<div class="quote_poster">og15 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know it this is really a trade demand, but it's as close as it can get I suppose.</div> It's the first sign...
Kobe Bryant for Rafer Alston! PG:Kobe SG:Tmac SF: Battier PF: Hakeem Olajuwon (he will sign with Rockets) C: Yao
<div class="quote_poster">Legacy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Foyle, Pietrus, and the rest of the bench for Kobe. </div> Get it done, Mitch!
<div class="quote_poster">Umair Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe Bryant for Rafer Alston! </div> That trade attempt is sadder then your remix of This is why I'm hot.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Smitty:</div><div class="quote_post">lol, man..you're going to give people a heart attack with that title.</div> That's why I said 'sort of'.
Yo<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">u call yourself a Laker fan and you're cool with this trade? Shame on you! Lakers would not be a championship contender with that lineup AT ALL..... Lamar Odom is a LOSER. He's a nice guy, but the sooner you ship him out of L.A., the better your team will be. Zach Randolph has proved nothing except that he can get 20 and 10 on a crappy team that gives him the ball in a run-and-gun conference. Rashard Lewis is also LARGELY UNPROVEN. He may become a better player on a better team - but he may also become a worse player. Andrew Bynum, mark it down, is an AVERAGELY GOOD player. He is not an all-star in the making........he just isn't. he's an average starting center. just because he's on the Lakers he is overhyped. If he played for Milwaukee you would never hear of him. This new Laker lineup would be horrible. Lakers need to focus on guys who have proven they have heart: Jermaine O'Neal Kevin Garnett These are the kind of guys Jerry West would sign. These Rashard Lewis's of the world are Kupchak signings and will never get you guys out of the first round.</div> First I'll note that I'm a Kobe fan first laker fan second. I'm also from portland. Anyhow, you raise a good point with the players you point out- obviously we'd prefer KG or J.O. but they are both older than Zach, and we've already seen their best. Zach's improved every year he's been in the league. Also, the feasibility of us getting either of those players is almost zilch. Our only trading peice is Kobe and Kobe won't approve a trade to Minnesota if Garnett isn't there. Same thing with Indiana. You mention Jerry West "signing" those players (KG and JO). They are both already under contract so he won't be signing anybody. He'll be trading for them and like I pointed out previously, it simply can't happen unless Kobe's involved. Or we gut the roster to get one of them. Jerry West is a great GM, but he's not a cure-all, nor is he a magician. As for Bynum- I have no idea whether he'll be good or bad but who else is going to play center? Kwame sucks and his ankle's sound like they're Grant Hill bad.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">After all that drama he put the Lakers through when he was a free agent, he's considering demanding a trade? Someone should make him re-read that contract he signed: there isn't any part that says he has to be on a winning team. Take it like a man and stop complaining.</div> What drama are you referring to? He didn't have to sign with the Lakers and Shaq is the one that wanted to get traded. Shaq wanted the 33+ million contract per year and berated the front office. In addition, I still think Kobe might just want to light a fire under the front office's ass to be honest.
<div class="quote_poster">yodawgsup Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Don't be so rash. There isn't any part in his contract that states he needs to be on a winning team, but there was an implicit understanding that management would surround him with non-scrub pieces. As for him being a man, he has been a man, for three seasons. What more do you want? Do you really think Jordan would have continued to play without saying a word if the Bulls had continued to play as miserably as they did in most of the 80s? Jerry Krause understood that Jordan needed winning pieces; he understood that sometimes going for the homerun is better than settling for the single (He did, if you'd recall, trade a very solid player in Olden Polynice for an unknown quantity in Pippen soon after draft day). Mitch doesn't understand this, and Kobe is right to push for a guy in Jerry West who does.</div> I'm hesitant to go all out and condemn him, because he was speaking hypothetically. But if he does demand a trade, he'll lose my respect for sure. I've never believed that demanding trades should be considered acceptable. Kobe's job is to go out there and play as hard as he can, and he's well compensated for it. There's no guarantees when it comes to basketball and, honestly, its so arrogant of him to assume that he deserves to be playing on a contender. It doesn't always work out that way (ask KG). Kobe had a free agency period where he had all the freedom in the world, and he used it (a bit excessively IMO, but he took full advantage of it nonetheless). If he's so obsessed with being on a winning team, he obviously had to have considered signing with a team that had a competent front office. His decision was to re-sign with the Lakers and, by the looks of it, he misjudged the LA's front office. But, that's his mistake. And he should have to live with it. The Lakers haven't stopped paying him and haven't broken their end of the contract at all. Kobe has no right to do the same thing. If he does demand a trade, he'd be up there with VC, Alonzo, McGrady, and all the other selfish primadonnas that can't live up to the commitment they made. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting huevonkiller:</div><div class="quote_post">What drama are you referring to? He didn't have to sign with the Lakers and Shaq is the one that wanted to get traded. Shaq wanted the 33+ million contract per year and berated the front office. In addition, I still think Kobe might just want to light a fire under the front office's ass to be honest.</div> I'm not talking about the Shaq ordeal. But the way he made LA jump through hoops in their attempt to re-sign him. That's his right and I don't hold it against him, but then to turn around and demand a trade after signing that deal is ridiculous. Of course, if he's saying this to motivate the Lakers' front office, that's entirely different. That's why all of these posts only apply if he does try to force a trade.
<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What drama are you referring to? He didn't have to sign with the Lakers and Shaq is the one that wanted to get traded. Shaq wanted the 33+ million contract per year and berated the front office. In addition, I still think Kobe might just want to light a fire under the front office's ass to be honest.</div> Totally what I am thinking
Well, atleast he didn't stay quiet like KG. I would love to see West back, cause Cupcake just stinks. Andrew Bynum is really not all that great, we just tend to hype him up too much because he's on the Lakers. Besides Kobe, the only other decent player on the team is Odom. So with one superstar, one decent player and a bunch of below average players, you can't win jack ****. I'm glad Kobe is saying this. They won't trade him now, and they won't get equal value, but this should have the management scared for sure. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> "I want to see us get to a contending level," he told The Los Angeles Times. "I want to see us become a championship contender. It's been a frustrating process for me and I'm sure it's been a frustrating process for all Laker fans. I'm just hoping we can get to that level. I'm still frustrated. I'm waiting for them to make some changes." </div>
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> If he does demand a trade, he'd be up there with VC, Alonzo, McGrady, and all the other selfish primadonnas that can't live up to the commitment they made. </div> Well what about Guys like KG? The guy keeps his mouth shut and is content with losing, that doesn't seem right. And I don't think you should be comparing Kobe to Alonzo or VC because he tried his best to win games every night, whereas VC/Alonzo half-assed themselves into new teams. The Lakers can't live up to the commitment they made either, which was a verbal agreement.
I think Kobe has every right to demand a trade. He busts his ass for a franchise that just doesn't seem to give a **** anymore. The Lakers sell out every game regardless, so I guess management doesn't have that much incentive to put out a contending product, which is absolute bull for a franchise as proud as the Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm hesitant to go all out and condemn him, because he was speaking hypothetically. But if he does demand a trade, he'll lose my respect for sure. I've never believed that demanding trades should be considered acceptable. Kobe's job is to go out there and play as hard as he can, and he's well compensated for it. There's no guarantees when it comes to basketball and, honestly, its so arrogant of him to assume that he deserves to be playing on a contender. It doesn't always work out that way (ask KG). Kobe had a free agency period where he had all the freedom in the world, and he used it (a bit excessively IMO, but he took full advantage of it nonetheless). If he's so obsessed with being on a winning team, he obviously had to have considered signing with a team that had a competent front office. His decision was to re-sign with the Lakers and, by the looks of it, he misjudged the LA's front office. But, that's his mistake. And he should have to live with it. The Lakers haven't stopped paying him and haven't broken their end of the contract at all. Kobe has no right to do the same thing. If he does demand a trade, he'd be up there with VC, Alonzo, McGrady, and all the other selfish primadonnas that can't live up to the commitment they made. </div> Well, to be fair, his contract doesn't prevent him from asking for a trade either. So technically he isn't breaking any part of his contract. Point is, the issue is not as simple as you're making it out to be. The contract isn't the be-all-end-all of his commitment to the club. And by that same token, it isn't the be-all-end-all of the club's commitment to HIM. Prior to signing his contract, he was verbally assured by Mitch and the Busses that they would surround him with winning pieces. They haven't. Kobe, on the other hand, has elevated his game each of the last three seasons, more than earning his paycheck and keeping his mouth shut the whole time. If anything, management isn't playing by the rules, not the other way around. They passed on Iverson and Kidd, on Artest, Boozer, not to mention the idiotic trades for Kwame and Shaq and the untimely resigning of Brian Cook. As they say, I think you've got it twisted.
<div class="quote_poster">yodawgsup Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, to be fair, his contract doesn't prevent him from asking for a trade either. So technically he isn't breaking any part of his contract. Point is, the issue is not as simple as you're making it out to be. The contract isn't the be-all-end-all of his commitment to the club. And by that same token, it isn't the be-all-end-all of the club's commitment to HIM. Prior to signing his contract, he was verbally assured by Mitch and the Busses that they would surround him with winning pieces. They haven't. Kobe, on the other hand, has elevated his game each of the last three seasons, more than earning his paycheck and keeping his mouth shut the whole time. If anything, management isn't playing by the rules, not the other way around. They passed on Iverson and Kidd, on Artest, Boozer, not to mention the idiotic trades for Kwame and Shaq and the untimely resigning of Brian Cook. As they say, I think you've got it twisted.</div> You said it best. Unfortunately Mr. Chutney doesn't understand. The problem is Kobe had enough of Mitch not taking a risk like Jerry West. Mitch always said, we trade for the right player but how long does that "right player" comes along? 1 years, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years? when Kobe's prime start to decline? The decision of not trading for Ron Artest, Baron Davis, Carlos Boozer, J-Kidd is what really pissed Kobe off. He wanted these guys to be in LA but Mitch failed to make the deal happened. If they would get those guys in LA and it doesn't work out, then Kobe got no1 to blame for himself but that is NOT the case. They never give Kobe the chance! Unfortunately when you promised to build a contender around Kobe, you better do that or let Kobe go when he got a chance to sign for other teams and compete for championship, (ie Clippers, Bulls). This is bull***, the Laker's management had absolutely done crap for the past 3 years. Kobe has every right to demand a trade. What I don't like is Kobe should not making this so publicly.
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Sort of.... http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2884339</div> OMFG!!! i was almost scared to death!!! I know lets trade Kobe for Tmac Str8 up!!! Coz i hear the rockets are trying to acquire bibby for the MLE due to Adelman's signing plus adelman is going to try to recruit Divac or Pollard Oh and Bonzi is reinspired due to the developments in Houston LOL Rockets Lineup: Bibby, Kobe, Battier, Howard, Yao = 2008 Champs (Rockets However not the Lakers)
<div class="quote_poster">Karma Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, atleast he didn't stay quiet like KG. I would love to see West back, cause Cupcake just stinks. Andrew Bynum is really not all that great, we just tend to hype him up too much because he's on the Lakers. Besides Kobe, the only other decent player on the team is Odom. So with one superstar, one decent player and a bunch of below average players, you can't win jack ****. I'm glad Kobe is saying this. They won't trade him now, and they won't get equal value, but this should have the management scared for sure.</div> Sorry for calling you specifically out, I meant this as more of this entire thread. So if all they have one decent player and a bunch of below average players, how do you anticipate getting KG or JO or another big time guy? Then you mention the "decent" player that you have is due over 28 million dollars over the next 2 seasons, who would want a decent player making that much? Then you consider Kobe is going to be making 19.4 mil next season, which is nearly 2/5th's of the salary cap and you have 11 other spots to fill, you won't have any cap room, so all you have left is the MLE. You traditionally can't' really sign an impact/star with the MLE. You can't really blame all of it on "Cupcake". He could have signed better players with the MLE, but the MLE is typically a toss up, who knows how that player will perform. Usually the MLE is used on either aging veterans or young up and coming bench warmers on contenders. (Radman, Turkoglu, etc). You typically don't get a proven player. Not to mention teams that are getting rid of stars are going through a rebuilding process, what team would want to rebuild by receiving Lamar Odom? ---------------- I know you guys want a lot to see your team succeed and that's what makes Laker fans so great, but quite frankly you don't have much bargaining chips to be able to get big time players and big upgrades and all of that isn't Mitch's fault. There was a reason why Jerry West left the first time and it was partially probably because he knew that the Lakers didn't really have much pieces to play with especially with feuding Shaq/Kobe. You mention Iverson..... What could LA have given up for Iverson? Do you really think that the Lakers could have offered more than Andre Miller, 2 1st rounders in a really deep draft, and 7 million in expiring contracts? Don't even mention Lamar Odom. Why would Philadelphia want his monster deal when they are rebuilding? Not to mention they did the trade to get the other AI more touches, which Andre Miller does best and Odom wouldn't be as good of a fit in that situation then Andre Miller. 1 probable late 1st rounder is not better than 2. Then you consider at the time the Lakers were pretty far ahead of Denver in the standings and Denver wasn't going to have Melo for 15 games, not to mention Kobe + AI + 15 games> Melo + AI - 15 games, so the Lakers pick was looking to be higher than the Nuggets at the time.
Chutney, you fail to realize one thing...the organization didn't promise him a contender...but the organization didn't promise him they'd do everything in their power to put the pieces around him. They had a deal in place to get Artest and Jim Buss scrapped it. They had a deal in place to get Boozer, Jim Buss scrapped it. Just this season they had deals in place to get Kidd or Bibby and Jim Buss wouldn't let go of Bynum for Kidd and Sacramento didn't want to help us out. There has been no effort on the organizations part to fulfill their promise.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Chutney, you fail to realize one thing...the organization didn't promise him a contender...but the organization didn't promise him they'd do everything in their power to put the pieces around him. They had a deal in place to get Artest and Jim Buss scrapped it. They had a deal in place to get Boozer, Jim Buss scrapped it. Just this season they had deals in place to get Kidd or Bibby and Jim Buss wouldn't let go of Bynum for Kidd and Sacramento didn't want to help us out. There has been no effort on the organizations part to fulfill their promise.</div> I thought the ones for this season(regarding Kidd/Bibby) were just rumors and nothing really materialized in any of them. I know the Artest one was true, but you can't really blame him for scrapping that with his Artest's attitude. I wouldn't give up anything to get Artest and he would be an ABSOLUTE perfect fit on the Magic.
