Kobe 'happy with the effort' in Lakers' offseason; Gasol says Bryant was supportive
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Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant spoke as part of a panel on Friday, and while most of the focus was the upcoming Showtime documentary on Black Mamba, he was understandably asked about the team's offseason.
Maybe it's Bryant learning to better contain his words in public, or maybe he really was being forthright, but Bryant seemed alright with the Lakers missing out on the marquee free agents:
Kobe: "I can sit here and tell you with 100 percent honesty that I'm happy with the effort the organization put forward this summer"
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 18, 2014
Kobe "I think Mitch has responded quite efficiently (from missing on Melo/Pau) by picking up some of the pieces he has"
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 18, 2014
If the "good job, good effort" that echoed some strange praise from Magic Johnson seems outside of Bryant's character, perhaps he blames himself for missing the team's meeting with Carmelo Anthony. The most likely case is that Bryant is looking at things realistically, realizing the team maintained cap flexibility and can be players again next season. (Hey, maybe hire a coach, though.)
The most painful part of the offseason may have been the team losing free agent Pau Gasol, a close friend of Bryant's. Gasol, however, assures us that Bryant understands:
It was difficult. We have a close friendship. We've been through a lot together, and I'm sure I will miss him. But we talked to each other and our relationship goes beyond basketball and we'll always have a friendship.
It was difficult to talk to him, but he was very supportive and he understood. He just said I had to do what was best for me and what felt right for me and he was going to support me no matter what. That's what friends and brothers do, and that's what we are.
At age 35 and coming off a pair of major leg injuries, Bryant's career may be winding down. His comments make it seem like a year almost entirely off the floor has provided some perspective, and though he's "scared" about life after basketball, fans have at least two more years to enjoy one of the preeminent stars of this generation.
[Dap: PBT]