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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant spoke to reporters on Friday for the first time since the team traded his longtime backcourt running mate, Derek Fisher, following the Lakers' 97-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. His words were measured. While some expected Bryant to unleash a tirade after management parted ways with Fisher, considering the pair won five championships together and came into the league together as rookies in 1996, Bryant's message to the media was more somber than sharp. "Very difficult," Bryant said. "I'm not used to it because I've been with him my entire career, aside from that little stint that he had away from us. So, it's very different for me. It's pretty weird."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It was difficult for his heart. It wasn’t difficult for his head.

Kobe Bryant was saddened by news the Los Angeles Lakers sent teammate and friend Derek Fisher to the Houston Rockets on trade deadline.

After all, Bryant and Fisher have history.

They entered the NBA together as rookies with the Lakers in 1996. They played together for 13 of their 16 seasons. They won five championships together. And they also lost together.

Key word: together.

Along the way, they became close friends with Fisher having the clout to criticize, and even call out, Bryant.

Father Time finally caught Fisher. Even Bryant knew his 38-year old friend could no longer compete with the table-setters in the Western Conference.

Instead of doing the expected and trading Pau Gasol on Thursday, the purple-and-gold moved Fisher after acquiring Ramon Sessions from the Cleveland Cavaliers.  

Make no mistake about it, Sessions is an upgrade at point guard. He can attack the basket and is better at staying in front of elite 'ones' like Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook on defense.

That only makes the loss of Fisher somewhat easier to handle.

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