In an interview with S.I.’s Chris Ballad, Kobe Bryant said that he and LeBron James are underpaid compared to the revenue they generate for their organizations and the NBA. Bryant believes that in today’s market, LeBron James could be worth at least $75 million.

Crazy, right? These players are already getting paid millions, but Kobe always speaks his mind and does not care what others think. He does not apologize for accepting Los Angeles Lakers’ two-year, $48.5 million lucrative contract. He actually considers his contract a pay cut for him. 

That being said, I took a pay cut,” Bryant told Ballad. “I’m very very lucky to be with Los Angeles. They could have lowballed me, but that’s not what they stand for.”

As athletes, you get the pressure of playing for the love of the game,” Bryant continued. “Of course we do. But do owners buy teams for the love of the game?

Kobe may be correct on some of these statements. The owners and the league make millions and millions of dollars off their superstar athletes. Owners could pay their star athletes some more money and still generate income, but $75 million for one player seems too much.

Moreover, Kobe spoke to S.I. about Tony Allen and labeled him one of his favorite players. “Tony Allen is a big favorite of mine. Just how he plays and what he does.”

Ballad immediately phoned Allen to let him know about Kobe’s statements. “Oh man, that’s an honor! From him? Don’t want to let that get to me though. Got to keep my competitive advantage,” Allen stated.

Tony Allen is truly a passionate competitor and one of the best perimeter defenders in the league who gives most superstars plenty of trouble on the offensive end with his defensive intensity. It is very classy of Kobe to give Allen the credit he is due.

For more on Kobe Bryant, read Sports Illustrated latest issue where he also expresses that he is 70 in basketball years. 

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About the author
Vahan Shakhpazyan
Vahan Shakhpazyan loves the NBA with a passion and has been an avid follower for 18 years. He is a UCR graduate with a BA degree in Creative Writing. The man behind the Facebook page NBA updates.