I just watched/heard a clip from his press conference on ESPN. Kobe was saying how he would have come back to LA even if Phil was still the coach and if Shaq was still there. And that all of that had NOTHING to do with his decision. What a crock! Kobe, if you think anyone believes a word you say, then I feel bad for you. Man what a bold faced LIE!
Phil Wanted 10 mill a year and Shaq wanted like 30 mill a year that had something to do with it. but you know that Kobe didn't like nether of them. and wanted to be the man like MJ. It won't happen.
This is a PR move by Kobe. The last thing he wants to do is fuel a media war between him and Shaq. Kobe is doing what he should do, take the high road, and don't give Shaq a reason to have even more motivation next season. One of the reasons Kobe wanted changes in the Laker organization was the dropoff in work ethic within the club. Only the local media and Laker insiders have reported this news. After winning 3 straight titles, the Lakers became unfocused and lazy. It started with Shaq and finally trickled to even Phil Jackson, as we saw him get out coached against Larry Brown. Kobe is a workaholic and he expects everyone around him to share his dedication. He is the first to arrive at the gym, the last to leave, and spends his time studying game film, while the rest of the team goes out at night. Let's not forget, in the heat of the moment you might say things out of line because of anger. Shaq and Kobe had their differences, but the media blew it out of proportion. The Lakers are the most followed team by the media and everything they say gets printed, and a lot of it is taken out of context. All teams have players fighting with each other at every practice. We just don't hear about as much, because the media isn't their to cover those fights, or they don't have the same type of access like the Lakers allow. Kobe knows the importance Shaq and PJ have had on his career, and I'm sure his words are genuine in coming back to LA even if they were both here. It would just have to be under his terms and those terms were not agreeable to Shaq and Phil. So the Laker organization made the necessary moves to accomodate Kobe.
I don't think Kobe really hated Shaq and Phil like the media wants you to believe, but he didn't exactly like them a lot either. He wanted his own team (so, yeah, he's probably lying), but I don't think he pushed Shaq and Phil out. He respects them enough. He just wouldn't have signed if they were still there.
damn and we get rudy t for a discount price based on what phil wanted, and shaq, you already have all the money u ever will need u dont need 30 mil a year to play a sport.
