Considering the Los Angeles Lakers’ dire circumstances, it doesn’t take much to inspire optimism among their supporters for a brighter future.
Maybe their day was made by Kevin Durant.
The star of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who will be a free agent in the summer of 2016, complimented Kobe Bryant on moving up to third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Michael Jordan, and refuted the rumor that other players don’t want to play beside him.
While Durant avoided discussing his own uncertain future, he contended that the 8–17 Lakers’ gradual recovery shouldn’t be impeded by Bryant’s player viewpoint.
“Pardon my expression, but that’s (expletive),” Durant texted Bryant following his Sunday pass of Jordan. Every night, I would love to play with someone who is a winner—someone who works hard, has high expectations, and raises the bar. I would want to play with him all the time. Many people may find his demeanor, behavior, and approach to the game unsettling, but I find it endearing. It seems like BS to me.
The controversy over Bryant’s future was rekindled this week when footage of his post-practice outburst at general manager Mitch Kupchak and teammates went viral.
It confirmed his personality as an issue to others. Some perceived it as an insight into the world of high expectations held by a five-time winner.
When his contract ends in the summer of 2016, Bryant has insisted that he will retire. But having recovered from injuries that held him out of the playoffs in 2013 and limited him to only six games in the previous campaign, the 36-year-old may second-guess his ability to get the kind of support that helped the Lakers win again.
Prospective Lakers are watching Bryant’s resurgence (he’s third in the league in scoring at 25.2 points per game) and wondering if they’d fit in Laker Land, whether it’s Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, Rajon Rondo, or LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency this summer or Durant in the offseason.
Coach Mike D’Antoni was the main factor in Dwight Howard’s decision two summers ago to not re-sign with the Lakers (he wanted Phil Jackson), and it was evidently money that motivated Carmelo Anthony to return to the New York Knicks last summer (the Knicks could offer a five-year deal, while all other teams could only offer four).
Durant finds it ridiculous.
Durant said of Bryant, “Just his work ethic, just his demeanor man.” “He doesn’t mind being a (expletive) because he works. He is quite passionate. I was reminded of how demanding he is of his teammates when I played with him during the 2012 Olympics. He has high standards for everyone. improves them. Everybody on the court. That needs to be given due respect. I evaluate these players when I’m playing. Despite the fact that our personalities are different, I believe we play the game similarly and have picked up a lot from him.
