Having Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant playing together on one team might not be just a dream after all. In an exclusive interview with USA Today NBA writer Sam Amick, the reigning NBA MVP rebutted the idea that no elite free-agents are willing to team up with the Los Angeles Lakers star, adding he would love to play with a player as competitive as the Black Mamba anytime.
"Excuse my language, but that's (expletive)," Durant said of criticisms on Bryant. "I want to play with a winner every single night, especially somebody who wants to win that bad, who works that hard, who demands a lot, who raises up your level.
"I'd want to play with a guy like that every day. ... (His style) may make people uncomfortable, how he acts and just how he approaches the game, but I love that type of stuff. I think (the accusation) is BS."
Durant, who reportedly congratulated Bryant via text right after he passed Michael Jordan for no.3 in the All-Time scoring list, has looked up to the Lakers star as role model because of his insane work ethic and competitiveness on and off the court.
Moreover, the bond between Durant and Bryant has become even stronger when the Lakers star reached out to the Thunder star and gave some tips on how to cope up with injuries. Durant said Bryant's advice certainly means a lot for him during his rehabilitation from surgery to repair his broken foot.
"From a guy like Kobe that stood out to me, just knowing he's at the top of his game, but always trying to get better in all aspects, I learned a lot just from that conversation. It was big for me," Durant told ESPN.
With Durant becoming an unrestricted free-agent in the summer of 2016, his recent comments certainly piqued the curiosity of NBA followers, particularly hardcore Lakers fans, who have been lobbying for a Durant-Bryant combo two years from now.
Although there are reports that it would be a two-team race between the Washington Wizards and the Thunder for the All-Star's services, the Lakers will remain interesting for Durant because of Bryant's overwhelming presence.
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