Jim Buss is the owner and the man in charge of the Los Angeles Lakers. Mitch Kupchek, as general manager, is the one whose job it is to make roster moves and develop the team for the future. But Kobe Bryant may be the most influential man on the Lakers. Already we’ve seen Kobe Bryant sub himself into games and run the offense with more say than head coach Mike D’Antoni at many times. Other times, it doesn’t seem that Bryant has the say in big decisions that it seems like he does. Last fall, it was all-but-decided that Phil Jackson would succeed Mike Brown as the Lakers coach–a move publicly supported and requested by Kobe Bryant–but as you know that wasn’t the case and D’Antoni was hired.

Monday evening, Kobe tweeted this:

Interesting off season looming.. Will spend time with d12 #stay and talk with the Buss family in hopes that Pau stays as well #my2cents

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 21, 2013

He points out his plans to discuss the future with Dwight Howard and ask the Buss’s that Gasol stays as well. Bryant was just reinforcing his position on this issue. He’s mentioned his hope to keep the two big men before. It’s nice to know that nothing has changed though. Many seem to think that this tweet improves the Lakers chances of retaining these players, as Kobe typically gets what he wants. It really brings up an interesting question…

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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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