kobe - Blog - The Oracle Mag2024-03-28T19:04:05Zhttps://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/kobeVanessa Bryant Wants Nike to Explain How Mambacita Shoes Were Released Without Her Permissionhttps://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/vanessa-bryant-wants-nike-to-explain-how-mambacita-shoes-were2021-06-04T07:49:45.000Z2021-06-04T07:49:45.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="entryBody" title="">
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Vanessa Bryant is launching the Mambacita clothing line. (Source: Mambacita)
<p>Vanessa Bryant, the widow of the late NBA star Kobe Bryant, wants <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/NKE" target="_blank">Nike</a> to explain why the Mambacita sneakers that she worked on to honor her daughter have been released without her permission.</p>
<p>Bryant said Thursday in an Instagram post that she was upset that the black-and-white shoes, with the names “Kobe” and “Gigi” engraved on them, were released when neither she nor her other daughters had received pairs.</p>
<p>Gianna Bryant — who has the nicknames “Mambacita” and “Gigi” — died <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-killed-in-helicopter-crash-reports-say.html" target="_blank">in the helicopter crash</a> that also killed her father, Kobe, in January 2020.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPpiiCjDQRJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Vanessa Bryant <img id="image2" title="🦋" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/72x72/1f98b.png" alt="1f98b.png" /> (@vanessabryant)</a></p>
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<p>Vanessa Bryant had been working with Nike on a deal to sell the shoes, she explained, but the partnership was nixed when she <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/20/kobe-bryants-estate-may-be-quietly-planning-to-launch-its-own-brand-.html" target="_blank">didn’t re-sign her husband’s contract with the sneaker giant</a>.</p>
<p>The Mambacita shoes were not approved to be made in the first place, Bryant said on her Instagram account. “I do not know how someone else has their hands on shoes I designed in honor of my daughter,” she said.</p>
<p><strong>Click <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/03/vanessa-bryant-alleges-nike-leaked-unauthorized-mambacita-shoes.html" target="_blank">here</a> to read more.</strong></p>
<p><em>SOURCE: CNBC, Lauren Thomas</em></p>
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</script></div>Kobe Bryant LEGENDARY Performance VS James Harden At Drew League!https://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/kobe-bryant-legendary-performance-vs-james-harden-at-drew-league2020-06-29T04:00:00.000Z2020-06-29T04:00:00.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><a href="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OWp7T6E8ug8/maxresdefault.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OWp7T6E8ug8/maxresdefault.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" alt="maxresdefault.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>
<p><iframe width="932" height="524" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IQX-UGea3Cg?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
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<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7936074053,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7936074053,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7936074053?profile=original" /></a></p></div>Originally Released During Christmas 2010, Kobe Bryant’s Iconic Kobe 6 “Grinch” Will Be Returning In Protro Form Early 2021https://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/3153366-BlogPost-2422942020-05-11T03:00:00.000Z2020-05-11T03:00:00.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="entryHeader"><div class="fx metadata"><div class="metadata EntryMetadata"><span class="pinContainer" style="font-size:2em;"><img src="https://sneakerbardetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Nike-Kobe-6-Protro-Grinch-CW2190-300-Release-Date-1.png" id="image1" class="pinable" name="image1" alt="Nike-Kobe-6-Protro-Grinch-CW2190-300-Release-Date-1.png" /></span></div>
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<p>Look for the<span> </span><strong>Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch”</strong><span> </span>to release sometime early 2021 at select retailers and<span> </span><a href="http://nike.com/" target="_blank"><span>Nike</span><span>.</span><span>com</span></a>.</p>
<p><span class="pinContainer"><img src="https://sneakerbardetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Nike-Kobe-6-Protro-Grinch-CW2190-300-Release-Date.png" id="image2" title="Nike Kobe 6 Protro Grinch CW2190-300 Release Date" class="pinable" name="image2" alt="Nike-Kobe-6-Protro-Grinch-CW2190-300-Release-Date.png" /></span></p>
<p><span class="pinContainer"><img src="https://sneakerbardetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Nike-Kobe-6-Protro-Grinch-CW2190-300-Release-Date-1.png" id="image3" title="Nike Kobe 6 Protro Grinch CW2190-300 Release Date" class="pinable" name="image3" alt="Nike-Kobe-6-Protro-Grinch-CW2190-300-Release-Date-1.png" /></span></p>
<p><span class="pinContainer"><img src="https://sneakerbardetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Nike-Kobe-6-Protro-Grinch-CW2190-300-Release-Date-2.png" id="image4" title="Nike Kobe 6 Protro Grinch CW2190-300 Release Date" class="pinable" name="image4" alt="Nike-Kobe-6-Protro-Grinch-CW2190-300-Release-Date-2.png" /></span></p>
<p><span class="pinContainer"><img src="https://sneakerbardetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Nike-Kobe-6-Protro-Grinch-CW2190-300-Release-Date-3.png" id="image5" title="Nike Kobe 6 Protro Grinch CW2190-300 Release Date" class="pinable" name="image5" alt="Nike-Kobe-6-Protro-Grinch-CW2190-300-Release-Date-3.png" /></span></p>
<p>Source: SHOF</p>
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<div class="fb-comments"></div></div>Peep The Official Images Of The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Lakers”. What Are Your Thoughts?https://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/peep-the-official-images-of-the-nike-kobe-5-protro-lakers-what-ar2020-02-24T18:30:00.000Z2020-02-24T18:30:00.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="col lg-4 sm-6 artical-inner-content"><p class="latest_posts"><img src="https://sneakernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/nike-kobe-5-protro-lakers-CD4991-500-2.jpg" alt="feature image" /></p>
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<div class="sneaker-post-content"><p>Be prepared for March 26th as these may make their way to select shops and hopefully<span> </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2OYVLXU" target="_blank">Nike SNKRS</a>.</p>
<div class="rel-full"><blockquote class="releases"><p><strong>Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Lakers”</strong><strong>Release Date: March 26th, 2020</strong><small>Style Code: CD4991-500</small></p>
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<div class="fb-comments"></div></div>Another Colorway of Kobe's Latest Signature Sneaker Is About To Drop!https://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/another-colorway-of-kobe-s-latest-signature-sneaker-is-about-to-d2018-08-28T08:19:00.000Z2018-08-28T08:19:00.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="entryHeader"><img src="https://images.complex.com/complex/images/c_crop,h_1064,w_2000,x_0,y_549/ky4o8rnkswiwn25chslq/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-pair" class="pinable" alt="nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-pair" /></div>
<div class="entryBody" title=""><div class="content">The release date and details for Kobe Bryant's new Nike Kobe A.D. sneakers in 'Black/Multicolor.' This is the third colorway to surface for the unreleased model so far.</div>
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<div class="tagsHolder decoration-holder"><p><strong><span> </span></strong>According to<span> </span><a target="_blank" href="https://www.footlocker.com/release-dates">Foot Locker's release calendar</a>, the Nike Kobe A.D. "Black/Multicolor" is now scheduled for an official release on Saturday, Sept. 1 for $140. Official images have also surfaced, courtesy of Nike. </p>
<a href="https://images.solecollector.com/complex/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/c_crop,h_1088,w_2000,x_0,y_551/v1/cyfcy8i1gy4zquqkfjzp/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-lateral"><img alt="Nike Kobe AD 'Black/Multi' AV3555-001 (Lateral)" src="https://images.solecollector.com/complex/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/c_crop,h_1088,w_2000,x_0,y_551/v1/cyfcy8i1gy4zquqkfjzp/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-lateral" /></a>
Image via Nike
<a href="https://images.solecollector.com/complex/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/c_crop,h_1053,w_2000,x_0,y_558/v1/mfehzfbi6gj66yhat9nt/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-medial"><img alt="Nike Kobe AD 'Black/Multi' AV3555-001 (Medial)" width="2000" height="1053" src="https://images.solecollector.com/complex/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/c_crop,h_1053,w_2000,x_0,y_558/v1/mfehzfbi6gj66yhat9nt/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-medial" /></a>
Image via Nike
<a href="https://images.solecollector.com/complex/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/v1/anzrg7mtnqnlj9i6c5mp/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-top"><img alt="Nike Kobe AD 'Black/Multi' AV3555-001 (Top)" src="https://images.solecollector.com/complex/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/v1/anzrg7mtnqnlj9i6c5mp/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-top" /></a>
Image via Nike
<a href="https://images.solecollector.com/complex/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/c_crop,h_1053,w_2000,x_0,y_552/v1/kqrbdxgml8wwqlsefabi/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-heel"><img alt="Nike Kobe AD 'Black/Multi' AV3555-001 (Heel)" src="https://images.solecollector.com/complex/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/c_crop,h_1053,w_2000,x_0,y_552/v1/kqrbdxgml8wwqlsefabi/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-heel" /></a>
Image via Nike
<a href="https://images.solecollector.com/complex/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/c_crop,h_826,w_2000,x_0,y_802/v1/ynuidebb4jp4hgsheadl/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-bottom"><img alt="Nike Kobe AD 'Black/Multi' AV3555-001 (Bottom)" width="2000" height="826" src="https://images.solecollector.com/complex/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/c_crop,h_826,w_2000,x_0,y_802/v1/ynuidebb4jp4hgsheadl/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-av3555-001-bottom" /></a>
Image via Nike
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<p><a href="https://solecollector.com/news/2018/08/nike-kobe-ad-black-multicolor-release-date" target="_blank">Read More Here</a></p>
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<div class="fb-comments"></div></div>Nike Turned LeBron James and Kobe Bryant Into Puppets Againhttps://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/3153366-BlogPost-894622017-12-19T10:30:00.000Z2017-12-19T10:30:00.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="article-main"><div class="article-deck"></div>
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<div class="article-body article-copy clearfix"><p>Nike released new versions of its iconic MVPuppets ad campaigns.</p>
<p>Each of the new 30-second ad spots sees the two sitting on a beach alongside the newly retired number 8 and 24 jerseys. Kobe discusses what hobbies his jerseys will take up in retirement, little kids asking their uncles which Kobe was better, and lifting the burden off of LeBron of having to create two legacies for himself.</p>
<p><span>Check out the three hilarious commercials below. </span></p>
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<p> <a href="https://solecollector.com/news/2017/12/nike-brings-back-mvpuppets-commercials-for-kobe-bryant-jersey-retirement?utm_source=www.complex.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Trending%20Widget%20threecolumn%20Trending_DS%20node2" target="_blank">Read More Here</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/comments/?utm_campaign=social_plugins&utm_medium=offsite_pages&utm_source=comments_plugin"></a></p></div>Nike Unveils Limited Edition Commemorative Air Force 1 ‘Kobe Bryant Black Mamba’https://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/3153366-BlogPost-896412017-12-19T00:25:11.000Z2017-12-19T00:25:11.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="fold page clearfix article-detail">
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<p>Nike will be dropping a limited edition “Kobe Bryant Black Mamba” Air Force 1 colorway.</p>
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<div class="main"><div class="article-narrow-block"><div class="article-body"><p>The sneaker has a snakeskin-like upper, a drop shadow Swoosh, embroidered heel tabs and eight stars on the tongue.</p>
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<p><span><br /> <a href="Read%20more%20at%20http%3A//www.slamonline.com/kicks/nike-unveils-limited-edition-commemorative-air-force-1-kobe-bryant-black-mamba/#VkrWvVtKSjUqw6QO.99" target="_blank">Read More Here</a><br />
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<div class="fb-comments"></div></div>Vanessa Bryant Is “Excited” for Husband, Kobe Bryant, to Be “Home More Often”, Thanks Fans for Their Support and God for His Grace and Blessingshttps://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/3153366-BlogPost-770512016-04-15T00:55:44.000Z2016-04-15T00:55:44.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="entryHeader"><a href="http://blackchristiannews.com/2016/04/vanessa-bryant-is-excited-for-husband-kobe-bryant-to-be-home-more-often-thanks-fans-for-their-support-and-god-for-his-grace-and-blessings/" class="entryTitle title read" target="_blank"></a></div>
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<p>Just hours before Kobe Bryant took the court for the very last time, the champion’s wife, Vanessa Bryant spoke out.</p>
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<p>Bryant posted a long message on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEJpG9UmIW2/?taken-by=vanessabryant">Instagram</a> Wednesday afternoon detailing her family’s sacrifice during Bryant’s journey in the NBA. The beauty also not only wrote how thrilled she is for the athlete to be “home more often,” but expressed how thankful she is that their family “managed to persevere against the odds” despite the “ups and downs.”</p>
<p>Read Bryan’s entire post below:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>This is it!!! Today’s the day!!!! My family and I are so excited. So happy to hear, “the 4th and FINAL period” one last time. My girls and I are so happy to have Kobe home more often. We’ve all sacrificed so much time, birthdays, holidays, family functions and special events to be there for Kobe. I really want to thank my daughters, Natalia and Gianna, for being patient and understanding how much hard work, sacrifice and dedication it takes to see their dad accomplish so many great things. Kobe has an incredible work ethic and amazing drive to be the best at whatever he sets his mind to and with that comes many sacrifices. We’re thankful for everything the Lord has blessed us with. The road hasn’t always been easy. We’ve had our ups and downs, but I’m so thankful we managed to persevere against the odds. We couldn’t have done it without our faith and God’s grace. We’re so happy to have seen the amount of joy Kobe brings to his fans and the city of Los Angeles. My daughters and I have been present at many of Kobe’s Make-a-Wish meet and greets, and words cannot explain how much joy he brings to people that are going through really difficult times in their lives. I thank all those beautiful families that have allowed us to share in those joyous moments. All of that really helped put things into perspective for me as a wife and mother. We must always remember that when life gets tough, there is always someone facing much more difficult times in their lives. And, in those hard times, we can be each other’s strength, and remember that it’s in the trials of life that God grows us even more! Thank you all for your amazing love and support for our family in all times! We will forever be grateful!! With Love, Vanessa Bryant. </em></p>
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<p><em>SOURCE: Hip Hollywood – Ashley Williams</em></p>
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</div></div>Kobe Bryant Hits 60 Points in Final Game With Los Angeles Lakershttps://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/3153366-BlogPost-769452016-04-14T08:36:13.000Z2016-04-14T08:36:13.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><p><a href="http://www.trbimg.com/img-570f3212/turbine/la-kobelast-la0037819108-20160413/1000/1000x563" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-570f3212/turbine/la-kobelast-la0037819108-20160413/1000/1000x563" class="align-center" alt="1000x563" /></a></p>
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<p>Kobe Bryant finished up his NBA career in style, scoring 60 points in leading the Lakers back to a stunning 101-96 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles.<span id="more-231750"></span></p>
<p>The Lakers trailed by double figures at halftime and throughout much of the second half, but Bryant sank some vintage spectacular shots down the stretch to lead the Lakers to the win.</p>
<p>The game marked the 25th time Bryant scored at least 50 points in his career and the sixth time he eached 60 points. He finished his career with 33,643 points, third most in NBA history.</p>
<p><em>SOURCE: AP</em></p></div>Lakers Offer Head Coaching Position to Byron Scotthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/lakers-offer-head-coaching-position-to-byron-scott2014-07-26T09:35:51.000Z2014-07-26T09:35:51.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="post-title"></div>
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<p>The Los Angeles Lakers have offered their head-coaching job to Byron Scott, according to league sources.</p>
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<p>The two sides are now in negotiations on a contract.</p>
<p>The Lakers made Scott a verbal offer on Thursday after Scott spoke with owner Jim Buss. Scott and his representatives are reviewing the Lakers’ offer.</p>
<p>Scott, a former Lakers star who won three titles playing next to Magic Johnson, has long been the front-runner for the job.</p>
<p>The Lakers have been without a coach since Mike D’Antoni resigned at the end of April. Scott interviewed for the job three times, but the organization prioritized the draft and free agency over hiring a coach.</p>
<p>Scott received a key endorsement from Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who played with Scott as a rookie in 1996 and has maintained a close relationship with him since.</p>
<p><em>SOURCE: ESPN</em><br /><em>Chris Broussard</em></p>
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</div></div>In Documentary, Kobe Bryant Says He’s “Scared” About His Post-Basketball Futurehttps://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/3153366-BlogPost-648022014-07-21T08:48:25.000Z2014-07-21T08:48:25.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="post-title"><h1 class="entry-title"></h1>
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<div class="post_content entry-content"><div id="attachment_44848" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://i1.wp.com/www.blackchristiannews.com/go/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Kobe-Bryant.jpg?resize=500%2C250" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1.wp.com/www.blackchristiannews.com/go/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Kobe-Bryant.jpg?resize=500%2C250" class="align-center" alt="Kobe-Bryant.jpg?resize=500%2C250" /></a><br /><p class="wp-caption-text">Showtime’s documentary “Kobe Bryant’s Muse” covers much of last season, when Bryant watched from the sidelines as the Lakers finished 27-55. Bryant attended The Showtime 2014 Summer TCA event on Friday.<br />Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP</p>
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<p>Kobe Bryant says he’s “scared” about his future after basketball, although he’s embracing the challenge of finding something that he can be as passionate about as sports.</p>
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<p>Bryant turns 36 next month and is under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for two more years. He was limited to just six games last season because of two major leg injuries, leaving him with the kind of idle time he never had before in his career.</p>
<p>Bryant gives a peek into his life in a Showtime documentary airing in November. “Kobe Bryant’s Muse” covers much of last season, when Bryant was sidelined and the Lakers finished 27-55, the most losses in club history.</p>
<p>“It’s a fascinating time to be around this guy,” said Gotham Chopra, who directed the film. “There’s this sort of looking forward to life after basketball. This is a guy that’s asking a lot of questions.”</p>
<p>The unexpected time off last season forced Bryant to think about his post-basketball future.</p>
<p>“I’m afraid, too,” he said Friday at the summer TV critics’ meeting. “You really have to lean on muses and mentors going forward, just as I did as a kid. It’s about having that next wave of things, which is scary as hell, but it’s fun at the same time.”</p>
<p>Bryant said this film is different than the 2009 ESPN documentary “Kobe Doin’ Work,” which was directed by Spike Lee. The new film includes Magic Johnson and former Lakers coach and current Knicks president Phil Jackson.</p>
<p>“It’s more introspective,” he said. “It’s about who or what has inspired me.”</p>
<p>Bryant is credited as an executive producer on the Showtime film, a vanity credit only.</p>
<p>“I’m not even quite sure what it is they do,” he said.</p>
<p>He arrived 30 minutes late for his session with critics.</p>
<p>“I was out looking for a head coach,” he said, joking.</p>
<p>The Lakers remain without a coach, and big man Pau Gasol recently chose to leave for Chicago as a free agent. The team failed in its bid to land Carmelo Anthony, too.</p>
<p>“We’re still trying to figure the roster out,” Bryant said. “We don’t know what system we’re going to be operating out of. A lot of those questions remain to be answered.”</p>
<p>Bryant reaffirmed he was “very happy” with the effort the Lakers made in trying to land Anthony and retain Gasol, who said Friday it was difficult to tell the Lakers star that he was leaving Los Angeles.</p>
<p>Bryant indicated approval of general manager Mitch Kupchak’s recent signings of complementary players.</p>
<p>“It’s my job to go out there next season and lay it all out there on the line and get us to that elite level,” he said.</p>
<p><em>SOURCE: The Associated Press</em></p>
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</div></div>Kobe Bryant to Have an Active Role In Choosing New Lakers Coachhttps://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/kobe-bryant-to-have-an-active-role-in-choosing-new-lakers-coach2014-05-09T20:57:13.000Z2014-05-09T20:57:13.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="post-title"><h1 class="entry-title"></h1>
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<div class="post_content entry-content"><div id="attachment_7808" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://i0.wp.com/www.blackchristiannews.com/go/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Kobe-Bryant.jpg?resize=500%2C250" target="_blank"><img src="http://i0.wp.com/www.blackchristiannews.com/go/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Kobe-Bryant.jpg?resize=500%2C250" class="align-center" alt="Kobe-Bryant.jpg?resize=500%2C250" /></a><br /><p class="wp-caption-text">Kobe Bryant, pictured during a game in Arizona on January 15, 2014, will miss the NBA all-star game after the Lakers say he is still suffering from pain and swelling in his knee (Getty/AFP/File, Christian Petersen)</p>
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<p><span>Kobe Bryant, speaking publicly for the first time since Mike D’Antoni resigned from the Los Angeles Lakers, expressed apathy about the turn of events while saying he would, though, like to have an active role in choosing a new coach.</span></p>
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<p>“Honestly I didn’t care,” Bryant said Thursday during a guest appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” when asked by Kimmel if he was “happy” that D’Antoni accepted a buyout of close to $2 million for next season rather than come back to coach the team.</p>
<p>“Mike was dealt a really bad hand in dealing with all the injuries that he had here,” Bryant said. “This is a tough place, man. If you’re not winning, you’re not going to survive, man.”</p>
<p>Bryant added that Magic Johnson’s controversial tweet in which he celebrated D’Antoni’s departure reminded him of a scene out of “The Wizard of Oz.”</p>
<p>“The first thing I thought of was seeing the Munchkins on the Yellow Brick Road dancing and singing, ‘The Wicked Witch is dead,’ ” Bryant said. “When he tweeted that, that song just came to mind.”</p>
<p>Bryant hopes the Lakers will sing a different tune than they have in the past when it comes to consulting him about hiring their next coach.</p>
<p>“On the last two they didn’t,” Bryant said, referring to Mike Brown and D’Antoni, who both failed to endure the length of the initial contracts they signed with the Lakers before parting ways. “On the third one, I’m hoping they do.”</p>
<p>Taking over for a legend like Phil Jackson is never easy, of course. Bryant said he still speaks to Jackson “often” and expects the 11-time championship winning coach to transfer those results to his front-office role with the New York Knicks.</p>
<p>“I think he’ll do fantastic,” Bryant said. “Especially the more people say that he won’t be successful.”</p>
<p>Bryant had similar faith in the Lakers’ brass, endorsing the efforts by Jackson’s fiancée and Lakers president, Jeanie Buss, as well as her brother and Lakers executive vice president of player personnel, Jim Buss, in steering the franchise in the right direction.</p>
<p>“Jimmy and Jeanie both, they’re just really determined and excited about the possibilities of next season and rebuilding this and building on their father’s legacy and everything that he’s accomplished,” Bryant said. “And they’re taking the challenge extremely, extremely seriously. They’re both on the same page and they want nothing but excellence here, so I have no doubt that we’ll make it happen.”</p>
<p>Bryant did not identify any specific candidates he would like the Lakers to hire but said there is an “open-door policy” in place between him and Lakers management as the process plays out.</p>
<p>“We talk back and forth,” Bryant said. “We’ll text or I’ll sit down with him.”</p>
<p>But Bryant, who will turn 36 in August before embarking on his 19th NBA season in the fall, said that he doesn’t want the team to play favorites when it comes to picking its coach.</p>
<p>“Honestly it’s not really about whether the players like the coach or not,” Bryant said. “It’s really about getting results. Liking somebody and those results don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand.</p>
<p>“Sometimes when a coach is driving you, you don’t necessarily like it, but it’s a part of the process and then once you win, everybody is buddy-buddy after that.”</p>
<p>Drive has rarely if ever been an issue for Bryant, who started a six-month intensive training program to ready himself for 2014-15 shortly after the Lakers’ disastrous season ended in April, and is already bullish on his well-being.</p>
<p>“From a health standpoint, 100 percent,” Bryant said of where he currently stands after missing 76 games last season because of a fractured knee and torn Achilles in his left leg. “I started doing a lot of on-court training and so I’m back into my routine. Then I’ll start lifting and start doing the running, which I hate. By the time the season comes around, I’ll be ready to go.”</p>
<p><strong>Click <a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10906547/kobe-bryant-wants-role-picking-los-angeles-lakers-next-coach">here</a> to read more.</strong></p>
<p><em>SOURCE: ESPN</em><br /><em>Dave McMenamin</em></p>
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</div></div>Kobe Bryant Back In Practice With Los Angeles Lakershttps://www.theoraclemag.com/profiles/blogs/kobe-bryant-back-in-practice-with-los-angeles-lakers2013-11-21T01:22:30.000Z2013-11-21T01:22:30.000ZPrince Malachi The Firsthttps://www.theoraclemag.com/members/Malachi<div><div class="entryHeader"></div>
<div class="entryBody" title=""><div class="content"><span class="pinContainer"><img alt="1814685509ab-lake-warr9054.jpg" src="http://www.blackchristiannews.com/news/1814685509ab-lake-warr9054.jpg" class="pinable" /></span><div>Kobe Bryant is back in practice with the Los Angeles Lakers, and even the five-time NBA champion gets a charge out of getting back to work.</div>
<div><div>Bryant participated in his second full workout with the Lakers at their training complex on Tuesday. He still isn't sure when he'll be back in uniform, but he's grateful to take the next step in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon.</div>
<div>"It's always a much greater appreciation for it," Bryant said, his forehead beaded with post-practice sweat. "You understand the mortality that comes with being on that doorstep. There's always a sense of enjoyment when you come back. ... Put the jersey on, you walk out in practice, and felt like it was `97 again and I was getting my first start as a pro."</div>
<div>Bryant isn't setting a return date, but acknowledged he could see himself returning to the Lakers later this month. Coach Mike D'Antoni said Bryant will return whenever he says he's ready, although the Lakers' next game against Golden State on Friday is very unlikely.</div>
<div>The fourth-leading scorer in NBA history hasn't played since tearing his Achilles tendon in a game against Golden State in April. He did several weeks of conditioning work before returning to practice last Saturday for a brief workout.</div>
<div>Bryant did drills and 5-on-5 play with the Lakers on Tuesday. He says he's "pleasantly surprised" by how good he felt afterward.</div>
<div>"I just went out there and just played," Bryant said. "Just tried to do what I normally do and figure some things out about my game, what can I do and what can't I do at this stage. Just try to figure out the route."</div>
<div>Bryant says he could adjust his game and contribute something to the Lakers right now, but he wants to make sure he's ready to play for the long haul when he returns for his 18th NBA season.</div>
<div>"It's definitely something where you're kind of champing at the bit a little bit, but we've come so far," he said. "I want to make sure, we all do, when you step out there you're ready to go the long haul, and it's not something that continues on. ... You just have to get stronger, but I could adjust my game and play at a pretty high level right now."</div>
<div>Bryant's self-evaluation isn't about praising his strengths, such as his better-than-expected upper-body strength, but finding his weaknesses. He's also withholding judgment until he figures out how his body responds Wednesday morning.</div>
<div>"You've got to be honest with yourself, and if you have those limitations, then you've got to figure out a way to be effective around those," Bryant said. "You can't be stubborn about that. If there are certain things that I used to do that I can't do now. I won't try to do them. I've got to figure out another way."</div>
<div>Bryant's teammates were uniformly impressed with his condition and mobility in his first workouts back from a serious injury. D'Antoni allows Bryant and trainer Gary Vitti to plot the superstar's comeback pace, and the coach didn't encourage his players to go easy on Bryant.</div>
<div>"They had better beat him up while they can, because when he gets better, they won't be able to," D'Antoni said. "I'm sure they'll take their shots early. ... He's going to be a little rusty. He's going to make mistakes. But if he feels good, and when he feels like, `You know what? I can do this,' then that's what he should do, and he's the only one that can (say) that."</div>
<div>During his recovery, Bryant has spent plenty of time with Steve Nash, the 39-year-old point guard currently sidelined with the latest in a series of injuries. Nash is out for at least another week with nerve root irritation, a back problem stemming from a broken leg last season.</div>
<div>Bryant and Nash intend to be back in the Lakers' lineup together soon. Los Angeles is off to a 5-7 start in Bryant's absence and with little help from Nash.</div>
<div>But Bryant is impressed by his younger teammates, particularly Jordan Hill. The energetic big man has been outstanding since joining the starting lineup four games ago, capped by his career highs of 24 points and 17 rebounds in a win over Detroit last Sunday.</div>
<div>"We've got a bunch of competitors," Bryant said. "We've got a bunch of guys that can step up and compete. That's the most important thing. We've got guys that are willing to do whatever it takes to win. I've been extremely proud of the way we've competed."</div>
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<div><i>SOURCE: The Associated Press</i></div>
<div><i>Greg Beacham</i></div>
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