Some expected Bryant to be upset with the departure of his running mate, but he was quite composed when addressing the deal, reported Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles. Bryant did not throw a tirade with the front office for trading Fisher, but he was, like everyone else, sad.
“Very difficult,” Bryant said. “I’m not used to it because I’ve been with him my entire career, aside from that little stint that he had away from us. So, it’s very different for me. It’s pretty weird.”
However, Bryant has lost many great teammates in the past and he said he will eventually get over losing Fisher. Kobe had to say good-bye to Lamar Odom this season, and he understands that the NBA is a business. “I’ve been here for awhile and I’ve had some of my closest friends go, starting with Caron [Butler],Ronny Turiaf, Lamar Odom and Derek,” Bryant said. “So I’ve been through it so many times before.”
Derek Fisher was an integral part of the Lakers’ championship runs, and all of the players must get over the trade and move on.
