Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant is drawing a lot of media attention recently after an ESPN Magazine article accused him of destroying the purple-and-gold franchise from the inside.
TrueHoop editor and ESPN Magazine writer Henry Abbott posted a controversial article in response to Bryant's 'bunch of idiots' comment on ESPN panelists, who voted him 40th best player in the NBA for the coming 2014-15 NBA season.
In his article, Abbott called the 36-year old superstar the most unlikeable player to play with and the main reason why the Lakers have been struggling to attract elite free-agents these past two seasons.
"Sources close to situation say the reason has a lot to do with Kobe Bryant. History shows it has been very hard to be his co-star. Think about it. Shaquille O'Neal, Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, one great player after another has struggled alongside Kobe for a fair share of touches, shots, spotlight and credit. It's a turnoff."
More than 14-years ago, former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson attempted to trade Bryant to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for star point guard Jason Kidd and small forward Shawn Marion because of his locker room behavior. However, then general manager Jerry West nixed the trade proposal from Jackson as he believed Bryant will eventually grow as a key piece of a championship team.
"It was not the first time Jackson requested the team trade Bryant. He sought to trade him to the Phoenix Suns for Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion in the 1999-00 season. But then-general manager Jerry West told Jackson that owner Jerry Buss would never trade the Laker star, he wrote in his diary. Jackson said he was told the same thing last season," according to the Associated Press.
Jackson, who went on to win five NBA championships with Bryant, was the first one to defend his former player from ESPN's accusation, as he showed his full support to Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and hardcore Lakers fan Flea on social media.
"@flea333: henry abbott your @espn kobe article is absolute garbage and a blatant irresponsible attack. "Go get'em, Flea," tweeted by Jackson hours after the article was posted.
Perhaps Kobe might have an attitude that irked some of his teammates and turned off free-agents, but Lakers executive Jeanie Buss believed the only person who can't stand to play with the Black Mamba is nothing but a big loser.
"Any free agent that would be afraid to play w/Kobe Bryant is probably a loser and I'm glad they wouldn't come to the team," Buss said in an interview with NBA beat writer Chris Dempsey.
