In the midst of preparations for the opening games of Men’s
Basketball pool play in Beijing, Kobe is starting a new firestorm here
at home.
Kobe Bryant won’t sign a contract extension with the Los
Angeles Lakers until he has tested the global market, the U.S. Olympic
basketball star told Yahoo! Sports on Saturday.Asked whether he plans to solicit overseas offers before signing an extension, Bryant flatly said yes.It’s possible Bryant could leave the NBA for Europe –
perhaps in a dual role of owner and player – as early as next summer.
Bryant is signed with the Lakers through the 2010-11 season, but can
opt out after next season. [Yahoo! Sports]
I could express my opinion on this for pages, but I’ll keep it at this:
Why does Kobe feel the need to talk about this right now? After all
of the emphasis he’s put on the importance of winning an Olympic gold,
he’s spouting off about a controversial move that won’t even happen for
another year. It just doesn’t seem right.
I respect both Kobe’s status as one of the best players in the
world, and anyone’s quest for riches, but give me a break. Why now?
Tactical planning. If we read between the lines, this is Kobe playing GM without playing GM. He knows he isn't going anywhere. We know he isn't going anywhere. For the simple fact he has unfinished business as a Laker, an organization he's extremely loyal to. He will never quit the NBA until he cements his legacy and wins another championship or two. Not even for $50 million. This is a guy who's extremely dedicated to his craft and to winning. That's why he's doing what he's doing for TEAM USA.
Last year, Kobe threatened to leave by demanding to be traded. Mitch Kupchak responded by acquiring Trevor Ariza and Pau Gasol while eliminating weak links in Brian Cook and Kwame Brown.
The Lakers advanced to the Finals but Kobe found out that not only did he need Bynum but he also needed the inconsistent Lamar Odom on top of his game. Didn't happen. Kobe's disappointed but this time around, he hid his frustrations well. A sign of maturity on his part.
At the same time, Kobe knows that the Lakers still have to add pieces. So why not plant another seed by indirectly posturing to leave?
The Lakers have a couple more weak links to get rid of. What he did last year seemed to work. It also lit a fire under Bynum.
This time around, Kobe's doing it again albeit much more quietly and indirect. But it ultimately sends the same message to Laker mgmt. It's once again time for Buss and Kupchak to make their move.
Last edited by J-DIZZLE on August 9th at 12:26 PM.
Agree with Dizzle 100%. Kobe is doing what Kobe has to do to get the Lakers to do what Cuban and Allen and the other owners of most teams in the West do in order to be competitive and that's stick it to the cap. Get off the dime Mitch and get some solid help for the bench down low and get someone who can focus longer than 12 seconds for Odom. Kobe is indeed playing GM and so did MJ and I don't give a damn how many people want to hate on Kobe for it. The threat of losing Kobe is the only reason the Gasol trade was hunted down and made.
IMO the Lakers cannot win the title standing pat even with a healthy Bynum. If Kobe keeps quiet then they do stand pat. If he makes waves, they don't.
As for timing? Lebron started all this. He's the one who said he'd go to Europe for 50 million first and then the press runs to Kobe and asks him and they ask the questions. Played right into Kobe's hands and handcuffed Kupchek and Buss.
KOBE!! is doing a great job of cementing his legacy.
2005 the los angeles lakers become "kobe bryant's team" and miss the playoffs for the first time in a gazillion years.
2006 the lakers become only the 7th team in NBA history to blow a 3 games to 1 playoff series lead. (must have been that killer instinct)
2007 lakers smoked by suns in playoffs in the first round, again. (mcgrady anyone?)
2008 lakers play incredibly well and come into the finals as a HUGE FAVORITE, only to set a record in the finals for blowing the biggest lead in NBA finals history. (KILLER INSTINCT) then get smoked by 40 in the deciding game 6.
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/be ijing/basketball/news?slug=aw-kobet eamusa080908&prov=yhoo&type=lgns>
When someone suggested that Laker loyalists might take offense to his repeated reasoning that a gold medal trumps a title, Bryant bristled.
“So what,” he sniffed. “So what. If they can’t understand that, they don’t know what they’re talking about. It’s that simple. You’re playing for your country. There’s nobody in L.A. that wants to win more than me. If they want to take that as disrespectful, that’s silly. Everybody knows in L.A. that I’m the most competitive person – ever. Nobody wants to win a championship for the Lakers more than I do. Nobody. But playing for your country is something entirely different.”
________________
LOL!!
nobody wants to win more than KOBE!!, but being a playa/owna in italia, doesn't sound so bad either.
Grun.....what the Lakers really need is a player like James....that way they could be a middle of the pack team every year,always get bounced...even in a conference not that strong sans Boston, and never have controversy.....(until 2010 when he rolls out to another team.) Even the Global Icon will get tired of all the losing......I wonder what will be your excuse then for him leaving. Kobe has stood pat with the Lakers since day one and will continue to do so. They will win another title...YOU KNOW IT AND SO DOES EVERYBODY ELSE.
I hope he realizes not only does he need to stay with the Lakers but take less than the maximum to keep this team championship caliber. This minor statement even if he was only halfheartedly into it dissapoints me big time in the guy, and once again he comes off as an arrogant spoiled kid. He isnt 22 years old anymore and needs to think about his comments some times, anyways I hope it was just a case of verbal diahrea.Clean it up Kobe!
Bill Plaschke
2:14 PM PDT, August 9, 2008
BEIJING -- His giant arms have embraced championships, punched defeats, clutched stardom, shoved frustration, been marked with every sort of tattoo and twist and tear.
Yet marching into National Stadium for the Olympic opening ceremony Friday, Kobe Bryant looked down and saw something new.
Feeling awed and humble, for a night at least, it was that kid we knew before all the superstar drama. He was part of a team -- Team USA -- as he marched into the stadium during the opening ceremony.
Sizzel?? Sizzle?? Sissle?? and Sissel??? Why am I not surprised? Your hate spews out like leaking oil from a busted '81 Buick Skylark.
You go out and mock Kobe's last three years without even thinking to your hateful self that each year, the Lakers continue to improve. That's progress young brotha.
But let's take a look at your boy Lebron. His team is going up and down like fluctuations in the real estate market. NO consistency whatsoever.
The more you hate on Kobe, the more you hate yourself.
What's that I smell? KOBE BEEF on the fryer and it's sizzling hot.
Sizzle in several eastern languages translates to insecure, cyberbully, loser lying sissyboy. You think you're harassing me by calling me Dusty Sizzle and I don't even really know know which one I am supposed to be. My research shows there were a number of them. Which one are you punk? What a cyber stalker you are. Sizzle . You should be in jail and I'm confident prison is in your future.
Tim, I agree with J-DIZZLE, Laker management is feeling the pressure to make a move to bolster the bench. Perhaps to add someone that can bring instant offense off the bench. Or adding someone that can play lockdown defense.
Kobe needs BUY-NONE? ROFLMAO!!! Kobe playing GM without playing GM for Ariza and Pau? The Pau deal was completed by a Laker for a Laker and if you don't know what I'm talking about- just poison your purple koolie and quit callin' yourself a laker fan.
Kobe wants money and to F the police. He has three rings (WITH SHAQ). He doesn't need anything for legacy. He wants bank and to be loved nationally (which won't happen in this nation). He is respected- not loved outside of Kooli-Land. In a foreign market- he could become Beckhamnized. Shut up- you'd do it too.
Dont really care I will be a laker fan either way, but no I wouldnt say anything of this sort if I had just gone through a half season of trade rumors I created, and a few years before that got a coach booted and a season before that accussed of sexual deviance. He finaly got the fans everywhere back on his side and knows that he isnt going anywhere, sorry its time to grow up and he actually did a great job of it last year. All he has to say is I am in a good situation and focusing on the olympics right now. He sounded like Lebron James and we all know how arrogant that guy has become of late. Whatever its just stupid basketball but if I am going to criticize everyother spoiled NBA disloyal brat a guy I am a fan of deservees it too.
The bottom line if Kobe ever goes anywhere else to play it is only about the money and not winning because no team will be able to put a cast around him as well as the lakers, unless a team is willing to go way way way over the salary cap. The Lakers are in the finals almost five out of every ten years since the inception of the NBA and that has held true for the past decade. I am sure this question was exadurated but if he ever leaves he will have a hard time convincing me he was ever about anything but himself or money, hopefully it is just a ploy to keep the talent coming, but really this team should be good enough to win it as it is, even with Odom. Sorry as Sizzle pointed out they blew the biggest lead in finals history they also won two games, so they dont blow that lead your going seven games, add Bynum and a year of experience that should be enough to get it done.
Last edited by banmeplease on August 10th at 5:55 PM.
Kobe's career has likely peaked. Age is going to start showing in shots coming up short late in games, more injuries, less veritcal hang time and slower first step. We don't improve physically into or 4th decade of life. IMO no way will the Lakers pay him any more than he is already making...at least not significantly...like $50 millon. He is and has been a great player, but it's coming to an end....what's he got 5 years??
I found many black & white singles joined a called ((((((((((((((________Black White Meet . c o m_________))))), they often discuss sport, game, music there, and i saw they uploaded many photos and videos. More info will come, I am checking the club now
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.
