WHy Malone is furious is what I dont understand. Kobe's just stating the truth..... How he feels. Thats it. He wasn't bashing Malone
<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> Karl Malone told the Lakers IF he comes back to the NBA it would be with the Lakers. He's been dragging his decision out far, too long. Karl Malone is the one hanging around the team, going to the practices, and still living in LA. However, despite the efforts the Lakers have made to bring him back, he does not have class to give them his final decision. IF he's now saying he's unsure, then his mind is obviously made up not to return, so the statements Kobe made should not impact him in any way. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> realdeal you just find a way to spin anything to validate what you're saying.</div> It's what fans do. They stick up for their teams through the good and bad.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">It's what fans do. They stick up for their teams through the good and bad. </div> Except...this may not be bad for the Lakers, either. Malone was somewhat inconsistent on his shooting last season (when he was healthy...50% of our games) and he always hesitated to shoot. Cook doesn't hesitate. In fact, if we keep Brian in the rotation...playing him and making him feel important...he'll love it, and get better. If Malone comes back, Grant will be healthy...and Cook won't see but 5 minutes a game. Malone in LA? Maybe a good idea in the off-season...but now...no thanks.
First off, the Lakers actually did disrespect GP. But that's another topic. I have no problem with people defending Malone, but not for the reasons thus far in this thread. Malone may feel disrespected, but he was disrespecting the Lakers. Sitting around waiting to see how good they would be before he made his choice . Then making a comeback and getting a ring after putting in half as much work as the other players (see "Rasheed Wallace"). I seriously hope that Malone never wins a ring, which is why I don't want him on the Spurs of Wolves. There are players on both of those teams who I would like to see win a ring. Not Malone though, he's trying to pull a Rasheed Wallace (even though Sheed's ring was the result of a trade).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">First off, the Lakers actually did disrespect GP. But that's another topic. I have no problem with people defending Malone, but not for the reasons thus far in this thread. Malone may feel disrespected, but he was disrespecting the Lakers. Sitting around waiting to see how good they would be before he made his choice . Then making a comeback and getting a ring after putting in half as much work as the other players (see "Rasheed Wallace"). I seriously hope that Malone never wins a ring, which is why I don't want him on the Spurs of Wolves. There are players on both of those teams who I would like to see win a ring. Not Malone though, he's trying to pull a Rasheed Wallace (even though Sheed's ring was the result of a trade).</div> The Lakers may have disrespected Payton because he did the same to the organization in the middle of the season, when he complained about the triangle, and then cried out to the media that he should be the first scoring option. Come on...that's just nuts. And then he even mentioned his pay cut...everything...all before getting owned BADLY in the Finals by Billups. The Lakers did him bad...but he did them bad, also. His mouth may be the reason why he's on his fourth team now. About Malone winning a ring...no way. In fact, if it wasn't for me wanting the Lakers to win a ring, I wouldn't have supported the fact that he and GP went and took a pay cut to get a ring.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Except...this may not be bad for the Lakers, either. Malone was somewhat inconsistent on his shooting last season (when he was healthy...50% of our games) and he always hesitated to shoot. Cook doesn't hesitate. In fact, if we keep Brian in the rotation...playing him and making him feel important...he'll love it, and get better. If Malone comes back, Grant will be healthy...and Cook won't see but 5 minutes a game. Malone in LA? Maybe a good idea in the off-season...but now...no thanks.</div> Yo Brando, it seems that you approve everything stupid that kobe does..yea we all like what kobe is doing on the court but let's face it..we would rather let his basketball do the talking because everything that he does off it..many times pisses some1 off. I'm never mad at him though..it's great..malone has a higher chance to come here. I remembered how desperate you were on gettin Malone..but now..without thinking kobe speaks and you approve. Now you're talking abt malone's inconsistencies..but his laker stats were pretty good when you were talking abt him in preseason when you were begging him to come back..rofl..and cook does hesitate on the offensive end..just not as much as luck walton
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">First off, the Lakers actually did disrespect GP. But that's another topic. </div> I agree, the Payton scenario was a burn and should have been handled with more tact. I was actually looking forward to seeing Kobe and Payton play an open style offense. If Payton rediscovered his defense, I think they could have been the best defensive backcourt in the league. Essentially the way the Lakers disrespected Gary Payton, cost them Marcus Banks. I sure would like to see him on the Laker bench instead of Tierre Brown.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">Yo Brando, it seems that you approve everything stupid that kobe does..yea we all like what kobe is doing on the court but let's face it..we would rather let his basketball do the talking because everything that he does off it..many times pisses some1 off. I'm never mad at him though..it's great..malone has a higher chance to come here. I remembered how desperate you were on gettin Malone..but now..without thinking kobe speaks and you approve. Now you're talking abt malone's inconsistencies..but his laker stats were pretty good when you were talking abt him in preseason when you were begging him to come back..rofl..and cook does hesitate on the offensive end..just not as much as luck walton</div> Oh, wow...you're one to talk. And don't call me Brando ever again.
if i was kobe i would hold another press conference of apology if it's in his best interest to be a contender rather than his pride. I think impossible is the word for malone as a laker..we can't count on kobe to not say things or take back his wrong-doings. It's a pity you guys just lost a LEGEND in 100% fitness. Now you guys have to depend more on that stiff cookie and mihm even more as your inside 'threat' or lack of it haha
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">if i was kobe i would hold another press conference of apology if it's in his best interest to be a contender rather than his pride. I think impossible is the word for malone as a laker..we can't count on kobe to not say things or take back his wrong-doings. It's a pity you guys just lost a LEGEND in 100% fitness. Now you guys have to depend more on that stiff cookie and mihm even more as your inside 'threat' or lack of it haha</div> Are you still trying to insult our team? Where's your inside threat? How's McGrady doing? I suggest you worry about the deteriorated Rockets before you talk about the Lakers, who are over .500 right now. And the LEGEND that was 100% last season...missed 40+ games also. 100%? Sure. Haha...so bringing up the word "impossible" and making the reference to my sig is your way of discouraging the Laker fans? Well...when Yao masters that hook...and when McGrady even has a couple of good games...maybe I'll worry about that duo that everyone was trying to compare to Shaq/Kobe. If McGrady's bad night is 20:5:3...he must be having alot of them, since that's close to what he averages. I'll let the other Laker fans finish this discussion...I'm tired and bored.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you still trying to insult our team? Where's your inside threat? How's McGrady doing? I suggest you worry about the deteriorated Rockets before you talk about the Lakers, who are over .500 right now. And the LEGEND that was 100% last season...missed 40+ games also. 100%? Sure. Haha...so bringing up the word "impossible" and making the reference to my sig is your way of discouraging the Laker fans? Well...when Yao masters that hook...and when McGrady even has a couple of good games...maybe I'll worry about that duo that everyone was trying to compare to Shaq/Kobe. </div> Yea take all your anger out on the rockets (whom are on a winning streak) if it makes you feel better..but you're still not gettin malone back (impossible)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">First off, the Lakers actually did disrespect GP. But that's another topic. I have no problem with people defending Malone, but not for the reasons thus far in this thread. Malone may feel disrespected, but he was disrespecting the Lakers. Sitting around waiting to see how good they would be before he made his choice . Then making a comeback and getting a ring after putting in half as much work as the other players (see "Rasheed Wallace"). I seriously hope that Malone never wins a ring, which is why I don't want him on the Spurs of Wolves. There are players on both of those teams who I would like to see win a ring. Not Malone though, he's trying to pull a Rasheed Wallace (even though Sheed's ring was the result of a trade).</div> Yeah, I agree with you on Karl disrespecting the Laker organization. But I think as far as Sheed's concerned, he didn't have the control to choose to play for the Pistons. He was there because the Pistons traded for him, and not because it's his decision to be there. While for Karl, it's entirely his call to let it be known to the Lakers if he's going to be there with the team or not, a decision which he has yet to make, and that uncertainty has clearly been more of a distraction to the Lakers than hope. And Kobe, as the leader of this team, felt like he had to address it regardless of how affectionately he feels towards Karl. And I feel like Karl understood why Kobe said that, unfortunately, his agent Manley tried to stir things up so he'll have an excuse for negotiating with other teams for his client.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">First off, the Lakers actually did disrespect GP. But that's another topic. I have no problem with people defending Malone, but not for the reasons thus far in this thread. Malone may feel disrespected, but he was disrespecting the Lakers. Sitting around waiting to see how good they would be before he made his choice . Then making a comeback and getting a ring after putting in half as much work as the other players (see "Rasheed Wallace"). I seriously hope that Malone never wins a ring, which is why I don't want him on the Spurs of Wolves. There are players on both of those teams who I would like to see win a ring. Not Malone though, he's trying to pull a Rasheed Wallace (even though Sheed's ring was the result of a trade).</div> Yeah, I agree with you on Karl disrespecting the Laker organization. But I think as far as Sheed's concerned, he didn't have the control to choose to play for the Pistons. He was there because the Pistons traded for him, and not because it's his decision to be there. While for Karl, it's entirely his call to let it be known to the Lakers if he's going to be there with the team or not, a decision which he has yet to make, and that uncertainty has clearly been more of a distraction to the Lakers than hope. And Kobe, as the leader of this team, felt like he had to address it regardless of how affectionately he feels towards Karl. And I feel like Karl understood why Kobe said that, unfortunately, his agent Manley tried to stir things up so he'll have an excuse for negotiating with other teams for his client.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">Yea take all your anger out on the rockets (whom are on a winning streak) if it makes you feel better..but you're still not gettin malone back (impossible) </div> You're the one coming into the Laker forum, attempting to bash our team. And I don't see how it's impossible, but I do think it's funny...I don't want him back if it means waiting forever, so to me, it's a good thing. Man, you really got me on that one! EDIT: Haha...by the way, I didn't know a win streak meant losing 5 straight, and then getting a lucky win against the Sixers (who lost to the Hawks afterwards) and then "stomping" the great New Orleans Hornets. Nice.
i read the whole article and what kobe said didn't sound that bad, and i never read the fact the kobe said melone was a distraction, i dont know this whole thing sounds stupid, if i could i would smack anyone that said something negative about kobe becuase im getting really sick of it, let the man be, everything he does is looked at negativly whats wrong with these people? god that makes me mad, but as always kobe doesnt care and neither should we. good thread guys.
Its ok Malone, I'm not gonna loose any sleep over this. Let him go to any other team and win that ring but he will never win the respect of so many people. He should have been the man and retired but somehow he doesnt understand that. Its cool. We have a good team and play hard like Kobe said. Let him leave. Go lakers.
I don't think he's said he's gonna join another team. His agent says this recent incident opens up the possibilites. But so far it looks like he's not going anywhere. Anyways why do so many people's opinions on Malone change. Before this happened you all were jumping for joy at the thought of Malone returning and Odom moving to SF. And now you are all mad at him? Listen to yourselves.
