The Los Angeles Lakers are going through a rebuilding process again this season–with Kobe Bryant still in town and taking up most of the team’s salary space. The team couldn’t get any big-name free agents this offseason. That prompted team president Jeanie Buss to come out Thursday to say that “any free agent that would be afraid to play with Kobe Bryant is probably a loser, and I’m glad they wouldn’t come to the team.” [photo:Kevork Djansezian/Getty]
Those are definitely very strong words but the problem is that the Clippers have become the team to beat in Los Angeles and have better talent. There was probably a reason why free agents decided that playing elsewhere than the Lakers was a better option. Buss is likely upset that the Clippers have overtaken the Lakers in the Staples Center.
The comments from Buss came after an ESPN The Magazine story that said the team couldn’t get top talent because players don’t want to work with Bryant. The Lakers will be better this season simply because Bryant is healthy, and it’s now up to him to prove that those high-profile players should have come to town. In the meantime, Buss shouldn’t be calling any NBA players “losers.” They’re sensitive.
