The Lakers are a mess, and there's one guy Derek Carr wants to come save the day.
Kobe Bean Bryant.
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The Raiders quarterback grew up in Fresno, and is a diehard Lakers fan. So it must have killed him to see Lakers icon Magic Johnson quit as president of basketball operations during an impromptu press conference Tuesday evening.
The Lakers were supposed to be the biggest threat to the Warriors in the West this season. Instead, they slowly imploded after LeBron James suffered a groin injury against Golden State on Christmas Day.
Carr and Bryant have a brief history together. Back in 2015, Carr referenced the Lakers legend when talking about who he tries to emulate.
“I’m a big Kobe fan so, that ‘Mamba’ mentality," Carr told NBC Sports California's Scott Bair. "You have to go out there and you have to do it. I’ve studied him, I’ve watched him forever and that’s always been my mindset when I get in those situations. Now, they always don’t work out, but that’s just where my mind’s at.”
A year later, after Carr had surgery to repair his season-ending broken fibula, Bryant sent tweet of encouragement to the Raiders quarterback.
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Since retiring following the 2015-2016 season, Bryant hasn't had an official role with the Lakers. We're not sure he's ready to jump in and help now, but maybe Carr has the magic touch and can convince the Mamba to help his favorite team.