Kobe Bryant has been known to say whatever comes to his mind whether it is on or off the court. With the Los Angeles Lakers in the midst of a tumultuous season, Kobe spoke to the media recently about having no patience for a rebuilding process.
Apparently, Kobe wasn’t done showing his dissatisfaction with losing. Nick Young recently told ESPN Los Angeles reporter Dave McMenamin that Kobe “doesn’t talk to players on losing teams” as his way of trash-talking:
Nick Young on the trash talk he hears from Kobe: "I don't talk to players on teams that are 20 games under .500"
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 17, 2014
Kobe does not have much experience with losing as he has only missed the playoffs once in his illustrious career, the dreadful Rudy Tomjanovich season. Young and Kobe have been known to tease each other, so it’s hard to tell if Kobe was simply messing around with him or being serious.
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However, Kobe has been known to try to motivate players by calling them out, for example telling Pau Gasol to “but his big boy pants on” last season. While Kobe’s motives have worked with Gasol, they have caused him to clash heads with the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard, who both departed Los Angeles after failing to get along with Kobe.
With this being the worst season in Laker history, Kobe, who only played in six games, seems to want nothing to do with this squad. Kobe has arguably one of the fiercest winning mentalities in all of the NBA and losing does not sit well with him. With Kobe knowing his window for winning his sixth championship is closing, anything but contending for a title will not satisfy Kobe.
With the Lakers having the worst season in recent history, Kobe has already said he is coming back with a vengeance and that revenge is sweet. When Kobe returns next season expect nothing but a championship run to satisfy the 16 time All-Star.
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Nick Young Talks Kobe Bryant And Steve Nash, “I’m A Laker Fan For Life.”