Video emerges of Rob Pelinka lying about Kobe Bryant-Heath Ledger story

Video has emerged proving Rob Pelinka lied about a story he shared regarding an alleged meeting between Kobe Bryant and Heath Ledger.

ESPN on Tuesday published a long-awaited look into the Los Angeles Lakers franchise by writer Baxter Holmes. The article details some of the negative experiences staffers had working under Pelinka and Magic Johnson, including allegations of employees suffering panic attacks due to their experiences with Johnson.

But the anecdote shared by Holmes that has really taken off is one about Pelinka, Kobe, Ledger, and “The Dark Knight.”

The Lakers had The Rock speak at their “Genius Series.” Pelinka shared a story of how Kobe had seen “The Dark Knight” and was so inspired by his performance and the way he got into character, he requested to meet with Ledger to find out how the actor locked into the role. Pelinka says the two did meet.

Here is video of Pelinka sharing the story:

There's video of Pelinka telling the Kobe-Ledger story. How come someone blatantly lie like that? pic.twitter.com/hsh1u8wwp7

— John Ledesma (@JohnnyNBA) May 28, 2019

The problem is the movie was released in July 2008, six months after Ledger’s death. Holmes reported that no dinner described by Pelinka ever took place.

Kobe reportedly was livid that his name got included in the Lakers drama.

There has to be some detail that Pelinka was exaggerating or left out. No way he could just so blatantly lie. Maybe Kobe wanted to meet with Ledger and was inspired by the performance, but the meeting part was made up? Something has to be missing.