While being interviewed by Nicolas Laprivottla (Deck’s teammate on Real Madrid and the Argentinian national team) Hola Que Tal Como Estas podcast, Ginobili revealed that Bryant became nothing less than enamored with Deck’s game during the World Cup. “Kobe didn’t know all the names but he was wondering,” Ginobili said. “Kobe was completely passionate about basketball, a student of the game. He asked me and I answered about the players. H fell in love with Tortuga (Gabriel Deck’s nickname). I told Tortuga after that he had a fan in Kobe and that he wanted to take him to the Lakers. He asked me and we commented on the decisions of the coach, I told him about the characteristics of those he didn’t know. He was interested but came a time when I was nervous and didn’t want to talk anymore.”