Report Card/Exit Interview: Kobe Bryant
The Lakers' second half swan dive didn't just cost them a crack at a higher playoff seed, but also a legitimate shot for Kobe Bryant to win the MVP. When the Lakers were 26-13, looking like a team that could hang with the Houstons and Utahs in the solid second tier of Western Conference squads, led by a Bryant who was shooting well, passing and generally helping an undertalented squad play to the best of its potential, Bryant was being lauded in many circles for playing perhaps the best hoops of his career. It was certainly the best I'd seen him play. Had the MVP voting taken place at that point, he'd have been a favorite. Then the injuries hit and the team went into the tank. Kobe was forced to carry the team offensively for massive stretches, bringing his percentage and efficiency down and using up the energy the Lakers would need him to have in the playoffs just to make them.
Still there were plenty of great moments (the string of 50+ games, for example) and a season's worth of outstanding play. In the end, though, Kobe was left with another scoring title, and not much else beyond deep frustration at the state of the team. I do think Kobe went a long way towards changing the perception of his game and how he can adjust his play to lead and instil confidence in those he plays with. It's a shame we didn't get a chance to see how it could have played out over a full season, but the real test will come when (lord willing) there's a better supporting cast around him. I think he's up to it- the prospect of more seasons like the last three has sharpened his focus on winning- but there will always be doubters. Still, however you slice it, it's hard to argue with Kobe's production this year. GRADE: A
EXIT INTERVIEW: You're going to want to listen to this one in its entirety. It's interesting on a lot of levels, most noteably because the veneer of patience Kobe has shown over the last three seasons seems to have officially worn off. Improvements need to be made. "I just voiced my opinion," Bryant said of his meeting with management, "and now they know that they've got to go out there to do the best that they can to try to make it happen. That's one of the things when I resigned here, they promised to build a contender, adn build a contender now. I don't want to have to wait more than I already have."
Download kobe_bryant_exit_interview_1.mp3
Kobe was pretty clear that things have to get better, and that Mitch Kupchak and the gang understand how he feels on the issue. "We have to improve in a myriad of areas," so while Bryant can't say definitively how improvements can be made given the salary constraints the Lakers are working with, he knows there are plenty of issues that can be addressed... and they need to be. As for his own "window," he didn't sound concerned. "I feel fine physically. I still eat like crap. The important thing to me is winning, now. It's not waiting, or this, that or the other." It's a question of going into the season with a reasonable shot of winning the whole thing, and then doing it. Asked about the opt out clause he can exercise in two years, Kobe replied, "I hate to even think about me going someplace else." Which is not, by the way, the same as saying "I won't go somewhere else." Just something to think about.
Telling, too, was his response to the question about making progress internally with the pieces they have. "No, something has to get done. We can't be in the same position next year."
Download kobe_bryant_exit_interview_2.mp3
Kobe said he felt guys gave their best effort. "It was a very difficult season with injury, and new guys being thrown into the rotation and trying to learn on the fly and things of that nature. It was very difficult, and I feel like they gave it their best shot," he said. As for the offense, he told a story about talking this season to Robert Horry when the Lakers played the Spurs, and Horry joked the Lakers looked like they were running the "Bermuda Triangle." It's about finding players that fit the mold and understand what needs to be done, but "it's just basketball." Asked about Phil Jackson and if he'd like see him get an extension, his reply was definitive. "Absolutely. Absolutely. The thing about coach is you know is style, you know the way he coaches, and it's proved to be effective at winning championships. So now it's just about getting players who can play for him, who are willing to play for him. If we do that, we'll be okay." In the second go-round, the two, Kobe says, are very much on the same page.
Download kobe_bryant_exit_interview_3.mp3
"This is really on "E," so we really got to put the pedal to the metal and try to do something," Bryant said. And he believes Dr. Buss feels the same way, and wants to win. "He's going to do whatever it takes to make it happen." Asked about the trade value of his teammates in terms of getting help, Kobe basically said he doesn't play GM. He had high praise of Lamar Odom ("He's a phenominal player," Bryant said, who played hurt through most of the season.) but said again the team just needs to get better. How isn't in his realm. Just needs to get done. One positive of this season, Bryant said, was that the trials and tribulations helped him develop as a leader. "It's one thing to lead when everything's going right. It's another when you've got adversity and you're struggling. That's when you're really, really tested as a leader, and try to keep the ship going."
BK
Jason, Don't get me wrong. I'd definitely take Artest for Kwame.
Thirty-2, yes I do think we could do a deal with Atlanta.
BK, yes it does make sense to sign Mihm. Too early to see if we should put all our marbles there, though.
And G1, the Bay of Pigs reference was awesome.
Gotta look forward to the next exit interview and more posts!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | May 11, 2007 at 08:53 PM
I don't know if anyone of you was listening to Joe MacDonald show this evening. JO confided to Stephen Jackson, he intends to test the market this summer only with two teams namely; Knicks and Lakers.
I hope that rumor is true to attract KG that he should join the fray.
If you are Larry Bird of Pacers or Keven Mchale T-wolves what's the order of priority among the Laker players. Nobody will clamor for Kwame simply because he maxes the salary cap and secondly, his reputation w/ Wizzards and the Lakers.
In my opinion, they would go in the following in this order:
Kobe is definitely not available.
1, Lamar
2. Bynum
3. Walton
4. Farmar
5 MO
6 Vlad - coming from injury
Fillers:
7. Mihm - because of injury & no activity since 2/06
8 Cook - good shooter but limited defense
9 Kwame- last priority
10. Turiaf - salary too low
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 11, 2007 at 08:55 PM
How well do you pay attention to blog comments test?
Who said this?
1. "I would take Charley Manson if he could play defense"
A. Faith
B. Laker Tom
C. PJ
D. Andrew Z
2. Who said, Artest is a cancer and a time bomb waiting to explode and ruin your teams season?
A. Fatty
B. Sean P.
C. "Kill, kill, "the Beast"
D. Eric Musselman
3. Who said, If you bring in Artest for Kwame, "It will be a parade of layups to the basket"?
A. Mike Teniente
B. Mike T.
C. MT
D The Mad Genius Mike T.
Who said, "Get Artest at all costs, he his the right guy at the right time"?
A. Kobe
B. PJ
C. Gary Vitti
D. Fatty
!. Laker Tom, In a moment of desperation and to save the season, Laker Tom would've sold his soul to the Devil. Now that is a loyal Laker Fan.
2. Fatty and 10,000 other bloggers said the last thing we need is a nutcase, that mistreats his wife and dogs
3. Mike Teniente, It was the Mad Genius Mike T. that said "It will be a continual parade of layups" while Mike T said " If you want a parade of layups, thats what you will get" And MT said "No parade in LA if you trade Kwame"
4. Fatty and 10,000 other bloggers said the player that we need the most to help bring a new defensive mentallity to the team. Yes he his a nutcase, but Phil, LO, and Kobe can handle him.
Results:
4 or more correct; you read, memorize the blog, and have no life.
2-3 correct answers; a regular reader that Loves his or her Lakers, but still has no life
1 correct answer; a regular reader that has little comprehenson of what they read, not only has no life, but could care less what Laker Tom, Faith, Mike T, or Fatty has to say
0 correct answers ; Hasn't got a clue on what is going on here, and doesn't really know why he reads the blog. Is just bored with his job and killing time waiting to go home.
Fatty, just testing your blog IQ
Posted by: Fatty | May 11, 2007 at 09:00 PM
LOL Fatty.
Posted by: Faith | May 11, 2007 at 09:36 PM
Generic One
If you watched Kobe lose for the next 3 years you'd want him gone as much as he'd want to leave, He's just tellin' it like it is. If management doesn't make a move then he should for his and LA's sake.
Having said that, I do find KG's "loyalty" to Minnesota appealing, if it is loyalty that keeps him there. It's nice to see an athlete in just one uniform even it is soaked in the sweat of 47 losses a year.
Posted by: Vman | May 11, 2007 at 09:41 PM
Jason F-
I don't know if he was quite that bad (it's a big league...) but yeah, Mihm was definitely something of a whistle magnet. He's clearly not an upper eschelon guy, but for the amount they'd theoretically have to spend to keep him (in both dollars and years) he'd be a pretty good bargain. Toss in the other factors (cap situation, etc.) and he's likely a much better option than anything they'll be able to find on the FA market, short of using their MLE on a different big, but even at MLE money, it might be hard to find a good one.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 11, 2007 at 10:16 PM
FATTY.......that was CLASSIC.........STRAIGHT TO THE POOL ROOM.................. I would like to see trade if possible to get joe johnson i think he could be the perfect fit and maybe one of the 700 forwards that they have as well....but to do that we would have to give away our lazy centre and a couple of players that didnt get along well with our coach........mmmmmmmmm
Posted by: Thirty 2 | May 11, 2007 at 10:35 PM
WHY KOBE WON'T WIN ANOTHER RING:
- Nick named mamba or mambo dancer 24, SNAKE! he will bite the hand of the ones FEEDING him but he''ll probably be an MVP in "celebrity dance"
- It's so clear that he's the CANCER of the team & whoever plays with KObe will end up flushing their career. ATTENTION Lamar Odom, Smush P. & co.
- He's NOT going to be the "main man" but he will be an excellent role player. Kobe is a true Robin to Batman (ask Shaq... MVP? Finals MVP?). So IF Kobe is willing to be the "Robin" to KG, JO or whoever (IF these people decides to be a Laker) then MAYBE.... NOT!!!
Posted by: balakubakobe | May 11, 2007 at 10:35 PM
KOBE THE GREATEST "ROBIN" TO THE REAL BATMAN!!!
WHO THE *&^%^? WANTS TO PLAY WITH THIS BALLHOG?
GET REAL LOSER (LAKER) FANS... THERE IS NO WAY KGARNETT WILL SWALLOW HIS PRIDE JUST TO BE A SECOND FIDDLE WITH THE SNAKE!
Posted by: can2tinckobe | May 11, 2007 at 10:38 PM
This interview of Kobe just makes me sad for him. I can tell all he wants is a contender, but really it is unlikely they are going to have one for several more years. I mean, a cannot see how they canpull one off from where they are at. Don't get me wrong, I hope they do, but come on, most if not all the trades that are being discussed are rediculous.
i can see Kobe saying...I just want to be a contender, and lets face it all he had to do was say "Shaq come back man, we have a good thing going" and they would have been a contender the last 3 years, and you know what he knows it and it has got to be killing him.
I am not sure where we go from herel, but lets hope for the best. If we don't see progress this year, we might as well trade Kobe and truely rebuild around Bynum (assuming he is still around this year). That may be a disaster as well, but we definatly would get some serious players in return for him. Truthfully I don't think Buss would ever trade Kobe, so...it may be ugly for a while.
I hope for the best, but... we will see
Posted by: jt | May 11, 2007 at 10:44 PM
I'm sorry, I don't understand. Anyone here speak jive? I have no idea what either jorema or cyrus just said. I repeat, does anyone here speak jive?
Posted by: LA Guy | May 11, 2007 at 10:47 PM
As a fan and I'm so livid with the Laker managment too.
Not to mention Kobe who had to live with the results of their stupidity (07 "plan") and inability (all the moves that didn't come through like Baron Davis, Boozer, all the moves to bring in injured veterans like Divac, Mckie, all the moves to extend the scrubs we had like Cook, Sasha, Kwame).
Posted by: gdchild | May 11, 2007 at 10:49 PM
p.s. - Kobe is laughing from home, where he's been nice and early for three straight years. "superstar from nothing" Lebron won 7 playoff games last year and is 6-0 so far this year with a team that was picking #1 before he came (and then lost Ricky Davis and Boozer). Exactly how did Lebron make those last-second wins, playoff triple-doubles, and dominating performances down the stretch from nothing?
Posted by: LA Guy | May 11, 2007 at 10:50 PM
Generic One, Kobe didn't call out KG for his loyalty. It's Screaming A Smith. Smith thought KG's "stupid" loyalty hurt him, the Wolves and the league.
Posted by: gdchild | May 11, 2007 at 10:54 PM
generic_one ,
Man I guess you listen to what you want to listen to, Stephen A. Smith said the following:
I've talked to Kobe's friends around the league, unlike some of the media that thinks Kobe has no friends in the league in fact he has friends in the league.
Those friends told me that Kobe is not happy with the Lakers because the Lakers promised him when he re-signed, that they would get all the pieces that are needed to win a champiionship, but the Lakers have not done that.
Those friends told me, that Kobe asked for Baron Davis and they didn't get him(Baron begged the Lakers to take him), he asked for Carlos Boozer when Utah wanted to get rid off him and they didn't get him. Kobe asked for Ron Artest and they didn't get him(Ron also begged the Lakers to take him, he even went to games).
(Kobe is friends with those guys they told him they wanted to play with him, Kobe tried to make it happened, but the Lakers didn't want to do it)
When the Lakers traded for Kwame, Kobe was not informed that Caron was going to be traded until he was traded, Kobe loved playing with Caron, they were best friends(Caron is an all star now, where's Kwame?)
I haven't talked to Kobe, I tried to contact him today, but he didn't return my call.
I ( stephen, not Kobe) think that Kobe is getting tired and if the Lakers don't get him some help, he will opt out of his contract, he wants to win a championship and if the Lakers don't listen to him, then he will leave.
(from there they went to talk about Kevin Garnett)
Unlike Kobe , KG will never ask for a trade, I'll say this if he's happy about his situation and doesn't want to win a championship then that's on him.
If he wanted to he could play with his good friend Kobe, but he doesn't he wants to stay in minnesota and play for that team.
A LOT of his FRIENDS(he didn't mention Kobe at all) tell him to leave to be with a better team and KG says no, well that's on him,
(jermaine O'neal)
He unlike KG will also ask for a trade, he also wants to win, he wants to play for the knicks, he loves Isaah Thomas, and wants to play for him, or with the Lakers.
*****That's more or less what stephen said, he made it CLEAR that he had not talked to Kobe at all, but that that's what HE(stephen) thought Kobe would want to do, because the Lakers seem to not want to help Kobe. He did say Kobe loves the Lakers and L.A but he loves more winning a championship.
I for one, love that this kind of talk is going on because maybe it will accomplish for the organization to do something. Because unlike many of you who hate kobe with ALL your heart, I want the lakers to be champions again, and if controversy will make that happen so be it.
Jim buss mentioned in his interview that they in fact made many mistakes by not getting certain players that they could(say Baron,Ron and Boozer) but that there's nothing they can do now, so they have to move forward. That he has the firm believe that Kobe will be a Laker for life.
So before some of you make the mistake of misinterpreting a comment by a loud analyst, get your facts straight. Kobe NEVER talked to stephen and NEVER said anything about being mad at KG.
AND Stephen made sure to clarify that he did NOT talk to Kobe.
Posted by: lakofan | May 11, 2007 at 11:00 PM
adam kiley -
Absolute bull. I watched all the lakers games last season. Kobe did not become a ball movement "blackhole". The ball stopped moving once people stopped trying to get open.
Anytime anyone did something intelligent and got open, he got the ball to them. Often times flashy enough to throw off the opposing players.
Kobe is a great passer, and willing to do it. Why do you think his game changes shape in the all star game? Because he knows he's playing with the best in the NBA, players who you could theoretically build an entire team around. Watch the all star games, and while they focus on showboating for 3 quarters, he moves the ball. Fast, on time and readily.
This "kobe doesn't pass" stuff is nonsense. He watches the field just as much as the infamous Nash does, except nash has two all stars around him and an amazing supporting cast of shooters.
Posted by: Evan | May 11, 2007 at 11:06 PM
*******NEW RUMOR??*******
I don't know if this is true - someone with the facts please help me out.
A buddy of mine up here (I live in NorCal) told me Baron's contract is up this year. And he really wants to play for the Lakers. I can understand the second part since he went to high school in Santa Monica and played for UCLA.
If the free agent part is true, no way we have enough cap space to sign him, but maybe a sign and trade? Vlad, Cook, and Odom would all give Nellie 6-10 guys (which he could use) that can shoot treys (which he loves).
Can you imagine Baron and Kobe in a back court together? Double Kobe and Baron kills you. Don't double him and Baron finds him open time after time.
Could this happen??
Posted by: Jay Jay | May 11, 2007 at 11:12 PM
...No one in the Western Conference is inclined to help the Lakers, especially in the Pacific Division...
I didn't know there was anything particularly personal about the business of basketball. I don't know of ANY professional team that wants to HELP any other professional team. Teams do the best they can for themselves.
The problem with Kwame isn't what a 'bum' he is. The problem with trading Kwame is that he is probably going to go under the knife within a month and everyone will want to wait to see how he heals before taking a chance on him - see Chris Mihm.
Doesn't anyone on this blog see this situation?
Oh, and Lamar is possibly in the same boat.
Posted by: Craig W. | May 11, 2007 at 11:13 PM
Jermaine does want to be traded, well that according to his friend
The Warriors' Stephen Jackson, former teammates with Jermaine O'Neal of the Pacers, told the media he thinks O'Neal wants to be traded.
"I don't think he has any patience (left), but Jermaine is the ultimate professional," said Jackson.
Whether O'Neal has demanded or requested a trade in his discussions with Pacers management may simply be a matter of semantics. Los Angeles and New York are thought to be the 6-11 All-Star's preferred destinations.
"I talked to him a while back, and he was saying that if he did get traded he would want to go to those two teams," Jackson said. "Isiah and Jermaine are good friends. If it does happen, look out East. Him and (Eddy) Curry in the paint are going to be a monster. But him and Kobe will be a monster, too."
The Pacers appear poised to rebuild, something O'Neal is unlikely to want to be involved with.
"It's going to have to be the perfect deal (to get O'Neal out), because you know from the deal they made with us (landing Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy) it didn't work out for them," Jackson said. "They don't want to make a bad deal again. I think it would have to be a perfect deal.
"Hopefully it works for him because you play so much better when you're somewhere you want to be, in a place where you are wanted. That's why I'm having so much success here, because they've embraced me like a newborn."
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/nba_ex … =nba,31800
Posted by: lakofan | May 11, 2007 at 11:16 PM
JAY JAY,
Baron Davis has 2 more years left on his contract with Golden State. $16.MIL(07-08) and $17.MIL(08-09)
Go to: www.hoopshype.com and click on "Salaries" to get all the facts you need.
Have fun.
Cyrus
Posted by: Cyrus | May 12, 2007 at 12:19 AM
LA Guy
do you honestly believe that Labron could beat the suns in the playoffs? The east is weak, the pistons maybe the only real contenders
And for all the bloggers that are wondering why teams would trade for kwame, it simple they are trading for an expiring contract. 9 mil is significant and the 08 free agent class is a good one. Remember Mihm was mentioned in several deals at the trade deadline and it was well known that he wouldnt be able to play this year. Rebuilding teams will be structuring payroll to be under the cap next year, to add players or resign players they want to keep. Jerry west dumped payroll to sign shaq. So say you have a free agent that is going to walk you might take kwame and his expiring contract. Happens all the time.
MH
Posted by: michael h | May 12, 2007 at 12:23 AM
Another thought on this coming off season. If Mitch doesnt do anything significant this off season, he really should go. I never blamed him for trading shaq because i really believe that was all Dr. Buss, but i blame him for not getting more. I also look back at trading Caron as a major mistake. We all saw how good Caron was and he would have been our number 2 scorer. The bulls never had a great center and with kobe , Caron and lamar the lakers would not have needed a great center either. Then we sign Vlade instead of a point guard. he has made some good moves as well but think about this. Correct me if i am wrong but i think Luke is the only guy that he has drafted that has been a starter. As a matter fact again correct me if i am wrong but the only starters we have drafted in the last 11 years are kobe, derek fisher and luke. And you can argue that luke and fish are more 6th man types. So whats up with that? Maybe andrew and jordon will become stars but man that is some very poor drafting. And please dont go with the lakers are always drafting low because the league is filled with some very good players that were also drafted low, we just have never managed to find them . Think about it the suns, dallas and the spurs all have good players taken low and that is why they have been successful, so Mitch, its either now or goodbye. There, i vented good night.
MH
Posted by: michael h | May 12, 2007 at 12:42 AM
Sarunas Jasikevicius is a free agent. I think he would be real upgrade over anything we've had over the past three years. Any thoughts?
Posted by: James da kingpin | May 12, 2007 at 12:47 AM
RICK FRIEDMAN.......you hit on the head .....the deal needs to come from the east...the bobcats have some nice players ...the hornets...DAVID WEST and they need a centre badly...sean may was a bit fat this season and had alot of injuries but a sign and trade deal with him and wallace would be good as well...maybe luke kwame cook,i couldnt see them getting rid of felton it would need to be something special to land him...and yes the hornets are in the west i know that
Posted by: Thirty 2 | May 12, 2007 at 12:56 AM
This blog is infested...including a flip who obviously has a fixation for kobe...balakubak, you're an embarassment...so are you can2...oh, you're probably one and the same person...pathetic...someone whose handle is to literally "f**k" kobe should be banned from this blog...
Posted by: The Waterboy | May 12, 2007 at 01:26 AM
ATTENTION KOBE BRYANT:
- Tell the comissioner next season you want to have your own ball during the game.
- And you need Smush Parker back. You need a REASON for not making the playoffs next season.
Posted by: kabosyong24 | May 12, 2007 at 01:42 AM
I don't think it's healthy for the Lakers to spend so much of the salary cap on Kobe.
Posted by: dataSpade | May 12, 2007 at 03:01 AM
Vman-
"If you watched Kobe lose for the next 3 years you'd want him gone as much as he'd want to leave, He's just tellin' it like it is. If management doesn't make a move then he should for his and LA's sake."
Spot on as usual. Folks complain when players take the political safe ground and then criticize when a player speaks his mind (even if it is just really what everyone already knows). Darn hypocrisy if you ask me.
As the roster stood when the Lakers were 19 above .500 earlier in the season it was still never equipped to win a championship. However, by playing “fast-forward my DVR” basketball for the second half of the season and having their warts exposed the Lakers now must do something to improve the roster. I am thankful for this in a way because otherwise the Lakers may have lingered in the realm of “good but not great” for the foreseeable future.
Posted by: C.S. | May 12, 2007 at 05:34 AM
why do most of you want to trade away odom or radmanovic?
odom has been through a lot, i think without him lakers will be rubbish
radmanovic is a great shooter. when he gets his stroke back this offseason and takes over the three from walton, it will be a different team. no more missed open threes. cant wait
Posted by: amar k | May 12, 2007 at 06:54 AM
AK/BK,
I love the blog, but there's a chronic problem with the audio clips. They're just not loud enough. Even with the audio volume turned all the way up on my computer, I can barely hear a lot of the clips. Please make them much louder before making them available on the blog. If that makes them too loud for someone, he can always turn the volume down on his computer. But if they aren't loud enough to begin with, guys like me can't hear them no matter how high we turn up the volume. Thanks.
Posted by: rationalfan | May 12, 2007 at 08:47 AM
MH,
Good posts. I disagree about Mitch's drafting, though.
He drafted Luke and Cook the same year, both who have started and been significant contributors. In the past year Cook has become something of a malcontent, but there's no way Mitich could have known that when he drafted him.
I think Jordan was an amazing pick. So was Ronny. Both guys were essentially rookies this year and were part of the rotation.
I think Sasha was a good pick, even though he hasn't quite panned out yet. Seriously, how could you not roll the dice on a 6'7" guy who can guard the 1 and shoot lights-out in practices (which is probably mostly how he was evaluated)?
Bynum was a total steal at 10. Even if you don't think he's going to be a Hall of Fame center, his value rose to the point that the Nets were willing to trade Kidd for him this year. Bad decision not to trade him, but that doesn't reflect on the quality of the original pick.
Incidentally, all of these guys have started at one point or another. I agree that all of them might not be starter-quality, but still - compared with other GMs I think Mitch has done pretty well in the draft.
In retrospect, the worst move Mitch has made in the draft (aside from possibly trading the rights to Samb for Mo Evans, depending on how Samb matures) was trading up to get Kareem Rush.
Posted by: SBPimp | May 12, 2007 at 09:03 AM
Trading O'Neal not Shaq but Jermaine. Here is the story:
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_21929.shtml
The price is too stiff to part w/ LO & MO. Can they choose 4 other players than LO & MO?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 12, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Not a big splash but don't be shocled if we add Grant Hill at the league minimum next season. We need more vets and he'd bve a good addition.
Posted by: LALAKERLOVER | May 12, 2007 at 09:35 AM
I thing the best thing for Kobe heaters, Jim Buss, and the incendiary press...is that Kobe leave the Lakers. As a matter a fact, there isn't any fun anymore in the Staples,
I advise Kobe to leave The Lakers.
Be smart, Kobe.
Go to New York. Chicago. Maybe Boston.
Kobe...If you have to fight to convince Jim Buss to upgrade this roster, that's mean Jim Buss is determined to make you the life imposible.
So, leave them alone. Go ahead. Make a move. Lakers won't win any championship under Jim Buss tutelage, because is show this guy is clueless, arrogant and willing to die without changing his myopic perceptionm.
Jim wants you here for the tickets. He is more confident in Bynum promise that about your talent.
So, go away quetly, Kobe.
Also, read this blog. This is one medium use for some heaters to make look you bad. People in disguise, pseudoreporters, shaqkissers.
How come you never hear a statement from Lakers Management about the unfairness referee's treatment of you at the court. Mark Cuban, does it. Isaiah does it. Phoenix owner does it.
Posted by: jorema | May 12, 2007 at 09:37 AM
Generic One,
You a dumb a$$ man. I mean the lakers management have messed up. I remember that I was praying for the lakers to sign Baron Davis when he was a free agent, and they did not. I remember Ron Artest being at the game showing so much interest in them. I remember when they traded Caron it was a sudden trade that nobody expected, because if you remember the last ten games or so Kobe and Caron played great together they had obviously built chemistry. Caron was averaging like 20 points or so and you could tell him and Kobe were just getting ready for the next season and waiting for Lamar to get back. I remember watching an interview with Caron talking about playing for Phil when Phil got signed, and Caron was elated as hell. And then they don't info Kobe that Caron was getting traded.
You mad at Kobe for getting upset with the management. The man plays injuried all the time, he gets his surgeries done during the offseason, he plays meaningless so called regular season games, he hasn't just made the lakers money his made the entire league money. And if you were to trade him, you think the Shaq trade was unbalance, well trading Kobe will be so unbalanced not just based on the court performaces alone, but also on a monetary base.
Kobe is not the only one mad at the mangement, Phil is also mad. Our draft choices have been miserable, and we've made bad decisions over and over and over again. One mistake not so bad. But making bad decisions contiounsly is bad for a franchise that used to make solid decisions. We should have not drafted a guy so young in Bynum, we should have used that pick for a quality player that had the resume to back it up. Even I did not know who Bynum was and I paid attention to the draft that year. Like I said before, Bynum is another Kwame. If he does not more bulk this summer, and still doesn't learn how to back defenders down in the paint then he will be a failure.
Posted by: wow | May 12, 2007 at 09:51 AM
LA GUY is MTeniente in disguise.
Posted by: jorema | May 12, 2007 at 09:54 AM
KLbeast is Smush Parker in disguise.
Posted by: jorema | May 12, 2007 at 09:55 AM
Instead of Sarunas J of Warriors who is averaging only 4 pts ppg, here is the guy that the Lakers should get Dimitris Diamantidis of Phanatinaikos HT 6'9" Point Guard, MVP in Greece. Here is the profile, see if you like it:
http://www.interbasket.net/players/diamantidis.htm
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 12, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Mitchell,
“I agree with you that Kobe does too much whining at the refs, BUT have you ever seen a star player receive less calls than Kobe, ever?”
I smell a little KBiatch. Mitch, you’re just like kobe……..a little whiner.
“You have a point that Kobe freelances too much, but how can you blame him? I see his freelancing this year as trying to cover for his teamates' deficiencies on defense.”
I think mitch=kobe in disguise. There’s a great way to build up your team, tell them that they suck………or was it “lack talent”. Let me get this straight, shaq was a fat lazy nobody, so kobe lobbied to get rid of shaq and now kob’s the man, and he’s playing with guys who suck?? Has it ever occurred to you that good defense is created by guys willing to PLAY TOGETHER. Do you think kobe is the kind of guy who brings guys together?? During the championship run in 00-02, all kobe would do is complain about shaq being out of shape……….WHO’S GIVES A RATS ASS IF YOU’RE WINNING?? I also suspect secretly kobe was complaining that he deserves the finals MVP, that it was he who should get credit for the championships. I bet kobe’s rethinking that now when all the pressure and criticism is on him. Shaq protected the little punk ass and kobe repays shaq by holding laker management hostage…….basically giving the organization an ultimatum to trade shaq or lose kobe?? Great way to build a successful team.
“Kobe has to "move the ball". Again, did you not watch the first 2/3 of the season”
Wrong again Mitchell kup “check yourself before you wreck yourself”. It’s easy to “move the ball” when the team is winning. I knew as soon as the laker org faced adversity, kobe “king of the world” would start being the kobe of old, jacking up bad shots. Blackmamba24 said it best, you gotta “live and die with the team”. Ya dig??
“Again, you're short term memory is acting up again. Do you honestly think he cares more about scoring championships than winning championships?”
Kobe’s ass must really smell nice today mitchell cupcake. If kobe cared more about winning titles, he would have signed first, then let laker management trade shaq. Also, let me see 3 years post-shaq, 2 scoring titles for kobe, historic 81 point performance, 50+ consecutive points streak, blah, blah……...what about the team? A joke of a team at .500 and posting the worst regular season record in team history. Thank god PJ “aka Benedict Arnold” returned to the lake-show, otherwise, it’d a sub .500 team and an even bigger disaster with kobe “grandmaster of all b-ball playah”.
“If you say that he is selfish because he is more concerned with his OWN legacy than the team's success, than you are making NO sense. The only way for Kobe to secure his legacy is to have the TEAM win.”
Another crock of shizzle. Michell=mitch kupcheck in disguise. Pure manure. The only reason laker management traded shaq BEFORE signing kobe is because kobe wouldn’t sign unless laker management traded shaq. Kobe got tired of being the second bitch (I mean banana) to shaq, so he wanted to be on his own. Well, he’s on his own and he’s a B-I-G loser right now sitting at home watching GS make a run at the West Finals. Nice job, kob “king of the world”. Oh did I mention LAC did better than the Lakers 2 of 3 years??? Never in my 20 years of being a laker fan did I think LAC would be better than LAL. Just horseshit, Mitchell Kupcheck.
“I've never said there is anything wrong with humor on this blog. In fact, the humurous posts are my favorites (i.e. generic1 and mamba24) Don't forget, you're the one that was cracking up at my joke about "Shaq' ass odor".
What I don't appreciate are your dishonest posts. You have baited me time and again to respond to your points of view, which I respected at the time. But then, after my response, you say, "I didn't really mean those things, I just wanted to make you angry". Call me serious all you want, but that ain't funny to me. Here's a lesson for you my clueless brother, you can you be funny AND honest at the same time. Try it out sometime.”
Now, that’s better. I mean what I say but I try to add a bit of humor into it. I can 100% disagree with one’s opinion, but still like and respect them. In the beginning, I thought your were cool, but then you got all serious. Plus, the only time I go extreme is when someone post an extreme blog favoring kobe, like kobe did nothing wrong, kobe’s a great leader, etc. Out of respect for you and other bloggers, I will try my best to be honest and funny. Yo, shaq’s ass still smell; even bigger after he laid the fat egg in the 1st round.
Jormea,
“Nobody read a KLbeast post completedly.”
Need I say more……..
Baywood,
“He singlehandedly got us in the playoffs by his 5-game winning streak.”
Bay, do you realize how ridicules that sounds? That’s why the laker team [can I call it a “team”] suck because it’s a one-man show.
iksaglam
“But to Kobe's defense I think he was doing a good job of not making those faces and being very patient and supportive of the other player in the beginning of the season but as the season went downhill that glare did come back and he started to become more impatient and less supportive.”
Iksaglam, this is my POV on leadership. It’s easy to be supportive when things go right, but a true leader leads when things go wrong. A true leader says, when things go right, my team did it and when things go wrong, blame me. Just my POV bro.
“Being like KG is also bad where no one seems to realise that they are playing with an exceptional talent like KG. So being too nice and supportive is also bad.”
You nailed it again. It’s a balance. I use the example of getting your team to respect you so they work like crazies not to disappoint as appose to scaring the crap out of them. Good leaders get their peeps to work like crazy because they don’t want to disappoint the leader.
“After two seasons it should be obvious that Kobe makes the team much better and himself becomes more deadlier when he is the facilitator of the triangle offense.”
I 100% agree. I would like to see consistently all season and playoffs, win or lose, kobe be the facilitator for 43-44 minutes, then give the ball to kobe and let him finish it off. We all know he can do it.
G_O,
“You can now consider me an official "Kobe Hater." I'm a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers first...”
Generic, now you know how guys like me and Exiled feel as lakers fans first
X-Man,
“The Lakers worst move over the last three years was not the Shaq trade, it was trading Caron Butler for Kwame”
X, welcome to the blog. I respectfully disagree. Caron was mistake #2, Shaq was mistake #1. Shaq was still at his prime while kobe was coming to his own. I think other aging stars would have taken the chance to win a title in LA. Also, Shaq’s “big ass” expiring contract would have been very valuable for a team looking to rebuild.
Jason F,
“*sigh* I remember when LA used to be where you went if you wanted to win a title. Those were the days, eh?”
Welcome to the blog. I remember those day. It’ll come back, it might take several years though.
Fatty from AZ,
“2. Who said, Artest is a cancer and a time bomb waiting to explode and ruin your teams season?
A.Fatty
B. Sean P.
C. "Kill, kill, "the Beast"
D. Eric Musselman”
Thank you for considering me in your pole.
JT,
“i can see Kobe saying...I just want to be a contender, and lets face it all he had to do was say "Shaq come back man, we have a good thing going" and they would have been a contender the last 3 years, and you know what he knows it and it has got to be killing him.”
Justin Timberlake?? j/k. very profound my friend. All it would have taken is kobe give shaq a little respect for shaq’s accomplishments instead of calling shaq lazy and turning 50% of LA fans against shaq. I don’t blame shaq for calling out LA fans. I’m embarrassed to be a laker fan after listening to some of the comments made about shaq and his contributions to the city. I don’t even like shaq personally, I don’t even know him, but I know shaq deserves better than to be run out of town. #34 should be retired in LA, not #32 in Miami. What a waste.
Evan,
“This "kobe doesn't pass" stuff is nonsense. He watches the field just as much as the infamous Nash does, except nash has two all stars around him and an amazing supporting cast of shooters.”
You must be watching ESPN Classic when kobe had to share the ball otherwise, Shaq, Fox, Horry et al would pound on his skinny ass. Here’s the 2006 season 87% of the time. After the ball is thrown to kob, kobe dribbles 7-10 time eating 7-10 seconds off the shot clock, then kobe either takes a bad shot (great if it goes in) then either gloats if it’s good or glare at the refs if it’s not good (or elbows to the face if the defense is good). If kob decides to pass, usually the passee is shooting in duress, then kobe glares if the shot doesn’t go in.
Jay Jay,
“A buddy of mine up here (I live in NorCal) told me Baron's contract is up this year. And he really wants to play for the Lakers. I can understand the second part since he went to high school in Santa Monica and played for UCLA.”
Is your buddy in NorCal named “laker propaganda machine”? why would Baron, superstar of an up-and-coming GS team come to LA to be kobe’s bitch?? Is the NBA instituting a new rule to have 2 balls in play when kobe’s on the court??
i'm out. i'll reply tomorrow to any response. mitchell, you're still cool in my book and shaq's big ass still smells.
Posted by: KL | May 12, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Jo,
"KLbeast is Smush Parker in disguise."
Not bad....
Posted by: KL | May 12, 2007 at 10:02 AM
CARPE DIEM
MT
Is adopting new nicknames to post in the blog.
The intention is to talk trash about Kobe.
Reason?
MT is mad at Kobe because his pretty and precious little boy will be traded and nobody - teammates, owners, coaches - want him around.
The perception from all th lakers insiders is that Kwame take days off. He look for excuses for vacation, and he complaints about pain in the whole body.
LA GUY is MT in disguise.
KLbeast is Smush, or maybe his cousin.
They are all mad because Kobe doesn't want babysit them any more.
Cry, cry, cry smushes, kwames.
You are done/.
Cry now as women what you couldn't defend as men.
CARPE DIEM.
Posted by: jorema | May 12, 2007 at 10:03 AM
In the next 5 years Kobe will going to get 2 championships.
Here with the Lakers or with other team.
I guaranteed that.
When people talk about Kobe mileage, I laugh, Kobe laugh.
The years that Kobe should have played in college he played in the NBA.
Jordan played those years in college. Kobe in the NBA. Is the same mileage. Same time played, dudes.
Those annalists and reporters are just silly and plain stupid.
What's this mean? Kobe isn't peaked his prime. Yes, he doesn't have the same explosion than in earlier years, but his abilities now to score and influence a game is unmatched.
He will continue to getting better. Count on that. He isn't Shaq, Wade or Lebron. He played this year coming from injury, but this summer he will be doing extra stuff to get better. That's will translate in a more efficient Kobe, better conditioning, better approach to the game and attacking the ring.
Kobe heaters…
You are going to have 5 miserable years, because you will hear about more and more greatness from Kobe.
I guaranteed it.
Posted by: jorema | May 12, 2007 at 10:22 AM
If nobody wants Kwame in the NBA, can we trade his rights to a European team like CSKA Moscow and in exchange you get a stable PG one of the best in Europe? His contract runs out by 2009, however Moscow team might give him earlier if Lakers buy his contract. He will blend with Kobe and JO that brings back the effectiveness of triangle with good players. Here is the background of Theodoros Papaloukas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodoros_Papaloukas
Note; You may be wondering why Toronto Raftors topped their division? Because Bosh, Ford and also the Euro players: Calderon, Parker and Garbajosa.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 12, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Edwin Gueco,
I'm pretty sure he was just throwing out his suggestions, and not anything Indiana proposed. I've said since O'neal's name has been brought up, that we shouldn't give up more than Kwame's expiring contract, a throw in player to make salaries work (maybe radmanovic), and a draft pick. That way we get the player we want, and they can start the rebuilding process with some cap space, a young player, and a GREAT shooter.
I LOVE O'neal's game, and I think he's a GREAT fit in our offense, AND dude proved he was a warrior this past season, but he is an injury prone big man, and I wouldn't want to give away LO, and then have JO get hurt for a long stretch of the season. At least if we have Kobe, LO, AND JO if one of them goes down it won't hurt us as much as it did this year.
Posted by: Weave-Man | May 12, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Kobe is raising his voice because if the Lakers still loosing the blame is on him.
The press single him out as the problem.
Mediocre players will come to play here and they will do the blasphemy of pint point Kobe as the reason, using him as scapegoat to justify their underperformance.
Is hard to play with Kobe?
Yes he demand dedication, sacrifice and heart.
Mediocrity isn't in his daily vocabulary.
D'antoni said better. I never have seeing anybody, so focus, going to a game, and it was just the all star game, a relaxed spectacle that NBA players doesn’t take seriously.
Kobe treat each game, practice or real ones as sacred.
Some players, specially the arrivistes, the laziest, the suckers, doesn't like his approach. Ok. That's why they are mediocre. That's why everybody respect Kobe and heat him. He is a perfectionist. A la Jordan.
What’s wrong with that?
Nothing, just envy, (Jerry West said it). People heat Kobe because he refuse to surrender to mediocrity
Suck it up losers.
Greatness isn't for everyone
Posted by: jorema | May 12, 2007 at 10:39 AM
SBPimp,
I like your analysis of Mitch's draft picks. He has really gotten better over the last 3 drafts. Unless you want him to draft a D. Wade at the #19 position, I don't see how you could complain.
Where Mitch has really messed up is in signing FA. I will hold off on criticizing the Vlad signing because his shooting hand was injured by B. Shaw in training camp - he never really had a chance - and he did show some spunk in driving to the basket and defending this year. However, his other pickups have been marginal at best. He has to improve this summer or we need another GM at this time next year.
Posted by: Craig W. | May 12, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Amazing, Mike T back to defend his boy Kwame and take another misplaced shot at Mihm...that wasn't predictable. Neither was the fact he'd try using bafflegab to do it. One intellectually honest argument out of you would be nice Mike T. Don't expect that out of the Artist, but it would be nice.
Posted by: Michael A | May 12, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Jorema, just gotta say it. I like your short posts better than your longer ones, because there are fewer abuses of the language. Seriously, I'm going to give you a break and assume that English is your second language, because some of your posts are really painful to go through.
generic_one, I'm jsust curious as to the source of the comments you made about Kobe. When was that interview? Was Kobe talking to Stephen Smith?
Thanks.
Posted by: Michael A | May 12, 2007 at 10:55 AM
rationalfan-
Hey. Thanks for the heads up. A couple people have mentioned it. This one sounded okay on my computer (the test ship for any audio launch), but we'll call HQ and see if they don't have some tips on juicing the volume on the original recording before it's posted.
Thanks.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 12, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Wow Jorema, that's one of the silliest comments I've ever read here. "The years that Kobe should have played in college he played in the NBA.
Jordan played those years in college. Kobe in the NBA. Is the same mileage. Same time played, dudes."
In college, they might play 35 games. They play 82 regular season in the NBA, plus playoffs if you're on a good team. The game is longer in the NBA by 8 minutes. You don't know math? Seriously man, what are you on?
Posted by: Michael A | May 12, 2007 at 11:08 AM