He's been dancing around the questions for the past few moths, offering tight-lipped answers, really leaving the fans to draw their own conclusions. Well, today Kobe was direct about his aspirations to spend the rest of his career in Los Angeles:
“Absolutely,” Bryant said the day after the Lakers beat the Denver
Nuggets 128-114 in their playoff series opener. “I’ve always wanted to
be here. I just felt like I was in a position where I didn’t really
have a choice. They wanted to go in an opposite direction. My legs
aren’t as young as they used to be. Just let me know.
“I love the weather. I love my ‘63 drop-top Impala. I love the 405 (freeway). I love my guys.” [HoopsVibe]
This may instill hope amongst the Lakers faithful, however, we know how fast things can change. I can't lie though. I wouldn't mind seeing the 24 hang from the rafters.
It turns out today was a pretty busy day as far as news from the Lakers' camp.
More Andrew Bynum drama:
When asked after practice if there was a risk of messing up team
chemistry by playing 7-footers Bynum and Pau Gasol at the same time,
Jackson replied: “I think without a doubt that Andrew would come off
the bench and we would play him a little bit off the bench if there was
any chance that he could come back and play again, but it’s such a
remote thing. We’re not seriously thinking about it." [ESPN]
Also, some bad news for the Mbenga fans out there:
Center DJ Mbenga got caught up with some of the other participants
and ended up on the floor with a look of agony on his face as teammates
and team medical personnel gathered around.
DJ had a CT scan and was diagnosed with bruised ribs. He is officially listed as Day-to-Day. [Lakers Basketblog]
Randoms from the LA Times Lakers Blog: 1. Ronny Turiaf was sent home today, suffering from some sort of ailment 2. Kobe commented on those "DUI" chants raining on Melo on Sunday, calling them "uncalled for." 3. That above noted injury that DJ Mbenga duffered was from a knee to the ribs. Ouch.
Hmmm, are you sure you live in LA Kobe? Are you sure your not a tourist, who the #### in LA likes the 405? Its one of the worse god damn freeways, ridiculous people driving in ridiculous traffic. Lol, 'I love the 405' I've never heard anyone say that ever pretty funny quote. Good stuff
kobe bryant is stil a as i would call a spoiled brat, who when he doesnt get exacly what he wants will whine and blame team mates or someone... kobe just play the game SON!!!!!!!
Bryant said that he was "absolutely" open to finishing his career with the Lakers and that he had not thought about terminating his contract, although he DECLINED TO SPECULATE WHEN ASKED IF HE WOULD OPT OUT AFTER NEXT SEASON.
Bryant, 29, could terminate his current deal, a move that would leave two years and a hefty $47.8 million on the table.
*he can then ask the lakers for more money, and remember the man has a the only no trade clause in the nba. why would you not hold the lakers hostage for the rest of your career.*
"It was just rough because being here for three years and not having anything done, it got to the point that it was extremely frustrating," Bryant said. "The talks that we had positively about trying to do things and be more aggressive and still nothing gets done, and then MY BEST FRIEND [Caron Butler] GETS SHIPPED OUT OF HERE WITHOUT ME KNOWING, so it was just beyond frustration. Then [Butler] is an NBA All-Star and that really didn't sit well. . . . It takes pressure sometimes to make a diamond."
*someone needs to tell mamba that he is not the lakers assistant GM*
_____________________
P.S. no one loves the 405, that's how you know this guy is full of it. alw
I'd be very surprised if Kobe opted out for more money considering he criticized Shaq when O'Neal was positioning himself for a new deal. The Lakers had GP and Malone signed at the veteran's minimum and below at the time.
With LO in position for an extension and Bynum in line for his first max deal, it would be a dumb move for Kobe to make.
Yes, K9obe awesome display of decision making almost landed him in prison! Keep up the good work TOBE. You all have your heads so far up this fuks ####--ss, its pathetic.
I do agree that Lakers fans were out of class for chanting "D-U-I" on Sunday's game. It was totally uncalled for.
BILLYHOYLE: "P.S. no one loves the 405, that's how you know this guy is full of it"
You ever been stuck on the 5, which has no carpool? Ever drove the 10 up and down L.A. to the inland empire? How about the 710 during rush hour near the ports of Long Beach? Or worse the 91 from Gardena all the way down to Corona where rush hour starts right around noon?
I drive the 405 every single day, and it is by far the largest freeway in Los Angeles and easiest to maneuver in. Kobe is a Laker for the rest of his career. Get used to it haters and live with it. You're just envious he's not on your team.
For those who've never experienced the freeways in L.A., I suggest you come live out here before you pass judgment on Kobe and his remarks. The guy is nothing but class, says the truth every time, and is the most admired athlete in basketball. People just can't accept the fact that he speaks his mind and people get hurt over what he says. Those that have the guts to speak what they say without being worried about what people think of them are people who command respect.
the 10 , the 5 , the 110, the 405 you name it. i've sat in my car for hours on all of these highways.
i enjoy driving up and down highway 1 with the view of the pacific, the mountains. i can see driving the rag top impala on the 1. but kobe didn't say that.
Yes! the haters are out in full force. They kind of have a point, and I can't say I didn't see it coming, but my prognosis is that if the Lakers front office do a job (not even a 'good' job) of keeping this team together, or at least competitive, Kobe will stay.
And Billy, Dizzle is right. The 405 is one of the most navigable rush-hour freeways in LA. Especially for Kobe coming from Orange County.
That said, I doubt kobe actually "loves" the 405, but I understand the sentiment.
Thanks for the comments everyone!
Last edited by timmoore2 on April 22nd at 11:58 AM.
Rooster: When Kobe says "I really wanted to be here" he meant exactly that, without actually saying he'd be here for the rest of his career if his owner acquired an All-Star caliber player. Do you actually believe Kobe would move his family to cold and windy Chicago where he wouldn't be able to drop the top on his Impala?
And what does Ric Bucher know especially if he proved to us his statement had no credibility whatsoever.
Kobe's 405 freeway comment was tongue-in-cheek! Traffic is synonymous with LA. I reckon if he had said "I love the smog and earthquakes" as a joke, some of you would be complaining about that also!
Isn't that kind of a payback for them getting on Kobe during and after the rape trial in Denver? Payback is a dog they say....................fans don't forget.
The 101 in ventura is easily the most comfortable freeway allowing me to push speeds of 120. And yeah those LA freeways, like the 10 and 05 are a pain in the #### too.. but have you seen LA? Let me put myself on a pedestal and say Yuck!
I Love how all the kobe haters have no teams listed on their profile. must be embarrassed that they are not LAKERS FANS. Kobe's rants got some trades , one more reason for MVP. ;)
he also said the chants were uncalled for. melo will no doubt be found guilty for that one, and it just happened. on the other hand kobe was not guilty and after years these poor dumba$se$ can only bring that up because he finishes the teams that they are too embarressed to put on their profile. hahahaha. (ok winone, at least you have a spurs avatar)
billy , I didn't know kobe did Rap. he's a Rappist too?
Last edited by onefishfan on April 23rd at 2:02 AM.
Im so glad he's finally done that. Even though he hasn't come out and said he doesnt want to be traded anymore, but I guess this is as close to a rescinding it as we're going to get. I think it was something he should've done though. With all the hard work the other guys have put in. The personell changes the FO has made for the team. They've gone above and beyond for him. Its about time he did this.
LNSU
405's not that bad. I was stuck on it one day next to beauitful young thing driving a new Porch. I yell out my cell # and to my surprise she called me while we were both in traffic. Now she stuck at my house or I'm stuck at hers. Not mad at you Kobe!
Please fellow Laker fans; be gentle with these sad creatures begging for attention. They are just like us, only starved for both human contact and common sense. Some of these folks are victims of painfully low self-esteem AND side effects from long-term medication. Others are, “high functioning lunatics”, mimics of what they heard us saying.
If you think you’re being talked about any time during this comment, consult your voices then please say hi. If this message seems to be talking about you, respond in your best effort. Though I won’t answer, it does help others recognize your participation. Then they can put you in perspective against all the others WITHIN the very wide range of behaviors of the, “so-called”, norm. Good, let’s begin drilling into that 4 inch thick skull bone! Question-
Does the freeway thing (Kobe’s 405 experience) really bug you? It’s okay. There are real-time maps a few clicks away. If maps show what traffic is like in streaming color, would you believe it's no trick? If you see green, and know someone on that green freeway, say the 405, is traveling when it’s not during “peak hours”, could you follow and believe it’s possible? This is how "others" get perspective, meaning people who get outside once in a while. And where the population is more than on, we might go on to deduce Mr. Bryant/Lakers do not practice at times forcing them to travel at peak hours of gridlock. See! A little adjustment to a world not existing only in your little room and you could have enough stimuli to hold a 5-10 minute conversation before you get maced.
Last edited by Zen_and_Tonic on April 23rd at 2:52 PM.
Thanks for the update Tim!
I hope you don’t mind, I wanted to bring some love to some of your hating responders. Only love…I’m not a Doctor, but I play one on TV AND stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night! Another test, it’s funny if you have cable (with no parental control) Laker Nation; some visitors have so many voices in their head to sort through. Most of the time they keep themselves company.This is their closest pass at our experience. Quietly watch and enjoy their tricks to get attention. In the less tolerant past they were chained to a radiator in the cellar.
“Kobe hater”! (Not based in a fantasy world, but in his peers’ and REAL experts’ opinions) You nitpick a guy: as good as anyone at what he does; who has earned over three digit millions by age 30; and has no idea you exist. Your fixation says something about you and it may not be hate. You may also be very damaged and/or unable to control your behavior! (Compared to "most" people)
I like to help those moved by the demons causing this affliction. Also, it’s hard for most adults to dumb things down to your child level maturity and simple act/react reasoning for discussion. Do you resemble this remark? –Duh, Kobe is a mess compared to everyone in MY world. I think people want to hear why I feel this way, one uneducated conclusion at a time (see 405 example above-sane people get one of those per blog). Admit it and say the Hater Creed: I cannot resist actring like a loser and I DO beg for attention.
Last edited by Zen_and_Tonic on April 23rd at 4:32 PM.
I'm a realistic observer of the vast world that surrounds the Los Angeles Lakers. You can thank Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell, Cedric Ceballos, and Vlade Divac for making that possible. The greatest person of all time is Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn. There's no getting around that. Me? I'm eighteen years old and working my way to a journalism degree.
the fans to draw their own conclusions. Well, today Kobe was direct about his aspirations to spend the rest of his career in Los Angeles:
