Joe Bryant wants Kobe in Phoenix

Apparently, Joe JellyBean Bryant wants Kobe in Phoenix next season...are they still estranged? Not to be insensitive but Laker fans better hope so...

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It is 90 minutes before tip-off, and the media is putting full-court pressure on Kobe Bryant in the locker room.

Do you like Phoenix?

Would you come here?

Will you leave Los Angeles?

"I like Phoenix," Bryant said Sunday before scoring 40 points to beat the Suns 104-92 at America West Arena. "It's peaceful. Relaxing. Whenever I've come here, everybody's been great."

Fans here like you, want you out here, a reporter says.

"Really?" Bryant said. "Really? That means a lot to me."

No statement Sunday was more telling than that one. The Lakers guard is a man who craves both loyalty and appreciation, which is why talk of Bryant playing for the Suns next season is gaining some legs.

The Suns can't say there's interest, but there's interest. Bryant, 25, is a player you build a franchise around, and he would be a mind-boggling complement to Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion. The team has been dumping salary, and after trading Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway, Suns Chairman Jerry Colangelo acknowledged it was to put the team in position to be a player in the free-agent market.

The fit would make sense for a variety of reasons. Bryant, who has had a strained relationship with Lakers coach Phil Jackson, would welcome playing for Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, whom Bryant once referred to as "my man, one of my first basketball heroes."

When Bryant lived in Italy as a youth - his father, Joe, played there - D'Antoni was a popular standout guard for Philips Milan.

Joe Bryant has told some in the Suns' organization that he would like his son to play in Phoenix.</div>

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Too bad they didn't really have an interview or something about when they talked to Joe Bryant. I wouldn't be surprised if Joe really did want Kobe in Phoenix, and I'm sure he and his buddy Mike have talked about it atleast once. Phoenix isn't really a place I could emagine Kobe going to, but I guess if it isn't one of the L.A. teams they're the best he can go to. He'd have some good young players around him, and they'd be set for years. Like I said though, I don't see Kobe in Phoenix next year.

 

Its pretty funny that the Suns got rid of Jason Kidd for beating his wife and then they are trying to attract Kobe who is an accused rapist. Hypocrites

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post">Its pretty funny that the Suns got rid of Jason Kidd for beating his wife and then they are trying to attract Kobe who is an accused rapist. Hypocrites</div>
First of all this is funny and true. Though now with the Marbury trade I'm not sure if the Kidd trade had anything to do with his wife beating ways. Marbury was up and traded and he has been about as good as they come (on and off the court) -- perhaps Kidd's age (Marbury is younger), poor offense, and coach-firing attitude had something to do with it.

Also as far as anybody is concerned these are all rumors, Phoenix hasn't made it a point to say that they are interested in Kobe. I hear Jerry has a handshake deal with Charlotte about offering the Cleveland #1 and $3 million which in turn they'll pick Jahidi White in their draft (what sucks about that is Jahidi is cheaper than Eisley and only has 1 more year, not to mention is more useful than Eisley) -- which frees up more money but not enough to sign Kobe. So a sign-and-trade may have to occur... it may be with LA for Kobe or I hear rumors about a possible Orlando trade sending McGrady to Phoenix (in fact some people say both are going to happen, the hype and attention would be awesome, but to get both we'd have to part with Marion, JJ, this year's #1, and maybe even Amare in the most likely of cases -- besides why have Kobe and McGrady? You really need 60 shots between 2 players? Neither able to carry a team.)

So there are a lot of rumors, if I had my way Kobe nor McGrady would be in Phoenix next year... unless we get them for very little (not money but in terms of what we give up) even-so I'm not sure if I want ball hogs with little to offer on the defensive end (well in McGrady's case, Kobe can play a little D) -- Phoenix needs defense, bulk, and experience... Kobe gives the experience and clutch shooting which I would love, but again I have a few doubts.

Phoenix has a good draft pick and a lot of money during the wrong offseason... they won't be able to fill many needs with the draft and free agency alone, I hope they pull a rabbit out of their hat, otherwise Bryan and Jerry have some 'splaining to do!!

 

Lets just say that after that whole thing happened, Kidd was shipped out pretty fast. IMO this had nothing to do with younger talent, the Suns were a playoff team in the West without a centre and then they bring someone from the East who hasn't made the playoffs? Add in the fact that he wasn't that old when it happened in the first place and you have a conspiracy on your hands.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post">Lets just say that after that whole thing happened, Kidd was shipped out pretty fast. IMO this had nothing to do with younger talent, the Suns were a playoff team in the West without a centre and then they bring someone from the East who hasn't made the playoffs? Add in the fact that he wasn't that old when it happened in the first place and you have a conspiracy on your hands.</div>


Well, this whole Phoenix interest (and other teams interest) in Kobe is reliant on Kobe's acquittal...with that said, if he is acquitted, Kobe didn't break any laws and therefore there is no reason not to persue him...Kidd admittedly abused his wife....There's no double standard IMO....being accused doesn't make you guilty

 

Well we all know the history of what Kobe thinks of his dad's opinion.

 

Kobe wouldn't go to Phoenix. Does Kobe really want to be a part of a rebuilding process? I know he wears #8 because of the Phoenix coach being one of his basketball heroes, but losses could be very consistent next year with this team, and I'm positive if Kobe were to play somewhere else, he'd want to be the man on a team that has a significant chance of winning every night.

 

You think that Kobe can't win with Amare, Marion, Joe Johnson, Barbosa??? You on crack???

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post">You think that Kobe can't win with Amare, Marion, Joe Johnson, Barbosa??? You on crack???</div>

You do understand that Phoenix is 18-40, in a race for the #1 pick with Orlando? And also dumping salary? This franchise is going through a rebuilding process, and I don't feel Kobe wants to be a part of this.

 

Rebuilding aside, the Suns are not as bad as people think. One of the reasons the Suns have been doing bad is because Stoudamire has been gone for extended periods of time and without a quality big man in the West you are toast. Given that the Suns will have a good draft pick this year as well....they could be a very very strong team in the West.

 

On the laker game broadcast they said the story of the kobe jersey being about D'antoni was a bunch of bunk. He wanted 32 or 33 but they were taken so he added up his high school all star jersey, 134, to make his current number.

JJ will not be a factor if we get Kobe. Joe played awful coming off the bench for Hardaway.

Kobe's public squabbling with Shaq is reason enough for me to doubt his character or addition to team chemistry.

The Suns big weakness is finishing games. They really aren't that bad ata ll. They can stay close to anybody but the top 4 apparently (We'll see how they do against Dallas again).

 

Phoenix has likely tanked the season anyway.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">You do understand that Phoenix is 18-40, in a race for the #1 pick with Orlando? And also dumping salary? This franchise is going through a rebuilding process, and I don't feel Kobe wants to be a part of this.</div>

But YOU have to understand that the guy running the show is Jerry Colangelo, the same guy that took an expansion baseball franchise, started spending like crazy, and pulled out a 4-year championship team. I see that he's preparing to do the same thing with the Suns in the next one or two years. They're probably going to pick up the best, most-expensive free agents in the next few years.

 

Maybe he's taken a different tack. They keep repeating how they plan on building around the youth of JJ, this year's and last year's rookies. They conspicuously leave Jacobsen and MArion's names out sometimes. Anyway I think they plan on keeping all eight of their draft protected youngsters if not more. Jahidi and Eisley are on the chopping block and sadly I think Voshkul and Casey might be as well. Anyho I think he'll go for Camby and one other person. Though if you look at suns.com's most recent radio interview transcript of Colangelo's he does note how well received Kobe was in Phoenix. I don't think it'll be nash. maybe Camby and Clark. One can hope.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">On the laker game broadcast they said the story of the kobe jersey being about D'antoni was a bunch of bunk. He wanted 32 or 33 but they were taken so he added up his high school all star jersey, 134, to make his current number.

JJ will not be a factor if we get Kobe. Joe played awful coming off the bench for Hardaway.

Kobe's public squabbling with Shaq is reason enough for me to doubt his character or addition to team chemistry.

The Suns big weakness is finishing games. They really aren't that bad ata ll. They can stay close to anybody but the top 4 apparently (We'll see how they do against Dallas again).</div>

Yeah Phoenix isn't that bad, they just might end up with the worst record in the league for no reason.... You don't want to bring Kobe in a losing team because of chemistry? There isn't much you can mess up if you're already at the bottom. If you can stay close why wouldn't you want a clutch player? There's no doubt Kobe would make this team much better, and if you consider not bringing him in just because JJ doesn't play well off the bench you shouldn't be talking basketball.

 

Just a couple quick points to Courtvision. Jason Kidd DID beat his wife. Kobe Bryant is ACCUSED of raping a woman. Therefore that does not make them hypocrites because if he is found innocent then it was not proven he comitted a crime. Also, Marbury did make the playoffs before he went to Phoenix.

Laker_Fever: One thing consistent with championship teams is a great guard and big man duo. Kobe and Amare would give that to Phoenix. The team is not short on talent, just experience and knowledge on how to win in tight situations. Kobe would bring that to the Suns along with leadership, a go-to guy, and a presence on the court that everyone will have to be aware of at all times. The only bad thing that would come out of Kobe going to Phoenix, that I see, is that JJ's progress would be hindered. If it means a championship, or possible championship, then I'd be willing to let JJ come off the bench. Either that or include him in whatever sign and trade deal that would go down for Phoenix to get Kobe.

 

Do Lakers fans breed prolifically or what? This is talk about how Kobe would affect the Suns, not on who he is for the Lakers and his fans. Right now D'antoni says the suns are working remarkably hard at every practice, JJ is becoming ALL STAR good, Williams said before he left that the atmosphere in the lockerroom after Marbury and Hardaway left was a lot better when it was mostly young suns draftees not big name big contract bozos. If you look through the schedule they've only lost by more than 10 points like 10 times. not like the eastern guys getting blown out every other game. JJ is a clutch player. He sinks 'em when they need 'em. So is Amare. They need a more experienced barbosa is all and a tougher center. The backup only needs a power forward if Voshkul is at reserve.
If you want to be down on people concerned about THEIR team go elsewhere.

 

I starting reading the threads posted today and almost quit, but there are some sensible ones (the 2 right before this one).

Laker fans make it a point to go to every Kobe thread and post "Kobe will be a Laker for life, (insert team) sucks and the Lakers used to be Champions" -- in a way to convince each other Kobe won't leave. While the media is always trying to tell us what his next team will be... it was Phoenix, then Utah, then Denver, then Atlanta, Memphis, back to Denver, then Phoenix... let it go!! Kobe has obviously made up his mind, I believe he'll leave, I'm not sure where, nor do I care.

I love people see Phoenix in a "rebuilding process"... let's see, we have Amare, Marion, JJ, 4 foreigners who have a ton of potential, a top draft pick, and a ton of money. I guess you can say THIS year was a rebuilding year, but next year won't be (we're not like Orlando, Atlanta, and the Clippers, rebuilding every year), so of course Kobe would want to come here. The Suns are one of the best organizations in sports (players, owners, David Stern, pretty much everybody including media says so... not to mention Colangelo is placed in charge of all owner meetings, which by the way are held in Phoenix), Phoenix is like the 4th largest city in the US, we have great weather, best golf courses, Phoenix has always been a free agent hot spot... the Cardinals got a SuperBowl MVP, ProBowl Tight End, and All-Time Leading Rusher in the last 2 years... by the way the Cards have won 1 playoff game in 50 years. If you think all players care about winning, you're kidding yourself... maybe in the last year of your career, but when you are young all you care about is money and where you live (notice how Minnesota, Buffalo, Utah, etc don't get all the free agents in sports; it's always cities like LA, Phoenix, Orlando, Miami, etc).

Anyway I've said what I had to say about Kobe/Phoenix/McGrady in my previous post.

<font color="Red">(P.S.)</font> Most of the losing teams this year are losing because they fall behind and never come back to win... Phoenix is usually in the lead in the 2nd half and due to inexperience and a bad PG (Eisley) Phoenix throws the game away with Turnovers, and in certain games, BAD CALLS!! Phoenix will have a better record than Boston, Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, and Orlando by the end of the season -- perhaps even Philly and Cleveland. The only way they compete for a top 3 pick is due to the lottery, not because their record is as bad as Orlando's (they are 3 games ahead of the Magic, but that will be much larger by the end of the season as soon as the Suns can finish off games like they did against the Knicks tonight). The Suns were ahead in the 4th quarter of against the Lakers, T-Wolves, in fact pretty much every team they've lost to lately!!