<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">wow i like that trade. Kobe and Igoudala would be like MJ and Pippen. The sixers would be contenders in the east if that trade went down.</div> You'd have Kobe, a really poor man's pippen (cause AI is no pippen) and...kyle korver. Ya, they'd make the playoffs as a top 4 seed, and then in the very unlikely event they did get out of the east they'd get shredded in the finals. You think the 2000 sixers finals team had no chance? This one would be laughed out of the building. No way in hell kobe approves that
<div class="quote_poster">Answer_AI03 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">wow i like that trade. Kobe and Igoudala would be like MJ and Pippen. The sixers would be contenders in the east if that trade went down.</div> Outgoing Players: Steven Hunter, Kevin Ollie, Andre Miller for Kobe hahhahahaha
<div class="quote_poster">Nasty Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Andrea Bargnani, TJ Ford, Mo Pete (S&T) and the rights to Roko Ukic for Kobe. Done?</div> I think we can do better Seriously though, Kobe isn't going anywhere. Like someone already pointed out earlier in the thread, there is no credibility to Rick Bucher's article. Kobe never said he wanted to be traded, there is no direct quote. Bucher is just trying to stir something up....
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Artest one is true. I'd gamble on him. As crappy as his attitude is...he's far more consistent and durable than Odom.</div> I don't know about more consistent. Artest had a weird pattern in his scoring efficiency through the season. Nov (38.6% FG, 22.2% 3PT) Dec (35.9% FG, 26.7% 3PT) Jan (50.4% FG, 42.3% 3PT) Feb (47.3% FG, 46.8% 3PT) Mar (48.2% FG, 37.2% 3PT) Apr (37.9% FG, 36.8% 3PT) He did put up more PPG though, and overall his percentages weren't bad at 44% FG and 35.8% 3PT....and of course there's his defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I'm not demanding anything," Bryant told the Riverside Press-Enterprise on Sunday night. "I'm not making any threats. I didn't say that. Those words didn't come out of my mouth about a trade. I'm just making a suggestion. I think Jerry West is one of the greatest to ever do this thing. It's undeniably so."</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I would love for him to be a part of this," Bryant told the newspaper. "But it's not something where I demand he comes here. All I can do is offer my thoughts. I love being a Laker. I want to retire a Laker. I want to fix this thing, or at least help any way I can."</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"My wife is from here, I love it here, and I've been a Laker fan my whole life," Bryant told the newspaper. "My focus is on doing what I can to get this franchise back to where it should be. What I want to do is win with the Los Angeles Lakers and get us back to prominence."</div> These are actual quotes from Kobe in response to Bucher's baseless article. Source: ESPN Ric Bucher has really lost his credibility and respect since he left the San Jose Mecury News for ESPN. I'm not sure if he's being told to twist his reports into smut for more viewership, and he's caving into the pressure, because when he wrote for the Mecury, he was always honest with his news and reporting.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> So if all they have one decent player and a bunch of below average players, how do you anticipate getting KG or JO or another big time guy? </div> I don't really anticipate KG or even JO because I really don't think we have much to offer besides Odom and perhaps Bynum. What pisses me off is that we have held on to Bynum because of "potential" when I don't think he'll be anything more than an okay player, ala Brendan Haywood (someone else said this in this or another thread as well). I don't like the fact that the management is not taking any risks, especially when it is clear that the supporting cast that Kobe has right now really sucks. Kwame is still as bad as he was when he first came to the Lakers, Odom is still inconsistent, Smush Parker really does belong in the NBDL, Andrew Bynum has shown flashes of brilliances but I would take someone like Bargnani over him any day and Brian Cook, Sasha and Farmer wouldn't even be getting significant minutes on other teams. The only player that I think has improved since Kobe's solo mission started has been Walton. Essentially, while I don't expect us to get a superstar in return for these players, I do believe we can get better peices and build a more competitive team and move on from there. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You traditionally can't' really sign an impact/star with the MLE. You can't really blame all of it on "Cupcake". He could have signed better players with the MLE, but the MLE is typically a toss up, who knows how that player will perform?</div> I think the fact that we've spent the last 2 MLE's on esentially useless players is what has pissed me off. Mckie and Radman were both horrible pick ups. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I know you guys want a lot to see your team succeed and that's what makes Laker fans so great, but quite frankly you don't have much bargaining chips to be able to get big time players and big upgrades and all of that isn't Mitch's fault. </div> Once again, the only reason I am mad at the management is that they make no moves. This roster has been the same for 2 years and it clearly needs to be shaken up in some way. Enough of holding on to Bynum, Kobe still has 5-6 years left to go, and draft picks like Bynum come and go...waiting for him to develop into the "superstar" that he'll never be is a really boneheaded move.
<div class="quote_poster">Karma Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think the fact that we've spent the last 2 MLE's on esentially useless players is what has pissed me off. Mckie and Radman were both horrible pick ups.</div> Don't forget Divac
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Don't forget Divac</div> He was supposed to replace Shaq. All he did was waist the Lakers MLE.
<div class="quote_poster">lakersfan171 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He was supposed to replace Shaq. All he did was waist the Lakers MLE.</div> You look at Divac and the only thing I thought he could replace is Smuch, then again anyone can do that
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> I don't know how you got the idea that KG is content with losing. Just reading his interviews and watching his demeanor on the court, he looks like one of the most frustrated players in the NBA. He's said everything to express his displeasure with Minnesota's situation, without fully demanding a trade. </div> Have the Timberwolves not totally botched up his career? He didn't even make the All-NBA team (with 27 PER) last year. He should demand a trade or else he is somewhat content with his situation. He's crazy if he thinks he can win a title there, no one important wants to be in Minny aside from KG. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I would lump Kobe into the same category as VC and Mourning, although I'd consider his situation to be a lot more like McGrady's. T-Mac signed a contract with Orlando and, when their plan fell apart (Grant Hill's injury problems), he felt that he was entitled to just ditch the franchise. The Lakers made a commitment to try and build a contender around Kobe and I don't see where they haven't. They've failed obviously, but by demanding a trade, Kobe's either ignoring or completely disregarding how difficult it is to build a championship team. Even the GM he's idolizing failed in Memphis. There are no guarantees in the NBA. </div> Kobe is older than McGrady was at that time, so it isn't even the same situation. Kobe is about to go past his prime and gives his best every game, that is why he should demand a trade if he wants to. Kobe has wasted enough time on the Lakers. The ideal case though, would be for the Lakers to take some risks and get different players around Kobe. They don't have to get KG but please do something (Lakers) at this point.
Kobe's been patient enough with this organization. They've passed up on Baron Davis, Ron Artest, Carlos Boozer, Jason Kidd, and probably more. VC and Alonzo Mourning didn't have the chance to get those players. Jerry and Jim Buss (I've forgiven Mitch...he has no say in this organization) have made all decisions.
It looks like Bucher was being a total asshat, so none of this really applies anymore. I guess my argument really only concerns Kobe's right to force a trade. I just don't understand why the media, the fans, and the NBA tolerate selfish superstars that demand trades. I don't think I can ever support a player who breaks a contract like that. It shows a total lack of character. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting huevonkiller:</div><div class="quote_post">Have the Timberwolves not totally botched up his career? He didn't even make the All-NBA team (with 27 PER) last year. He should demand a trade or else he is somewhat content with his situation. He's crazy if he thinks he can win a title there, no one important wants to be in Minny aside from KG.</div> I don't get how you equate demanding a trade with being content with your situation. Maybe he's got too much integrity to bail out on his teammates, fanbase, and his commitment. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting huevonkiller:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe is older than McGrady was at that time, so it isn't even the same situation. Kobe is about to go past his prime and gives his best every game, that is why he should demand a trade if he wants to. Kobe has wasted enough time on the Lakers. The ideal case though, would be for the Lakers to take some risks and get different players around Kobe. They don't have to get KG but please do something (Lakers) at this point.</div> It would be the same situation, because both players mistakenly believe that they deserve to be on a winning team. That simply isn't the case. Not every player in the NBA will win a championship, so why should we make exceptions to the very good players? They both made commitments and, when it became obvious that they made a mistake, they tried to run out on it (well not really in Kobe's case, but in a hypothetical situation).
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> It shows a total lack of character.</div> Depends on the situation <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I don't get how you equate demanding a trade with being content with your situation. Maybe he's got too much integrity to bail out on his teammates, fanbase, and his commitment. </div> Maybe he doesn't feel like moving. Either way, there is no way he is winning a title in Minny and he only seems to care in front of the camera. What is wrong with wanting to win at Kobe's age? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> It would be the same situation, because both players mistakenly believe that they deserve to be on a winning team. That simply isn't the case. Not every player in the NBA will win a championship, so why should we make exceptions to the very good players? They both made commitments and, when it became obvious that they made a mistake, they tried to run out on it (well not really in Kobe's case, but in a hypothetical situation).</div> Kobe's older and gave the team three years to get someone, it isn't the same situation unless I understand the meaning of that word incorrectly. Not every player wins a championship but why not maximize one's opportunity, especially considering Kobe's best years will soon be behind him? It seems to me like you may be biased after having to witness that VC charade a few years ago.
I hope KG wins a championship, but I think that time with Minny is gone. He can still win one, but he needs to go else where, becuase he will son be declining, and Not be that number 1 option anymore.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting huevonkiller:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe he doesn't feel like moving. Either way, there is no way he is winning a title in Minny and he only seems to care in front of the camera. What is wrong with wanting to win at Kobe's age?</div> How do you come to that conclusion? I think he cares a lot about how crappy his situation is, but isn't willing to go back on his contract. Anybody can whine their way to a championship contender. It doesn't mean as much, IMO. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting huevonkiller:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe's older and gave the team three years to get someone, it isn't the same situation unless I understand the meaning of that word incorrectly. Not every player wins a championship but why not maximize one's opportunity, especially considering Kobe's best years will soon be behind him? It seems to me like you may be a bit biased after having to witness that VC charade a few years ago.</div> Hindsight is always 20/20. The Lakers tried to build a contending team, they just failed horribly. Kobe should have to grin and bear it. The VC situation obviously influenced how I think about this, but it hasn't made me irrationally biased. I just can't stand this double standard. Carter's gotten a tremendous amount of criticism for what he did (all justified, IMO). But why do we spare Kobe? VC's situation was ten times worse than Bryant's. He spent a longer amount of time with a crappier team, that went through 2 GM's and 3 different coaches. Kobe spends 3 years on a team that won't make a trade for a big-name player (all of them had question marks), has still gotten to the playoffs twice and suddenly we should feel sorry for him because his "prime is being wasted"? What's the point in even signing a player to a long-term contract if they can ditch your team whenever the hell they feel like it?
When Kobe signed on with the team, he was promised a contender. That's why he signed, otherwise, he'd probably go elsewhere. It's already been 3 seasons, and he said it best, we're still at ground zero. 3 years and 4 playoff victories is unacceptable. The only reason why Kobe resigned in the first place was because the management guarenteed him a winning team. Now, I know you can't make a championship team overnight, but they've had 3 seasons, and in the 3 seasons, I still haven't seen any improvements. Signing NBDL material point guard Smush Parker as a starting point guard is an insult IMO, especially if you guarentee a winning squad. Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter are two different situations IMO. Kobe wants to win, and always has wanted to win. He has poored his guts out and played his heart out night in and night out for a victory. Coming into the season, he made it clear that he wasn't going to bail the team out every single game, yet in the end, he still had to. Vince Carter was critisized for pretty much giving up on the Raptors, and not putting up any effort, which is the exact opposite of Kobe Bryant, who will always play 110% no matter what the situation. Kobe is also one of the best, if not the best talent in the entire NBA. For him to have to play his best seasons on a crappy roster with absolutely no chance to win is ridiculous. We as fans are frustrated as well, it's been 3 years and we're still on ground zero. We basically haven't made any changes what-so-ever. Like Mamba said, Kobe has pushed the management to make changes, yet time and time again, they fail to fulfill his request. Kobe wanted Ron Artest, Artest thought he was going to become a Laker, nothing happened. Kobe wanted Baron Davis, the team didn't even want to give him a look. Kobe wanted Boozer, the deal was almost done, but fell off at the last minute. Kobe wanted Jason Kidd, but once again, the deal fell off at the last minute. Kobe's best friend on the team, Caron Butler, was traded off, and Kobe didn't even know about that until the very next day. I really feel that the Jason Kidd trade was the final straw for Kobe. He was probably pissed throughout the season, but decided to keep quiet to not distract the team. Now that the season is over, Kobe's finally letting him emotions be heard. Throughout the whole 3 seasons, Kobe's been the nice guy with the media, always smiling, praising the players no matter what, but now it's over. Kobe wants to win NOW, and he made it clear. The management seems more content on waiting to see if Bynum will pan out in the next 3 to 4 years
