<div class="quote_poster">Quoting rphinney1:</div><div class="quote_post">How many quality back-ups centers did the lakers score while shaq was around? The organization has done very little (especially since Jerry west left) Some of their major aqcuisitions up until last year included: JR Rider, Samaki Walker, Sean Rooks, and resigning George. The best the Lakers ever where was the result of Phil and the players bringing in Guys like Shaw, Harper, Payton and Malone. Besides Jerry West WAS the organization, Mitch Kupchak doesnt seem to have a damn clue what he is doing! Did you see Cuban on the Late Show the other night ripping up Kupchak it was hilarious, Jerry West was anti-Drama and the lakers need a good dose of that these days.</div> Exactly, the Lakers franchise lost it's allure once West left. I blame this entire mess on Kupchak, for his lack of execution and the pathetic way he has handled the franchise. Jerry Buss and Magic Johnson can only do so much, Kupchak must be fired. However, this does not excuse Shaq for the ways he's acting. He should point the finger at Kupchak, not the organization.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting rphinney1:</div><div class="quote_post">And I guarantee that under no circumstances would Kobe be making those demands and picking coaches if West was around.</div> If Kobe made these demands with West around, West would have the balls and the tactfulness to trade Kobe. Kupchak has neither the brass or the salesmenship of Jerry West, which is why this dramatic problem has taken place between Shaq, Kobe, Phil and the Lakers. However, I just don't appreciate the way Shaq has dissed the organization. He should point the finger at one person, Kupchak and leave it at that.
I think Shaq and Kobe are equally selfish they just handle it in Different ways, Kobe by making his suitors come to his house or city to meet him and Shaq by being playful and taking the situation very lightly. I dont think Kobe would have gotten this out of hand with west around as the build up to this would have not happened. He would have made sure Kobe knew all along the Lakers where first and Kobe is second.
why wouldnt kobe have them come to his house? he is the only player in free agency that is hands down without a doubt a player worth the max deal...everybody that can afford him wants him...its their job to sell him on joining their teams so they should come to him...he has no need to go to them so why should he? shaq took the situation with teh lakers out of control, not kobe...honestly shaq has always been rooting for the downfall of kobe because yes shaq was the mvp, and yes shaq is the most dominant player around, and yes shaq led the team in blocks, points, boards, and fg%...but kobe still got all the love...and so he prolly tried to flip it to make kobe look like the bad guy...but it backfired on him...sucks for shaq...but guess what...hes gonna have the same problem in miami cuz dwyane wade owns miami...just watch, i guarantee you we're gonna start hearing about how selfish dwyane wade is in the near future...
