Los Angeles Lakers president Jeanie Buss defended Kobe Bryant from his critics who are saying that veteran superstar is the main reason why the Lakers have been on a decline over the past several seasons.

ESPN The Magazine published a feature story earlier in the week, plotting reasons why the Lakers have been on a downfall in recent years, pointing out that no superstars want to go to the squad because of the 36-year-old's personality.

"I read the story. I don't agree with any of it," Buss said when asked to react about the report. "I don't agree with any of it. If there is somebody that's on our payroll who is saying things like that, I'll soon get to the bottom of it, and they won't be working for us anymore."

One agent was quoted as saying that he had several players who voiced complaints about Bryant before because of the way the superstar guard blasted his teammates publicly.

"I've had a lot of clients in the last five years, good players, who didn't want to play with Kobe," the agent said. "They see that his teammates become the chronic public whipping boys. Anyone who could possibly challenge Kobe for the spotlight ends up becoming a pincushion for the media. Even Shaq."

Buss said that she was surprised they had players who disliked Bryant during their stay with the squad, while also adding that she doesn't believe Bryant affected Carmelo Anthony's decision to snob the Lakers' offer this offseason.

"We made a very good case for him coming to Los Angeles," Buss said of Anthony. "But he's from New York, he sees a mission. I understand why he chose to stay with New York. I don't think any of that has to do with Kobe Bryant."

Jeremy Lin, who was acquired by the Lakers this offseason from the Houston Rockets, also came into Bryant's defense, saying that the 18-year veteran has been a very good mentor to him in training camp and preseason games.

"What I've seen, my personal experience with him, which is the only thing I can speak on, it's been great," Lin said via ESPN. "From Day 1, from the minute I was traded until now, it's just been constantly him trying to be a leader, being a good leader, a communicator, teaching me, teaching me, teaching me and doing it in a mentorship-type way. That's my experience. So I can't speak for anybody else, but it's been great for me."

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