While Dennis Rodman has become known - or infamous - for his international diplomacy, his diplomacy stateside isn't as altruistic as far as Kobe Bryant is concerned.
TMZ.com unearthed a Nov. 3 video of Rodman on stage at the W Hotel in Hollywood with a jazz band when he suddenly hurled an expletive at sidelined Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant (https://www.tmz.com/videos/0_lpfewobu).
Either the audio is unclear or Rodman is not speaking clearly when he has the microphone and starts talking about Bryant, but it is clear when he tells the crowd, "Kobe Bryant ... (I'll tell you) one thing ... (expletive) him! ... (Expletive) him! ... I'll say it again, (expletive) him!"
Rodman played with Bryant with the Lakers for part of the 1998-99 season before being waived on April 16. The Lakers had signed him on Feb. 23, 1999. Whether Bryant, who was in his third season with the Lakers, had anything to do with Rodman's release is unclear.
Rodman recently reaffirmed his support for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, telling theguardian.com that Kim is a "good guy" and "a good-hearted kid."
Deadspin.com reported that Bryant went on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" shortly after Rodman's initial visit to North Korea in February of this season and made light of the situation.
Bryant, who still is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that he suffered near the end of the 2012-13 regular season, has suffered the brunt of a former teammate's freestyle off the mic in the past. Shaquille O'Neal's infamous rant in 2008 also was known for a vulgarity hurled at Bryant.
TMZ.com also reported that former Lakers guard Smush Parker traded barbs with Bryant in 2012.
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