NBA: Retired Bryant says he’s a ‘phone call away’ if Lakers need advice
Kobe Bryant is more than willing to give his two cents regarding the Lakers’ struggles. (AP/Rick Bowmer)
The Los Angeles Lakers remain as one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, but to say that the team has hit a rough patch in recent years would simply be an understatement.
The California-based squad’s woes continue this season, highlighted by a devastating 49-point drubbing against the equally-struggling Dallas Mavericks on Sunday (Monday in Manila).
NBA: Lakers suffer historic rout in Mavericks blowout
With their glory days looking more like an afterthought, the team’s brass is looking to get all the help they could get, and luckily, their recently-retired superstar Kobe Bryant is extending his hand.
On the eleventh year of his exemplary 81-point performance in a single game against the Toronto Raptors, the five-time NBA champion shared his willingness to offer guidance if asked by the Lakers management—particularly the Buss family—whom he was worked closely with during the course of his career.
“I’m always around behind the scenes for Jeanie, Jimmy, and the entire Buss family if they need assistance or if it be to reach out or call for advice and things of that nature,” Bryant told sportscaster Stephen A. Smith on ESPN radio, as relayed by the LakersNation website.
Being the private individual that he is, Bryant did not disclose the potential advice he’ll dish out, but said he’ll proceed with a low-key approach concerning the development of the team’s current young but extremely raw nucleus.
“Now, being front and center about it, it’s not something that is really my cup of tea. I’d rather be behind the scenes and focus on the content I’m creating because that’s where my passion truly lies, but the Buss family knows that I’m always a phone call away,” he said.
As of this writing, the Lakers have yet to take Bryant up on his offer, but the idea does not seem far-fetched – the team earlier this week had a meeting with another Laker great, Magic Johnson, regarding the direction of the franchise. Khristian Ibarrola
