Honestly, I really don't understand this. Kobe can really play for any team he wants. He can go play for the Knicks if he wants for their exception of $4.5 million. Why does he have to get the max? Of course he wants the max, but why not take a lesser salary for 1 year and play for whoever you want. Surely, any team that gets Kobe would then be smart enough and re-structure their contracts to give Kobe the max next time around. I'm not trying to say Kobe shouldn't get the max or that he's being greedy, but what I'm saying is the guy clearly has enough money, he could handpick his future from ANY team if he sacrificed half his salary for one year. Honestly, I think I would do this if I were him. It's just one year of living it rough at about $5 million. Plus, you get shock value. Kobe loves doing shocking things to get attention so he'd get it with this. It might even further a guy's legacy, as it'll go down as one of those shocking moments in sports. Sports writers would praise you for being a "good guy" and "wanting to win first."
Kobe,being the kind of calllibur player he is,is use to the Fame,Money,Glory..I Mean if he were to take a low salary,i think he would be insulted,or his ego wouldn't like it at all...Bascially what i'm saying here,is it's not gonna happen,now...i mean after doing the things he has done,and is considered one of the best in the sport,why would you wanna take a pay cut,for something where you have the pull to get whatever amount of money you want for your services..i'm not saying it's wrong or right,but that's the way it is with all sports in this era!
Look man, with his past salary, he was used to a "max salary" lifestyle. You think that a sudden drop in salary would do his lifestyle good? How can he sustain that lifestyle? Besides, a max contract is what he need considering that he's on trial.
I don't see Kobe taking the "noble road" and taking a lesser salary. Besides, he's going to need all the money he can get to pay for legal fees and to pay for phat ice for his wife the next time he cheats on her.
Hahaha so true hagrid. I don't think Kobe is a good guy, I don't think he'd take a paycut... considering he needs the money he makes from being maxed out on buying worthless things, and not helping the poor. Boo Kobe.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kaillou:</div><div class="quote_post">Because he wants money? What a ridicolous question..</div> I know, huh. Besides, those lawyers be costing a lot of money.
Hey dude, totally a great point. He's making $10M and might be able to make $15M as a free agent. Play his cards right and Nike, Coke, CheezWhiz, Colorado Tourism Board, etc will pay him $30M a year for endorsements. Sure he's taking a huge hit with rape allegations, but he could turn it all around, sign with the Bobcats for the minimum, win the title all by himself, and prove he's the greatest bball player of all time! and Pigs might fly out of my Butt! He's selfish. He doesn't need the money but he wants to be the highest paid player on a team just to prove to himself that he is the man because he's never been a real man. It's a badge of honor to him and his fragile, but mammoth, ego.
Cmon man, it's been said that the average career span in the NBA is a little over 4 years. Kobe of course can play three-four times that average. But, you should make as much money as you can. It's not like Kobe's aging and he just wants to finish up a career as a role player somewhere and it's not like he badly wants a championship either cuz he's tasted three before with the Lakers. The reason he'll take less money than the Lakers' offer would be if he wants a change of scenario, doesn't like Rudy, or he wants to be a man somewhere (although he would be instantly the man once Shaq gets traded). But the "less" money here isn't a big less, it's a smaller less like what Denver and LAC can offer him. I can't see him take a huge paycut at such a young age.
thats a pretty dumb question...arguably the best player at his position, top 5 in the league...and you think he should take LESS??? His stats and winning percentages are deserving of a max contract, especially when considering the type of financial "prizes" that GMs are throwing out this offseason...
