<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sooner or later, Kobe Bryant turns on everyone in his life. Professional, personal, it's never mattered to him. He can be calculated and merciless this way. When he wants something, it seems everyone's disposable. So, it is little surprise to discover that, through a source who has spoken with Jerry West, that the Logo is downright livid with Bryant for demanding West's return to the Los Angeles Lakers at the expense of his prot?g?, Mitch Kupchak. Maybe there was a chance that West could've come back with the Lakers, but Bryant's self-absorbed and self-destructive crusade to crush Kupchak over Memorial Day weekend has made it far less likely. Yes, West and Bryant have always shared the bond of cutthroat competitiveness, DNA that demands greatness of themselves and those surrounding them. For both, it has been a blessing and a curse, but it's an undeniable thread that runs through them. </div>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-k...=yhoo&type=lgns It seems the guy is out to slam Kobe though... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It isn't just that Kobe doesn't have friends in his own locker room, but elsewhere too. One associate remembers a party for Bryant's daughter several years ago, when he looked around and saw no one but people who worked for Kobe. "No friends, no teammates – just agents, a barber, P.R. people … Everyone there was on the payroll."</div><div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Only, he denied saying it[demand for a trade], despite the fact that the writer has been a long-time confidant. Typical Kobe, selling out someone else.</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Skiptomylue11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-k...=yhoo&type=lgns It seems the guy is out to slam Kobe though...</div> Yeah, Kobe is the most controversial figure in the NBA. I do wonder what it must be like to be Kupchak and hear Kobe talking about getting West back - in public - that is not the right way to go about it - even though Kupchak may not have done a perfect job, making a public plea for West is not cool.
That is harsh, no one at Kobe's daughters birthday. To ask for another Manager, publicly, or you want to leave is like stabbing your GM in the back. It is telling him he sucks, leave now, or I'm gone. I would fell horrible if I were Kupchak. Maybe West will come in as a Assistant Gm, hopefully that will be good enough to make Kobe happy.
This article is disgusting, it is full of Kobe hate. The writer sounds like someone after Kobe denies them an autograph. He's still wiping his tears away. Shaq is still the man in L.A.? Please. Shaq lost a lot of respect in L.A. when he demanded a trade because we didn't want to pay him 30 million a year. This article would have some weight to it if it was written in 2004, but today, it's just a joke to read this. If I'm Mitch Kupchak, am I offended by Kobe's comments? Yes, but I realize he's speaking the truth. Since we traded Shaq, we've moved nowhere. But I don't blame Mitch, as he has no word in this organization.
Again, where is the actual quote from Jerry West? If you're going to write a ridiculous article like this and use the word "livid" you better have a damn voice recorded message with Jerry West's voice saying those words. I'm sure Jerry West was upset about having the spotlight placed on him. He prefers being the background, but "livid" is a strong word. This is just as irresponsible as Bucher's article twisting Kobe's words and writing Kobe "is demanding a trade" if West doesn't return. Pathetic!
People twist Kobe's word. He's finally put the truth out there, I'd love to see the writers twist that.
There's been some really irresponsible journalism about Kobe and the Lakers, ever since Bucher put out that first article. Its almost like he set a precedent.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">There's been some really irresponsible journalism about Kobe and the Lakers, ever since Bucher put out that first article. Its almost like he set a precedent.</div> Did you listen to the radio interview with Kobe. He basically said Bucher's report was 100% accurate. everything ELSE was inaccurate. Ric is the senior NBA writer for ESPN, so he's not going to make up b.s. stories.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I thought BSPN twisted Bucher's report into saying that Kobe demanded a trade?</div> Yeah, Bucher's report was solid, then one of the website writers got creative.
I've always felt that writers for a big time media outlet who lie to get reads should be fired right away. It's such a joke to write a blatant lying story.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I've always felt that writers for a big time media outlet who lie to get reads should be fired right away. It's such a joke to write a blatant lying story.</div> Yes, they should be fired. The problem, is that their outlet probably encourages their writers to be blatant for attention.
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, Bucher's report was solid, then one of the website writers got creative.</div> Sounds like b.s. to me. Bucher has done this multiple times since joining ESPN. He reported Memphis had made a blockbuster trade. I don't recall the specifics of the deal, but I remember talking to Voodoo Child online when it was announced. Then 3 hours later the deal never took place and Bucher didn't write a retraction. Don't you think the article headlines are communicated back to the writers, since it's the writer's name and reputation on the line? I'd bet money Bucher was made aware of the headline prior to his article being published on the site.
I do respect Bucher, as him and Kobe seem to be friends. It seems like Bucher replace Jim Gray (what is he doing, btw?). BSPN hates Kobe, but Bucher seems to like him. It wouldn't surprise me if BSPN pushed Bucher to allow other writers to twist his words.
