Kobe denies contacting Durant for Nike
Bryant refutes story that he had called Texas star about shoe deal
 Gus Ruelas / AP "I've never spoken to (Kevin Durant)," Kobe Bryant reportedly said Wednesday. |
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Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant angrily denied a report that he contacted Texas freshman Kevin Durant on behalf of Nike, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.
The Dallas Morning News had reported Wednesday that Bryant had "called Kevin Durant on behalf of Nike." The report, which didn't cite a specific source, also said "a shoe deal ranging between $30 million and $50 million simply needs to be presented."
Bryant called the report "completely false," the Times reported.
"I've never spoken to (Durant)," Bryant said, the newspaper reported. "I've never seen him. Obviously he's a phenomenal talent, watching him play on TV a couple of times. But I don't know him at all."
Two other big NBA names — Bobcats' part owner Michael Jordan and Celtics vice president Danny Ainge — already have been fined for actions related to Durant. Jordan was fined $15,000 for talking about Durant, and Ainge was hit for $30,000 for sitting next to Durant's mom at the Big 12 Conference tournament.
Plus, Bryant has been suspended twice this season for one game for hitting players on follow-throughs of shots.
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