Last week Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard stated that he is no longer interested in signing an extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. When asked why Howard stated, “Kobe messed it up.”
Now Bryant is denying the report that he was less-than-convincing when speaking to Howard about coming to L.A. According to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post Bryant didn’t exactly sell Howard on being a star in Hollywood.
“Come here and be the third offensive option behind me and Pau Gasol and be our “Tyson Chandler.””
I find it hard to believe that Bryant would compare Howard to a player that has averaged 8.4 points per game for his entire career. As good of a player as Chandler is, he’s nowhere near Dwight Howard’s level of physicality or athleticism.
Still, when pressed about the issue Bryant denied the report to Vescey.
“It’s not true,” Kobe said.
Regardless of whether it’s true or not, it appears that, for the moment anyways, the Howard to Los Angeles deal is on indefinite hold.