Kobe Bryant downplayed his team’s 10-9 start without him, saying, “Not like we were gangbusters before.” After Mike D’Antoni heard these comments, he took it upon himself to defend the Lakers start to the season. “I have to disagree with that, we were 6-2 in the last eight games and I thought we played extremely well, winning three in a row on the road — so that’s not quite right. I’m really proud of what the guys did,” said D’Antoni.
These comments have created quite a stir and some speculation on whether D’Antoni really wanted Bryant to come back to the lineup. Remember he had a similar problem in New York when Carmelo Anthony came back from an injury while his team was on a terrific win streak during Linsanity. D’Antoni soon left the Knicks after Anthony’s return because they just weren’t playing D’Antoni’s brand of basketball anymore.
It seems as though D’Antoni wishes he had no superstar caliber player on his team, rather a captain that is an extension of his system that can command the floor. D’Antoni seemed very defensive of his team and almost implied that the Lakers were better off without Bryant. Only time will tell if they can get it together, but Lakers fans sure hope it’s sooner rather than later as the team is currently 0-2 with Bryant.
Lakers Nation News:
Charles Barkley Thinks The Lakers Will “Stink”
Kobe Says Ankle Still Gets Tight When He Rests
Ex-NFL Star Jim Brown Is Not The Biggest Kobe Bryant Fan
Adidas To Re-Release Kobe Crazy 1’s
Steve Nash Won’t Be With Team On Upcoming Road Trip
Laker News:
Lakers Third In The NBA In Three-Point Field Goal Percentage – LA Times
Lakers Have Seen Some Awful Paint Jobs – LA Times
Bryant Better, Lakers Aren’t In Loss – OC Register
Kobe Admits He “Needs To Drop A Little Weight” – Forums Blue & Gold
D’Antoni “Proud” Of Lakers 10-9 start – ESPN
NBA News:
Kings Deal For Something They Already Had – SB Nation
Knicks Have Cause To Fire Woodson – Bleacher Report
Is The NBA Holding Dwight Howard Back? – Bleacher Report
76’ers Carter Williams Has Knee Infection – ESPN
Lin Expects To Play Vs. Blazers – NBA
Emotional Video Tribute To Doc Rivers on TD Garden Jumbotron – SB Nation
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VIDEO: Xavier Henry Compares Playing With Kobe To Playing Without Him
