauded Rose's development and noted his developing killer instinct.

"I just told him to stay healthy and continue the job he's doing," Bryant said of their November postgame talk. "I don't think you can develop (a killer instinct). You either have it or you don't. He's had it since he was in high school.

"That quality separates players I think. With players of equal ability, it's about the engine you have inside. It certainly gives him an edge."
Bryant said he has been impressed with Rose's work ethic.

"I think the sky is the limit for him," Bryant said. "You see the improvement he's made with his jumpshot from last year to this year and how much his game has gone to another level. I think he's realizing now what a jumper can do. Hopefully, he'll continue to work on it and become a pure shooter."

The Lakers play the Bulls Friday night.

Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/12/by-kc-johnson-when-the.html

Dam Kobe. Funny stuff.

By the way Carmelo has V12 inside.