Kobe Bryant: Derek Fisher's exit hard

I am not a Lakers fan by any stretch of the imagination. But, I wasn't expecting for Derek Fisher to be traded. I think they are going to miss him as they go into the post season. Derek was a natural leader and a understood his role. I hope Kobe is right.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant spoke to reporters on Friday for the first time since the team traded his longtime backcourt running mate, Derek Fisher, following the Lakers' 97-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

His words were measured. While some expected Bryant to unleash a tirade after management parted ways with Fisher, considering the pair won five championships together and came into the league together as rookies in 1996, Bryant's message to the media was more somber than sharp.

"Very difficult," Bryant said. "I'm not used to it because I've been with him my entire career, aside from that little stint that he had away from us. So, it's very different for me. It's pretty weird."

Added Bryant in his ESPN 710 Radio postgame interview: "I think I was shocked just like everybody else ... We've always been close and we'll continue to be close."

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