<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> Sitting there across the table from Jerry Buss, I was surprised time and again when he would answer questions about trading Kobe Bryant by acknowledging the past exploration and future possibility of doing it, then adding that the offers haven’t been good enough and how he hoped not to have to trade Bryant at all.</p> I would expect an owner who really, really doesn’t plan on trading the star player to say outright that he really, really doesn’t plan on trading the star player — then maybe allowing a caveat that he might listen on the off chance an offer blew him away. But that’s not the way Buss framed it (read the details in my story here), so you have to think more than ever that Bryant will be traded if the Lakers don’t have an excellent season. Have an excellent season, and everyone figures to be happier campers, of course.</p> </p> There remains the considerable complication of who would be good enough to be acquired for Bryant — especially when Buss would have no interest in having the team take a big step backward, all the more so if Phil Jackson is still coaching the team — but the fact that the Lakers’ owner is leaving the door so open is very noteworthy. Buss didn’t want Shaquille O’Neal around if O’Neal didn’t appreciate being around, and maybe the same sort of sentiment is brewing with Bryant.</p> Buss had other interesting comments:</p> <ul>[*]On trying to make trades in the offseason to help Bryant win now with the Lakers: “We did unquestionably go after him (Kevin Garnett) 100 percent. But be that as it may, I personally feel we made a better offer than the people who were successful.” Buss said Lamar Odom’s and Kwame Brown’s offseason surgeries complicated trade talks, as did disagreement over Andrew Bynum’s value. Despite getting no major deal done, Buss endorsed the work of son Jim Buss and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, saying: “Mitch has done everything humanly possible.” [*]Jerry Buss brought up Jim recommending Ronny Turiaf in the 2005 draft and said Jim’s work so far leaves him deservedly on track to inherit the franchise’s decision-making power: “It was his choice for Bynum. I think you have to gamble. How do you get a superstar except by gambling? … So I think that was a Jim Buss contribution, if you will. Jim was the one who brought Coby Karl to the camp. We had decided we wanted to leave a roster spot open to have a little versatility during the year, but when he saw Coby Karl, he said, ‘I think we have to bring him in.’ So that was a choice of his. He liked (Javaris) Crittenton. That was also a consensus pick of our scouting, so it wasn’t a conflict there.”Thus far, I’d say he (Jim) has done a pretty good job. He gets along well with Mitch. Actually, I think he and Phil have one of those relationships where they like to pick on each other somewhat. But they certainly have respect for each other. I know Jimmy is crying to get him under contract for the future, as we all are.” [*]About Jackson wondering if he should sign an extension at around $10 million per season if the Lakers aren’t contending for a title: “I think he gets more out of this team than any other coach could do. That’s how he earns his salary. … I have no doubts in my mind that if this team is healthy, he has got a shot. I think that’s just true. We’ve got the best coach; we’ve got the best player. We do have some complementary players that aren’t bad. So you take the best coach, the best player, a little bit of luck, and there you are.” [*]Regarding Bryant’s public criticisms of him, Buss cryptically acknowledged not liking hearing about it, but not being very bothered: “I was a little surprised at him because certainly he’s never said anything to me like that. Always very respectful.” [*]Asked if he thought Bryant believed the Lakers really would be willing and able to trade him in recent months, Buss said: “I think it was just pure frustration. I don’t think he really thought it out from a business (perspective). … I think what he’s thinking is: ‘Let me play basketball with some people I know I can win with.’ “ [*]About Bryant now coming back to the team and playing this season as a Laker again, Buss said: “He’s a professional and he’s a realist, and I think he understands what we’re up against. He’s aware of different (trade) suggestions and how ridiculous they’ve been.”[/list] I asked Buss specifically about Bryant’s assertions that the Lakers haven’t been trying to win right away in recent years. Buss’ response: “He’s not the only one who said that. A lot of people have said that. But I don’t know. It’s easy to criticize, but it’s very difficult to suggest an alternative or an acceptable solution.”</div></p> Source: OC Register Kevin Ding Blog</p> It's great they made an effort to go after KG, but they failed in not getting him. Acquiring KG or Kidd would have brought back the Laker mystique and would have created a buzz for other veterans to jump on for the ride. This lack of action could end up costing the Lakers Kobe Bryant and Laker fans be ready for 10 years of lackluster basketball. We are heading down the same path Chicago took after the Jordan era.</p> The last quote was depressing to read. Where's the passion Dr. Buss? Where's the gold standard for winning a title every year? He seems burnt out about the Lakers and willing to settle for mediocritiy while the team rebuilds through their draft picks.</p> Kobe Bryant showed everyone first hand in the FIBA games he is the best player in the NBA. Why are you not willing to win with him now? It's a lot easier to build around the best player in the league than pinning your hopes on a 19 year old center who hasn't shown the heart to lead your franchise and it's fans back to the Championship title. Bynum does not have "IT."</p>
To tell you the truth the last quote is depressing.I think all this articles and this whole Kobe thing is just preparing you for the unthinkable the Kobe trade.I agree with Bynum he hasn't showed that he is going to be this big monster maybe he still is too young and hasn't had enough experience.But lets not be surprise if Kobe gets traded sooner or later this season.I just feel that if we could of gotten Kidd we could of probably be in some other position not this one.</p>
