Kobe Bryant's star complex may be the reason why the Lakers can't get talented NBA free agents from signing with the team, an ESPN feature story deduces.
Allegedly, the attitude of the 36-year-old Lakers superstar appears to be the culprit why big name NBA talents shy away from the team. This, in effect, has undermined the Lakers' rebuilding efforts since last year, according to ESPN.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were among the prized catches in last summer's NBA free agent pool. The Lakers have reportedly met with the representatives of the two NBA superstars but negotiations fell through, reports MSN News.
As it turned out, Anthony re-signed with the Knicks for a fresh start and new direction under Phil Jackson. James decided to return to the Cavaliers to team up with Kylie Irving and Kevin Love.
ESPN also adds that potential NBA free agents have been quite tentative about making moves to join the Lakers for fear that Bryant may actually "alienate" them. It cites multiple league sources and agents that singled out Kobe as the reason why the Lakers have been on a recruitment dilemma.
The Black Mamba is reportedly the reason why the team was not able to retain Dwight Howard last season. One agent, who claims to represent a few NBA superstars over the last five years, said all of his talents do not want to be with the Lakers because of Bryant, ESPN details.
"They see that his teammates become the chronic public whipping boys. Anyone who could possibly challenge Kobe for the (Lakers') spotlight ends up becoming a pincushion for the media. Even Shaq," the agent was quoted as saying.
An Act of Retaliation
But Travellers Today has a different take on the ESPN feature story written by Henry Abbott.
Apparently, the ESPN story is a retaliation of the Worldwide Leader in Sports to Bryant for calling the ESPN panelists a "bunch of idiots" last week, notes Travellers Today.
Bryant made the remark after ESPN panelists ranked him as the 40th best player in the NBA for the upcoming 2014-15 season last week.
In an October 17 report of ESPN, Bryant said that he did not consider ESPN.com player rankings as any form of motivation. "I've known for a long time (that) they're a bunch of idiots," the Black Mamba responded after the Lakers got another good pre-season whipping from the Utah Jazz, 119-86.
"The latest move by ESPN will certainly add spice to the back and forth war between the NBA superstar and the media giants, who seem already writing the Black Mamba off entering his 19th NBA season of his career," opines Travellers Today.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
