Check out my newest take on the Jerry Buss-Kobe Bryant present and near future in an online column I contributed to The Register’s brand-new SoCal Sports Now section. I’ll be writing a column there every Monday morning about what’s hot in the news — and there’ll be much more all other times during the work week from the rest of the best Register writers — so definitely check it out.
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Posted in: 2007-08 • Kobe Bryant |
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November 5th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Trade Kobe - you’ve got to be kidding - get real!
November 6th, 2007 at 7:24 am
The Lakers need to try and win with Kobe for the next two years. Let him opt out in two years, by then the core group will be ready to contend for a championship. At that point the team can either keep Kobe, or spend the cap space on other players. In two years the Lakers will be an attractive franchise for free agents, with the continued development of the younger guys. If the Lakers trade Kobe, they shoot themselves in the foot. Call his bluff, make him walk! They only need Kobe for the next two years, and yes I do believe this team could win it all now, however it’s more likely that this group will win with or without the Mamba down the road!
November 6th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Winning heals all. Even though I don’t condone Kobe’s tantrums/petulance/whining, most of his antics stem from his desire to win with a group capable of doing it. Likewise, Dr. Buss has made it clear he would not trade Kobe had Kobe not demanded it.
November 6th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
I have been a Laker fan since the 60’s and have seen all the fights - from Chamberlain/VanBredacof(sp?), to Magic/Westhead, to Kobe/Shaq, to Kobe/Buss. Somehow the Lakers always survived and prospered.
Since Buss stated he wouldn’t trade Kobe unless he could get equal value, he effectively terminated the trade Kobe sweepstakes. The media, however - and as usual, failed to recognize what was happening.
Kobe will stay for 2yrs and 1) will like the team he has around him (probable) or 2) will opt out for either much less money or a sign-and-trade of the Lakers choosing (not likely). Failing that he will have to play out his final 2yrs for 22-24million dollars a year (what a sacrifice).
Kobe really doesn’t have the leverage the media is giving him and he is not going to pull a Vince Carter to get out. He might as well just win with this group of players - and it doesn’t look so bad so far.
November 9th, 2007 at 9:01 am
please enough with the we will never trade the black mamba crap I dont care how it has to happen but the guy is a cancer, was a cancer when the big fella was here, and will always be a cancer where ever he goes.Face the facts all you Kobe lovers the guy is all for himself and know one else. He never has been and never will be a TEAM player why do you think this cry baby has never won an mvp award because is is not a team player all you mamba fans out there screaming mvp have no idea what mvp really means but understand this he will NEVER win either an mvp award or another world champion ship NEVER