<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Sometime soon, then, the Lakers may well become Kobe's Team in every possible way. The coach will be Bryant's to choose. The roster, his to shape. The offense, his to run. If that means jettisoning coach Phil Jackson or former MVP Shaquille O'Neal, Buss is prepared to do it, sources say. But Bryant's agenda is not as simple and clear as any of that, nor is the Lakers' off-season agenda</div> Read the rest
I don't think this is a good idea. Kobe has enough to worry about, but now he has to construct and build a team around him(IF it is his decision). I really hope he leaves the Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Fundamentals:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think this is a good idea. Kobe has enough to worry about, but now he has to construct and build a team around him(IF it is his decision). I really hope he leaves the Lakers.</div> Naw I don't think Kobe should leave but I do think the construction of the team SHOULD NOT be based around Kobe.
It's the only way if this franchise wants to even taste more championships. Kobe Bryant is arguably the best shooting guard in the game today. He's 25 years old, and just entering his prime. Why not do everything possible to lock him up for life and bring other quality players around him? If that means trading Shaq, (who I believe has only 2 years left in him) or bringing in a new coach that he'd feel comfortable with, so be it. We realize Jerry Buss loves Kobe, and that he'd want nothing more than for him to sign the 7 year 140 million dollar contract and allow him to hold the keys. All I hope for is he makes the right decision.
Either him or Kobe has to leave, they don't work well together, never will, both require too much handling of the ball, no one else would get a chance and two stars of their caliber don't get along very well as we've seen. I know you won't rid yourselves of Shaq no matter how lazy and frustrated he is. Kobe is one of the top players in the league, hard working and clutch, don't get me wrong, I'd love for him to retire as part of the Lakers, however it's your choice, Kobe or Shaq?
What the hell? Screw this "Kobe or Shaq" BS. Just keep Kobe and Shaq. Why the hell are making such a big deal out of it? Just retain them, and build off of them, simple as that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chungster:</div><div class="quote_post">What the hell? Screw this "Kobe or Shaq" BS. Just keep Kobe and Shaq. Why the hell are making such a big deal out of it? Just retain them, and build off of them, simple as that.</div> That's the problem. These two can't stand one another. We already realize Jerry Buss loves Kobe as his superstar, and he's going to do everything he can to make sure Kobe remains a Laker, and if one guy has to fall out of the equation, it's probably Shaq.
Thought this might be of interest from the Los Angeles Daily News website www.dailynews.com EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- The Los Angeles Lakers plan to decide soon whether Phil Jackson will be their coach next season, perhaps as early as Friday. "The No. 1 priority for us right now is to resolve the coaching situation," general manager Mitch Kupchak said Thursday. "We would hope to have that addressed in a short period of time." Speaking less than 48 hours after the Lakers were beaten by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, Kupchak also said the team will do whatever it takes to keep Kobe Bryant, and trading Shaquille O'Neal is a possibility if the star center demands it. Kupchak said that makes the best business sense since the Lakers could then sign him for seven years for over $140 million. That's one year longer than any other team could sign him and for substantially more money. "I think we're going to keep Kobe," Kupchak said. "Part of that is based on conversations I've had with him. I've talked to his representatives. I think this is the place where he started his career and this is the place where he should end his career. I don't think any other city appreciates him as much as this one does." Bryant faces a sexual assault charge in Colorado, with no trial date set. He could spend time in prison if convicted. "We're willing to take that chance," Kupchak said. Kupchak said the Lakers will offer Bryant the maximum contract allowable, and wouldn't make a sign-and-trade deal even if he plans to leave. "Kobe is just going to have to just go, because we're not going to trade him," Kupchak said. "I don't anticipate that changing. We're going to do everything we can to keep him
Chungster, I keep seeing you say that the Lakers need to keep Kobe and Shaq and build around them. Not only is it a chemistry issue citing the fact that these two can't stand eachother, its that Shaq's contract eats too much money up on the salary cap. The Lakers have glaring depth issues at the PF with Malone opting out (we are left with Slava and Brian Cook), our backup center is Jamal Sampson and or Slava, Payton will probably stay but Fisher is most likely opting out too? which leaves us with depth issues at the PG as well... With guys on the Lakers wish list such as Etan Thomas, Stromile Swift, Keon Clark, etc. the only real way to solve the Lakers depth issues while retaining both Kobe and Shaq is to use the Mid-Level E for possibly a player like Stromile Swift, or my personal pick of Marquis Daniels and starting him in the backcourt with Kobe, and then signing a bunch of players to minimum contracts such as what we did with the likes of Jannero Pargo, Bryon Russell, and Malone (this year). Of those players, both Stromile Swift and Marquis Daniels would each use up the entire Mid-Level E and the only big man that might even be available for the mid-level-e is rumored to be Keon Clark, but even that is unlikely. That said I would like to see how you propose the Lakers solve their depth problems without Malone and Fisher using only the Mid-Level-E and minimum contracts. It just isn't possible and without substantially better role players, Detroit put it out there for all the world to see how to beat the Lakers. You play them 5 on 2...triple teaming Kobe Bryant and always having your on ball defender (when Shaq is posting up) playing halfway between Shaq and the Ball to disrupt the passing lane daring those Laker role players to take and make shots (which this current squad obviously can't do). Currently the Lakers have Shaq, Rick Fox, Devean George, Kareem Rush, Brian Cook, Luke Walton under contract with Fisher being able to opt out of his contract, payton able to opt out, kobe opting out, malone already opted out, and an option on jamal sampson. So with Kobe taking up about 15 million a year starting and Shaq on the books at over 29 million, the Lakers are potentially looking at only have 7 players (if they can resign kobe) under contract with 2 late round draft picks and over 63 million dollars used against the cap meaning the Lakers would have to sign a starting PF, a backup PF, keep Sampson as their backup C, and at least 2 more guards all for the Mid-Level-E and minimum contracts... so with that in mind and understanding that as long as shaq is on the books that situation becomes worse and worse, and not better, do you still think it is a ridiculous idea to try and move Shaq for multiple players who can play with Kobe Bryant right now and into the future? Not that simple anymore once you understand the business aspect of the NBA rather than what players can do what on the floor...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">That's the problem. These two can't stand one another. We already realize Jerry Buss loves Kobe as his superstar, and he's going to do everything he can to make sure Kobe remains a Laker, and if one guy has to fall out of the equation, it's probably Shaq.</div> How can they not stand each other? They never had beef on the court and off the court, except for that fight before the season about the leader crap since that came to a peaceful ending. They know each other's game so well that it has brought them championships. Shaq complimented Kobe so times because he said that he was the greatest player ever, and vice versa. The two unable to stand each other is the most ironic thing I ever heard.
they say that stuff to be diplomatic and to keep the media out of team business...they hate eachother on all levels, both playing together and on a personal level...they might pseudo respect eachothers skills on the court but i don't see them co-existing any longer...you Canadian people are too nice, think that everything anyone says is genuine heh =P but yah you still didnt address the issues i brought to light about the financial ramifications of trying to hold the team in tact...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SCBrian:</div><div class="quote_post">they say that stuff to be diplomatic and to keep the media out of team business...they hate eachother on all levels, both playing together and on a personal level...they might pseudo respect eachothers skills on the court but i don't see them co-existing any longer...you Canadian people are too nice, think that everything anyone says is genuine heh =P but yah you still didnt address the issues i brought to light about the financial ramifications of trying to hold the team in tact...</div> dude... do you know shaq? do you know kobe? can i have your autograph? we all have the same media sources so your point is moot. unless you really do talk to shaq... kobe has made it clear that he wants to leave. (this isnt the first time this season) buss has made it clear that he wants him to stay and if Kobe does it will be at the cost of Phil Jackson. The Lakers do have the cap room to maintain their current roster which supports the fact that they could keep most of their players and find replacements for similar sums, as long as they dont increase Kobe's contract if he re-signs. The whole deal is up to Buss and Kukach (sp). I hope that they dont let Kobe pick the team though. He's a great basketball player but he isnt exactly the brightest crayon in the box. and he definetly isnt the best judge of character... look at his wife. he met her on a music video shoot! but once again... look at it from Buss's point of view. Kobe and Shaq sell how many jerseys? Kobe and Shaq fill how many seats? He's going to try to keep them both here. No one would be stupid enough to trade Shaq though... He IS the most dominant player in the NBA. not the best, but every team has to change its whole playing style around him. There is something to be said for having him on your team. Hell, he's just fun to watch. Kobe and Shaq are the Lakers for this generation. They make money, that's the bottom line. Sure there is pride in having your team win as an owner, but I sure wouldn't spend billions just to lose money. The NBA isn't always about basketball. My personal opinion is that Kobe should go to Denver to train Mello, or Memphis (he always talks about Memphis). Shaq should stay and build up a young team around him. If they had given Shaq the ball more they would have had a better chance against Detroit. Payton should go and Phil should stay. Kobe has turned into a primadonna (even more than normal) throwing games because he wasnt getting the ball enough. He isn't a clutch player, he's a drama player. He makes the shot to win it, but he doesnt do much before that. Shaq works super hard and gets calls all the time to restrict his movement. When Shaq was the star they won three championships. The two years Kobe was in the front they lost both times. If Shaq is kobe-less than hopefully he'll be able to pull out more than he could in Orlando. btw, what happens if Kobe gets convicted? Do you really think the Lakers will chance losing both superstars? But hey, who knows. I also want TMac to go to San Antonio. stranger things have happened
go check your sources on the laker cap room buddy (http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/la_lakers.htm)...they have 7 players under contract and 47 million bucks on the books...they have NONE which means they get a nice lil mid-level E and a buncha minimum contracts...and one of those 7 players (rick fox) prolly won't even be able to play next year (at least not effectively)...well i suppose they have 8 if you're throwing sasha in there...so i still don't understand how you're saying they have the cap room to keep the current team in tact or sign players for similar sums...it doesn't make any sense with the financial regulations of the nba...this isnt baseball man...you can't just go spend as much money on your roster as you feel like... the unfortunate truth about laker fans, however, is that it isnt shaq or kobe or the lakers that sold jerseys and tickets and other related items that generated revenue for Buss...it was winning championships...i think Buss reportedly made over 200 million bucks off of just championship merchandise during the championship runs...a good majority of laker fans are hardcore fairweather to the bone...where were the rest of the laker fans that never had the back of those sedale threat, van exel, ceballos, campbell, vlade, doug christie, a-peeler teams...i know some of you laker fans know what im talking about...you know the days of drafting sam jacobsen...for clarification sake i am not trying to call any laker fans on here fairweather fans... it is true that there is the risk that kobe will get convicted...but also weigh in the fact that shaq has not been one that has been huge on the whole 'conditioning' bit and his excess weight will likely cause even more health problems than the ones we already see in the near future (see sabonis...) - trying to become a great basketball team is no different than anything else though...you hafta take big risks in order to reap big rewards (remember trading one of the more competent 7 footers in the league for a skinny high school kid back in 96?)...so if you look at a 25 year old kobe bryant and the injury prone (and believe me its only gonna get worse people) 32 year old shaq...i think its pretty clear who you try to build the future around...the laker fans (or at least the ones that have been shelling out big bucks for merch and tix) don't want to watch a team that can make it to the playoffs...they don't even want to watch a team that can lose in the finals...they want a team thats gonna win it all and its clear that the shaq kobe duo has reached a point where it is no longer able to dominate vs more complete teams that maybe lack the starpower (ie. spurs last year / pistons this year)...and the real reason for this is like i said...shaq's huge handcuffing salary...nothing else...they cant afford quality role players to round out the cast to make a complete team..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr_Infante:</div><div class="quote_post">Read the rest</div> IF kobe stays, which most likely he will if he is giving those options, he will do all of those things. Obviously if that has been said he has already thought about it. He will choose the coach and he will choose his teammates. Karl Malone will be there if kobe is. Kobe will help Kareem Rush and any other young guards that are there. but kobe will basically in a nut shell be the coach. If he chooses who he wants to coach the team, obviosuly it will be someone that will get kobe the ball and let kobe make the desicions on the floor.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">It's the only way if this franchise wants to even taste more championships. Kobe Bryant is arguably the best shooting guard in the game today. He's 25 years old, and just entering his prime. Why not do everything possible to lock him up for life and bring other quality players around him? If that means trading Shaq, (who I believe has only 2 years left in him) or bringing in a new coach that he'd feel comfortable with, so be it. We realize Jerry Buss loves Kobe, and that he'd want nothing more than for him to sign the 7 year 140 million dollar contract and allow him to hold the keys. All I hope for is he makes the right decision.</div> Sorry, couldn't resist. :mrgreen: Well it's rather obvious that Shaq's best days are behind him - and the Lakers are looking towards their future. As good as Shaq is, Kobe can help the team more than Shaq will in the upcoming years.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chungster:</div><div class="quote_post">How can they not stand each other? They never had beef on the court and off the court, except for that fight before the season about the leader crap since that came to a peaceful ending. They know each other's game so well that it has brought them championships. Shaq complimented Kobe so times because he said that he was the greatest player ever, and vice versa. The two unable to stand each other is the most ironic thing I ever heard.</div> How long have you been following the Lakers? They have beef just about every single season...there is always at least one incident per year for the last 5 years if I'm not mistaken...they even once got into a fist fight in practice... Regardless, the Lakers can no longer sustain a championship caliber team with two huge contracts and a bunch of low-priced scrubs...Its now time to allocate that money into more players and improve the balance on the squad IMO
Okay, just a few things from me and I'm done. First off, the cap issue...it's true. Sooner or later, the Lakers are going to have to get rid of nearly everyone and sign guys from the NBDL and the Canadian league just to have a full roster, because Kobe and Shaq's salaries will take up all the room they have. One of these guys has to go. Secondly, whoever thinks that Shaq and Kobe are friends for life are mistaken. Yes, they've had issues all season, not just at the beginning of the season. Also, it's been that way since the Lakers have been winning championships. Does anyone remember Shaq receiving a Finals MVP award, and Kobe walking off to the locker room, not celebrating with Shaq and the rest of the team? Kobe is the man who runs the triangle offense...it's just directed to Shaq because he's the dominant center. Michael Jordan didn't have a center like the Diesel, so the triangle benefitted him the most because he directed AND raked in the points from it. Kobe doesn't get enough respect...for his clutch shots, great defense, and practically "laying down" for Shaq. What about the time Kobe had to be treated for dehydration and exhaustion with IVs and liquids? I can almost guarantee that Shaq will never (and has never) had to do that in his career...because his style of play allows him to stand, receive, dribble once, and either dunk or bank it off the glass. No movement...and it's not like he gets hurt by the fouls committed on him. He's one of the biggest guys in the league, but he's running out of fuel, quickly. The last thing that bothers me about this situation is that the Lakers are needing more than just a center, and if they trade Shaq while he is still active and worth alot of trade value, then that'd be the best option for Buss and the team. The Lakers have alot of opportunities to pick up some really good players...maybe a great player and a few good ones even...and they should act on that. From guys like Jermaine O'Neal to even possibly Dirk Nowitzki (I believe Cuban will give in soon)...there are tons of teams that would do nearly anything for Shaq because they believe that they can win a ring with him. The Lakers need to trade him before he ends up like Karl Malone (injured, possible retirement) or Grant Hill (sitting on the bench and eating up the salary cap).
Whatever team goes to it doesn't matter, as long as he's the only star on the team, that's all I wanna see... :mrgreen:
Obviously Kobe will become the main guy if Shaq leaves, but I think it will help Kobe mature and become a leader too. So far in his whole career he's had the benefit of Shaq, but at the same time he hasn't been able to take control of the team for the same reason. I've honestly never even liked Shaq, and when he doesn't get what he wants he acts like a baby. I remember a few years back during their 2nd championship run I heard something on the T.V. saying that Shaq was trying to turn teammates against Kobe because he was angry Kobe shot too much. I really did believe this report because it really sounded like something Shaq would do to me. I don't see how anyone can gain respect from his teammates if the other superstar doesn't like him and talks bad behind his back. I think if Shaq does leave next season it'll be a tough one for L.A., but by two seasons from now I think it'll make Kobe undoubtedly the best player in the league. A very mature leader at the same time, too.
