There was an awkward silence among the newest additions for the Los Angeles Lakers during their introductory press conference recently. Lou Williams, Roy Hibbert and Brandon Bass were asked whether Kobe Bryant had reached out to them during the press conference at the team’s facility. Not one of them said a word as all three players were anxiously awaiting another question from the media to break the silence in a painfully awkward situation for the newcomers.
TMZ Sports recently caught up with Metta World Peace and asked the one-time NBA champion about Kobe not reaching out to his new teammates.
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World Peace said the awkward silence was funny and that these new players need to prove themselves to Bryant before earning his respect, even if it is simply a phone call or a text message.
The man formerly known as Ron Artest had his problems with Bryant before becoming his teammate in Los Angeles, but ultimately came to respect the future Hall of Famer. That respect was mutual after Kobe saw World Peace’s intensity and dedication to his craft in practice as well as in games while he was a Laker.
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