ATLANTA, May 18 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has called critique of his play in a Game 7 loss to the Phoenix Suns "completely inaccurate," and said the team is evolving.
Bryant was responding to criticism of his 24 points in the season-ending game, which included only 1 point in the second half of the 121-90 loss on May 6.
Former NBA star turned TV commentator Charles Barkley led the jeers immediately after the game by telling a national audience Bryant was "very selfish."
The Los Angeles Times reports Bryant sent off a barrage of text messages to Barkley the next day, who then talked about it on TV.
As a special TNT analyst in Atlanta Wednesday night, Bryant was in the studio with Barkley, who apologized for taking their private spat public.
Bryant defended his Game 7 play saying the overall team game plan failed but the team is getting better and younger players are stepping up.
"Nobody expected us to even make the playoffs," Bryant said.
