Kobe Bryant spoke out for the first time since he signed his two-year extension with the Lakers for a reported $48.5 million on Tuesday before the Lakers took the court in Washington, D.C.
Kobe threw a few jabs in the process. He said the deal struck with the Lakers was a "smart decision" that can't "be revoked by the NBA," drawing laughs from the media contingent at the Verizon Center and presumably referencing the Lakers' attempt to acquire Chris Paul in a 2011 trade that was vetoed by the NBA for "basketball reasons."
Bryant, however, wasn't done. Following the Lakers' 116-111 loss to the Wizards, he took to Twitter to address the backlash since his extension was announced, with many calling it a bad business move for the Lakers.
Bryant defended himself and the deal with a tweet about the salary cap:
The cap rules players have to be "selfless" on To "help" BILLIONAIRE owners R the same cap rules the owners LOCKED US out to put in #think
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) November 27, 2013
And for future athletes:
Don't just learn ur sport .. Learn the sports industry #futureathletes
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) November 27, 2013
His final tweet suggested the Lakers aren't as hamstrung by his extension as many have said since the deal was announced.
Btw lakers have max cap space and then some #mitchissharp #bussfamsharp #lakers
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) November 27, 2013
With Bryant inking a two-year extension, he, Steve Nash and Robert Sacre are on the books for the 2014-15 season. Nick Young has a player option for next season, while rookie Elias Harris has a team option.
