Intentional or not, Kobe Bryant seems to be doing everything he can to pressure the Los Angeles Lakers into trading him.
So far, it doesn’t appear to be working.
The latest twist in the Bryant saga involves an amateur video of the nine-time all-star denouncing general manager Mitch Kupchak and teammate Andrew Bynum.
Lakers spokesman John Black said the team was contacted about the video before Bryant first requested to be traded on May 30.
“It doesn’t change our stance at all,” Black said a day after saying essentially the same thing – that the team has no plans to trade the two-time defending NBA scoring champion.
“These people called us about a month ago, they told us they wanted to sell it, we told them we had no interest in buying it,” Black said. “That’s the end of the story. There’s been no further contact between them and us.”
Kupchak declined further comment, saying, “I think enough has been said.”
A spokesman for the men trying to peddle the video to media outlets told the New York Times they were talking with Bryant when one decided to take a photograph and some video, but they didn’t believe Bryant was aware they were filming.
According to the Times, the video lasts 24 seconds.
The Times said the video’s owners turned down an offer from a Lakers fan to buy it and keep it private. Instead, the newspaper said, they plan to make it public by the end of the week provided enough money can be raised through Web donations, then charge $1.99 through their website.
Kings: The team reached an agreement with Reggie Theus to become their new coach, ending a two-month search for Eric Musselman’s replacement. Kings spokesman Troy Hanson said the club plans to introduce Theus at a news conference today.
Draft: Oklahoma State guard JamesOn Curry will remain eligible for the NBA draft and skip his senior season.
General: Former all-star Vin Baker, whose 14-year career was marred by bouts of depression and alcoholism, was charged with drunken driving after leaving a casino in Norwich, Conn.
