The Los Angeles Lakers took Larry Nance Jr. out of Wyoming with the 27th overall pick of Thursday night’s NBA draft. The same Larry Nancy Jr. who once tweeted this about Kobe Bryant in 2012.
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak talks to 1st-round pick Larry Nance Jr. about Kobe tweet http://t.co/hxhFcJ28ma pic.twitter.com/vFPQgPpu8W
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 26, 2015
Sports Illustrated reports that Nance deleted the tweet minutes after he was chosen by the Lakers on Thursday night. And according to Greg Beacham of the Associated Press, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak already has spoken to Nance about it.
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“I’ve spoken to Larry Nance Jr., and I’m not in a position to really share information, but it is something that [Nance and Bryant] will have to discuss amongst the two of them,” Kupchak said. “My understanding, it’s something that happened years ago, and in today’s world, things don’t go away, which doesn’t make it any less offensive because it was said three or four years ago.”
Bryant faced sexual assault allegations after an incident at a Colorado hotel in 2003. The charges were dropped a year later and he settled a civil lawsuit with his accuser.
To be fair, Nance also has tweeted positive things Bryant since his his infamous tweet.
I feel bad for the NBA.. Kobe is about to go off
— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) October 29, 2013
My favorite player on each playoff team West… Lakers: Kobe Bryant Clippers: Deandre Jordan Grizzlies: Mike Conley Rockets: Thomas Robinson
— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) April 20, 2013
Kobe is still the man.. #Mamba
— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) March 4, 2013
