Bryant Raps Developments after Returning from the World Cup
As he approached a wolf pack of reporters at his fourth annual summer camp, the Kobe Bryant Basketball Skills Academy, on Wednesday, Kobe Bryant smirked. “I already know what you’re here for.”
Bryant made his first comments to media in two weeks, since flying off to South Africa for the World Cup after winning back-to-back NBA Championships. It didn’t take long for the talk to turn to the free agency frenzy between LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
"I know all three of them very well, I'm friends with all three of them," he said about his former Olympic teammates. "I'm happy for Wade and for Bosh, they seem really happy with their decision. For me it's always been about them as people. I don't really care about the basketball stuff; that stuff will work itself out. As long as they're really happy with their decisions, that's what really matters most."
Points for kind-hearted Kobe, but it may be hard to take these points in earnest.
Bryant mentioned that he spoke to both Wade and Bosh about their decisions recently, but not James. He said that he empathized with their situations, himself having undergone the anxieties and excitements of free agency when he was courted by the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Clippers.
"Those are tough decisions to make; I was a part of it before [in 2004]. These are tough decisions. It affects your family and obviously the rest of your career. These are the decisions that you have to take some time and really evaluate them."
Bryant admits that should James join Wade and Bosh in South Beach, the Heat will become an immediate threat for the Lakers, who will be seeking their third championship in a row.
"You put a group of guys like that together, it's obviously extremely formidable. You look at the Celtics and what they were able to do with their big three, absolutely they're a threat."
LeBron James is expected to give his decision during a live ESPN special airing on Thursday night. Bryant said that he should avoid any outside pressures and follow his heart.
"People are trying to take the decision out of his hands with all the hype and all the hoopla that's surrounding it. Hopefully he makes the right choice for him, for his family and decides to pick a place where he's happy and doesn't feel like he has to make a particular choice because of the circus that's around them."
Bryant won’t be tuning in to the ESPN special to follow his friend’s choice. Instead he’ll be busy at his camp, determined not to become the coaches of his childhood that were name-dropped in camps and then were nowhere to be seen on the courts. "My kids take precedent over everything. This camp is for them, so I'll be here working with them."
Derek Fisher is another name that came up for Bryant, who was adamant about getting the one-time Laker back to his club. "We need to have him back, it's as simple as that," Bryant said. "It's not a question of if he will be back; it's a matter of when."
Talks between the Lakers' general manager Mitch Kupchak and Fisher's agent, Rob Pelinka, haven’t moved much since the free-agency negotiating period opened on July 1. Word is that Fisher is seeking roughly $10-million for two years. The Lakers apparently offered half of the amount.
Bryant appeared in great spirits and seemed revitalized about the full summer ahead, without any official NBA commitments. USA basketball chairmen Jerry Colangelo announced this week that Bryant will not be playing at the World Championships in Turkey next month.
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