Kobe Accused of Trying to Pimp Kevin Durant to Nike

The Los Angeles Daily news ran a story that included a brief mention of Kobe Bryant of placing a call to University of Texas stud forward Kevin Durant on behalf of Nike.

Word is Kobe Bryant has already called Kevin Durant on behalf of Nike and that a shoe deal ranging between $30 million and $50 million simply needs to be presented.

Kobe ... is not amused. He had this to say to the Dallas Morning News:

"It's complete B.S.," Bryant said. "I don't know him, I've never spoken to him, I've never seen him. Obviously he's a phenomenal talent, from watching him on TV a couple times, but I don't know him at all. So I don't know where they got that story from or that idea from. They might want to start checking their facts."

Man, that Kobe ... always being accused of something he didn't do. That's just his thing.

Anyway, I'm choosing to take Kobe's word for it on this one, simply because he's Kobe Bryant. Not that that implies any level of honesty, of course, but it implies that he's a little bit too much of a celebrity to be a Nike errand boy. I wouldn't doubt at all that Nike's made some sort of back channel overture to Kevin Durant, but ... I doubt it came by virtue of #24.

It would take quite a set of coconuts for anyone at Nike to even ask him to do this. "Hey, Kobe, we know you're pretty busy with trying to get the Lakers into the playoffs and everything, but ... would you mind being a runner for us, too?" I just don't see that happening.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-21-2007 @ 8:18PM

tmp said...

Even if the call from Kobe is a fabricated story, Nike still gets their point across (assuming this is what they'd like and instigated the rumor somehow). Very smart business move, though it's a testament to how shady the current system is for transitioning amateurs to pro status.

3-21-2007 @ 9:46PM

jeffrey said...

I think kobe dind't do it but they need a new face fore nike

3-21-2007 @ 10:48PM

nunu said...

Kobe should of call and tried to get kevin on a nike deal nike needs a new face

3-21-2007 @ 10:01PM

the truth said...

i have a cousin on the football team down in texas, he said that durant was overheard talking about designing his own shoe with puma.

3-22-2007 @ 12:26AM

fasassnova said...

If these reporters had all the real facts then we would'nt have this here rumor mill to gossip about Keep doing your thihg KOBE.

3-22-2007 @ 3:41AM

Lakergregg said...

I admit it I'm a Kobe apologist.
But, let me present my case from the point of view of a Kobe hater.
Kobe ain't calling some kid who may play in the league next season.
Kobe would rather sit at home watching cartoons with his kids than pick up the phone to call some kid about making millions.
Conclusion, there ain't nothing in it for KB24.
Kobe don't need Durant for nothin'.didn't happen.

3-22-2007 @ 12:11AM

compn said...

kOBE IS LYING...HE ADMITTED SEEING HIM AND SAYING HOW PHENOMENOL HE IS...OF C0URSE HE DID IT FOR mj IF FOR NOONE ELSE...lAKER SEASON TICKET HOLDER!

3-22-2007 @ 3:36AM

Ms. Bobbie Weaver said...

who is telling the truth? So many people out there are lying these days, you don't know whom to believe.

3-22-2007 @ 1:55AM

3-22-2007 @ 7:51AM

RICKEY said...

HEY BOBBIE, HOW ABOUT TAKING KOBE FOR HIS WORD? HE SAID HE DIDN'T CALL THE GUY. WHAT MORE DO HE NEED TO DO? GIVE YOU HIS PHONE RECORDS!!!!!!

3-22-2007 @ 2:29AM

thespinzoneblog said...

Kobe doesn't have to call Kevin Durant. Durant had such a phenomenonal first year at Texas Nike was going after him anyway. All they have to do is show him the money and he will probably be in a commercial coming to a TV screen near you real soon. That's right. .Kobe is always getting blamed for something now whether he did it or not. Whoever started this rumor needs to get "Kobied" as Charles Barkley would say (referring to the move that Kobe has been suspended for where he smacks a defender in the face when he shoots his jumper)

3-22-2007 @ 3:14AM

pascal said...

For a ball hog on a mediocre team, this guy gets way more attention than he deserves. Kobe is the Paris Hilton of the NBA.

3-22-2007 @ 7:06AM

Screwdriver said...

Pascal is the typical blind Kobe hater. Cannot see talent where there is one. For someone who's been in the spotlight for as long as we can remember, Kobe has given a good account of himself. By the way, I wouldnt care if one is a ballhog if he shoot something like 23 of 39 field goals and 8 of 12 treys. Also, 34 wins for a mediocre team? Cumon! Have some brains!!!!

3-22-2007 @ 7:56AM

Pascal, Ballhog? He is the BEST PLAYER IN THE WHOLE NBA AT BOTH ENDS OF THE COURT. People talk about Wade and James but they shoot just as much as he shoots. Put Wade or James on the Lakers and the Lakers wouldn't be in the playoff hunt.

3-22-2007 @ 8:43AM

Rick said...

Kobe keep doing what your doing you know , ruining teams with your selfish play, running the best players out of town because you want to be the man, making your team a lottery team instead of one of the best teams. Kobe is a piece of crap and needs bad things wished apon him. Instead of trashing the Lakers he needs to go back to what he is good at, raping women. He sucks way to show your heritage jackass........

3-22-2007 @ 9:20AM

Tasha said...

Kobie I would just like to say that I never once believed that you raped anybody and I am sure not going to believe this BS that the media is saying now.Just keep doing what you do,keep playing hard,and most of all GET THAT MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3-22-2007 @ 8:48PM

Marie-Tustin, California said...

I agree with another blogger. Kobe doesn't have to call Kevin Durant. Durant has shown amazing skill and is such such a phenomenonal success his first year at Texas- that Nike would be a fool not to go after him!

3-22-2007 @ 5:26PM

Mario said...

By judging Kobe Bryant using derogatory remarks all you are doing is defining yourself. Maybe you see something in Kobe that reflects your own self.
Hey folks! Wake up and start showing some respect regardless of personal preference. Kobe is a human being like we all are and he is trying to do his best!
Show compassion and understanding if you want the same back!!!!