Kobe Bryant not looking to avenge a broken nose against Dwyane Wade – NBA Update
When Dwyane Wade committed a nose-breaking foul on Kobe Bryant in the All-Star game, it drew a lot of criticism, just because nobody expects that much intensity in such exhibition games.
However, there were some cynical experts in Los Angeles, who were off the view that the foul was intentional considering that the Miami Heat take on the Lakers a week after the game and without Kobe on the roster, the Lakers wouldn’t stand a chance. That
game has finally arrived and even though Wade recently made it public that he had privately apologized to Kobe, the controversy in the build up to the anticipated showdown just refuses to die down.
Such is the frenzy of the Lakers-Heat Sunday matchup that there have been calls for a payback when Wade sets foot on the Staples centre. Kobe however thinks otherwise and on Wednesday, he leapt to the defense of his old friend;
"I've known Dwyane for years now," Bryant said. "It's always entertaining to me to hear people talk about our relationship as if they know really what's going on and try to say there's something between them and all this other stuff. It was very simple.
It was very simple. He didn't mean to do it. It's just something that just happens. He's not that type of person."
Along with a broken nose, Bryant also suffered concussion like symptoms after the game, but was cleared to play Wednesday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Wearing a protective mask, Bryant ripped through the Wolves and finished the night
with 31 points, seven rebounds and eight assists to guide the Lakers to a 104-85 win.
The Black Mamba however admitted that even with both players clearing the air, there is likely to be a controversy in the lead up to Sunday night’s game, but added that for him his relationship with the man many tout to be his successor is more important;
"All that matters is what our relationship is like, really. We communicated. It's all good," Bryant said. "But here in L.A. I'm sure his perception has definitely been altered."
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