Kevin Durant Latest to Call 'BS' That Kobe Is Driving Free Agents from Lakers

Kobe Bryant is not keeping notable free agents from signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, despite his tough-love policies and occasionally abrasive personality.

The state of the roster may be doing that. The time of year probably has something to do with it as well right now, though that's neither here nor there. It's tough for marquee free agents to sign with a team that seems to have an established culture of losing in recent years, even if there's an abundance of historical and brand appeal.

But it's not Bryant who's driving anyone away, and you can add Kevin Durant to the list of people to claim that, as he told USA Today's Sam Amick:

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Excuse my language, but that's (expletive). I want to play with a winner every single night, especially somebody who wants to win that bad, who works that hard, who demands a lot, who raises up your level. I'd want to play with a guy like that every day. ... (His style) may make people uncomfortable, how he acts and just how he approaches the game, but I love that type of stuff. I think (the accusation) is BS.

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Durant—who texted Bryant to congratulate him on passing Michael Jordan on the career scoring leaderboard, per Amick—later said the following:

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Just his work ethic, just his demeanor man. He doesn't mind being an (expletive), and he comes to work man. He's intense. He demands a lot out of his teammates, and I've seen that just playing alongside him in the Olympics (in 2012). He demands a lot out of everybody. He makes them better. Everybody out on the court. You've got to respect that. As a player, I study guys like that. We might not have the same personality, but I think we approach the game the same way and I've learned a lot from just watching him.

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The NBA's reigning MVP isn't the only notable figure to dispute the now-infamous report by ESPN.com's Henry Abbott, one that unequivocally blamed Bryant for the downfall of the once-proud franchise.

Jeanie Buss came to her star player's defense. Carmelo Anthony disputed the notion that he avoided signing with the Lakers because of Bryant's presence. Even Phil Jackson, Paul George and Flea, the bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, thought the claims were ridiculous, taking to Twitter to express their disbelief:

As Zach Harper writes for CBS Sports, perhaps the blame shouldn't fall on Bryant, but rather the management of this suddenly dysfunctional franchise:

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Bryant has been the target for the blame about the Lakers' troublesome direction, but if players do actually want to play alongside the future Hall of Famer, then maybe the blame should be more on the leadership of the Lakers' organization. Jim Buss taking over the basketball operations while Jeanie Buss commands the business side of it all hasn't been a good combination for attracting or keeping the biggest names that Dr. Jerry Buss never had issues getting for this team.

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Durant isn't in a position where he can throw the management of the Lakers under the bus, but he can at least defend his fellow superstar. His words don't leave much wiggle room, and he easily could have declined to go down that route of questioning in the first place.

Of course, the Lakers may not land any of their big targets during next summer's free-agency frenzy. That's a distinct possibility, tough as it may be for purple-and-gold supporters to admit it.

Layne Murdoch/Getty Images

But if that happens, let's avoid blaming Bryant for the misfires of his lifelong team. He might be clanging plenty of jumpers, watching the ball on defense and playing a highly inefficient and sometimes detrimental brand of basketball, but his play and attitude aren't exactly driving off free agents.

Hopefully, now that Durant has spoken up, that narrative can be firmly put to rest.