I mean cmon how much more obvious is it that Karl didnt want to keep his word and go back to the Lakers and instead of saying so and him getting criticized he waited until someone opened there mouth about him which i nthis case was Kobe and threw all the blame on him. So now Kobe will get all the heat and Karl will have a higher chance of getting his ring. Nice move by Karl but it show how Unsportsmanlike he is and he has shown his true colors. Go to another team hell you think i care? What were you going to do come play for the Lakers give us maybe 5 more wins then we were going to get? Hell i rather the young players play then get you time so then you leave in a year. Lets Go Lakers!!!
I don't know how anyone can pin anything on Karl. Him and Gary Payton took a paycut to go to the Lakers under the pretense to help win a championship and the Lakers org screw em over royally. I guess the Lakers org are just getting a taste of their own medicine. Karl told the Lakers to go on ahead without him because he's unsure of what he is going to do and the Lakers are still waiting for him? Don't be mad because you failed to comprehend what he was telling you. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Manley said remarks made by Bryant on Monday, coupled with what the agent called "recent personal attacks made in private," led Malone to his decision.</div> Anyone know what he was talking about? All I know is that Magic Johnson was asked what's different about the new Lakers from last year and he said "they were big, old, and slow".
If he was really that close with Kobe he wouldn't take Kobe's comments personally. And I don't think Karl was actually "furious". So, I think it's Dwight Manley's doing to make Karl seem furious so that he'd have a safe passage out of Los Angeles and play somewhere else. I think Karl really understood what Kobe was trying to say that he was being a distraction. It's not really the nicest thing to say, obviously, but it's the fact.
Miami the Laker organization has nothing to do with KB's comments, which are being take out of context. KM is mad at KB not the Laker Org but because of KB's comments he is not coming back. KB never said malone was a distraction.
Umm...Karl and Gary took a paycut to win a ring. It was for their benefit. Any other season, and Karl/Gary wouldn't want the Lakers to win a single game, let alone a ring. They took a paycut for THEM to win a ring...not necessarily the Lakers. Last year, Malone was no Spurs fan...but I'll bet you anything he would've been wearing the black and silver if the Lakers didn't pick him up last season. To Malone, to Payton...it's all about the championship. That's not a true professional. If that was all everyone cared about, guys like Kobe and LeBron would be in Pistons and Spurs jerseys.
What I don't understand is why do you all think he was gonna return to play when he told the Lakers to go on and plan ahead without him. He told you not to worry about him because he's unsure about what he is going to do. He told you if he does return he would be a Laker, but he didn't say he is going to return. realdeal you just find a way to spin anything to validate what you're saying.
By the way, if I was concerned about a ring...and KNEW that the Lakers could only offer the veteran's minimum for my services, I'd find a way to pack my bags and go to a team that could pay me more. That is...if I wasn't loyal to my team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know how anyone can pin anything on Karl. Him and Gary Payton took a paycut to go to the Lakers under the pretense to help win a championship and the Lakers org screw em over royally. I guess the Lakers org are just getting a taste of their own medicine.</div> They took a paycut to come to the Lakers because they are appoaching the end of their careers and they felt LA was their best chance to win a ring.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Miami's Finest:</div><div class="quote_post">What I don't understand is why do you all think he was gonna return to play when he told the Lakers to go on and plan ahead without him. He told you not to worry about him because he's unsure about what he is going to do. He told you if he does return he would be a Laker, but he didn't say he is going to return.</div> Obviously, the Lakers gotta have two plans... sort of the way Orlando did the previous seasons with Hill out... plan with him in the lineup and one without. Of course Karl is still an important player for us if he decides to come back to the Lakers this season, he's not your typical 41 old player.
Oh, this team sucks with or without Karl on it. Now, further develop Brian Cook and call it a season.
Malone made it clear to the Lakers If he was not 100% he would not play for anyone. So what the big deal that he is not there.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LakerReign:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh, this team sucks with or without Karl on it. Now, further develop Brian Cook and call it a season.</div> Thats what a fan is all about.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LakerReign:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh, this team sucks with or without Karl on it. Now, further develop Brian Cook and call it a season.</div> Oh yes, WE HAVE A TRUE FAN LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! We need more fans like this...get out of this thread, this forum with that trash, that is the most pathetic reason I have ever heard for the Lakers to throw away a season...to further develop Brian Cook How do you walk through life with the intelligence of a 2 year old? Throw the season away when we are in the playoff hunt? Yea, I hope you have no dreams of ever becoming the Lakers GM/Head Coach/heck Ball boy, you might want to throw the balls away if they dont make 4 in a row. Back on topic now, Let Malone walk, I seriously doubt he would of been effective anyways. He is too old and one wrong move could end his career. Kobe was just expressing himself, didnt say anything out of the norm, and Malone took offense to it, its not the first time Malone has taken offense to something blown up by the media.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Miami's Finest:</div><div class="quote_post">What I don't understand is why do you all think he was gonna return to play when he told the Lakers to go on and plan ahead without him. He told you not to worry about him because he's unsure about what he is going to do. He told you if he does return he would be a Laker, but he didn't say he is going to return. realdeal you just find a way to spin anything to validate what you're saying.</div> No one thought he was going to return for sure. The fact is no one knew, and that was the problem. Malone left the lakers hanging in the air the entire time, giving no indication which way he was leaning. What was he waiting for? We're almost a quarter of the way into the season and we still have this lingering (or at least we did). You're oversimplifying if you're saying the Lakers can just "not worry" about what Malone's intentions are. Contracts , playing time, rotation, chemistry, potiential moves - all this hinges on what Malone does. The Lakers are essientially handcuffed (or at least they were). <div class="quote_poster">Quoting LakerReign:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh, this team sucks with or without Karl on it. Now, further develop Brian Cook and call it a season.</div> I actually kind of agree with the premise of this. With or without Malone, it's extremely unlikely we're going to seriously compete for a championship this year.... so why not just use the PT to develop some of our younger guys (if not for future use, then for future trade value) ...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LakerReign:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh, this team sucks with or without Karl on it. Now, further develop Brian Cook and call it a season.</div> Theres only 3 things left for you to do. 1- Change youre Sig 2- Change youre Member name 3- Start all over again How could you say that??
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">No one thought he was going to return for sure. The fact is no one knew, and that was the problem. Malone left the lakers hanging in the air the entire time, giving no indication which way he was leaning. What was he waiting for? We're almost a quarter of the way into the season and we still have this lingering (or at least we did). You're oversimplifying if you're saying the Lakers can just "not worry" about what Malone's intentions are. Contracts , playing time, rotation, chemistry, potiential moves - all this hinges on what Malone does. The Lakers are essientially handcuffed (or at least they were). I actually kind of agree with the premise of this. With or without Malone, it's extremely unlikely we're going to seriously compete for a championship this year.... so why not just use the PT to develop some of our younger guys (if not for future use, then for future trade value) ...</div> Are you also suggesting throwing in the towel? You do realize how much heat Kobe would receive and everything? I dont think Kobe would allow this anyways. We can develop our younger players while also not giving up on the season, Cook has developed nicely and the Lakers are playing decent ball...
aww thats too bad. Karl wouldve been a nice addition for the team, we need someone to shut down guys like tim and kevin so that we wont have to double them a lot. oh well, lets move on and support the Lakers!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you also suggesting throwing in the towel? You do realize how much heat Kobe would receive and everything? I dont think Kobe would allow this anyways. We can develop our younger players while also not giving up on the season, Cook has developed nicely and the Lakers are playing decent ball...</div> No, I'm not suggesting throwing the season. What I'm saying is that at this stage in his career, Malone won't be the reason we win or lose a championship. So why waste our PT on him when we can use it to develop other players...
Oh, in that case I agree. I didnt want Malone from the start of the season, I felt he wouldnt of made a difference at all on the court, off the court he would of been a good mentor for the young bigs but I think we could do fine without him...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Miami's Finest:</div><div class="quote_post">What I don't understand is why do you all think he was gonna return to play when he told the Lakers to go on and plan ahead without him. He told you not to worry about him because he's unsure about what he is going to do. He told you if he does return he would be a Laker, but he didn't say he is going to return. realdeal you just find a way to spin anything to validate what you're saying.</div> Funny how you are the only one to come in here and give Malone props for what he did. heat fan you just find a way to sneak into the Laker forum to stir up an argument. I don't spin anything. I wanted Malone back NOW. I've read that he's 100% now...so why isn't he back? If he can't come back now, why hasn't he said anything? I didn't even know the guy was alive until Kobe mentioned his name. Laker fans...let's all jump for joy. Malone may be coming back in December. No, wait...maybe January. Has anyone heard anything yet? Oh, I bet he'll be back by February...to make us a contender. Maybe late March. Stay home, Karl. I hope to see you in STAPLES this Christmas...but maybe you'll be in a black jersey on a team that can guarantee a ring for you. Because a guarantee is just as good as his return to the Lakers.
