Conversations with Wollongong Hawks dynamo Tywain McKee don't get very far without NBA superstar Kobe Bryant being mentioned.
While it's not exactly a case of Kobe-this and Kobe-that, McKee referred to his hero three times in five minutes before the Hawks trained yesterday at the Snakepit.
Asked how he was feeling ahead of tomorrow night's intriguing match-up with New Zealand Breakers guard CJ Bruton, the former Coppin State University standout said: "My favourite player is Kobe Bryant and he loves challenges, so this is like another game for me where I can look forward to that challenge."
Full coverage of the Wollongong Hawks Moments later McKee was asked how he would approach his duel with Bruton.
"I was looking on YouTube, and Kobe Bryant said to have a scorer's mentality, you look at the (opposing) guy and just think you're about to give the guy the worst day of his life," he explained.
"I saw that two days ago, so from now on, everybody I play against, it's in my mind that whoever's guarding me is about to go through the worst game of their life."
When the subject turned to his foul shooting in last week's 12-point home win over Cairns, the basketball-obsessed McKee recalled another Bryant anecdote.
"Missing three free throws, that was terrible ... with Kobe, one game he shot 5/10, and the next day he shot free throws for 40 minutes," he said.
"That's how I developed that little habit after every game, that I have to make anything from 50 to 150 free throws if I miss any during the game."
McKee doesn't boast Bryant's dunking skills - he is about 13cm shorter than the 200cm Los Angeles Lakers guard - and he realises they play different positions.
But he believes his jumping ability has already improved since arriving at the Hawks and the 23-year-old has vowed to throw down a dunk for Hawks fans when the opportunity arises.
"Oh yeah, definitely, you can quote me on that one. I promise I'm definitely going to get at least one dunk," he said.
"That's my goal, even if it's just one on the fast break. If I could get one in traffic it'd be real exciting, but I'm going to get one, that I promise.
"My first month here, I could hardly jump, but now that I've been lifting weights and getting stronger, I've tried to dunk in practice a couple of times on the fast break.
"I can dunk it, but I hate to miss, so it's not like a shot I'll go to. I wouldn't just come down and try to dunk it. As the strength comes and I get more explosion, it should be easier then."
Many NBL followers believe McKee holds the key to victory against the Breakers.
He is averaging 21.7 points, six rebounds, five assists and 2.3 steals per game. McKee has hit 43 per cent of his field goals, 42 per cent of his three-pointers and 73 per cent from the foul line.
He can't wait to test himself against Bruton.
"He's good, he's not a guy you can sleep in."
Email a friend