Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka maintain a really close relationship, but the NBA legend knows better to distance himself from the team's affairs.

In a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Lakers icon stressed confidence in his former agent's capability to handle business for the purple and gold.

“No, I stay away from it. I’m real close with Rob obviously, and we’ll talk often, just as a sounding board for him.

I stay away from that stuff. And Rob is more than capable of handling the job and all the pressure that comes along with that.”

Los Angeles takes pride in its storied history — banners, names, and all — that the tradition is believed to play a role in attracting players to suit up for the Tinseltown team.

While the team's track record from recent years does not meet the expectations brought by the glimmering franchise, the Lakers still managed to land their biggest free-agent acquisition since Shaquille O'Neal in 1996 by signing LeBron James to a multi-year deal last summer.

This offseason, Pelinka bolstered the team's roster by way of veteran acquisitions such as Danny Green, Quinn Cook, Avery Bradley, and Jared Dudley. They also signed DeMarcus Cousins who, unfortunately, tore his ACL during a pickup game — of all places.

Pelinka carries a heavy burden and Bryant could definitely aide in pitching the Lakers to other stars, but as far as the Black Mamba is concerned, that won't be necessary.

Bryant has kept himself busy these days with promotions and new business ventures, keeping him occupied before returning to follow the Lakers' campaign when the season tips off.