Kobe To Make Choice Today

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<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LOS ANGELES -- Kobe's L.A. decision? Thursday could be the day.

ESPN's Jim Gray reported Wednesday that the NBA's premier free agent is expected to announce his choice between the Lakers or Clippers around 3 p.m. ET Thursday, when he is expected to contact both teams.
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Apparently today will be the day. Every Laker fan across the country will be holding their breath to see what he does. Hopefully he comes back to the Lakers. They've done everything he's wanted and they somewhere around another $30 mil they can offer for another year. Hopefully what they've done and that is enough to lure Kobe back to Laker-land.

 

Yeah, I found out about this decision last night, and I've never felt as nervous in a very long time. But there shouldn't be any type of decision at all with what the Lakers did for this guy. They got rid of Shaq (which I don't believe was up to the management, complete lie by Jerry Buss) and Phil Jackson, who Kobe just couldn't co-exist with any longer. We have the most money to offer than any other team currently, and now with the players of Caron Butler and Lamar Odom, Kobe would have the opportunity to lead his own team. And to actually give that all away and sign with the Clips? To me, that's the worst insult this oranization and us proud Laker fans can get, and he would be the ultimate traitor. But I'll be here 12:00 sharp to hear his choice. Everybody take a deep breath.

 

I don't have any opinions on this. I'm just looking forward to his decision.

However, I do have a question. Would you Laker fans boo him at Clipper games or not like him anymore for chosing the other LA team?

 

The problem is, even though the Lakers management knew that Kobe could decide to move on, they still made changes in order to make him happy. I would have no problem with Kobe if he just left, but [if he leaves now] he waited until the Lakers gutted the team before making his decision. Almost as if he wanted to make sure whatever team he went to wouldn't have to contend with the Lakers/Phil Jackson.

I'm having a hell of a time with this, because Kobe is my favorite player, but players come and go, teams are forever. And no one messes with my Lakers.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldnt label him as a traitor...people know, including Laker management, that there was a 50% chance he would be wearing Clipper blue/red/white next year or prison orange...they knew that getting rid of shaq didnt mean Kobe was coming back, that getting rid of phil meant kobe coming back...while they were making these moves they knew there was still the 50% chance of losing kobe...I wouldnt look at him as a traitor because he is free to sign wherever he wants, I will feel dissappointed...probably sink in my fav. players rank but I would still liek the guy...Liked him since he came into the league...wherever he goes I wish him success...</div>

I would seriously view Kobe as a traitor if he did sign with the Clips because after everything this franchise has done, along with sleepless dreadful nights I may add, to make themselves feel more at ease to sign Kobe, and then all of a sudden turns his back to the worst franchise in all of sports, and sign with the Clippers? Now I know there may be some Laker fans out there that wouldn't mind him being with the Clippers for the fact that he'll still be in LA playing at Staples Center, but with the crazy image of himself playing in a Clipper jersey would make the entire picture look horrific. Kobe needs to stay with the Lakers, because one day when his career is over, his name and jersey will be in the rafters along with the likes of Chamberlain, Magic, Abdul-Jabbar, Goodrich, must I go on? :mrgreen:

There doesn't need to be a decision whatsoever. His only choice needs to be to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">I would seriously view Kobe as a traitor if he did sign with the Clips because after everything this franchise has done, along with sleepless dreadful nights I may add, to make themselves feel more at ease to sign Kobe, and then all of a sudden turns his back to the worst franchise in all of sports, and sign with the Clippers? </div>

You're sounding like the Cavaliers fans who are mad at Boozer. To me, if the management is gullible enough to be played by a kid like Kobe then it's their own fault. It doesn't take too much to be smarter than Kobe. They should have done a better job of preparing for this day instead of letting time take it's course.

 

I look at this from two sides, being both a Laker fan and a Kobe Bryant fan. The reason I became a Laker fan was because the Hornets traded off Kobe to LA for Vlade Divac, and I've liked LA ever since. Now...as a Laker fan, I don't see Kobe as a traitor, but as a disappointment. As a Kobe fan, I see this as an opportunity. You guys can say that the Lakers have been doing everything in their power for him and accommodating him...but does all of that make up for the years they've babied Shaq and Phil? Since 1996...Kobe has been struggling to be called the team leader...and he's even had to be treated for exhaustion to keep it that way. He's definitely earned his respect, but just not from the Laker organization...until now. It's funny, how once the Lakers realize that they could be stuck with Payton, they jump on Kobe and try to ride him through the off-season, hoping he'll sign with the Lakers again. Two or three years ago, Shaq would be their obvious choice, only because he didn't want to leave. Now that Shaq started to discuss Orlando, Dallas, and the Heat (eventually signing with Miami), the Lakers took the obvious route...to go after Kobe.

If I were Kobe, I'd leave too. If I were the Lakers, I would do whatever I could to keep the guy...but I would've started three years ago, not right before the end of the season this year.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">You're sounding like the Cavaliers fans who are mad at Boozer. To me, if the management is gullible enough to be played by a kid like Kobe then it's their own fault. It doesn't take too much to be smarter than Kobe. They should have done a better job of preparing for this day instead of letting time take it's course.</div>

Boozer looks like allowed the money to get him instead of knowing where his heart was. But one thing I do agree with you on is the Laker organization dragged this on for too long in the sense that they allowed Kobe too much freedom by becoming an assistant GM for a week to try and lure Coach K to LA, to telling the Clips to play 10-12 homes in Anaheim, and watching SportsCenter this morning, Kupchak actually told the press that they have no idea what's going on involving Kobe? Isn't Kobe supposed to be your #1 priority? I would think since this franchise cut ties with Shaq, that they'd focus all their attention on Kobe, calling him by the hour and negotiating, and just making him feel wanted. I don't know man, that quote by 'Chak has me a bit worried. Two hours away from wondering whether or not this proud franchise will still exist, or face the worst by fading into a lottery team.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">You guys can say that the Lakers have been doing everything in their power for him and accommodating him...but does all of that make up for the years they've babied Shaq and Phil? Since 1996...Kobe has been struggling to be called the team leader...and he's even had to be treated for exhaustion to keep it that way. He's definitely earned his respect, but just not from the Laker organization...until now.</div>

Since when did the NBA become a drama?

I hate hearing about players not getting along with coaches or other players, especially over something as stupid as who the team leader is. As Steven A. Smith says, Kobe is hard to get along with, because he's too defensive. Kobe is always thinking that people are out to get him. He's not even the best player in the game. Maybe the Lakers should have traded him for a player like Iverson, Kidd, or McGrady so they wouldn't be in a situation like this now. They could possibly still have Shaq and Phil as well. Since when did GM's start letting contracted players demand trades and then decide where they go? I just don't like the pointless drama at all. Keep that in Hollywood and away from the NBA.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">I look at this from two sides, being both a Laker fan and a Kobe Bryant fan. The reason I became a Laker fan was because the Hornets traded off Kobe to LA for Vlade Divac, and I've liked LA ever since. Now...as a Laker fan, I don't see Kobe as a traitor, but as a disappointment. As a Kobe fan, I see this as an opportunity.</div>

Could you imagine owning a basketball franchise, and there's a franchise player that you'd give everything to, and you'd do anything to make sure he gets what he wants, and then later on turns his back and signs with another team from the same city? It's the ultimate way of a traitor. Knowing that Kobe has so much to gain by staying with the Lakers, with having his own team which he's wanted for years, to be the man and leader that coaches look at, to have respect from teammates. But what's there to gain with the Clippers? Dealing with management that's never tasted a winning season in who knows how long? To once be labeled as the worst franchise in all of sports, to having high draft picks for years and later finding out your team can't even work at a .500 season? To turn into the Tracy McGrady of the Orlando Magic? I don't see it as a opportunity.

 

I feel that he will remain a Laker. I will be somewhat surprised if he goes to the Clippers.

 

Come on Bryant, "Clippers, Clippers, Clippers."

 

I want Kobe to pick the Clippers, just so that I can see the reaction from the Lakers fans. For all we know, he may have looked at the Shaq trade and look at the Lakers roster, and think to himself "Hell no, what am I going to do with Lamar Odom and Caron Butler?" Or he might have thought, "We can really build with Lamar Odom, and if things don't work out, we can always get high and celebrate."

Now my opinion of Kobe, is that he is nothing. Is he a great player? Sure. Will he lead his team to a championship by himself? NO! He is not comparable to MJ and I hate anybody who tries to do that. Kobe is selfish and believes that he can get away with anything. The fact that the Lakers organization is helping prove Kobe right is only fueling his ego.

Kobe wants to have his own franchise, well then go to the Clippers, where he will become their "savior" right away. Give it a few years, then when they are still at rock bottom wait for all the MJ comparisons again.

Kobe should pick the Clippers, piss off all the Laker fans, and be stuck on a horrible franchise for years.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">Could you imagine owning a basketball franchise, and there's a franchise player that you'd give everything to, and you'd do anything to make sure he gets what he wants, and then later on turns his back and signs with another team from the same city? </div>

The problem with this is that you are giving into Buss and making Kobe the scapegoat...If indeed Kobe never told him to make these moves, the what Buss has done is make moves in order to put public pressure on Kobe to re-sign....

Put yourself in Kobe's shoes...for a moment, lets say from the beginning you wanted to be teammates with your friend Maggette. The plan is to sign with the Clippers...now the Lakers just traded a bunch of their players away, does that obligate you to stay even though u supposedly had no part in it? Now, everyone is saying you HAVE TO re-sign, but that wasn't the plan, that isn't what you really wanted... of course, that's just hypothical but u get the point..as kobe 8 ball said, kobe has made it clear from the beginning he's not sure where he'll sign...The lakers chose to roll the dice, but that doesn't mean that obligates Kobe to do anything...that's why he's a "free" agent.

I want kobe to remain a laker, but him leaving doesn't make him any more of a traitor than a Derek Fisher or any other laker free agent.

 

If Kobe picks the Clippers and fails, he will receive less criticism than if he stays with the Lakers and fails. If he fails with the Lakers everyone will say that it is because Shaq left, that Kobe took him for granted, and that Kobe really cant lead a team.

It all depends on whether or not Kobe wants the challenge of winning on the Lakers without Shaq. It's similar to the Jerry west situation. He left LA because expectations were high and it was too stressful. In Memphis people were pleased with Mediocrity. If Kobe goes to the Clippers and makes them a playoff team, people will be pleased, even if the only managed 7th or 8th seed.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">The problem with this is that you are giving into Buss and making Kobe the scapegoat...If indeed Kobe never told him to make these moves, the what Buss has done is make moves in order to put public pressure on Kobe to re-sign....</div>

Kobe didn't tell our owner to make these moves, but I would think if he has wishes of leading a team and a great franchise all together where he'd definitely be the new savior of LA so to speak, it'll be the Lakers.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Put yourself in Kobe's shoes...for a moment, lets say from the beginning you wanted to be teammates with your friend Maggette. The plan is to sign with the Clippers...now the Lakers just traded a bunch of their players away, does that obligate you to stay even though u supposedly had no part in it?</div>

Good point, but Kobe has to realize whatever product that terrible management puts out there, they're not going to win. Let's not forget, that team has loads of talent from almost every position, (if you want to cancel out Chris Kaman of course) and maybe it's their attitude or mindset, but they just don't win, and with Kobe's selfish attitude and ego problems, does he want to go along with that scenario even if he played with his pal Maggette?

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">I want kobe to remain a laker, but him leaving doesn't make him any more of a traitor than a Derek Fisher or any other laker free agent.</div>

We can't compare Derek to Kobe because all Fisher wants to do is start on a team, and even though I did slam Fisher on this before, I guess I can understand how he feels about it. Because if I were once the starting point guard back in the good old days of a dynasty, and my role was sixth man, I'd be pretty hurt myself. But as for Kobe, it's like this: Stay with the Lakers, play until your late 30's and become a legend, or go to the Clippers and become the TMac of the Clips. Guess we have another two hours from now.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">I want Kobe to pick the Clippers, just so that I can see the reaction from the Lakers fans. For all we know, he may have looked at the Shaq trade and look at the Lakers roster, and think to himself "Hell no, what am I going to do with Lamar Odom and Caron Butler?" Or he might have thought, "We can really build with Lamar Odom, and if things don't work out, we can always get high and celebrate."</div>

If Kobe honestly didn't like Shaq and the fact that there was another dominant force on the team, then it's my guess that he was thinking "Finally, there's not another big name star player on the team with a big time ego. Yet I have Odom, Butler, and Grant to work with, who are very solid players but not big enough stars to steal my limelight."

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Now my opinion of Kobe, is that he is nothing. Is he a great player? Sure. Will he lead his team to a championship by himself? NO! He is not comparable to MJ and I hate anybody who tries to do that. Kobe is selfish and believes that he can get away with anything. The fact that the Lakers organization is helping prove Kobe right is only fueling his ego.</div>

You're not giving him enough credit. Who are you to predict the future? Could you have predicted that the Pistons would have won the championship this year <font size="1">(fan bias aside)</font>? Who knows what Kobe could do on his own? He may actually shine with the pressure all on him for once. He's very comparable to Michael Jordan. At this point in their career, it's even arguable that he is better than Jordan was.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe wants to have his own franchise, well then go to the Clippers, where he will become their "savior" right away. Give it a few years, then when they are still at rock bottom wait for all the MJ comparisons again. </div>

Jordan didn't win championships on his own. He had one hell of a supporting cast along the way - Pippen, Grant, Rodman, Armstrong, Kukoc, Harper, Longley, etc. There were two or three other all-stars playing along with him during his tenure on the Bulls. Now, I'm not saying he wasn't the best player to ever play the game, as it's obvious he was. You're giving him too much credit though. He never won a championship completely on his own. He always won them with supporting casts better than what the Clippers currently have. So if Kobe went to the Clippers and didn't win a championship, don't be so quick to pass judgement on him. One player rarely wins a championship on his own. It takes a great supporting cast as well.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe should pick the Clippers, piss off all the Laker fans, and be stuck on a horrible franchise for years. </div>

Even if he signs a six-year deal and underachieves on the Clippers, he'll still have a great career left after that contract is up. Kobe is a young kid, and I think that fact is overlooked a lot.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">The problem with this is that you are giving into Buss and making Kobe the scapegoat...If indeed Kobe never told him to make these moves, the what Buss has done is make moves in order to put public pressure on Kobe to re-sign....

Put yourself in Kobe's shoes...for a moment, lets say from the beginning you wanted to be teammates with your friend Maggette. The plan is to sign with the Clippers...now the Lakers just traded a bunch of their players away, does that obligate you to stay even though u supposedly had no part in it? Now, everyone is saying you HAVE TO re-sign, but that wasn't the plan, that isn't what you really wanted... of course, that's just hypothical but u get the point..as kobe 8 ball said, kobe has made it clear from the beginning he's not sure where he'll sign...The lakers chose to roll the dice, but that doesn't mean that obligates Kobe to do anything...that's why he's a "free" agent.

I want kobe to remain a laker, but him leaving doesn't make him any more of a traitor than a Derek Fisher or any other laker free agent.</div>

^ that's exactly what I said in my post on one of the other threads on this topic too, and like you said he isn't obligated to resign if the team makes moves on its own. Even the Laker owner Buss has come out and said the Shaq and Phil moves had nothing to do with Kobe, so why the hell should that pressure be on him? It shouldn't. I agree, he is a FA and he should be able to go anywhere just like any other FA.