Kobe Bryant refuses to end his career with a whimper. After going down for season ending surgery, many feared his career had done just that. It’s clear now that Kobe isn’t going anywhere, and neither is his competitive spirit.
Due to this, the Black Mamba has been relentless in his recruitment of stars to LA. Rajon Rondo, while some may debate if he’s a star, has an expiring contract at the end of the year and has gained the appreciation of Kobe through his grittiness in prime time. The pair shared a breakfast earlier this year in Boston, and since then have been continuously poking fun at one another via interviews.
Kobe has repeatedly said he would love to play with Rondo, and we were given another piece of evidence as such last night. While he had gone under the knife way back on January 21st, Kobe has yet to attend a game at the Staples Center since. That is, of course, until old friend Rajon Rondo and the Dallas Mavericks came to town.
Kobe makes his first appearance at Staples on the same night Rondo is in town? No way is that a coincidence.
— Kristine Leahy (@KristineLeahy) March 9, 2015
Rondo joked that he planned to get breakfast w/ Kobe in LA, as they did in Boston, but KB stood him up. RR: "A–hole." (KB calls him same.)
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) March 9, 2015
Rondo on Kobe recruiting him to Lakers: "When he speaks, it speaks volumes. It’s a compliment that he’d want to play with a guy like me."
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) March 9, 2015
The two seem destined to unite at this point. Kobe probably came away disappointed with his decision, though, as his team lost and Rondo shot 4-10 for 8 points and 9 assists.
A relative quiet night overall, but another potentially huge step in the right direction for the future of basketball in LA.