Kobe Bryant Punched Me Over $100 Bet - Samaki Walker

Ex Lakers Samaki Walker has accused super rich Kobe Bryant and ex team mate of punching him over $100 bet in 2002. Would you just believe this? Rich Kobe causing a feud over $100! That was way back though....

Back in 2002, a story was sort of swept under the rug involving the Los Angeles Lakers. There was an altercation between Kobe Bryant and teammate Samaki Walker that left Walker with a black eye. In an age before Twitter and social media, those types of stories just weren't as big as they are now, especially when it involved just one star instead of two stars like the Kobe and Shaquille O'Neal feud.

NBA: Kobe Leads Curry In All Stars Returns

It looks like Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant's farewell tour will stop in Toronto in February. The 20-year veteran leads all players in the first returns of All-Star voting, the NBA announced on Friday. Merry Christmas, Kobe fans.

NBA: Hakeem Olajuwon, Micheal Jordan Tops List Of Kobe Bryant's Toughest Opponents

Basket Ball great Kobe Bryant has named the top five players he has ever played against in the NBA

In a conference call on Monday, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant named his top 5 opposing players and teams, adding that it was difficult not to pick more, via ESPN's Baxter Holmes.

Olympics 2016: Kobe Bryant Can Make USA Team For Rio Olympics 2016

Will Kobe Bryant end his career with another Gold medal? Well, only time can tell has the legend is gunning to end his career with an appearance for the Dream team in the Olympics game set to hold in Rio in 2016.

It seems like a very legitimate possibility as an USA Basketball representative told TMZ Sports that Bryant is eligible to be selected for the 2016 Olympic team.

TMZ Sports spoke with Team USA rep Craig Miller who tell us ... Kobe is definitely being considered for the '16 roster.

Messi Hails Kobe Bryant As The Legend Prepares To Retire

Messi has been a friend to NBA great Kobe Bryant and the pair were both involved in an advert for Turkey airline recently. Messi sent a message to Kobe after the legend announced his plan to quit basketball at the end of the season.

Kobe Bryant has been bowled over by all the support he has received from top sports stars since announcing his impending retirement. Speaking at a press conference after a Lakers game, the NBA star specifically thanked Lionel Messi for his kind words: "I'd like to thank Leo. I've known Leo since he was 17 or 18, since he was really young. I feel very proud to receive such nice messages from players like Messi. I'd like to say thanks to him and Fuerza Barça [Go Barça!]", Bryant enthused in Spanish.

NBA: Kobe Bryant Announces Retirement Plan

The final chapter of the NBA career of Kobe Bryant, or the final section of the last chapter, or the final subheading of the final section of the final chapter, or whatever, began.

The Los Angeles Lakers star announced his retirement in an op-ed in The Players' Tribune Sunday evening before the Lakers' loss to the Indiana Pacers, and after the game, the Black Mamba held a lengthy and reflective press conference where he looked back on the process behind his decision and how he's feeling about it. Bryant said that once he came to that realization that the drive wasn't there anymore, it became a question of "why not" tell everyone, and "just get it off (his) shoulders."

Bryant shot 4 of 20 from the field, 2 of 7 from 3-point range in the loss to the Pacers. He drained a fadeaway catch-and-shoot 3-pointer to pull the Lakers within one, but after two Paul George free throws, air-balled his next one. The dream ending was not to be, but after the game, Bryant seemed downright happy in the press conference, content with his decision.

NBA: Lakers Can Top Golden State Warriors - Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant has never lacked confidence. With the Los Angeles Lakers about to face the undefeated Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, Bryant told reporters on Sunday that he believes in his team.

From ESPN's Baxter Holmes:

"I've seen stranger things happen," Bryant said Sunday after his team's 107-93 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center here. "We've been playing like s---. We might go up there and we might play like gangbusters up there. You never know. "

NBA: Kobe Bryant May Leave Lakers Soon - Phil Jackson

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson has made it very clear Derek Fisher is the head coach, but the 11-time NBA championship-winning coach intends to have a greater influence over the manner in which Fisher runs the team in 2015-16.

According to ESPN.com's Ian Begley, the 70-year-old executive revealed Friday he plans to be more involved with the coaching staff during the upcoming season after admitting he may have been too laissez-faire in 2014-15.

While some might consider such a change to be an example of Jackson meddling, Jonah Ballow of NYKnicks.com reported Fisher is the one who wants the former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers coach to have an increased role.

NBA: Lakers Will Be Playoff Team - D'Angelo Russel

D'Angelo Russell is the most important player on the Los Angeles Lakers roster heading into his rookie season. That's a lot of pressure to put on a 19-year-old who has never played in an official NBA game, but the No. 2 pick in June's draft won't be intimidated by it.

In an interview with Alex Kennedy of BasketballInsiders.com, Russell said his expectation is to be the NBA's best rookie in 2015-16: “I have been grinding all summer to put myself in that position."

The pressure on Russell is already high because the Lakers are very much in a transition period. Kobe Bryant is in the final year of his contract, and general manager Mitch Kupchak has said the former MVP could retire after the season.

NBA : Its Freaking Crazy To Think That I Want To Shoot Many Times - Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant doesn't want to shoot this often. That's what he told reporters, at least, after his team's embarrassing 136-115 loss -- it was 115-79 after three quarters -- to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

"I'd always rather get guys involved and play," Bryant said. "That's always the intent at the start of the ball game. But [when] you're 10, 12 points in the hole, I've got to try to keep us in the ball game at some point. But it's tough. It's tough.

I Am Extremely Loyal To Lakers - Kobe Bryant

In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant says that asking for a trade is "not what he does."

"I hear the chatter of Kobe should ask out and he should go and play for a contender in this latter stage of his career," Bryant told Yahoo Sports. "But that's not what I do. I'm extremely loyal to the Lakers.

BASKETBALL: Dwight Howard Is Just A "Teddy Bear" - Kobe Bryant

You might have heard that there was some drama in the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets game last night. Old pals Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard got into it a little bit, with Bryant appearing to call Howard "soft" after receiving an elbow to the head. Postgame, Bryant didn't seem to think it was a big deal, via the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan:

"I think it's fantastic," Bryant said. "Elbows are part of the game. Trash-talking is part of the game. I don't know where the NBA became so sensitive."

BASKETBALL: Kobe Bryant Attacks CBA Over $24 billion TV Deal

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant weighed in on the controversy sparked with players after the league signed a nine-year, $24 billion deal to re-up its TV rights on Monday. And like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, Bryant is unhappy with the CBA's pressure for stars to re-sign for less in light of how much money the owners are making.

BASKETBALL: Injury Rules Kobe Byrant Out Of The Season

The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled Kobe Bryant out for the remainder of the season after a re-examination of the veteran guard's injured knee showed it still hadn't healed, the team announced Wednesday.

Bryant has been sidelined since Dec. 17 with a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee. He also missed the Lakers' first 19 games while recovering from a torn Achilles in his left leg suffered last season.

"Obviously this has been a frustrating and disappointing season, but I appreciate all the support I've received from the Lakers and the fans and look forward to being back and ready for the start of training camp," Bryant said in a statement released by the team.

NBA: Kobe Bryant TopsForbes 2014 NBA’s Highest-Paid Players

Forbes dropped their list of the top earning players in the NBA and Kobe Bryant leads, especially with him being in the final season of his three year 83.5 million dollar contract with the Lakers back in 2010. He is the first player since Jordan to top $30 million with his playing salary. The NBA’s 10 highest-paid players will collectively bank $358 million this year, including $149 million from sponsors.

Check out the list after the cut....

LAKERS: Kobe Bryant's Injury Gets Worse

Los Angeles Times reporter Melissa Rohlin has Bryant's description of the swelling in his knee:
Kobe Bryant discussed his injury status and potential return during a press conference, documented by NBA.com's Staff

Q: On the general update in his recovery/rehab process:
Bryant: It’s the same old, same old. Riding the bike, trying to stay in shape that way. Not much I can really do in terms of running andthings of that nature, so mainly focusing on bike work.

LAKERS: Kobe Bryant Expected To Miss Two More Weeks

If you’re not accustomed by now to Kobe Bryant sitting out and the Los Angeles Lakers losing, weeks more are still to come.

The fractured lateral tibial plateau in Bryant’s left knee hasn’t healed yet, even though the Lakers had initially been pointing to a medical re-evaluation Tuesday as a point at which he might be cleared to play. Bryant’s level of discomfort is such that his visit with Lakers doctor Steve Lombardo on Tuesday evening before the Lakers face the Indiana Pacers will not even include an MRI or any other diagnostic procedure to judge the bone’s healing, according to a team source. Bryant is expected to miss at least two more weeks, perhaps even another month.

NBA: Kobe Won't Recruit Carmelo Anthony

 Kobe Bryant considers Carmelo Anthony one of his closest friends in the NBA, but he will not be actively recruiting the Knicks forward to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent this summer.

"Well, everybody wants to play in Los Angeles," Bryant said before the Lakers' 110-103 loss to the Knicks on Sunday when asked about Anthony's potential interest in joining him in purple and gold. "I mean New York is a beautiful place, don't get me wrong, but it is colder than s--- out here. You know, palm trees and beaches obviously are a little more appealing.

Lionel Messi and Kobe Bryant star in a new Turkish Airlines advert called “The Selfie Shootout”

Turkish Airlines have advertised the fact that they fly to more destinations than any other airline by employing Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi to star in a new commercial called “The Selfie Shootout”. Read more after the cut......