Henry Abbott set the NBA world ablaze recently with a scathing ESPN feature on Kobe Bryant, in which various league personnel — agents, executives — weighed in on his reputation:
“Peek behind the banners,” says one longtime NBA agent, “and it’s rotten.”
“Kobe is like the big rock in their front yard,” says an agent who has had a Lakers client in recent years. “You can’t mow over it, so you just have to mow around it.”
Another agent with current Lakers clients was asked whether Bryant undermined the team’s rebuilding by alienating would-be free agent recruits. “Well, duh,” he replied. “Isn’t that obvious?”
…
“I’ve had a lot of clients in the last five years, good players, who didn’t want to play with Kobe,” says an agent who has had numerous NBA stars. “They see that his teammates become the chronic public whipping boys. Anyone who could possibly challenge Kobe for the spotlight ends up becoming a pincushion for the media. Even Shaq.”
…
“It’s horrendous. It’s evil. It’s a hard drug to quit when you’re winning,” says a front office executive from a rival team who knows everyone involved well. “Kobe has cost the Lakers dearly in human capital. Kobe has hurt a lot of people. In some cases jeopardized careers.”
As damning as those comments were, none carried the same weight as the following indictment, provided by a source within the Lakers’ organization:
“No one works harder than Kobe. And no one sabotages his own efforts more. He’s scaring off the free agents we’re trying to get. We’re trying to surround you with talent and your ego is getting in the way.”
The backlash against Abbott’s piece was as harsh as the story itself, and it even inspired a tweet from Lakers fanatic Flea (of Red hot Chili Peppers fame), which Jeanie Buss’ husband, New York Knicks president Phil Jackson, re-tweeted in agreement. Thursday morning, Jeanie herself sat down for an interview with ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi, and was asked about playing with Kobe and the anonymous inside source who provided the juicy, behind-the-scenes details:
“I read the story,” Buss said Thursday. “I don’t agree with any of it. If there is somebody that’s on our payroll who is saying things like that, I’ll soon get to the bottom of it, and they won’t be working for us anymore.”
“Any free agent that would be afraid to play with Kobe Bryant is probably a loser, and I’m glad they wouldn’t come to the team.”
How very Donald Trump-ish of you, Jeanie.
[Uproxx]
