Kobe Slams Kupchak, Bynum in Bootleg Video

Malcontent star swingman leaves management unmoved

By Jesse Andrews, Newser User

Posted Jun 19, 2007 9:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – An amateur video surfaced today in which Lakers franchise player Kobe Bryant slammed GM Mitch Kupchak and the team's young center, Andrew Bynum, in a profanity-ridden tirade. The video had been filmed in a parking lot without Bryant's knowledge, and its anonymous makers plan to offer viewings online after the Lakers passed on purchasing it.

In the video, Bryant appears especially incensed that LA failed to trade Bynum for Nets guard Jason Kidd. The Lakers reiterated that they don't plan to trade Bryant, despite the two-time scoring champion's public bellyaching. Bryant and owner Jerry Buss couldn't put aside their differences after a meeting last week in Barcelona.

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[Videos (1)]

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, signs his contract, as general manager Mitch Kupchak looks on in this July 15, 2004, file photo at the team's training facility in El Segundo, Calif. Intentional... (Associated Press)

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Kobe Slams Kupchak, Bynum in Bootleg Video