Feb 25, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant continues his mastery of social media, trolling Lakers fans everywhere as he posted Saturday evening that he would have a “surprise announcement” on facebook.

You won’t want to miss Sports Spectacular Livestream Sunday #mambavideo #surpsise #announcement

Naturally, this left the minds of LA fans reeling, wondering if he would announce retirement. Which wasn’t the completely out of the question, as Kobe still has an uphill battle to climb at 34 against an Achilles injury.

Instead, we got this: (via Eric Pincus, LA Times)

“I’d like to officially announce that I’m partnering with the Sports Spectacular to help eradicate homelessness,” said Bryant in a pre-recorded video, aired at the Sports Spectacular 2013 gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.

“You can learn about my past, present and future,” said Bryant of the event, which will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. “It’s for an incredible cause.”

Early Monday morning, Bryant took to twitter to deny the growing retirement rumors.

Really?? Me. Retire?? Soon, but not yet Vino still has work to do #35 #OG#kbvff

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 20, 2013

SI.com reports that much of the anxiety surrounding a Bryant retirement came from a tweet by a fake Adrian Wojnarowski account.

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Mar 6, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts after dunking the ball against the New Orleans Hornets during the end of the fourth quarter at the New Orleans Arena. Los Angeles defeated New Orleans 108-102. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

For those of you that somehow missed it, Phil Jackson has finally compared Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan in his new book, “Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success.”

Suffice it to say Jackson chose his man, should he have intended to or not. It was not Kobe Bryant.

The comparisons are #apples2oranges Wonder what the perception would be if M played wit @shaq instead #differentroles #differentcareerpaths

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 17, 2013

It’s a valid response – at least in my mind.

Think, what if Kobe had played alongside the likes of Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant. Or later with Pippen, Toni Kukoc and Dennis Rodman.

Are we supposed to honestly believe Bryant would not have six championships to his name also?

On that same token, what if Jordan had played next to the transcendent dominance of a Shaquille O’Neal. Would it have tainted Jordan’s legacy as it has Bryant’s?

In other words:

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