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: 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: 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.

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.