Written by: Derrick Bond
@bond_agent187
Kobe Bean Bryant recently signed a 48.5 million dollar extension with the Los Angeles Lakers locking him up for the next two seasons and cementing the fact that he will be a “Laker” for life.
Immediately after the reports surfaced, he received congratulations from players and fans as well as negative backlash. The negative comments from sports writers and some of the public were that he really didn’t care about the team and winning as much as money because he put the organization in a bind unable to sign better players in the upcoming off season due to his massive contract.
Bryant is also nearing age 36 and coming off a season ending Achilles injury a few years removed from his prime. It raised questions because Bryant will remain the highest paid player in the league despite not being known as the best player in the league anymore. Kobe took to twitter to address some of the controversy alluding basically that players (millionaires) shouldn’t have to compromise their money to help out owners (billionaires) and that owners set rules in place during the lockout to fix contract issues.
He also said that LA is in position to offer another player other than him, a max contract and that the organization was in good hands. Lastly Bryant stated that it wasn’t really a negotiation but rather the team made him an offer and he excepted.
You can’t really fault a guy for excelling financially as long as it doesn’t harm anyone and it’s common knowledge that Kobe has never lacked confidence in himself.
That man still feels he’s the best on planet earth and before last seasons injury it appeared he tapped into the fountain of youth posting one of the best statistical seasons a 35 year old has ever had. It remains to be seen if the mamba will add to his ring collection and stats and if 48.5 million was too much or worth every penny for the Legend.
