"I've been falsely accused of something," Bryant said, "and I'm innocent."
You wrote: "This is the nastiest possible way of saying 'Bryant says he is innocent.' "
It looks as if the Sports writer quoted Kobe Bryant.
Are you saying that Kobe Bryant did not speak those words? Are you saying that Kobe Bryant said something completely different?
If so, then the Sports writer should admit the error and correct the quote.
Has "USA Today" printed a retraction?
Are you saying that Kobe Bryant did not speak those words? Are you saying that Kobe Bryant said something completely different?
What Kobe said is clear, and nothing in my posts suggests I'm disputing that: "I've been falsely accused of something, and I'm innocent."
This goofball sportswriter presented that quote as "Bryant [calling] his alleged victim a liar." That's a nasty way to misrepresent what Bryant said. He didn't say "she's a dirty little liar," he said he was innocent and falsely accused. The different word choice is important, the writer makes Kobe sound offensive when he was really just being defensive. It was the nastiest possible way to spin what Kobe really said, to paint him in the worst possible light.
I'm not arguing facts, I'm arguing the way the facts are presented.