This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
L.A. might love Kobe, but he wants out.
It's not you, L.A., it's him. Kobe needs his space. You're heading in different directions. He thinks you're "the best," but he has "a new road ahead."
Sunday on his site, KB24.com, Kobe re-posted a blog titled "The Truth: A New Road Ahead," explaining why he wants out of L.A. -- and hopefully putting an end to all the back-and-forth about his future with the team.
Bryant said winning is his passion and he doesn't think he can do it with the Lakers.
The more I thought about the future, the more I became convinced that the Lakers and me just have two different visions for the future.
Besides making a slight grammatical error in that sentence, Kobe also made it clear he's still pissed about someone in the Lakers organization blaming him for the team's failure to contend.
He did show a little love for L.A., but it felt like a "you're really great, but..." rejection:
And the support my family and I have gotten from Lakers fans is undeniably the best. I will also always believe that. But, now there is a new road ahead.
Break-ups suck, but in the NBA -- unlike in real life -- Kobe can't just drop L.A. "Dr. Buss" has made it pretty clear he doesn't want to trade his best player, so maybe Kobe and L.A. will have to iron out their differences and just make this relationship work.
But watch out, Kobe, a few more blogs like this, and you'll be sleeping on the couch.
