ESPN: Kobe Asks for Trade

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On ESPN's First Take, Stephen A. Smith said...

"Expect within the next 24-48 hours for Kobe Bryant to say the hell with everything, I want out of L.A., EXPECT that."

"That's entirely possible, because he is that livid with them, he does not trust anyone within the Lakers organization, he's completely finished with them, but if he HAS to, he will play basketball for them, but there was a time when he trusted them, and that time has come and gone. I could tell you that right now."</div>


Got this from LG.net

Interesting. I know Stephen A. Smith is close to a lot of players in the league, Kobe Bryant being one of his best friends. If this is the case, then things just got a lot worse for the organization.

I don't expect a trade, but I also don't think it's that big of a fantasy. I could easily see him being shipped to Portland or Chicago.

http://lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=42504

 

I don't know, there's still time for the organization to meet with Kobe, calm him down, put the egos in check, and work together on an upfront solution on the direction of this franchise.

If Kobe demands a trade, this is going to shakeup the NBA and the Lakers organization for years to come.

What impact does it have on the team's ability to re-sign their key free agents? Mihm and Walton

What impact does it have on PJax extending his deal? I don't think he's going to stick around for the rebuilding process. I don't think he's too fond of Andrew Bynum either.

What impact does this have on Lamar Odom? Kobe's his best friend on the team, and he has to feel terrible about the way this is playing out. He played through injuries and the death of his son under the belief in this team, eventhough the front office doesn't believe in it.

You can pretty much guarantee Kwame Brown is taking off the entire year with his ankle surgery.

The Lakers better get all they can for him if he does demand a trade, because the core of Bynum-Turiaf-Sasha-Cook is not something I want to watch.

 

I can't see Kobe demanding a trade, it's not him.

I can see him asking for one, but he'd still play for this team if they didn't grant that. If the 2009 offseason rolls around and things don't change Kobe Bryant will opt out and the Lakers won't get anything for him.

If the organization is content on building for the future and not for now, this could be a jumpstart. They could get a manifest of young talent for Kobe to put around Bynum to contend in 4-5 years.

Kwame's ankle isn't nearly as bad as Mihm's, Shape. He should be back by October. Key word, should.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I can't see Kobe demanding a trade, it's not him.

I can see him asking for one, but he'd still play for this team if they didn't grant that. If the 2009 offseason rolls around and things don't change Kobe Bryant will opt out and the Lakers won't get anything for him.

If the organization is content on building for the future and not for now, this could be a jumpstart. They could get a manifest of young talent for Kobe to put around Bynum to contend in 4-5 years.

Kwame's ankle isn't nearly as bad as Mihm's, Shape. He should be back by October. Key word, should.</div>

He's having the exact same procedure done to his ankle Mihm had. Mihm wasn't expected to be out this long, but with surgery you never can predict the results. I don't think Kwame has a high threshold for pain, he has one year left on his current deal, why would he want to rush back and be apart of this mess?

Based on his demeanor I don't think he cares too, much about winning or losing. I don't think he has a passion for basketball, he's just coasting along and making money off his size and "potential."

 

Good. I'm glad he asked for it. He was hinting at it, I'm glad he put his cards on the table. This organization, like I've said, isn't about winning now. They want to win in the future, when Jim Buss is the head of everything.

I would be pissed at Kobe if the organization was trying to improve, but they're not and have shown no signs of it.

I'll support Kobe wherever he goes and I'll become a fan of that team. For the Lakers organization? Yeah, I'll follow them and root for them...I won't watch many games as I'll find more important things to do, and I'll beg for new, honest management.

 

There's a direct quote from Kobe asking for a trade. The Shaq-Kobe era is officially over in Lakerland.

 

nMg, I know you're a huge Laker fan, arguably the biggest one on the site, how do you feel about Kobe, the Organization, and the lies that have been recently made public?

 

<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He's having the exact same procedure done to his ankle Mihm had. Mihm wasn't expected to be out this long, but with surgery you never can predict the results. I don't think Kwame has a high threshold for pain, he has one year left on his current deal, why would he want to rush back and be apart of this mess?

Based on his demeanor I don't think he cares too, much about winning or losing. I don't think he has a passion for basketball, he's just coasting along and making money off his size and "potential."</div>

Actually Kwame's surgery wasn't nearly as extensive as Mihm's. In comparison, it was pretty minor...but still a major surgery. I do agree though, if Kwame had drive and determination he'd be back by October.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if the insider was Jim Buss.