Ever since ESPN's Henry Abbott reported that no stars want to play with Kobe Bryant, players, reporters and columnists have been debating the subject. The latest big name to enter the fray: Kevin Durant. He tells USA Today's Sam Amick in no uncertain terms that he rejects the premise no one will play with Kobe.
Kevin Durant rejects theory no one wants to play with Kobe Bryant
“Excuse my language, but that’s (expletive).”
“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.”
Of course, Durant will be a free agent in 2016, so he could put his money where his mouth is ... if only the Lakers hadn't essentially announced that they expect Kobe to retire when his contract ends in ... 2016. What a bummer!
Still, these are just the words of a superstar who is particularly reverential to the stars of the past. Given the timeline involved, the only way to prove there are stars who want to play with Kobe is for the Lakers to land one in 2015, or for a star to recruit him should he continue his career elsewhere in 2016. This may end up one of those unknowable theories.
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