Apparently, Kobe Bryant endured a lot of criticism over the Lakers' pitch to free agent LaMarcus Aldridge over the summer for nothing.
Aldridge "bristled" at reports that Bryant was to blame for the Lakers' failure to impress last summer's prized free agent, according to Yahoo Sports.
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But he waited 3 1/2 months to clear the Black Mamba's name,
"Kobe was the best part of the meeting," Aldridge told Yahoo Sports. "I've known Kobe for years, living out in Newport Beach. He knows my kids. I've seen him with his daughters. We've always had a cordial relationship. I was kind of mad about how it got spun around that it was him that I had problems with -- when he was actually the best part of it."
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The problem with Los Angeles' pitch was it was too much about location and not enough about job description, Aldridge said.
"I was trying to ask more basketball-related questions," Aldridge said. "I just had things that I wanted to know, to understand, on the basketball side. I get why they did what they did, coming from a small market, going to L.A., a whole different world, and they just wanted me to know about that world. I did try to bring it back toward basketball a couple times."
The question that remains unanswered is why Aldridge didn't come out immediately and protect Bryant as soon as he found out what was being said. He had to have known Kobe was taking heat for the failure to connect.
The Trail Blazers' free agent accepted the Spurs' contract offer, and the Lakers signed free agents Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams instead. While Aldridge continues to chase a realistic dream of winning an NBA championship, Los Angeles continues to struggle with a roster still deferring to an aging superstar who may have lost a step.
At least Lakers fans can rest easier knowing that the against superstar wasn't responsible for the failed pitch to Aldridge, unless there's a reason LaMarcus waited so long to exonerate Kobe.
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