<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">According to multiple league sources, Bryant has already decided this season will be his last in purple and gold. Sunday's All-Star Game at Staples Center, which figured to be a celebration of the Lakers' star guard -- in the city he's called home for eight years -- will instead be the first step on an unofficial farewell tour. "He is absolutely going to leave. Everybody knows it," a league source who has regular contact with Lakers officials told the Daily News. "There's no way he's coming back. He's saying that more and more," said a team source who has regular contact with Bryant. </div> Full Story
That is why the Hawks and Suns are clearing as much space as they can...it's offer time. Denver has a boatload of space too, but that is out of the question, lol.
kobe shouldn't leave los angeles lakers! fans love him in l.a., it will be a heart breaker if he leaves. shaq is getting old so why can't he wait for that, everybody knows that he'll be "the man" the time shaq leaves. with the trouble he's facing right now, don't you think that he should stay in l.a. where he's welcome? i hope that clippers will take him, at least he's still in l.a. even jerry west (his mentor) suggest that he should stay in l.a. i hope that they get the ring this year, that will make him think
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">That is why the Hawks and Suns are clearing as much space as they can...it's offer time. Denver has a boatload of space too, but that is out of the question, lol.</div> Can you imagine if Kobe signs with Hawks? the Atlanta board will quickly become one of the most active boards around lol "JBB general manager is pleased to anounce the Los Angeles Lakers fans have been traded to the Atlanta Hawks forum for 10 avatars ahead of the 2004/2005 season." LMAO
Jeez, without kobe, and the debate about shaqs contract extention what will happen to the lakers team? They will still have great players, but if they lose both players that would kill the team. It would take them from being one of the best teams out there to an average level team.
Put it this way Gary, Karl, Kobe and Phil could all be gone What does this mean? No more contending for NBA titles for quite a while.
I've been sying I think he will leave the last few months also, but I don't see him going to Phoenix. Atlanta might be a long shot, but I don't think there is any chance for the new Charlotte team getting him. We also all know Denver doesn't have a chance even if they offered him 30mil/year.
If they don't win a championship this year and Kobe does leave, Karl and Gary will probably gone to win a championship elsewhere. Shaq would be all alone, and after all these years I would actually enjoy seeing Shaq struggle on his own. I'd hate to see the Lakers struggle, but it might become a reality next season. EDIT: Oh yeah and they Lakers also won't have any cap room even if Karl, Kobe and Gary leave. Shaq just eats up that much cap room... Doesn't he make like 30mil next season?
I think Malone will retire after this season. He's 41, and although he's in good shape, you can see how long he's been out with one injury, and he was initially expected back within 4 weeks. Now late March? I don't know if his body will continue to hold up. As for Payton, losing is "not what he signed up for." If Karl retires, he's definitely gone.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Malone will retire after this season. He's 41, and although he's in good shape, you can see how long he's been out with one injury, and he was initially expected back within 4 weeks. Now late March? I don't know if his body will continue to hold up. </div> I disagree. Karl isn't dumb. He knows that he will have to play another season to break Jabbar's scoring record. Karl doesn't want to go out without a ring and he definitely wants to come back from his injury. As for the Laker situation, I think Kobe will stay to put it truthfully. Everybody is so panicked, but I am just sort of sitting back, hoping for the best. Kobe realizes that L.A. is where it is at. Titles, playing for the Lakers, the fans, the weather, it is just a perfect scenario for him. Shaq on the other hand wants to be the main player and get an extension. I think he should be extended, but he needs to not demand so much money. He is asking for alot when he is just a declining bigman in his last dominant years. It is time for Kobe to take over, at least after this year. As much as I love ya Shaq, it is time for you to be 2nd option. Even as 2nd option, he would still be the most dominant bigman in the league.. As for Phil Jackson, I could care less if he stays with the Lakers. Sometimes I totally doubt the "Zen Master." Let him win his title this year, and then let him retire a winner. He has health issues too, so it would just be better if he retires. Let Byron Scott or Jim Cleamons or somebody younger become our coach--somebody Kobe would like more.. As for the role players, I am in favor of trading for Kendall Gill. I am a fan of him. Draft some younger players, and get a decent backup center in case Shaq gets injured. That is my offseason plan..
I agree I think Malone will probably play atleast another year, if not two. Because of this injury, he might need to play two more seasons to each that mark of passing Kareem. As for Kobe, I also do hope he stays, and I think it is the most likely to happen. I do also see the reality that they might not have any of their core left. I too am in doubt of the "zen master" stuff, he's been a coach with the best players in the history. No doubt he is a good coach, but I don't see him as a reason for all the championships he's gotten. Byron Scott would probably be the perfect coach if we were to finally look at Kobe as the 1st option, and I know they both do have a good relationship. If the Lakers win it all this year though, I can't see Phil retiring anytime soon.
This has nothing to do with Karl's intelligence. He wants a ring - he can break the title, but he's not exactly showing interest in doing so. I think 31000 career points is pretty good, don't you?
Seems kind of ironic that 8 years ago Kobe insisted that he would not play for any team not called the Los Angeles Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ANiMuS:</div><div class="quote_post">Seems kind of ironic that 8 years ago Kobe insisted that he would not play for any team not called the Los Angeles Lakers.</div> that was 8 years ago. lots of things happened and changes will occur. i just hope that he stays in l.a.
Personally , I don't care where Kobe goes ....I don't care if he signed with the Lakers again ....Cause honestly ...I can see Phil Jackson being the one person that would kill the Lakers team if he left ....Shaq would be upset ....almost every other player would be too .... That would be the demise of the Lakers ....Teams are figuring out the Triangle offense ...And teams are figuring out how to beat the Lakers ....Their time on top of the NBA is about over ....If they can't pull it together soon and win it this year ...I don't think they will win another one is some time IMO... Go Kings~
