Kobe Bryant spends ‘Kobe Bryant Day’ by himself

LOS ANGELES — As the city celebrated “Kobe Bryant Day” on Wednesday, the retired Lakers legend spent it like most other days of his 20-year career — in solitude.

“I’m just not really a people person,” said Bryant when reached by telephone. “Or even like people in general, for that matter.

“Just ask D’Angelo or Swaggy or Jordan or Marcelo or Julius or Roy…”

While Mayor Eric Garcetti was joined by officials and a crowd of fans at City Hall, Bryant was noticeably absent. His wife, Vanessa, and their two daughters were present to accept the honor on his behalf.

Bryant said he spent the day doing chores around his Newport Beach house instead of making the drive north.

“Do you think this pool is going to clean itself?” Bryant asked. “Plus, I’m not trying to mess with that midweek 405 traffic. It’s brutal, man.”

Bryant did say he most likely would be in attendance when the Lakers retire his jersey in the near future since it “actually means something and isn’t just a made-up holiday.”