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Revenge has its own sweet ways of getting back on people. Kobe Bryant silenced haters with his stupendous performances and that was something so similar to Michael Jordan. He did something like that with Mark Cuban in 2013 when the Mavericks owner recommended Lakers to give up their star player to manage their bills.

The 2012-13 season had decided the luxury tax level at $70.307 million. Moreover, the system was a dollar penalty for each added dollar to the limit by any team.

The Los Angeles Lakers were facing a huge financial crunch back then. Having acquired Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in the 2012 summer, the franchise did form a star-studded lineup. Their lineup depth was insane with Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace, the two added All-Stars and Kobe Bryant of course.

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Los Angeles Lakers were in serious trouble with an exceeding salary cap in 2013

Lakers’ payroll was slightly exceeding $100 million that season with Kobe at the top of the salary list with almost touching $28 million. Followed by him were Howard and Gasol. There were serious concerns hovering the team’s front office on the upcoming plan of action for the next season.

More so the worries were legitimate because of the increase in the penalty of luxury tax to $1.50 per dollar from next season.

In the midst of all this, Dallas Mavericks’ owner made a statement suggesting Lakers give up their highest-paid player to reduce tension. He really didn’t know what that might turn into in the upcoming days.

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

Kobe Bryant tweeted “Amnesty THAT” after an incredible show against Mavericks

Kobe took that amnesty comment really seriously and that was clear in the next match against Cuban’s Mavericks. He displayed a staggering show that led the team to a 103-99 win. Bryant recorded 38 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists in that match and that man was 34 years old at that time.

Following the revengeful win, the Black Mamba just tweeted two words that were enough to be directed to Cuban. It said, “Amnesty THAT”.

“I’m sure if (Cuban) wants to amnesty Dirk (Nowitzki), that’s something we’ll be willing to entertain.” This was Kobe’s response to Cuban in a post-match interview.

Maybe this is why players always said that never mess with Mamba. He’s lethal in ways one can’t imagine.

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Well, it wasn’t the first time we saw a glimpse of Jordan in him. And yes, Kobe went away with more than $30 million next season being the best in the league. Well, for Cuban that was definitely the ‘stop talking’ point. He got an answer for his unknowingly controversial statement in that match itself.

 

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Kobe Bryant on Twitter