Kobe Bryant: 'People That Criticize Can Kiss My Ass'

After losing four of their last eight games, the Los Angeles Lakers have been surrounded by criticism and trade rumors. Former Laker Jerry West criticized the defense, general manager Mitch Kupchak said he was open to a trade and Magic Johnson said it's time for the team to make a move.

So what does Kobe Bryant think about the criticism?

"Don't know, don't care. People that criticize can kiss my ass. I don't give a shit," Kobe said in a post-practice interview. "I really don't. I keep the train moving, we're going to keep on moving, and in June, they'll say nothing. But now, it's good talk."

The Lakers star was also asked several times about trade rumors. Around the 2:40 mark in the video on the Lakers official website, Bryant fired back quickly and told the reporter to "stop asking me this gossip stuff."

You can watch the video here.

The Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 114-106 in overtime on Tuesday, snapping a two-game home losing streak.

They play the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

Comments

[dnb310]

07:52 PM on 02/05/2011

Spoken like a true sociopath. R@pist B@asterd.

[SamBarber]

09:16 AM on 02/05/2011

More from Kobe: "I'll also refrain from having sex with other women, or even from getting more tattoos, until we're #1 in the conference and get in the playoffs. *silence* Yeah, I didn't believe that either."

[gtp]

08:40 AM on 02/05/2011

Well Kobe, you did it again. After years of trying to reinvent yourself, including using your kids in a staged performance when you go to the locker room, you have shown everybody how low you are. You wouldn't see Pierce acting that way.

[MisterCee]

07:39 PM on 02/04/2011

Get rid of Artest and bring back Ariza. Or just wait til Blake Griffin becomes available because the Clippers will find a way to run him off too.

[Gordon Gekko]

04:17 AM on 02/05/2011

getting rid of artest puts a lot of pressure on kobe to be active in defensive end.

keep in mind, artest's only job is to stop durant, ginobili, pierce etc. Other team's best player. if he is not doing it, that means kobe will have to do that job. Kobe is on wrong side of 30 and realistically, it is too much to expect from him to do it on both ends. he still does it, plays lock-down D, but it helps that there is another defender.

that's also the reason why they brought matt barnes. to ease the burden on kobe.

[gditty]

01:03 PM on 02/04/2011

Fisher is the weak link, he has been for years.

[BraveWarrior]

04:53 PM on 02/04/2011

Yeah, he should be striped of his 5 championship rings. Removed from the history and legacy of the pantheon of great Laker players. Hope the Lakers overcome this weak link when they attempt another 3 peat. Maybe Allen Iverson will be available. He is fast, can shoot, and has never played for the championship, joining Nash, Williams, Paul, Westbrook, Kidd, Harris, Ridenour, etc. who are faster, quicker, stronger and who have never played in a championship team, game or hit a clutch winning shot. Fisher is a team captain. He was chosen as a the player's representative to the players union. He is highly respected by team mates, management and the league. He is the heart and soul of the team. But of course you would have had to be part of a 'team' to understand that victory depends on chemistry, playing together, smart and the right way. Not everyone on a team has equal talents or abilities. Team members sacrifice their own personal interests to help the 'team' win. Phil Jackson has won more championships than any other coach, living or dead. Let him choose his line up, he seems halfway successful don' t he? After we win the title we will consider our weak links.

[gditty]

07:42 PM on 02/04/2011

5 championship rings proves he's a rider & lucky to have played with great players. He could have easily been replaced with any guard that can score 10 points 5 rebounds per game. (Which is below average for most guards in the league)

[Ylmaz Kaba]

11:08 AM on 02/04/2011

can't play any sports and hasn't been laid in about four years.
His envy is apparent.
http://bursaspor-sivasspor-macini-canli-izle.myblog.it/

[Ylmaz Kaba]

11:06 AM on 02/04/2011

People work hard to pay good money to go and watch them play and for them to play the way they have been playing is unconscion­able....
http://bur­saspor-siv­asspor-mac­ini-canli-­izle.myblo­g.it/

[mokachyna]

03:57 PM on 02/04/2011

People are paying good money to watch them play and that's exactly what they're getting. Or did you mean to say that people pay good money to watch them win?

[BraveWarrior]

05:06 PM on 02/04/2011

Nobody forces them to pay anything. Because some poseurs chose to spend big bucks to hang out with the stars doesn't entitle them to coach the team. The games are televised on local TV for free. We pay good money for teachers, though we whine and resist at paying good money to educate our children. The teachers haven't had a winning season in some time. We rank in the teens in math and science. Perhaps we should cut, trade or fire them. A spoiled group of fans, who are largely of the band wagon variety, full of their sense of entitlement. The game is not about them, or their petty emotional needs to identify with a winner. Their loyalty to the team who has brought great thrills, excitement and championships, only last as long as a four game losing streak. The players are selected in a highly competitive environment. If they fail to perform they are simply fired. They owe you nothing, except their effort.

[Jackandcoke]

09:57 AM on 02/04/2011

They won't have to say anything in June if you keep playing like you are now. And btw, now matters, especially since you can't beat the other teams that have the best shot at playing in June.

[Effymens]

06:11 AM on 02/04/2011

I love Kobe but nobody is going to kiss whatever he wants them to kiss because the so called critics are right .People work hard to pay good money to go and watch them play and for them to play the way they have been playing is unconscionable.Dr Boss pays them well and he deserves better.These currerent Lakers have no pride and they don't play like champions.

[Clevelandinwi]

05:44 AM on 02/04/2011

Remember Colorado - and then SHUT UP.

[Seafarer61]

02:56 AM on 02/04/2011

Instead of jibber jabbering with critics, try telling your big men to box out on last second shots by the Spurs.

[NevadaLib]

11:47 PM on 02/03/2011

I just wish the Warriors were better :-(

[coblstone]

07:39 PM on 02/03/2011

kiss him anywhere cuz kobe is a TOTAL A$S!

[sidneyjx]

09:14 PM on 02/03/2011

Quit hating on Kobe. I'm betting the fellow who posted the above (cobistone) is about 5 foot 6 inches tall, can't play any sports and hasn't been laid in about four years.
His envy is apparent.

[coblstone]

05:29 PM on 02/04/2011

please donate to charity whatever amount you intended to wager.
you are incorrect on all your bets you kobe-jocking hack.
Kobe has proven his lack of character time and again and will continue to do so. Jockers like yourself will continue to ride him. News Flash: he doesn't respect anyone. Why do you honor him?

[gtp]

11:50 AM on 02/05/2011

Those people crack me up. You criticize their hero (not them personally) and they try to smear you. good post.

[sidneyjx]

08:21 PM on 02/05/2011

Make that a "Kobe-jocking hack" who's able to jump.

[Bridget Little]

06:49 PM on 02/03/2011

Oh yes very classy Kobe. Be sure to add that saying when you put your hands in the cement this month. Smh

[radmo]

06:07 PM on 02/03/2011

Like the attitude. Maybe he could have phrased it differently but......not caring about, and presumably not paying attention to, rumors and innuendo is a good way to stay focused on your job. In other words, work on what you can control and don't worry about what you can't.