Former Laker Darius Morris: Kobe Bryant ‘one of the best’ teammates

Former Lakers point guard Darius Morris recently signed a contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Morris spent two years with the Lakers after they drafted him in 2011 with the 41st overall pick. He has since spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies and the Clippers.

On Sunday, Morris gave his thoughts on Lakers all-star Kobe Bryant via Instagram.

“Honestly I can say he was one of the best [teammates] I had on and off the court,” Morris wrote. “He schooled me in the business and lifestyle of the NBA.”

“He was never negative or talked down to anybody and I was there where when [he went through] some tough times, but he went out of his way to be helpful towards me, push me and to think big picture in life and to have the mental toughness to remain [focused] and never be satisfied.”

Morris was with the Lakers when Bryant tore his Achilles tendon. The young guard averaged 10.5 points through four playoff games in 2013, as the Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs with Bryant recovering from surgery.

“He isn’t selfish,” Morris said of Bryant. “He just puts his heart and soul into the game and sometimes it’s hard to trust that others feel the same way [he does] about the game.”

After missing all but six games last year with knee and Achilles injuries, Bryant says he is healthy as the 2014-15 season nears.

Morris, whose contract isn’t fully guaranteed, may need a little luck to stick with Portland -- as the Blazers are already committed to 15 players with guaranteed deals.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus