Kobe Bryant scored 40 points Friday to lead the the Los Angeles Lakers to a 111-107 victory Friday over the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles, with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban perhaps providing some fuel.
The Lakers (27-29) are 3 1/2 games behind Houston for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.Cuban earlier on Friday said the Lakers should consider waiving Bryant during the off-season to save at least $30.5 million in luxury taxes.“He would love that,” Bryant said, according to the Los Angeles Times.“We’re aware of Mark Cuban’s comments and feel they are inappropriate,” Lakers spokesman John Black said in a statement in a story from ESPN.com. “As to the issue itself, we will not comment publicly on the amnesty issue as it relates to any of our players.”The Lakers will not file a formal complaint to the NBA about Cuban’s comments.Cuban made an appearance Friday morning on The Ben & Skin Show on ESPN/103.3 FM.“If you look at their payroll, even if Dwight [Howard] comes back, you’ve got to ask the question: Should they amnesty Kobe?” Cuban said. “You just don’t know, right? It’s the same reason I wouldn’t get rid of Dirk [Nowitzki]. I’ll take a hit for a season rather than get rid of Dirk. That’s just it. I’ve made that commitment to him over the years, and he’s returned that commitment. Maybe that’s selfish, but that’s just the way it is.“So I’m just saying that hypothetically. When I say amnesty Kobe, I don’t think they’d do it, but they’ve got some choices to make. Now, they’re in a big market, but they’re still limited. The Knicks, the same thing. Boston, same thing.”Cuban noted to the Dallas Morning News that he said the amnesty scenario was “hypothetical” and that he said he didn’t think the Lakers would do it.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
