Kobe Bryant says he takes no offense at Dwayne Wade’s hard foul

Dwayne Wade’s hard foul on Kobe Bryant during the NBA All-Star game may have shattered his nose and caused a concussion.

After the Lakers’ 104-85 victory Wednesday over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bryant maintained that the foul didn’t shatter their relationship.

“It’s always entertaining to me to hear people talk about our relationship as if they know really what’s going on and try to say there’s something between them and all this other stuff,” said Bryant, who played with Wade in the FIBAS Americas tournament in 2007 and the 2008 Olympics. “It was very simple. It was very simple. He didn’t mean to do it. It’s just something that just happens. He’s not that type of person.”

Wade told reporters in Miami on Tuesday that he apologized to Bryant privately, saying, “He knows it’s no ill intent of me to do that to him. Talk about me for taking the foul, but I never wanted that kind of outcome.”

Bryant singled Wade out as one his “close friends for a long time” along with Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony. Nonetheless, the foul still brings intriguing plot lines.

Despite being diagnosed with a concussion Sunday, Bryant passed a neurological test, exertion tests on a stationary bike and treadmill, and an an agility test. After the Lakers’ morning shootaround Wednesday, Bryant then successfully endured a two-on-two basketball game at the team’s training facility in El Segundo. Bryant’s neurologist, Vern Williams, then approved for him to play a little less than an hour before the 7:30 p.m. tip time.

Bryant stil maintained his usual dominance with 31 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. But he had to make numerous changes. Bryant wore a plastic mask to protect his tender nose. When Bryant sat on the bench during the game, physical therapist Judy Seto often gave him massage treatment on his neck, which Williams said suffered some soft-tissue damage. Bryant also wore a bandage behind his neck after the game.

As for Wade, it’s possible Bryant will have extra motivation when the Lakers host Miami on Sunday. But Bryant maintained his view on Wade doesn’t mirror the sentiment Laker fans may have toward him.

“He’s a nicer guy than I am, to be honest with you,” Bryant said. “He’s just not the type of person who would intentionally do something like that.... All that matters is what our relationship is like, really. We communicated. It’s all good. But here in L.A. I’m sure his perception has definitely been altered.”

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