When the feud between Kobe and Shaq first surfaced it was tough to see but I ultimately took KObe's side and backed him up... when allegations of rape against Kobe were announced I believed him and again backed him up... when everyone dogged him for being a selfish ball-hog I backed him and said he played within the offense for his team mates... even when speculation came that Kobe wanted out of L.A. I scoffed at the reports and just viewed them as rumors to try and entertain obsessed bored fans... It wasn't until I saw the demands directly from the horse's mouth that I was left with a feeling of being stabbed in the back... L.A. has been there for Kobe and this is how he repays all those years of layalty??? I understand his frustrations about not surrounding him with talent to make a run at another championship but how can you possibly do that when your salary basically handicapps management's abilities to deliver that to you. You wanted Shaq out you got your wish... you went ahead and tried to reinvent yourself even went as far as changing your jersey number that didnt work not your twisted mind thinks things will be different in a different team??? You have always got what you wanted you are worst than a tyrannical fascist so why stop now? Get out of L.A. you selfish arrogant underachiever. Trying to top MJ's legacy your... obsession is despicable.
I'm not sure it's fair to lump all of those demands together and bail on Kobe. I'm also a Laker fan first, and a Kobe fan second, and the reason I'm supporting Kobe's stance, is the fact he's saying what fans have been saying these past 3 years. He wants to win now, the fans want to win now. He wants to win as a Laker, and Laker fans want to see Kobe hoist that championship trophy as a Laker. He wants the team to rebuild right away and not wait 7 to 8 seasons, Laker fans do not want to wait either. It is selfish, but it's good to be selfish in this situation. Kobe is 110% committed to winning a title right now, but he's frustrated because the franchise isn't following through with the same commitment. Their refusal to include Bynum for immediate help is a gamble Kobe doesn't want to be a part of. What has Bynum proven up to this point? Absolutely nothing! If Kobe was confident with Bynum living up to his potential, we would not be in this situation in the first place. We don't get to watch how players practice and work out, but Kobe and the coaching staff have all been disappointed with Bynum's work ethic and development. I'm willing to take the words of the players and coaching staff ahead of the front office personnel who aren't there to watch the players everyday in practice. If the coaching staff was supportive of Bynum and endorsed him, then you wouldn't see Kobe demanding him to be traded. Kobe doesn't want Lamar traded, because Lamar has improved every year, has shown maturity, and has Kobe's trust on the court. The Lakers front office is passing up a sure thing in Kobe Bryant, for a 19 year old who isn't supported by his own teammates and coaches. You tell me who's being stupid here? I'd say it's clearly the people in the front office, they're out of touch with reality and are taking Kobe Bryant for granted. I really believe this team is just one player away from making a run at the title. Kobe and Odom, just need one more consistent player in the frontcourt or backcourt, and they can get deep in the playoffs, and possibly contend for the title. The Lakers have passed up on these 3 possibilities, and now we could be heading toward a fourth with Jermaine O'neal. Look at these core 3 players the Lakers could have had, and tell they couldn't compete against the elite teams in the West. Baron-Kobe-Odom Kobe-Odom-Boozer Kobe-Artest-Odom Kidd-Kobe-Odom Kobe-Odom-O'Neal Any combination of those core 3 with servicable depth can win a title. Maybe they don't win it in year one, but with that strong of a core 3 you can build out your depth by adding specific role players. Those 3 provide consistency on both offens and defense, which you need to win a title. Just imagine if the Lakers had the past 3 years to build with Baron, Kobe, and Odom. We could have used the MLE a helluva a lot better, and Bynum would never have been on the roster, because the Lakers would have never been a lottery team to begin with!
Even if Kobe comes back he's going ot have a lot of wounds to heal... he's already lost a lot of support in L.A. he's going to be seen as a distrungtled employee. I honestly don'y think Kobe is going to bring another championship to L.A. its time to let him go and start rebuilding... the proposed trade with Chicago works for both sides I say we pull the trigger.
<div class="quote_poster">bruin007 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Even if Kobe comes back he's going ot have a lot of wounds to heal... he's already lost a lot of support in L.A. he's going to be seen as a distrungtled employee. I honestly don'y think Kobe is going to bring another championship to L.A. its time to let him go and start rebuilding... the proposed trade with Chicago works for both sides I say we pull the trigger.</div> There are so many conflicting reports out there, many people don't even know what they're talking about. If Kobe wanted to be traded, he wouldn't be sticking for Lamar either, right? If the front office doesn't want to trade Bynum, then Kobe does have a point doesn't he? A couple of days after Kobe first made his demands the Lakers got into all these trade scenarios with other teams. LA still has Kwame's expiring contract, Bynum, and the 19th pick in the draft, I'm sure they could pull something off if they were really committed to winning now (instead of being in love with Bynum). As long as LA sits on their ass Kobe is morally right.
The news on Yahoo! implied Kobe still asked to be trade so we all should be ready for that day. Personally, I hate seeing Kobe gone. I DON'T WANT IT! I'm interesting with the Lakers because of Kobe, the only player I can proudly relate to. If Kobe is gone, it is wild to cheer for the Bulls meanwhile I'm in LA. WTF? I can't watch the Bulls' all 82 games. I don't have the chicago local channel hahaha.
