He's won 3 championships and hasn't won a title in what 4 YEARS 4 DAMN YEARS and is acting like it's a travesty. I love Kobe but he really needs to get a grip on reality. Look at guys like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Allen Iverson, Patrick Ewing (obviously no longer in NBA..so no shot at that title) and SO MANY MORE who in their careers were great players NEVER won a title...all of these players have spent their careers waiting for a chance at a championship and have never really gotten a shot.Why should Kobe complain? He has no reason to complain.Here he is not even 5 years ago.. He has 3 rings..he does not deserve to say things like this "When I re-signed here, they promised that they would build a contender and build a contender now. I don't want to have to wait anymore than I already have," he said.I just don't get it...anybody else know what I mean? I like Kobe and his game..but ugh he's just being stupid and is hurting the Lakers chances at landing a guy like Garnett and lowering the market values of players on his team because of the "need" for the Lakers to make a trade..and probably increasing the chances of losing Bynum, Odom AND Brown
I know what you mean, but I understand his frustration. He is in his prime and playing at a level VERY few players have ever played at, yet the team has regressed from last year and can only win 1 first round game. He wants to be a contender before he starts to decline, and I understand that.
Bryant is smart...hes pushing the Laker organization. And your right, hes already won 3 rings, as a young player too...hes not used to losing. Hes not going to settle for it...this has been 3 seasons now...and for the greatest player in the planet today...that istn going to cut it. Keep bitching Kobe..im all for it.
but like I said he is putting pressure on the Lakers organization..but that's bad for him because it is at the expense of the future of the team (Bynum, Odom and Brown and probably draft picks..yeah all of them) and this is probably what it's gonna cost to get Kobe what he wants.And if the Lakers end up not winning a title after making this trade to satisfy Kobe..they screw their future and set themselves back AT LEAST 5-10 yearsI just think Kobe should be speaking to management about this behind closed doors putting pressure on him..rather than out there in the public because when the Lakers have pressure to "need to make a trade" other teams take that into account and will say things like "throw in bynum and draft picks and you've got yourself a deal.. because you need to satisfy Kobe right or it could hurt the team and the chance at locking him up after 08/09..so you're gonna have to do that to get him what he wants and for us to give you what he wants"
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ May 6 2007, 12:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>but like I said he is putting pressure on the Lakers organization..but that's bad for him because it is at the expense of the future of the team (Bynum, Odom and Brown and probably draft picks..yeah all of them) and this is probably what it's gonna cost to get Kobe what he wants.And if the Lakers end up not winning a title after making this trade to satisfy Kobe..they screw their future and set themselves back AT LEAST 5-10 yearsI just think Kobe should be speaking to management about this behind closed doors putting pressure on him..rather than out there in the public because when the Lakers have pressure to "need to make a trade" other teams take that into account and will say things like "throw in bynum and draft picks and you've got yourself a deal.. because you need to satisfy Kobe right or it could hurt the team and the chance at locking him up after 08/09..so you're gonna have to do that to get him what he wants and for us to give you what he wants"</div>Look into the future...do you honestly see Odom (27) or Kwame Brown getting much better or being the part of a championship caliber team? Bynum doesn't have the physical abilties of a Dwight Howard to where his potential is so certain not to trade him. IMO he will never be a dominant player in this league, and would be worth giving up, along with Odom and Brown, for a dominant big man who will get you 20-25/12-14 in the next few years. Kobe will only be in his prime for a few more years, and in the West he needs a dominant big man by him to win. Through free agency, they can get a few very quality role players to help fill their needs (as the Rockets have done with Yao/T-Mac, and a Kobe/KG would be even better). This is their best chance to win a title.
Man, what the hell do you think? He's completely right, and glad he's finnally showing he doesn't give a damn about what people think, he just wants to win. He needs to get the help and building blocks around him to do that. Kobe and Phil together shouldn't result in a 42-40 season, and a first round exit.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ May 5 2007, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I like Kobe and his game..but ugh he's just being stupid and is hurting the Lakers chances at landing a guy like Garnett and lowering the market values of players on his team because of the "need" for the Lakers to make a trade..and probably increasing the chances of losing Bynum, Odom AND Brown</div>Wow, no you couldn't be more wrong. If anything, this will INCREASE the possibility that we make a big blockbuster move. If it's Odom/Kwame/Bynum for KG, DO IT MITCH!!!C-Mihm (if healthy)/Turiaf?/FA/DRAFTPF-KGSF-Luke (if re-signs)SG-KobePG-FarmarThat is a championship team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KobeBryant_24 @ May 6 2007, 01:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wow, no you couldn't be more wrong. If anything, this will INCREASE the possibility that we make a big blockbuster move. If it's Odom/Kwame/Bynum for KG, DO IT MITCH!!!C-Mihm (if healthy)/Turiaf?/FA/DRAFTPF-KGSF-Luke (if re-signs)SG-KobePG-FarmarThat is a championship team.</div>That isn't a championship team. Farmar is not a championship PG, and their bench will have too many holes. But a few FA signings and a good draft pick and IMO they will be right in the mix for a title.
If you have two players at the caliber of KG and Kobe...Farmar can get away at being a championship PG...I mean, look at Jason Williams...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz @ May 6 2007, 12:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If you have two players at the caliber of KG and Kobe...Farmar can get away at being a championship PG...I mean, look at Jason Williams...</div>or _Erek Fissureand yeah, I think that it's absurd for Kobe to be complaining this early. Maybe he'll have a right to complain if this happens for 10 years and he's 35 and still hasn't had a team capable of contending since his youth, but until then he can keep his mouth shut.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz @ May 6 2007, 02:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If you have two players at the caliber of KG and Kobe...Farmar can get away at being a championship PG...I mean, look at Jason Williams...</div>Jason Williams is still a better PG than Farmar, and the Heat were much more packed and well-rounded than the Lakers will be (at least for the next year or so).
IF the Lakers get KG, Farmar will be fine as a starter. IMO, Farmar will become a well rounded PG. Not to mention that the triangle benefits the fowards passing, so Farmar wont have the ball as much as a regualr PG would.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz @ May 6 2007, 02:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>IF the Lakers get KG, Farmar will be fine as a starter. IMO, Farmar will become a well rounded PG. Not to mention that the triangle benefits the fowards passing, so Farmar wont have the ball as much as a regualr PG would.</div>I just don't see him as a championship caliber PG. Maybe a PG that can help get team to 2nd round, but not a starting PG on championship team. Backup PG? Sure.
He was only a rookie last year, he might burst out and averaged 12ppg and 5apg next season, which is good enough when you have KG and Kobe(if they get KG)
The problem is, if he doesn't push it, management really isn't gonna do anything. You don't understand Mitch Kupchack. He won't do any deals sending out anyone with any potential or bringing in anyone who has any chance of not panning out. Because of those parameters, he's passed on a lot of talent over the years. With Kobe voicing his frustration, that'll change. The team they have right now isn't gonna win a championship any time soon, and Kobe's in his prime so why not go for the chip now. This summer they'll make serious runs for big name players. With Kobe basically telling him to do it, they're now free to empty out anyone on the team (except for Bryant). With Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, they can get some serious players. So, Kobe complaining could very well lead to some good deals for the Lakers down the line, it could also lead to some bad deals, but they need to take that risk. You don't get anywhere without taking risks (look at West trading for Kobe).<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ May 6 2007, 12:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I just don't see him as a championship caliber PG. Maybe a PG that can help get team to 2nd round, but not a starting PG on championship team. Backup PG? Sure.</div>Farmar has all the tools to a championship caliber point guard. He's basketball IQ is very high, he can defend reasonably well, he's 20 and already one of the more vocal leaders on the team, he's not afraid to take big shots, and he's overall just very talented. I can easily see him being a point guard on a championship team. If Derek Fisher can do it, Jordan Farmar can.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChuckTheD @ May 6 2007, 02:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Farmar has all the tools to a championship caliber point guard. He's basketball IQ is very high, he can defend reasonably well, he's 20 and already one of the more vocal leaders on the team, he's not afraid to take big shots, and he's overall just very talented. I can easily see him being a point guard on a championship team. If Derek Fisher can do it, Jordan Farmar can.</div>Derek Fisher was also experienced, clutch, very good defender, etc... And again, the Lakers had a far better supporting cast in a lighter league. I don't see Farmar being a championship caliber PG in the next 1-3 years or so, and after that both KG and Kobe would be declining.
I just dont get this. Kobe with his stupid shot choice, and his lack of team involvement is part of the reason the Lakers are losing. Dont blame it on your teammates, ass hole. People say the Lakers dont have much around Kobe, I find that BS. They have some good solid players who would do better if Kobe gave them better opportunitys.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MrBigShot_23 @ May 6 2007, 10:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I just dont get this. Kobe with his stupid shot choice, and his lack of team involvement is part of the reason the Lakers are losing. Dont blame it on your teammates, ass hole. People say the Lakers dont have much around Kobe, I find that BS. They have some good solid players who would do better if Kobe gave them better opportunitys.</div>When Kobe was passing a lot and taking less shots than the likes of T-Mac, LeBron and Arenas (and also shooting a higher %), the Lakers were losing. When he started to do his scoring thing, they started to win again. If he did not go on that scoring spree at the end of the season, they possibly wouldn't have made the playoffs.
Kobe Bryant wans to be just like Michael Jordan and he won't stop until he has 6 rings. I can guarentee you that. He wants to be MJ, but he never will be.
Okay, for the past 3 seasons, theyve either NOT made the playoffs(year 1) or been eliminated in the 1st rnd(years 2 and 3). Kobe Bryant, who entered his prime somewhere between 2-3 years ago is being wasted. They have been stagnant. Just put yourself in his situation, in his first 8 seasons, he had made the Finals four times and won 3 of them. Not only that, but he was a MAJOR factor in winning them. Then last season he scores 81 points, this seasons he goes for multiple 50point games back-to-back. Hes urgent, he wants to show what hes made of while hes still in prime. Hes had patience, and pretty much, the Lakers organization has played this "develop" game with Bynum, passing up on Kidd. Truthfully, Bynum has potential and all, but he hasnt shown much to me that he will be a star anytime soon. Even with Mr. Ice playing his hardest along with Bryant, the Lakers still arent good enough to go anywhere with the stacked West. Hes been a Laker the longest(probably longer than alotve the staff too), hes worn that yellow jersey the longest, and he knows what it takes to win just as good and better than anyone else. He knows this current Laker team isnt good enough, and hes expressing it.If he wins another title or two, we are talking about somebody who might be called the 2nd greatest player ever. The things hes done is incredible and no other great short of Wilt has ever done anything like that. Kobe wants to go down as the greatest like PFF said, maybe he will, maybe he wont...but hes not going down like this.
