WATCH: Kobe Bryant Punished Mavs After Billionaire Owner Mark Cuban Made Disrespectful Comments

Published 12/02/2021, 12:30 PM EST

Kobe Bryant enjoyed an immensely successful career in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers legend led his franchise to glory throughout his career. He remained the Lakers talisman on various occasions.

Kobe and the Lakers’ success attracted many rivalries from opposing franchises and players.

The Lakers and Kobe developed one such rivalry against Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks. Cuban is a billionaire entrepreneur and media owner while being the majority owner of the NBA franchise, the Mavericks. In 2013, he commented on the Lakers roster and Kobe’s role in it.

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Cuban told ESPN Dallas, “If you look at their payroll, even if Dwight (Howard) comes back, you’ve got to ask the question: Should they amnesty Kobe?”

Kobe and the Lakers were justifiably angered by Cuban’s comments. They responded, “We’re aware of Mark Cuban’s comments and feel they are inappropriate. As to the issue itself, we will not comment publicly on the amnesty issue as it relates to any of our players.”

However, Kobe replied to Cuban’s comments on the basketball court.

Kobe dropped a masterclass of a performance in the Lakers next game against the Mavericks. Avenging the Lakers’ honor, Kobe guided them to a 103-99 win over Cuban’s Mavericks.

Dominating the Mavericks’ players in an emphatic Lakers victory, he replied to Cuban’s comments in the way he knew best: on the court.

He devoted his entire 20 year career in the NBA to the Lakers. He won two Olympics gold medals, alongside guiding the Lakers to five NBA championships. The NBA named Kobe the NBA’s MVP in 2008.

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Kobe Bryant and the Lakers stifle Mark Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks

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The Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant, silenced the Dallas Mavericks after Mark Cuban’s controversial comments. Kobe scored 38 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists as the Lakers cruised to their third straight win. After the game, Bryant tweeted, “Amnesty THAT“, in a dig towards Cuban.

Kobe scored on 13-of-21 shooting and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Mavericks talisman Dirk Nowitzki scored 30 points and 12 rebounds. Kobe humorously suggested that the Lakers would be “willing to entertain” Cuban’s amnesty of Dirk.

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In that 2012-13 NBA season, Kobe led the Lakers and averaged 27.3 points.

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Written by:

Shalom Saldanha is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing his journalism degree, he has previously worked as a sports corresspondent for India Shorts/Business Upturn. A Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks fan, Shalom primarily got into the sport after discovering that he shared a mutual love for Arsenal with the 'Greek Freak'.

WATCH: Kobe Bryant Punished Mavs After Billionaire Owner Mark Cuban Made Disrespectful Comments

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers stifle Mark Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks

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