Speaking of song lyrics this is fitting...its a british band 'Babyshambles'..any rock fans should definitely check these guys out its genius...

It's all and the same
It's all and the same, oh

So what's the use between death and glory?
I can't tell between death and glory
Happy endings, no, they never bore me
Happy endings, they still don't bore me
They, they have a way
A way to make you pay
And to make you toe the line
Sever the ties
Because I'm so clever
But clever ain't wise

And £uck forever
If you don't mind
£uck forever
If you don't mind (don't mind)

What's the use between death and glory?
I can't tell between death and glory
New Labour and Tory
Pergatory and happy families

All and the same
All and the same
No, it's not the same
It's not suppose to be the same

Know about that way
The way they'll make you pay
And the way they make you toe the line
Sever the ties
Oh, you're so clever
You're so clever but not very nice
So £uck forever
If you don't mind
I'm stuck forever
(I'm stuck) in your mind

Go ahead and know about that way
To make you feel/realise to make you pay
And...
To make you toe the line
Sever the ties
I'll never...
Sever the ties
And £uck forever
If you don't mind
See I'm stuck forever
I'm stuck in your mind, your mind, your mind, your mind

Pete Doherty

WOW! The level of frustration in this guys voice is amazing, and while I was skeptical that the Lakers would make a big move this summer, now I'm pretty sure something big will happen. I hope it's not trading Kobe, but for the first time, I can see that happening. Kobe has got them cornered and now they have to do something.

We all know how inept Lakers management has been since the Logo left, and I, like Kobe, have ZERO confindence that they will make any of the right moves here. I've been a fan since '76, and we Laker fans have been blessed with some of the greatest teams and players of all time. We've also seen some crappy teams in between, but nothing like this. A crappy team with the best player on the planet.

I think it's time for the good doctor to sell majority interest in the team and continue his search for the next Anna Nicole.

And by the way, as someone who has lurked here from the beginning, here's a piece of advise. You can always tell after reading the first sentence of a post, if it came from a troll with nothing better to do than spew hatred and stupidity (KL) Many times these posts are 2 or 3 pages long as well (that's another clue). I skip posts from these losers and move on to others with more insight, logic, reason, passion, intelligence...

out

jorema

"He wouldn't go 2-for-13, score eight points and passively hang around the perimeter in the most important game of the season. Bryant's confidence never wanes. "

You're totally right. No way that Kobe would passively hang around the perimeter, only take three shots, and fail to make a shot for an entire half in the most important game of the season. Kobe would never, ever do that.

Damn, I'm as pissed off at the Laker FO as Kobe. How can they mistreat Kobe like this. And Kobe's wish that "someone from the "inside" comes forward to support him and set straight the facts of what really happened" hasn't been granted. So sad.

Tom

Good post.I just hope Kobe knows what hes doing and this is a well thought out thing and there is actually something that can be gained from all this.If its just the frustration talking then its unforgiveable.If he has a clear plan then fine.

I have my doubts personally.But teams have done alot worse than the lakers and superstars have put up with not doing so well for much longer than Kobe has.Its actually debateable how good or bad a full lakers squad actually is.

There plenty of stars who have put up with alot more than Kobe even if he does feel 'let down'

Imagewise this will be the last straw for Kobe I think...he will be labelled a brat for good now.

I was thinking about it the other day and it be might be hypocrytical but what annoys people about Kobe is his shameless desire to succeed.Hes almost too self concious about his own legacy.Too eager and assuming...he does want to win and he want to win as the guy.Theres nothing wrong with that but its so obvious with him.Theres a sense of entitlement that really p!$$es people off.

The other way to look at it,and this may seem a bit extreme, is the team itself is somebody elses investment.Kobe gets paid alot of money to do a job.If the lakers want to plan to some degree for the future ,rightly or wrongly, it is their perogative.Of course they risk losing Kobe if they dont keep him happy...and that is on them too.But if they get the feeling he might leave then they are even less likely to put all their eggs in one basket.

Now Ive always maintained they should build around him for the present but it takes time to work out what direction you need to go.

man....
I keep getting more upset about the Caron trade now, especially listening to how Kobe recanted the way it went down.

Some big story's today, eh.

The most serious one is the owner of the Lakers is arrested for DUI and spends the night in the drunk tank. Have you ever seen a drunk tank full of inebriated people, puking and pissing on each other. Not a pretty sight, and our owner is right in there among all the drunks. Now THAT is embarrassing to the Laker family.

Kobe should not have gone public: Not that he wasn't speaking the truth, not that we have serious problems in the front office, we are a mess. Its what it means, there is no going back. The clock is now ticking, another great star will be leaving the Lakers. No way Buss will keep someone who called him out in public like that, even if Kobe is right.

West can not straighten out this mess: This is why he left LA. No way will he come back. He is not a glutten for punishment.

I'm not blaming Kobe for this mess either. All the blame goes to Buss. He should have been on the phone to Kobe, doing his best to smooth it out, but instead was on the floor of a drunk tank, passed out.

A glimmer of hope: All the parties need to get together. The feathers are ruffled, it will be hard, but it could be done. Only one person could get these people together and mediate a sensible resolution. Magic. They need to get together and do it ASAP. Magic, we need your services again. Get the coffee brewing, sober up both Busses, get Mitchie away from his play station, get Kobe away from reporters, lock them all in a room with no food, phones, or water until they solve this mess.

Attention all Kobe Lovers/Kobe Haters and Laker Lovers. If Kobe demands a trade, we are screwed worse than when Shaq screwed us. For two years, kobe can call all the shots. He wants to play only for the Bulls. They would absolutely own us. If you keep Kobe until his no trade option runs out, he still will dictate where he goes. His salary will be in the low 20 mils. The trade team would demand an extention from Kobe, to give away all those players, and if Kobe refuses, no deal.

Of course the Lakers can always release him and send him packing with a 90 million dollar check and be done with him. We'd have four years of 22 mil against the cap and nothing to show for it.

If you say keep him, do you feel he would play all out for Dr.Buss. I don't mean tank games, but a mild sprain would keep him off the court for 2-3 months like Luke did. Can't risk his future and take a chance, I think he might reason. He would be saving himself for his future team.

Kobe you are right, but you over reacted. I understand your frustration of being mislead all along. You should have done this behind closed doors.

Fatty

PS. My next post. Why Buss needs to sell the Lakers.

this is diastorous. I think i am far more depressed now after listening to that interview than i was after we got owned by the suns. i have never heard kobe like that before. nothing was scripted, nothing seemed held back or calculated, he was just being real. he sounds really hurt by all the front office has done. he has been working so hard and they are just using him. i never imagined i would see the day where kobe would leave the lakers, but now..... i can realisticaly imagine him being traded this summer after hearing that interview. he just sounds broken.

Now Ive always maintained they should build around him for the present but it takes time to work out what direction you need to go.

Posted by: Kiwi | May 29, 2007 at 08:37 PM

How much more time? 2, 5, 10 years or whatever tme it takes until they hit it right?

LA Guy,

If you are too much of a LeBron fan, shouldn't it be logical that you root for the Cavaliers? Schizoprenia?

haters when Kobe leaves are you guys going to leave with him and leave the Lakers alone?

It would be great for you to follow him to his next team, that way we can have peace again on this blog.

Because you cannot still be with the same thing after he leaves because well you love the Lakers and since Kobe to you the cancer of this team then all is well in Lakerland, Yuppie!!!!!!

AND to all of you that are happy seeing Kobe talk so sad about the team and hear him cry, may you never have to go through a hard thing at work with everyone making fun or criticizing you.

Kobe Bean Bryant is a human being, listen to what he said before he didn't care because he didn't have daughters NOW he does and it hurts him not for him but for them, so before you KILL a man that has done nothing to YOU personally, think a little bit about how you hurt his family.

Listening to the interview as we speak...

Somebody done ucfked up for real...and it's not Kobe. The truth is out there. What the hell's gonna happen now?!?!

Guys,
If Kobe gets traded the backlash on the Lakers management will be astronomic huge.
It won't happen, at least for the next season.
Just imagine:
Season Ticket Holders will ask their money back.
The Lakers will lose tons of money in advertising, jersey sales and Broadcast revenues.
The majority of Lakers fans will ask for Mitch and the whole Buss family heads.

So relax, besides many Lakers management folks pretty pissed off at Kobe at this time, including the Buss family, excluding Jeannie. I would say they will do anything to please Kobe. They now their near future ($$$$$$$) is on Kobe's hands now. So they will not trade him.

I predict Jerry West coming. JW is just saying he doesn't know what will happen is pure politics and respect for the Grizzlies.
Kobe would not ask for him without talking with him first. So jerry wants to come and help Mitch, but Jim Buss is saying no, That's why the struggle. This is a war between Jim and Kobe and the old Jerry Buss is too drunk to take helm of the Lakers, so at this point Phil Jackson is on Kobe's side as well as Jeannie.

What a mess!

Jim should just get out.
Mitch as everybody knows is a puppet on Jim's hands. I bet Mitch wants JW back!

Here's a link to Mitch's complete history as a GM, which I couldn't cut and paste:

http://www.hoopshype.com/general_managers/mitch_kupchak.htm

Wes

The least the FO can do is issue a fkin statement....this is getting ridiculous, we need to know what the state of our FRANCHISE PLAYER is. I would be just as pissed if i was Kobe

Wow!!!! I just listened to that interview, and I'm pissed!!!! I've got so many thoughts in my mind right now, but I just don't know what to say. This man is giving his all for the Lakers, and it seems like they've just lied to his face for 4 years. I'm confused, and lost right now, but I know one thing, if the front office doesn't get their ish together we will be seeing Kobe demand a trade. And the messed up thing about it is, if he does demand a trade, his legacy is the one that's gonna be hurt. All the haters, and media guys that hate him will come out, and try to destroy that man, AND IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!!!! This is a sad sad day in my life as a Laker's fan!!!!

WOW!!!!!

This is all politics and semantics from West and everyone invloved here. When they use phrases like "I have no plans," they are basically making sure they cover their asses in case they change their minds. Front office needs to say something to quell all of this uproar. Kobe has really thrown the sheet to the fan in the last few days. Can't wait for tomorrows news.

generic one, those trades are sooooo unrealistic...

the salaries don't even match!!!

exiled

didn't you understand what I said?

I said since ALL the haters basically hate Kobe they will be gone when he leaves, because they never talk about what's happenning to the Lakers, but how Kobe is the most evil person and player so they would leave when he does right?

Or at least just stop talking about him since he won't be a Laker anymore.

Plain and simple no kobe and the Lakers will start the rebuilding process, to the mess that to them Kobe created.

jt

kobe gets 17 million a year he wil lmake 20 the last two years, he is not even in the top five of players to be paid a lot of money, he's 9th.

And I think he in fact works for that money, unlike other players.

If you really want to read on article on Lebron, here is an eye opener

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/columns-editorials/id.779/title.open-letter-to-lebron-being-ali-or-being-owned

IF and that's a biggggg IF it was true what Stephen A. Smith said tonite, that Shaq told him that Kobe was telling the truth, what will all the Kobe haters, Shaq lovers are going to dooooo?

Ford-

Hey. Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not entirely sure I understand what you mean. If it's a problem, we'd like to fix it, though. Feel free to drop another comment, or email us at kambrothers@yahoo.com.

Thanks.

BK

Wow, just listened to the whole Kobe thing on KLAC 570. Really disappointing how he was lied to....I could sense how hurt ,upset and tired he was from the tone of his voice. We're only in May and already he's training for next season, name me one other player on the Lakers who is doing that.

BK,

Whenever someone makes a post with a long url in it, it stretches the posts from side to side. The width of the text window is not consistant, and all of the text in between "returns" ends up on one line. I end up having to use the scroll bar on the bottom to see the whole line, because the width is larger than the screen.

I don't know if that made it any clearer or not, but hopefully it did. If it didn't, let me know and I can try again.

Thanks again,

-Ford

Hey lakofan, can you tell us more? A link perhaps lol. What can I say, you spoiled us with links lol.

RE: Kobe and all. I think everyone is frustrated, and that's adding to Kobe's reaction. If what was said was true, the "insider" (by the way, how reliable is that, an "insider"...for all you know it could be anyone. For example I can tell you as an "insider" that I wasn't that 23 year old girl with Dr. Buss lol, jk)....then someone needs to say something, say it personally and stop with the media (though in this case, after all taht has happened, I doubt that's enough or even possible). You'd think we've learned by now...but then again, it has been kinda slow in the actual movement part...so might as well talk about something else.

One thing I know...it's like what happened to Luke (except ten-fold cause it's Kobe). It's like when they were asking him about free agency, then trying to get him down to teams he's intersted in...next thing you know you hear the "headline: Luke Walton wants to leave to go to Denver, etc." I prefer to wait and actually see things happen. But that's just me. Although it doesn't hurt talking about "interesting" trade scenarios lol.

Fatty,

Will Jerry Buss sell the Lakers soon? It's becoming real every day passes, a new twist, a new drama the family should give up the team? This is no longer party poker but DUI, inexperienced son and incompetent GM, he should sell this team to an active group like AEG Enterprises & Magic Johnson. Jerry is getting old and his son is not reliable to manage it?

LakerTom & Korey, AZ & EZ nice posts what a miracle GHE and GHF got all reunited for the sake of Kobe who is under attack from those who hates speak his mind. Everyone wants Kobe to win but not to speak because he's a controversial person. What an irony to be judging people based on one's personal perspective and biases. Leave Kobe alone, he's already 29 years old, he has a mind of his own.

Go Fatty, hold on to the Kobe fort, more cavalry is coming in the next few days. I would rather protect Kobe, the remaining Laker treasure.

Jo,
“That's when it starts to get scary, and that's what we wanted to avoid. Where we would financially strap our flexibility with the franchise.”

So we’re better off now?

“Look for other silly motive to justify your dislike of Kobe. is personal, man.”

It ain’t personal, it’s business. Lakers are a joke because kobe wanted to secure his “legacy”. It’s that simple. BTW, I appreciate your time eventhough we disagree. I give you much respect .

Angry,

“Kobe stated on his web site the Dr Buss said that he was getting rid of Shaq at the end of 2004!!! The Shaq trade was to do with Buss!! He is the owner and calls the shots!”

So let me understand what’s happening in latertown……..kobe’s blaming shaq again 3 years later. This is great, I love it.

“I am telling you, you will get your wish and Kobe will be playing for Dallas next year and we will have Dirk!! There are rumours that Cuban is leaning towards this deal!!”

Dallas ain’t stupid enough to trade a championship for the Big Cancer. Trade kob to the Knicks, Grizz or Atlanta. Kobe can be the highest scoring person in the regular season [emphasis on regular season].

“Will you stop you stupid Kobe hate and just concentrate on the team!!!”

I don’t know what to think about the team……..kobe’s the Big Cancer and the lakers are stuck. What to do. I don’t think kobe’s changing, so perhaps the laker management should consider trading the Kobester? At least the laker org can rebuild. Plus it looks like kobe’s looking for an out.

“Its ok for Shaq to surround himself with tools to win a title but it is not ok for Kobe to do the same!!”

I don’t blame the Big Crybaby, but kobe’s got a bad reputation and he (kobe) is blinded by his so-called “greatness”. Greatness which is diminishing by the year.

“You are just a glorified Shaq apologist!!”

I don’t give a rat’s a$$ about the Big Lazy. I feel bad for the dude that kobe turn LA fans against the Big Lazy, but hay, it’s part of the business. I think Shaq’ll live.

“Please explain Miami's excuse for getting beating by the Bull 4-0!! (Do not mention injuries because all teams have injuries!!)”

No explanation, but who won the title in 2006? I don’t mean scoring title, that would be our beloved kobe.

Wolf,
“LMFAO!!”

??

Tim-4-Show,
“I listened to the whole interview. Very impressive to hear Kobe without all the PC talk that he normally has to spit. Management hasn't even been in touch with him and this soap opera starts playing out, as Kobe said, "it's a mess".”

Why is everything always a mess around the Big Cancer?

utzworld
“You took Wojonarski's bait hook, line and sinker. Even after #24 himself addressed the issues head on. "A former Bryant associate"??? Come on, man. Any idiot could tell that the troll cut and pasted damn near verbatim from the ESPN article!”

First off, thanks for your time. Even though we disagree, I appreciate your time.

I think the “laker insider” was kobe himself. Kobe made a mistake by getting rid of shaq and now kobe wants out. Just my take bro.

lakofan
“I said since ALL the haters basically hate Kobe they will be gone when he leaves, because they never talk about what's happenning to the Lakers, but how Kobe is the most evil person and player so they would leave when he does right?”

I disagree. I’m indifferent about the Big Crybaby, but I’ll root for the lakers again when kobe plays team ball (which is unlikely now) or we formally begin the rebuilding process. I might have to wait another 10 year before another Shaq comes along, but hey, I’ll wait.

AZ

I don’t think this is as simple as just shut up Kobe.
I think Kobe is astute enough to see the discord in El Segundo. There is no 1 chief down there and it’s certainly not the right chief if it is one. Kobe suggested getting the right chief. Now the way he did it is in question but he certainly doesn’t need to just shut the hell up.
True Star players, whether they are Larry Bird, Magic, Tom Brady, Emmitt Smith or whomever should give a hoot. The Lakers are a little dysfunctional and need leadership. Besides if the Lakers lose and don’t get to a title in the Shaq aftermath it’s on KOBE, not the BUSS family, Mitch, or anyone else outside of Phil Jackson somewhat.

Lakergurl,gdchild and everyone else becasue you all should read this.

I'm aware Kobe is 29 and in terms of how long Im prepared to wait....well I dont know exactly but what I do know is that there are about 30 teams in the NBA and at any given time only about 5 actually contend.In other words it could take ten years and the lakers still might not win a playoff series.Particularly in the West which just gets better and better.People have tried to construct a million basketball teams around a great player or several greatplayers.Many of them look good on paper ,the fans are excited,and it doesnt work,be it chemistry or luck or the fact other teams are just better.I believe that the lakers should clearly be doing everything possible to win with one of the most talented players in history in his prime.If they are not doing that then Kobe has every right to be upset and perhaps think about other options.

However dont see what the Lakers have to gain by not trying to become a good team now. I think they are in part thinking about the future but mainly they are just trying to make sensible long and short term decisions with what they have.I have actually respected the philospophy of not making moves for making moves sake becasue this is often what gets teams into trouble.I dont think you can completely seperate the two as in 'win now' or 'in the future'.

To me the issue is that Kobe and the fans are being unrealistic about how long/how easy/and what it takes to become a contender.They just expected it would happen when the truth is there are plenty of teams out there and plenty of fantastic players out there that dont make the playoffs or can never win a round in 2,5 10,15 years....That is why championship/contending teams are so special.It doesn't just happen...you can do everything right and it still doesn't happen.KObe is also unrealistic about what the lakers are there to do.They are not there solely to ensure that HE has a great legacy.

I have always said trading Bynum for example is the logical thing to do...so has lakers management BUT if the right deal isnt there its just not there.Thats business all over the planet.So Kobe has hurt feelings? I feel sorry for him I really do but he is joining a long list of NBA stars who have wasted their primes on teams that arent that good.I dont know if he necessarily wants to win any more than many of them but he certainly feels like everyone 'owes' him something.Plenty of guys come out and ask to be traded to a contender or they stick with their team for longer.So Kobe loves the lakers? well as we all know love is easy when things are good....the true test is when things arent so good and if Kobe is having trouble coping with 3 seasons of not contending ( I mean lots of guys are in worse situations) and is basically putting the lakers in a position where they are going to have to trade him.But he doesn't want to say look I cant do it here trade me to a contender...he wants to do it in such a way where theres minimal responsibility on him,....before you say Im wrong think back...is escalating situations becasue hes trying to come out of things looking good NOT a big part of how he historically deals with things?Im not blaming the guy god forbid I couldnt deal with that amount of criticism but cmon now....

Kobes being used? for $130 mil?

Remember it is a business.If you dont like it dont blame me.Im no fan of uber capitalism either.....

But the truth is in real terms.Now the lakers build around a guy who doesn't appear to want to be here? Does this make it more and less likely they go all in for Kobe.

Kobe is showing himself to be out of touch with reality in regards to the business side of the NBA on one side so why should I trust hes got all the answers on the other?.He also looks clueless in regards ot his own legacy.Personally after giving him the benefit of the doubt and sticking up for him over the last decade I am extremely disapointed.

These are dark days of you are a laker fan or a Kobe fan

I

wow - doesn't that article apply to Michael Jordan, Jermaine O'Neal, Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Rasheed Wallace, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Jason Richardson, Ben Gordon, Carmelo Anthony, Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen, Shawn Marion, Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Elton Brand, Tayshaun Prince, Pau Gasol, Brandon Roy, Deron Williams, Manu Ginobili and Dirk Nowitzki too? Not to mention Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Roy Jones Jr., Michielle Wie, Grace Park, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, James Blake, John McEnroe, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, the English rugby team, the Indian cricket team, and half of the decent soccer players and teams in the world?

Not to mention Kobe Bryant.

This just proves exactly what Kobe is saying... the Lakers fron office is a mess! Owner is in jail for driving drunk and Jeanie and Jim are at each others throats.

AK and BK

I think you can understand this analogy to relate to the current Laker issues.

Back in 2004, the Dodgers had a team that could have gone all the way to the World Series. They didn't. They lost in the 1st Round to St Louis. What caused that to happen, a dumb GM (DePodesti)who sacrificed the two core pieces of the team in order to get one good player and the rest scrubs. What happened in 2005? Dodgers were in LAST place and the owner thankfully fired DePodesti.

Now with Coletti, the Dodgers are making SOLID and QUALITY moves that are getting them to the playoffs and will keep them in the hunt for a World Championship all the while developing young players to fill role positions.

Forward to the Lakers. Even if Jerry West comes back in as small a role as consultant, that is a bargaining chip that the Lakers can max to it's advantage to get quality role players, not SUPERSTARS but a supporting cast that wins championships. Take a look at every Championship team that's ever won, 95% of the time it's always the role players who step up to the challenge.

So far under Kupchek/Jim Buss we've given away quality for what? A legitamate second/third (Butler) scorer for a guy who can't catch a ball even when it's properly thrown to him in the right position and place? Hell for that $$$, I'll get Kenny Thomas in Sacramento and another good role player who can do that consistently for less $$$.

This is what this conversation is about. What is the direction of this team? And the very good teams need as little as one sentence to explain it.

Phoenix: " We are a running and gunning- fast pased transition offense"

Detroit: " We have no offense but you better get back on transition D and execute what little offense we have well"

San Antonio: "Duncan is the central hub, he'll provide a list of things, you provide the rest to fill in as spokes"

Utah: "Rebound, Play Defense, execute a Pick-Roll and play hard because no wussies allowed to play"

Look at some of the assistant coaches (Rambis/Shaw) looking at other teams to coach, that's a serious problem that has a direct connection to the direction or lack there of on the Management.

If Kobe/PJ discusses things subtly and quietly, it goes over the Management's heads and nothing gets done. Had the players/coaches known what is going on a lot of these questions would be answered.

Hell do we bloggers figure out what this team is about in one sentence? Other than a House of Mass Confusion.

hey all, here's a link to stephen a. smith's article regarding kobe, the lakers' management as well as shaq's comment:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/stephen_a_smith/20070530_Stephen_A__Smith____Bryant_fires_back_at_Lakers.html

So Diesel stepped up and got Kobe's back, huh? Wonders never cease.

The conclusion I gather after hearing Kobe's interview: The Laker front office had designs on pulling a post-Jordan Chicago Bulls number on Kobe...not to mention all of us. Eveything makes perfect sense, now. Why else would Mitch & Buss Boy Jimmy surround Kobe with a supporting cast full of rejects (Ankle Cake), has beens (the very sometimey Lamar Odom), and never will be's (SMUSH!)?

To make the situation so bad that Kobe would bail out after a few years and, in the meantime, the FO can rebuild from scratch.

We've been played, y'all.
To quote Malcolm X: We've been Misled.
We've been Had.
Took.
Hoodwinked.
Bamboozled.
Led Astray.
Run Amok.

lakofan:

I gotcha now. I'll be here regardless.

And, if Shaq truly said that, then it ends the issue for me. Shaq may be stoking the fires a little bit, but what reason does he have to lie?

The reason I placed the blame on Kobe was because Shaq had, at the very least, never disputed accounts that Kobe ran him off, and the circumstances pointed to the move being made to keep Kobe. As of today, that argument has been laid to rest by Shaq himself. I have asked for people to allow for the possibility that they could be wrong, and now I have no choice but to acknowledge that I was wrong.

I still believe it was a dumb decision to trade Shaq, and it was an especially dumb decision to do it so hastily.

We're still living with the consequences of the trade. I still believe that there's a lot yet to be revealed. But now because of what Shaq said, I have no choice but to stop putting the lion's share of the blame on Kobe.

And I hope that true Laker fans of good conscience can do the same.

I hope West comes back and can sit down and get everyone the chill out becuase we are passing 90's Lakers country and heading right toward Celtic-town. A legendary organization religated to the lottery draft every year. And where in the hell in Magic in all of this. I know he has an opinion in all of the caziness. He's a people person. Can't he help calm these waters. I remember when people were trying to blame Kobe for Malone leaving and Magic came right out and cleared the air letting people know it wasn't Kobes fault. Damn this a is some frustating stuff. At this point the only way kobe will be chilled out is of we get KG and Artest. You know its really hitting the fan when Shaq is agreeing with Kobe. I never thought I would see the day were I would actually be more pissed with the laker brass than at its players. I'm from the bay area and trust me when I say this is extactly what happened to the Niners right befor they became cellar dewellers for several years. Come Lakers get it together. We have KB the best player in the league aching to win another World Title for city of LA and its Laker fans.

To be fair to Jerry Buss I think he did come out and say that it was his desicion to trade Shaq, I could have sworn he said it during an ESPN interview. Its not like this is really new information. Most every true Laker fan knew that as well. Now if they chose to believe him is something else entirely.

crj: don't think Kobe didn't have ANYTHING to do with it. I've come off my position, but to think that Kobe had nothing to do with the Shaq fallout is naive. He knew the deal for months and neither said nor did anything to make things better.

As to your points.

1. Only from an economic standpoint was the Shaq move justified from Buss' perspective. Age and shape are factors, but an aging Shaq is no less important than having an aging Kareem in the post. The Miami Heat proved the value of a diminished Shaq for a team looking to contend for a title (one ECF appearance and one Finals victory later).

2. Who knows who the "Laker insider" is? It could be KL wearing a bootlegged Lakers' office shirt. But it could also be Magic Johnson, Jim Buss or Kupchak. In any event, Kobe's desire to be rid of Shaq played a role. Even his most ardent apologists admit that Kobe wanted away from Shaq. Shaq's comments changed my perspective on HOW MUCH blame he deserves (much less) but not on whether he deserves SOME blame.

3. Your question is based on the faulty premise that the "trades" for Baron, Artest, Boozer et al. were feasible. I don't know whether they were. I place the blame for not pulling the trigger on Kidd squarely on the FO, but even that one carried risks.

4. The FO isn't up to the challenge. Kupchak's role as a viable GM ended when he traded for Shaq. Not that he had a choice. But it set a precedent. It boxed him in and he had little room for error. Every team makes mistakes.

5. That's the way I felt when they traded Shaq. I felt like they destroyed the franchise when they did that. Hence, my name. But I always remained a fan of the TEAM. Don't let your feelings for one player -- any player -- distort your love for the Lakers as a team. They'll be back.