STATEMENT FROM LAKERS OWNER DR. JERRY BUSS

May 31st, 2007

EL SEGUNDO – The following statement has been released by Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss regarding his discussion today with Kobe Bryant:

“I talked with Kobe this morning and assured him that I share his frustration and, more importantly, I assured him that we will continue to pursue every avenue possible to improve our team with him as the cornerstone. I told him that we will keep him apprised of our progress and we agreed that we will talk again in the very near future.”