The tumultuous season that has been known as the 2014-15 Kobe Bryant season has experienced some interesting things go on and we’re not even half way through it.
There’s the highs of passing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list. Being able to express himself in support of a good cause by simply wearing a shirt. And also, making a nice play or two on some important rivals.
Then, there’s the downs. There is the frustrations of losing, that his Lakers team is facing early this season. Secret meetings with players who are supposed to be rivals. Also, of course things getting placed on him, that shouldn’t be there.
Then there’s the thing that made the season start off on a rough note with Kobe Bryant and the NBA. According to reports, Kobe and other star players on the same team, would not be beneficial to those players.
According to reigning MVP, Kevin Durant, that’s a load of something.
More from USA TODAY’s Sam Amick:
While Durant wasn’t specifically addressing his own uncertain future, he insisted that the player perspective relating to Bryant shouldn’t be a hindrance as the 8-17 Lakers continue their laborious turnaround.
“Excuse my language, but that’s (expletive),” said Durant, who congratulated Bryant via text message after he surpassed Jordan on Sunday. “I want to play with a winner every single night, especially somebody who wants to win that bad, who works that hard, who demands a lot, who raises up your level. I’d want to play with a guy like that every day. … (His style) may make people uncomfortable, how he acts and just how he approaches the game, but I love that type of stuff. I think (the accusation) is BS.” …
“Just his work ethic, just his demeanor man,” Durant said when asked what he admired about Bryant. “He doesn’t mind being an (expletive), and he comes to work man. He’s intense. He demands a lot out of his teammates, and I’ve seen that just playing alongside him in the Olympics (in 2012). He demands a lot out of everybody. He makes them better. Everybody out on the court. You’ve got to respect that. As a player, I study guys like that. We might not have the same personality, but I think we approach the game the same way and I’ve learned a lot from just watching him.”
Strong words from a well respected player in the league. Durant isn’t the only player to come out and defend Kobe. New York Knicks star forward, Carmelo Anthony, also defended Kobe and wouldn’t mind playing with him. Also, Paul George had kinds words to say about Kobe as well, as he was one of the players mention in the story about not being able to coexist with Kobe, but he shot those allegations down.
Kobe isn’t that bad of a guy after all.
