Kobe Bryant News: Dudley Says Players Won’t Play With Kobe

With three picks in the NBA Draft, including the second overall pick, the Los Angeles Lakers finally have some momentum moving forward.

-== 5 Determining Factors for Lakers’ Julius Randle’s Future ==-

After striking out these last couple free agency periods, the Lakers feel confident with all their cap space going into July. They have a lot of needs to fill, but with Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and the number two pick, the Lakers have a young core that is promising.

One NBA player still believes the Lakers will have a hard time attracting free agents to Los Angeles this Summer. Jared Dudley was a guest on the Herd with Colin Cowherd and said that most NBA players do not want to play with Kobe. (via: Sports Grid):

"“Most guys don’t want to play with Kobe. He gets in this thing where he doesn’t pass and then overpasses and then tries to get triple doubles every night…that’s why I think it will be a while for the Lakers to get good because they’ve got no stars. I would be surprised if Love goes there.”"

Strong accusation by Dudley, who is a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, but played against Bryant several times when he was with the Phoenix Suns. This has been a popular take by several members of the media in the past and Dudley saying it will only cause an uproar.

With all due respect to Dudley, he simply can’t speak on behalf of all the players in the NBA. Bryant has won five championships and some players would kill for the opportunity to win just one. Why not come to the Lakers and learn what it takes to win a title from one of the greatest of all time.

Dudley didn’t stop there, he would go on to say that Kobe is the reason Kevin Love will ultimately decide not to join the Lakers this Summer. While Love coming to LA is not a guarantee, to put this entirely on Kobe is naive and irresponsible.

h/t: SLAM