Garnett deal could increase Kobe's trade demands

<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, the thing is, if the front office is not going to make any moves to improve the team, then there is no need for Kobe to be here at all. We would be better off sending him elsewhere and getting some young talent in return. It doesn't seem like this front office is capable of bringing any talent to this roster, and I can understand that, because honestly, when I look at this roster, I see mostly trash. </div>

Thats the problem. You see trash. I see our Laker team. We see two different things. I see the team I am rooting for. yeah, its not the ideal situation, but as a REAL fan, its time to put the offseason moves aside and start supporting the roster.

I'm not a huge fan of Kwame but I'll cheer for him everytime he slams home two points or comes up with a huge block.

I'm not a big fan of Brian Cook, but I'll cheer for him when he knocks down a big three and helps rally the team from a 20 point deficit.

These guys are wearing our purple and gold and real fans will cheer. The vibe these players get when people say they are garbage is exactly the type of production they will give us on the floor. Garbage.

We don't have control over trades. We dont have control over actual winning. We do however have control of giving support to the team suiting up every night to play for us.

I admire guys like Spike Lee and Jack for sticking it out with the team even when times are bleak. Its those fans who are true fans and I really admire.

As for the Kobe situation. Do you really think we'll get anything close to good talent in return for Kobe? Teams now know Kobe is thinking of opting out. Teams now know Kobe may walk. They'll hold off for the next couple seasons now that Kobe has spoken publicly, and just take him from us. Even with the trade, they wont give us a great deal because Kobe has that damn no trade clause option. Why would he want to go to a team that trades its talented players for him? He'll be in the same situation if not worse than he is now.

We need to just wait it out. Hopefully this season the team will remain healthy and we will have a better picture of where the team exactly stands in the Western Conference. Honestly, this roster never really had a full season to play together.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Trench Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Thats the problem. You see trash. I see our Laker team. We see two different things. I see the team I am rooting for. yeah, its not the ideal situation, but as a REAL fan, its time to put the offseason moves aside and start supporting the roster.

I'm not a huge fan of Kwame but I'll cheer for him everytime he slams home two points or comes up with a huge block.

I'm not a big fan of Brian Cook, but I'll cheer for him when he knocks down a big three and helps rally the team from a 20 point deficit.

These guys are wearing our purple and gold and real fans will cheer. The vibe these players get when people say they are garbage is exactly the type of production they will give us on the floor. Garbage.

We don't have control over trades. We dont have control over actual winning. We do however have control of giving support to the team suiting up every night to play for us.

I admire guys like Spike Lee and Jack for sticking it out with the team even when times are bleak. Its those fans who are true fans and I really admire.

As for the Kobe situation. Do you really think we'll get anything close to good talent in return for Kobe? Teams now know Kobe is thinking of opting out. Teams now know Kobe may walk. They'll hold off for the next couple seasons now that Kobe has spoken publicly, and just take him from us. Even with the trade, they wont give us a great deal because Kobe has that damn no trade clause option. Why would he want to go to a team that trades its talented players for him? He'll be in the same situation if not worse than he is now.

We need to just wait it out. Hopefully this season the team will remain healthy and we will have a better picture of where the team exactly stands in the Western Conference. Honestly, this roster never really had a full season to play together.</div>

Yeah, but even when this roster was playing well we were still just a 4th seed. We may not be "garbage" but we're not winning a title any time soon and we can't build for the future yet with Kobe on this team. We're going to get passed the first round and then get owned in an "ideal"/lucky situation.

Kobe might get 100+ points any game though, so I'll have to watch of course (long shot but it is possible).

 

I'm still going to watch the Lakers, and I'm still going to be a fan. What I'm saying is, guys like Kwame Brown and Brian Cook are garbage. Ask any other fan in the NBA, and they'll tell you the same. That doesn't mean I'm not going to root for them, that's ridiculous. I'm obviously going to root for them because I'm a Laker fan. I won't be wishing and hoping Kwame Brown fumbles a pass. I won't be wishing and hoping Brian Cook screws up on defense. I'll be cheering for them when they make great plays, and I'll be cussing them out when they screw up.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Trench Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">This season I would really like to see Kobe focus on the task in front of him which is having a successful 07-08 season with the roster he has. He can sit and moan all he wants, but right now he is in a situation where he has to play with the cards handed to him. He can go ALL IN or FOLD.</div>

How can you expect to cook up something different if you are given the same ingredients? Kobe did everything from taking charge to quarterbacking the team and looking for other guys to contribute. What else do you want? It's just not working. It comes down to two things; either Kobe doesn't have the right people to support him or Kobe is not the right guy to lead the Lakers... Take your pick.

 

Why are some of you Laker fans kidding yourself? Our team in garbage on paper... it may seem good sometimes, but its not like we can go out and beat any team out there with that roster. The Lakers dynasty has fallen, we are not even a respected team anymore. On and off the court. We've has rape/assulat cases, Kwame going to Lesbian Bars, Jerry Buss' DUI incident, etc... We might as well be the joke of the NBA right now. Everyone seems to hate the fans to. All the Laker fans that think we are fine right now, keep telling yourself that. Our team has not been any closer to a championship for the last 3 years and counting. If we do not get a trio of Kobe, Lamar, Jeramine this summer we might get at best that 8th spot.

 

<div class="quote_poster">The Legend Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why are some of you Laker fans kidding yourself? Our team in garbage on paper... it may seem good sometimes, but its not like we can go out and beat any team out there with that roster. The Lakers dynasty has fallen, we are not even a respected team anymore. On and off the court. We've has rape/assulat cases, Kwame going to Lesbian Bars, Jerry Buss' DUI incident, etc... We might as well be the joke of the NBA right now. Everyone seems to hate the fans to. All the Laker fans that think we are fine right now, keep telling yourself that. Our team has not been any closer to a championship for the last 3 years and counting. If we do not get a trio of Kobe, Lamar, Jeramine this summer we might get at best that 8th spot.</div>

We're not a joke because of our off- court legal problems. We're a joke because Kobe wants out and we have a sub-par roster that has virtually not changed the past couple of seasons.

 

<div class="quote_poster">AMS_ice Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How can you expect to cook up something different if you are given the same ingredients? Kobe did everything from taking charge to quarterbacking the team and looking for other guys to contribute. What else do you want? It's just not working. It comes down to two things; either Kobe doesn't have the right people to support him or Kobe is not the right guy to lead the Lakers... Take your pick.</div>

What are we suppose to do? Find another team because its not working? We have no choice in the current situation. This is our team this year. As a fan, my job is to cheer my team on.

How can you say we have the same ingredients? We never got a chance to cook up what was originally suppose to be made. Since when were you able to make a cake when the flour is missing for half the season, or your missing the proper amounts of sugar? Last season was riddled with injuries so you can't say this roster has been battle tested fully.

Our team needs to be healthy for a good portion of the season so we can really see what the team is made of. We have the best player in the NBA and arguably the best coach in NBA history. There is still a RAY of hope for this team if we can cook what we had originally planned to. What we made was a sidedish because we were missing the Ingredients to make the main course.

Remember, it was this same team with the same INGREDIENTS that took the Suns to the brink just a couple seasons ago. Odom had some amazing games in that series and everyone was clicking until Thomas made that damn three. The outcome might have been different if the Lakers made it past the first round.

This team is not extremely talented and there is no denying that, but it is very deep. If we can come up with a solid rotation I think we can make it to the 2nd or 3rd round in the playoffs. I won't count out this roster just yet. Again, Im not saying I wouldn't prefer some bold moves by MITCH, I really would, but right now, these are the cards that were dealt to us. We have no control of the decision making.

What else do I want? I want to see the Laker team give it their all and fight it out till the end. I want to see heart on the floor each and every game. I want to see support from fans instead of all this Cynicism. Thats what I want to see.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Trench Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What are we suppose to do? Find another team because its not working? We have no choice in the current situation. This is our team this year. As a fan, my job is to cheer my team on.

How can you say we have the same ingredients? We never got a chance to cook up what was originally suppose to be made. Since when were you able to make a cake when the flour is missing for half the season, or your missing the proper amounts of sugar? Last season was riddled with injuries so you can't say this roster has been battle tested fully.

Our team needs to be healthy for a good portion of the season so we can really see what the team is made of. We have the best player in the NBA and arguably the best coach in NBA history. There is still a RAY of hope for this team if we can cook what we had originally planned to. What we made was a sidedish because we were missing the Ingredients to make the main course.

Remember, it was this same team with the same INGREDIENTS that took the Suns to the brink just a couple seasons ago. Odom had some amazing games in that series and everyone was clicking until Thomas made that damn three. The outcome might have been different if the Lakers made it past the first round.

This team is not extremely talented and there is no denying that, but it is very deep. If we can come up with a solid rotation I think we can make it to the 2nd or 3rd round in the playoffs. I won't count out this roster just yet. Again, Im not saying I wouldn't prefer some bold moves by MITCH, I really would, but right now, these are the cards that were dealt to us. We have no control of the decision making.

What else do I want? I want to see the Laker team give it their all and fight it out till the end. I want to see heart on the floor each and every game. I want to see support from fans instead of all this Cynicism. Thats what I want to see.</div>

You see Trench, you keep talking about how much you love the Lakers but you continue to only think about this upcoming season.

Whether you get value for Kobe or not, he has to go if you want to have a real chance at getting a title one day. You LA people need to establish a talented young core that can be a top 4 or 3 seed for years to come. Kobe should be released in order for the rebuilding process to continue and to morally do the right thing for his career.

 

<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">
Whether you get value for Kobe or not, he has to go if you want to have a real chance at getting a title one day. You LA people need to establish a talented young core that can be a top 4 or 3 seed for years to come. Kobe should be released in order for the rebuilding process to continue and to morally do the right thing for his career.</div>

You don't have clue The Lakers have the best player in the game and need to build around him not start from scratch, that's idiotic. When the Lakers won three championships in a row, they started by signing an established super star, Shaq. Miami didn't become contenders until they signed Shaq. Look at the Bulls, they tried to start from scratch and where are they, their only shot at a championship is if they can get Kobe. This franchise goes nowhere until they fire Mitch and add some stars to the one they have. In the meantime, we Laker fans have to hope that Bynum and Farmar turn into Stoudamire and Nash which is a reach, but it's all we have. If a chef can't cook, you don't buy him new cookwear, you get a new chef. And Mitch can't cook no matter what new ingredients he gets. Keep the lobster(Kobe), fire the chef(Mitch)

 

Didn't Garnett just say that Kobe not wanting to be in LA affected his desire to become a Laker? You're the one without a clue.

<div class="quote_poster">whatthef? Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You don't have clue The Lakers have the best player in the game and need to build around him not start from scratch, that's idiotic. When the Lakers won three championships in a row, they started by signing an established super star, Shaq. Miami didn't become contenders until they signed Shaq. Look at the Bulls, they tried to start from scratch and where are they, their only shot at a championship is if they can get Kobe. This franchise goes nowhere until they fire Mitch and add some stars to the one they have. In the meantime, we Laker fans have to hope that Bynum and Farmar turn into Stoudamire and Nash which is a reach, but it's all we have. If a chef can't cook, you don't buy him new cookwear, you get a new chef. And Mitch can't cook no matter what new ingredients he gets. Keep the lobster(Kobe), fire the chef(Mitch)</div>

Oh of course I would love to see the Lakers go out and trade for X star to pair him up with Kobe. But is it that simple? Kobe's said he wants out, and Buss and his cronies are the idiots, not me.

The Lakers have wasted so much time already, it is too late to surround players around Kobe.

Even with a savy GM, the best you could do is get JO, Odom, and Kobe together and that is probably not going to happen anyway.

The Lakers are screwed this season, and probably the next one too since no big time free agents want to come to LA knowing Kobe only has one year left and could leave at any moment.

The Lakers have backed themselves into a corner. Mitch isn't going to be fired this season and by next year it will all be too late, wake up.

 

<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Lakers have wasted so much time already, it is too late to surround players around Kobe.</div>

Again your clueless Kobe can't go anywhere for the next two seasons, he has no opt out clause. It is not even close to too late. Fire Mitch, Kobe's happy. Kobe can and will recruit players to come to LA just like Shaq did. LA is a major market. If the Celtics had not added Allen to Pierce then Garnett would never have come to Boston. Add another star to Kobe over the next year and a third will join to make this team a contender again. But first fire Mitch.

 

I see you're ignoring some important details. God you're immature as well.

<div class="quote_poster">whatthef? Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Again your clueless Kobe can't go anywhere for the next two seasons, he has no opt out clause. It is not even close to too late. Fire Mitch, Kobe's happy.</div>

Why would the Lakers fire Mitch now if they haven't done so already? Maybe next offseason, but it won't matter.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe can and will recruit players to come to LA just like Shaq did. LA is a major market.</div>

Wow you don't get it? Your options are limited. You don't have cap room, and players have ALREADY been deterred from coming here (this guy called KG to be specific).

LA being a major market will help out the Lakers in the long run, but it won't help you out soon enough. LA is basically stuck with the same roster as last year, they made few moves in the off season.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
If the Celtics had not added Allen to Pierce then Garnett would never have come to Boston. Add another star to Kobe over the next year and a third will join to make this team a contender again. But first fire Mitch.</div>

KG did not want to come here because of the Kobe situation, neither do other players.

KG also went to Boston because the Eastern conference is pathetic and it is easy to get into the NBA finals through that path.

 

<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You see Trench, you keep talking about how much you love the Lakers but you continue to only think about this upcoming season.

Whether you get value for Kobe or not, he has to go if you want to have a real chance at getting a title one day. You LA people need to establish a talented young core that can be a top 4 or 3 seed for years to come. Kobe should be released in order for the rebuilding process to continue and to morally do the right thing for his career.</div>

I think you got it backwards. Many of you are saying to trade Kobe now. The reality is, the guy is not going anywhere. Since when did we have any power in moving Kobe Bryant. yes, I'm thinking about the current season because thats whats currently in front of us, but I haven't forgotten that Kobe may leave us in a couple of seasons for nothing.

Yet, what can we do about him leaving at this very moment? Nothing. Yes we will need a new core of players. I've been watching basketball for over 20 seasons and its COMMON SENSE that even the best teams need to be rebuilt eventually.

Yet everyone here except a given few have already given up on the team we have now. Thats the REAL PROBLEM I see. The season hasn't even begun yet.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Trench Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think you got it backwards. Many of you are saying to trade Kobe now. The reality is, the guy is not going anywhere. Since when did we have any power in moving Kobe Bryant. yes, I'm thinking about the current season because thats whats currently in front of us, but I haven't forgotten that Kobe may leave us in a couple of seasons for nothing.

Yet, what can we do about him leaving at this very moment? Nothing. Yes we will need a new core of players. I've been watching basketball for over 20 seasons and its COMMON SENSE that even the best teams need to be rebuilt eventually.

Yet everyone here except a given few have already given up on the team we have now. Thats the REAL PROBLEM I see. The season hasn't even begun yet.</div>

I think is also common sense that the Lakers are screwed next year. To me "screwed" means not winning a title. I don't care how far they go in the playoffs, it means nothing.

Of course Kobe probably won't move this year, but he should. And even if Mitch is fired, Buss' son is pulling the strings now and I don't believe in him either.

I will continue to watch the Lakers because they are an exciting team, but what they are doing is morally wrong.

I keep talking about letting go of Kobe because that is the right thing to do, and probably the best move the Lakers can make right now. You won't have any more control of the Bryant situation next year and you'll be blackballed even worse by other trade partners.

<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Let's back off the insults you two. Same your venom for the Houston fans on opening night.

I'm glad you brought up the KG quote again. When I first read his comments, I was dumbfounded, because this entire time the Kobe camp and Laker camp have been after KG.

Any rational person would draw the conclusion, if KG became a Laker, Kobe would be happy and rescind his trade request.

These two are close friends, so if KG knows first hand Kobe wants out, regardless if KG came or not, what exactly is going on behind the scenes?

What's also interesting to note is the lack of communication Kobe has had with any of his teammates.

To record he hasn't spoken with Fisher, Mihm, Walton (sent him a text), or Mo Evans the entire summer. How do you build chemistry and bond with your team if you're spending time with them?

Kobe should be at the summer league games encouraging these guys and welcoming them to the team.</div>

I think Kobe has seen the way to reach the Finals, and he simply doesn't want to be in the West anymore.

Even with KG, the Lakers would have needed other role players to make a good title run. I think Kobe might have kept his mouth shut for a season or two with KG but I doubt the Lakers could win with just Garnett (I cite Houston as an example).

 

Everyone is upset with the lakers front office for not making moves, but how can they? The only tradable pieces this team has is Kwames contract, Odom (the most likely trading piece), and Bynum. Thats not much to work with AT ALL considering the help that this team wants. To me the mistakes that the front office made were after they traded shaq. They let Butler walk, and signed kwame brown and smush parker, who are complete trash. Kwame doesnt deserve the body or athletisism he was given, and hes not worth the jersey his name is on. I know they could have gottn kidd or whatever, but would the lakers reallybe all that much better with no Bynum or odom? They would have a great backcourt, but the rest of their team would be bench players at best. Kobe is stuck in this situation until he gets traded or opts out. The best decision for the lakers is to keep Browns expiring contract and trade kobe for picks, potential, and more expiring contracts. Otherwise this team will be up ***** creek without a paddle for the next couple years and beyond.

 

Yea Lakers front office dug a hole for them selfs.. Not gonna get out anytime soon.