<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In other words, the Lakers can make drastic steps only via trades, which puts an onus on Kupchak. "We understand there's no magic wand you can wave and make things happen," Kupchak said. "But we're going to be as aggressive as we've always been to get this team back to championship-level basketball. "Being in the first round or losing in the first round is not what we want to accomplish. We feel that we owe and want to provide more to the city than that." Kupchak also acknowledged Bryant's frustration. "We feel the exact same way," he said, referring to the Lakers' upper management. "We're very aware of his frustration, but once again, I'm frustrated, I know our coach is frustrated and our owner wants to win. We're all in it together." Bryant isn't getting any younger. With all the Lakers' long playoff runs earlier in his career, he has logged a total of 33,464 minutes. By comparison, when Michael Jordan turned 29, he had played 24,483 minutes. "Obviously there's a window," Bryant said. "I feel fine physically. The important thing to me is winning now. It's not waiting, this that and the other. We had a season where we missed the playoffs. [Then] we got bounced the first round of the playoffs both seasons, got into the playoffs next-to-last game of the regular season. That's enough of that. I don't play for anything but a championship. I want to get into the pocket with this city, where we, going into the season, believe that we have a shot at winning this whole thing." Bryant couldn't predict whether big-name players such as Jermaine O'Neal or, less likely, Kevin Garnett, could be acquired by the Lakers during the off-season. "I don't know," he said. "I just voiced my opinion. Now it's on them to do their job and go out there and try and make something happen."</div> Source: LATimes Bryant tells Kupchak and Jackson in his exit interview that this summer must be spent getting the Lakers to an elite level. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I just told [Kupchak] this summer's about getting us to an elite level, doing whatever it takes to make it happen," Bryant said this afternoon. "This is a competitive city. We're used to winning titles, not just winning games and being in the first round. We want to win championships. Now's the time. "That's one of the things when I re-signed here, they promised they would build a contender and build a contender now. I don't want to have to wait any more than I already have."</div>
Damn, that's what I'm freakin' talkin about! I can't wait for this offseason, BIG THANGS are comin' our way.
^ I hope you're dead wrong about that. If we can't get that legit second option we want, I'm hoping for a nice trio of players...
If mitch would have fixed after last season they wouldnt have any prolems and would have had a better season
<div class="quote_poster">the GOAT34 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If mitch would have fixed after last season they wouldnt have any prolems and would have had a better season</div> Not necessarily. If we didn't get mugged(not bit) by the injury bug, I think we would have faired way better. You also have to remember, that even in the playoffs Luke Walton wasn't 100%.
He should've spoke up last season. That way, changes probably would have already been made. Kobe's probably just fed up right now. We could have aquired players like Baron Davis, Ron Artest, Carlos Boozer, and Jason Kidd, but in all those instances, deals just fell short. I think Jason Kidd was the last straw for Kobe, because at the time, the Lakers were really struggling, and he was hoping they were going to make some changes. Unfortuantely, the trade didn't go through at the last minute. Kobe was probably pissed off the whole season, but decided not to become a distraction. Now that the season is finally over, Kobe's finally letting his thoughts become heard. 4 playoff wins in 3 seasons is unacceptable. Kobe resigned with the Lakers because the management promised him that they would give him a championship roster to work with. Kobe resigned, so where is the roster?
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He should've spoke up last season. That way, changes probably would have already been made. Kobe's probably just fed up right now. We could have aquired players like Baron Davis, Ron Artest, Carlos Boozer, and Jason Kidd, but in all those instances, deals just fell short. I think Jason Kidd was the last straw for Kobe, because at the time, the Lakers were really struggling, and he was hoping they were going to make some changes. Unfortuantely, the trade didn't go through at the last minute. Kobe was probably pissed off the whole season, but decided not to become a distraction. Now that the season is finally over, Kobe's finally letting his thoughts become heard. 4 playoff wins in 3 seasons is unacceptable. Kobe resigned with the Lakers because the management promised him that they would give him a championship roster to work with. Kobe resigned, so where is the roster?</div> Thank God...
