Not everyone thought Kobe Bryant’s recent social media binge was as subtly self-serving as we did – including the player who prompted his rant.
In response to the Los Angeles Lakers legend condemning the reaction to him taking 43 shots during a recent game, Russell Westbrook called Bryant “my guy” and said he was humbled to receive support from the future Hall-of-Famer. Via ESPN’s Royce Young:
“That’s my guy, that’s my guy, that’s my guy,” Westbrook said. “Kobe’s a good friend of mine and being in L.A., I was able to watch him and see him become a Hall of Famer and one of the best players to play the game. It’s an honor to be able to see somebody like that, to be able to have your back and support you.”
The 26 year-old grew up in Long Beach, CA and attended UCLA for two years before entering the NBA. His Southern California roots have led many to suggest that Westbrook might sign with the Lakers when he hits free agency for the first time in July 2017. And while that’s a long way off, it’s still encouraging for the purple-and-gold that the All-Star MVP maintains a friendly relationship with its latest icon.
Bryant and Westbrook were teammates on the 2012 Olympic Team that won gold in Beijing. Though it was the typically stellar play of LeBron James and Kevin Durant which most contributed to the squad’s success, chemistry proved instrumental, too. Bonds forged during recent USA Basketball events are strong, a reality further supported by Bryant’s defense of Westbrook and the latter’s ensuing praise of the former.
Might the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar be conveniently forgetting Mamba’s personal agenda? Sure, but we’d readily do the same – it’s not every day a presence like Bryant randomly sticks up for a competitive peer.
[ESPN]
