There Might Never Be A Happily Ever After For Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant has brought some great memories to Los Angeles, but the way things are looking for 2016 it might not all end in a bed of roses.

If there was ever an indication that things could get ugly quickly for the Los Angeles Lakers next season it was the press conference today featuring Brandon Bass, Lou Williams, and Roy Hibbert.

And the crickets, don’t forget those guys.

One reporter asked the trio if they’d heard from the Black Mamba himself yet and if so what he said to him.

This is a response you’ve got to see to believe so check it out below:

Awkward sums that up pretty well but I’m not sure that it’s the word that does the situation justice.

Other than the new guys in town not hearing from the man who’s supposed to be leading his beloved purple-and-gold-clad team, the boos from Lakers’ “fans” at the NBA’s Vegas Summer League wasn’t the best thing to watch either.

It’s confusing yet understandable all at the same time — which is all the more reason to read into as much or as little as you want.

While I don’t like to make mountains out of mole hills — or any kind of assumption, for that matter — the fact that they’ve heard absolutely nothing from Kobe Bryant doesn’t sound like too much of a good thing.

And that’s not just bad for them — it’s bad for Kobe.

Sure, Bryant’s been known to be more focused on winning basketball games and raising banners than being everyone’s best friend on the team, but last I checked if you want your legendary career to go out with a bang you should probably check in with the guys.

At least once, for crying out loud.

We can only hope that D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle will mesh well with Bryant’s veteran contributions and presence but only time will tell for that.

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Wiz of Awes

As for Bryant himself, it’s a total coin flip if you were to try and figure out what his goal really is with 2016.

On the one hand, it’s clear that Kobe Bryant wants one more championship to add to his insanely impressive resume.

But then back in reality the Lakers are nowhere near the kind of team that can compete for one.

Conflict of interest? You bet.

For all we know, Kobe Bryant could end up making this a sweet farewell tour — but if he’s not careful things could go south and get sour quicker than you think.

So don’t blink — it might get ugly before it gets  anywhere close to better.

But hey, sometimes you’ve got to take the road less traveled.

Let’s just hope this one doesn’t involve unnecessary drama and the over-involvement of one player’s ego.

Bottom Line: The same team can’t go two directions — sometimes that means making hard decisions.

Kobe Bryant may be one of the best to ever play and put on a Lakers jersey, sure.

But there’s no way he gets what he wants if he goes it alone.

Time to make some new friends or kiss good bye to sweet victory.