Kobe: I didn’t sell Howard on L.A.

Peter Vecsey
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HOOP DU JOUR

An Internet report last week asserted Kobe Bryant presented a sales pitch for the Purple and Gold to Dwight Howard, who was so turned off by Bryant’s effort it curdled the Lakers’ chances of signing Howard long-term should they be able to acquire him this season from the Magic.

Scooter the Recruiter’s proposition: Come here and be the third offensive option behind me and Pau Gasol and be our “Tyson Chandler.”

Supposedly, Kobe also made it clear Los Angeles would be Howard’s, “but only once he [Bryant] decided he was done playing.”

All that was missing was, “Hurry, offer ends at midnight tonight.”

AP

FAKE SHOW: Kobe Bryant (left) denied reports he tried to recruit Magic free-agent-to-be Dwight Howard (right) to play for the Lakers next season, says The Post’s Peter Vecsey.

None of what the author claimed came out of Kobe’s mouth sounded like it’d been transmitted from his cerebrum.

You have to wonder if the idea (ghostwritten by Karl Malone?) were to break a story or make Kobe seem colossally condescending and in need of a cane for his brain.

I’ve got to believe someone who has been around the block as long as Kobe has, sometimes in reverse, would have better shtick than “Come to Hollywood and be Door No. 3.”

Even Monty Hall is offended.

Despite finding everything implausible, I felt obligated to track down the truth in this case on account of the megawatt luminaries. So, I decided to eliminate the middle man, pass the savings on to the consumer and go right to the source — only one of two that actually exist — and ask the horse.

“Please separate truth from fiction for me re: Howard stuff,” I emailed Kobe several days ago.

“As far as what? I have no clue what’s even being said. I have a lot to deal with as it is,” he replied.

That was extremely revealing in itself. In other words, L.A.’s media, especially the Lakers’ beat writers, felt the story lacked such credibility, nobody even bothered to ask Kobe about it.

I pressed on, nonetheless. I sent Kobe the story and asked him to confirm, deny or both depending on the paragraph.

“omg! I’m not getting mixed up in this kiddy drama spit, bro. too old for that spit,” Bryant responded via email.

“How do you think I feel at my age having to chase down this stuff,” I answered. “I understand your position. But if it’s untrue, any of it, and allowed to circulate throughout the league, which already is happening, I would think you’d want to say it’s not.”

“It’s not true,” Kobe responded.

* While on the subject of L.A., it seems Gilbert Arenas has scheduled a workout party (BYOBB; bring your own bail bondsman) there sometime this week. Potential shooters and suitors are invited to attend at their own risk.