Kobe Bryant and Nick Young: Lakers Dynamic Recruiting Duo
By Scott Asai
Kobe Bryant was asked if he’s done recruiting Rajon Rondo to join the Lakers for the 2015-16 season:
"“No way, I’m not done. I’m not stopping until he signs an extension.”"
That’s good news for Lakers fans who aren’t used to Kobe, the recruiter.
When the Cavs played the Lakers in L.A., LeBron James was asked if Kobe recruited him to play with the Lakers this past off-season and his answer was simply, “No.” Maybe Kobe, the playmaker on the court, is going for his biggest assist of his career by attracting superstar free agents to join him in his final season.
Bryant made comments recently criticizing AAU Basketball, which basically translates to European players are more skilled. Learning the game in Italy before attending high school in Philadelphia and also playing with Pau Gasol makes you wonder if Kobe would prefer to play with International teammates.
Joining Kobe on the recruiting front is Nick Young.
While playing against the Phoenix Suns and Goran Dragic, Young said,
"“I told Goran Dragic on the court, ‘You might be my teammate next year’…I’ll talk to Marc (Gasol.) Me and him are cool. Kevin Love, I’ll talk to him.”"
Young, never one to shy away from the spotlight could be the perfect compliment to Bryant’s free agency pitches. Swaggy P, with a personality similar to Dwight Howard, idolizes Kobe, but also gets along with him.
Can you imagine being a fly on the wall in a Kobe-Swaggy free agency pitch meeting?
Although this idea may sound crazy it might actually work for one reason alone:
Testimonials.
Kobe Bryant will have played 19 years in L.A. through the 5 championships and few rebuilding years. Nick Young has only played on sub-par Laker squads, but loves the Lakers like no other franchise.
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Both players love the purple and gold and since the Lakers will have lots of money to spend, it comes down to selling the future vision of the Lakers. Mitch Kupchak will no doubt be working the phones until the free agency period begins, but right now the Lakers brand is Bryant until he retires.
Lakers fans should be excited about Bryant’s desire to recruit Rajon Rondo because it means he’s going to take an active role in the Lakers rebuild. Nick Young may not have the star power of Kobe, but his personal brand has exploded since joining the Lakers and that can be a strong selling point to future Lakers.
Barring a miraculous flurry of trades, this Lakers season is over, but the future just got brighter knowing our two biggest superstars intend to be the dynamic duo sales team.
Let the recruiting period begin.