OT: Kobe wants out!

[fishsoldseprtly]

at the end Kobe will be a Laker or in Chicago for Ben Gordon, Ben Wallace and his 16million a yr and the Bulls' 1st round 7th pick. Makes sense money wise.

that would also be a plus for the Eastern COnf with the top 3 ballers in the league, Lebron, Wade, and the Kobster!

 

[n2prelude03]

I don't like Kobe, but hes a good damn player
Kobe to kings?... Kobe! Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!

 

[reedrodz]

Or, maybe not
Well, that was certainly a quick trip to Pluto.

In the ever-evolving Kobe Bryant fiasco, it now seems that Kobe is open to staying with the Lakers. During an interview with 570-AM, Kobe said his agent, Rob Pelinka, called Mitch Kupchak this morning to inform him of Kobe's trade demand. Yet, a phone call from Phil Jackson apparently changed Kobe's mind. Phil told Kobe that the Lakers are not committed to building a winning roster and are going to scrap their long-term plan.

So here's the latest from Kobe:

``I can only hope that they do something, because I don't want to go no place else. I don't want to. I want to stay here. I hope they do something.''

``Phil said, `we want our players to feel confortable and feel that they can trust the people they're around.' He said, `Let us try to work that out. Let us try to figure things out.' That made me feel a lot better. Phil is a guy I leaned on all season for clarity and hope. Right now, it's no different.''

``(Phil) said, `They are now determined to do something.' They're determined to get something done and they're off this long-term plan thing. They want to go ahead and get something done. For me, the frustration would have been alleviated if they had told me about a long-term plan.''

Asked directly if he wanted to stay with the Lakers, ``Man, more than anything. That's why I hope they can do something. Figure something out. When Phil and I talked, it was an emotional conversation and he said, `You know what, Kobe, just let us try to figure this thing out.' That gave me some hope because I don't want to go no place else. I want to stay here. This is my team. I love it here.''

Hope they get KG..and trade odom and that center who cant catch the damn ball..."not baynum"..the other black dude...he is very inconsistent!!!! i dont care what kinda injury he have, he just suck!

 

[Underwaterparadise]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10043689#post10043689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TeeLapia
You would need more than that to get KOBE. C'mon look at his contract. You have to match the contract. Plus the Lakers are not dumb in bringing those guys in. They will trade the contract and youth. If Kobe is going to be traded, he will have to re-do his contact, because he has a "no trade clause".
Then the Lakers will want youth for Kobe. Though Kobe has 10yrs experience he is only 27! That is still young. You are looking at either the Bulls, or the Warriors as great candidates for the trade because of their depth, youth, and contracts. Look for Kobe (if he is even going to be traded) or K.G. to go to either one of those two teams this offseason.
Get off the wagon, because the Kings will be set back for a good 5 years for rebuilding. Then you have to think of the other moves they make throughout to get back to championship contention.

You must not have seen the moves the Lakers have made the past few years!

And everyone needs to take off the Purple sunglasses and get out of King vision! Kobe is the best player in the game PERIOD! Anyone who wouldn't want that on there team is crazy! All this garbage about him being a jerk and no one wants to play with him is Media made up BS! The Lakers have not pursued any All stars to play with him and the Lakers even told him after the season they didn't plan on signing anyone.

As for Shaq winning w/out Kobe and vice versa, last I checked Shaq had Wade the 2nd best player in the game next to Kobe. If you ask me niether one of them can win w/out help..............look at KG:eek1:

 

[pbetito]

The proof is in the pudding. Without Shaq Kobe has done NOTHING!!Great players find a way to win. KG, since he was the example took a garbage team to the western Conf. finals. A player isn't great based on how many points he can score, but based on his ability to help his team win games. As for talent, it seems that Caron Butler was a much better player after he left Bryant's Lakers and Odom was a much better player before he joined Kobe. You can sit and be awe struck all day long at how he puts the ball in the basket, he cant take his team to the next level PERIOD. Lebron James by the way is the best player in all of basketball. He has as little talent around him as Kobe and he is 2-2 with the co-favorite to win the title in the conference championships. When his team loses he takes the blame. He doesn't cry about anything. He doesn't need to make a media circus. So when you say Kobe is the greatest bar none, its time you take off the purple and gold glasses. Shaq won his first title btw with litle help from Kobe. The media doesn't make Kobe a jerk, Kobe makes Kobe a jerk.

 

[Unarce]

Kobe still has a lot to learn about being a leader, but in all fairness, he really hasn't had much to work with. I do think Lebron is a better player, but as I look closer at each team, Lebron does have a much nicer group to work with. Heck, the Cavs backup PG is better than any of Lakers PGs:

Cavs supporting cast:

Hughes (former All-Defensive First Team)
Gooden
Big Z (former All-Star)
Pavlovic
Marshall
Snow

Lakers supporting cast:

Odom
Walton
Brown
Cook
Vujacic
Smush

You also have to consider that Lebron's in the East. Not to take away what they've done so far, but they've had the easiest road to the Conference Finals (Wizards and Nets).

It's difficult to go deep into the Playoffs without another All-Star caliber player alongside you. Shaq and Kobe fed off eachother perfectly. Shaq took care of the low block and carried the team for 3 quarters. Then Kobe has the 4th all to himself. Wade simply took Kobe's place in Shaq's move to Miami.

KG had All-Star guard Cassell and a 'still very good' Sprewell when they got to the WCF. That was anything but a garbage team.

There are 3 key ingredients that all Championship teams must have to get to the top.

1. You need at least two All-Star caliber players
2. The team needs to have a strong defensive mindset
3. Team MUST have a workhorse that does all the dirty work

 

[Underwaterparadise]

Shaq has done NOTHING without another All star to make him look good and he is a GREAT player. Just like Kobe has done nothing without another all star! Kobe 5years ago is not Kobe today! He has matured. If he scores 20 and passes the ball he should have shot more if he scores 81 and doesn't pass he is a ball hog........give the guy a break!

Besides the Lakers as a team have made bad choices. Butler was good for us and they traded him for a Bum named Kwame!! They had a chance to sign 3-4 all star players last year and didn't even try!

And until Lebron actually does something I don't consider him the best player.......how many times has he choked at the free throw line with the game riding on it......too many times. Not to mention he has way better talent around him.

As for Odom he could be a Dominat player but like most good Bballers he wants to be the MAN...........not to mention he had family problems that really set him back this year.

Again with out all the media circus and the "so called"rape case Kobe would be the NBA star child he was when he came into the leauge

 

[Underwaterparadise]

By the way I agree with Karls assesment!!!!!!

 

[Unarce]

Originally posted by maddness
By the way I agree with Karls assesment!!!!!!

 

[Unarce]

Best case scenario for the Lakers

Send Odom, Bynum, and Brown ($22,000,000 combined salary) to Minnesota for KG and Madsen ($23,000,000 combined salary).

The Wolves get a very good player in Odom, a work in progress with Brown, and a potential young star in Bynum. Kobe gets a superstar friend that 'WILL' defer to him in 4th quarter situations, and a monster workhorse in Madsen.

This would fulfill my 3 ingredients for a Champion!

1. You need at least two All-Star caliber players
2. The team needs to have a strong defensive mindset
3. Team MUST have a workhorse that does all the dirty work

 

[TeeLapia]

Since we are in LALA land... Minnesota would not pull that deal to begin with. So you can forget about that trade, and Kobe doesn't want to go anywhere so it seems. So how about this scenario...
Keep in mind I am not a Kings fan but an avid on looker since they do reprsent the general area...
Ron Artest for Kwame Brown and a #19 pick. This brings more play time for Turiaf, and their other center. Kings get a Center, and rid themselves of the cancer. How bout it?

 

[Jim_S]

I definetly think we should dish Artest (and sharif, and miller and thomas, but don't get me started on that...), but I don't know how good Kwame really is. Jordan gave him quite a mind melt his rookie year....... He'll probably never fully recover......

Everyone knows Kobe wants to play in LA. Heck, its probably the one of the greatest cities to be a pro in. Movie stars, fame, the beach, the whole 9 yards.... Alot better "lifestyle" than say Cleveland, or Detroit.... But he's all upset because things aren't going his way anymore, so he does what any spoiled child would.... looks for a way out. And in just about the most unprofessional manner I have ever seen. He tells Steven A. Smith (probably the worst BB analysis of our time) live on the radio........... before even going to Phil or Buss???? What an idiot.......

He's quite possibly one of the greatest players if not the greatest player in the league, but he puts himself before the team, and he obviously can't lead.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Kobe hater. I think he's great on the court. But this little "cry on the radio" thing should make any team think twice before building a team around him....


Cheers,

Jim

 

[Unarce]

Good point, Jim. I think Kobe lets his emotions get the better of him more often than not.

Definitely agree with you on Stephen A! Soon as the games are done, I shut off the TV to avoid having to hear Barkley or Smith ramble on with their nonsense. I never thought I'd say it, but they make Bill Walton seem coherent

 

[Jim_S]

Kinda off topic, but Karl, how do you feel about Webber now? I know you're avid Webber hater, but he had a great season (half), and really filled a role on your team. In fact, you guys probably wouldn't be where you are w/out him IMO.

But I haven't heard you comment on his performance since the trade......


Jim

Edit: I just want to clearify that I by no means think Webber led D-town to where they are now, but definetly filled a roll......

 

[Jim_S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10052090#post10052090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Unarce
Good point, Jim. I think Kobe lets his emotions get the better of him more often than not.

Definitely agree with you on Stephen A! Soon as the games are done, I shut off the TV to avoid having to hear Barkley or Smith ramble on with their nonsense. I never thought I'd say it, but they make Bill Walton seem coherent

ROTFL......

So true. And they do make BW sound competent......

Throw it doooowwwnnn big man......

:lol:

 

[Unarce]

Originally posted by jimdogg187
Kinda off topic, but Karl, how do you like Webber now? I know you're avid Webber hater, but he had a great season, and really filled a role on your team. In fact, you guys probably wouldn't be where you are w/out him IMO.

But I haven't heard you comment on his performance since the trade......


Jim

I was really worried at first that he might be disruptive in the locker room, but the Pistons had enough talent to make him accept his reserve role, which is really what the Sixers wanted him to do in Philly.

As long as he's not playing big minutes during crunch time in the 4th quarter, I'm okay with it. The minutes that he puts in during the first 3 quarters ensures that Wallace and McDyess have plenty in the tank at the end.

 

[Unarce]

The latest so far is that Kobe has backed off his trade demand, not only because of Jackson, but because the Lakers are trying to put together a deal for Jermaine O'Neal, in exchange for Odom and Bynum.

Sounds good on paper, but JO's about as durable as a wet paper bag

 

[Jim_S]

I agree Karl. He has to know his role, and you're right. The Pistons have so much talent, they don't need him to do much.

As for JO, you're right. He's got talent, but IMO, he's damaged goods. I think it would be a mistake to trade Odom for O'neal, but when playing with Kobe, Odom hasn't been able to shine. I think JO will be in the same situation.

Jim

 

[TeeLapia]

Well Odom has been damaged goods also. So it's more like trading dirty bags, and watching which will break first. I would rather have JO than Odom, more talent and not as soft as Odom is.

 

[Underwaterparadise]

All I want to know is how do any of you know what he has talked to Jackson or Buss about?? All I keep hearing is he should have went to them first................HE DID!

I don't mind trading Odom or Kwame no hands Brown but I would like to see more of the Youngster Bynum.