OOoh first post -- first time ever... feels pretty good..

anyways, hey K brothers... so you guys work w/ ESPN mag too now? i know you guys did an interview with them or something..

well anyways, you guys deserve/d it.. you guys do a wonderful job on this blog..

that Kobe appearance on Kimmel was pretty disappointing -- his comments about how Team USA's level of basketball intelligence seemed maybe a stab at the Lakers again but maybe I was reading too much into it...

I don't know about the rest of you fans but I seriously get so paranoid anytime I see Kobe's name in the press lately. I just don't like seeing the word Kobe anywhere cuz it can be only one of three things:

1) Kobe was traded to another team.
2) Kobe has said something less than thoughtful of his teammates or the front office.
3) Some writer is criticizing Kobe for something.

Anyways, thanks everyone for finally letting me be the first post!! It's 5:03 AM here in Korea and staying up paid off haha... maybe i'm too excited about that... i'm out now so good night or good morning or afternoon everyone!

STOP THE HATE in 2008. SUNS SUCK FOREVER.

Hey everyone:

I just went back through the last thread and counted that there were at least 135 posts that were written by or about KL. 135/440 = 30%. Almost one out of every three posts was KL related... that has to be some kind of record...

I wonder what percentage if this thread's posts will be by or about KL. Any guesses?

The Lake Show - I was going to make the same point in the previous thread. I think Kobe's defence is waaayyyy over rated right now. I saw too many guys going off for career highs against us last year.

David Whang - Actually, I hate the Spurs a lot more than the Suns. They're dirty, and no fun to watch. It's like watching the Knicks back in the early '90s. Good team, but dull.

Andrew Z - I have to agree with you. I haven't heard Kobe say anything that looks like he's changed his mind; that's one of the reasons I want to see where we are at training camp.

Am I the only one who realizes that this seaon isn't really going to matter at all unless the league office has an aswer about the Donaghy situation?

“Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy $hit we don't need.” - Tyler Durden

The Lake-Show

you might just get that commitment from kobe this season since he said he slimmed down to 220 ish to be a little quicker on D.

i do agree though that he's been slacking off on defense the last three seasons. im sure the reason being is that he spends a lot of energy on the offensive side. this will spark the argument regarding kobe being a better distributor and getting the other guys involved so he doesnt have to hog the ball. its a circular argument because the same people that criticize kobe are the same ones that get on lebron for passing up shots in crunch time. kobe is and will always be the type of player that we've seen for the past 11 years. he is a shooting guard. that's his job. put the ball in the hoop. love him or hate him for doing it too much, nobody can argue that he simple willed his team to the playoffs with the shoot first mentality. anyways...thats my 2 cents....

I think we need to let KL use the blog for himself to promote big fatty Shaq and ran Kobe expletives .

Of course he learned form the master about expletives.

Shaq trow some of those to Tex Winter, because Tex challenged him to be a man and play defense.

Shaq use the tv to say unpronouncceable words after a Laker loss, and somehow those defenders of a good image in the NBA, kept their mouths zipped.

So...follow your pal, KL...is part of who you are, part of you way to debate.

I know who you are, and you are a big fat brotha like Shaq. Congratulations!

(I dedicate this article to those who care: Edwing Gueco, Laker Tom, Hobbit, Lakerbake, hal9000 and all those who had beign fighting to bring sense to this late Lakers drama)

"Communicating with a Corporate Superstar: Lessons from Kobe Bryant"

Recent trade demands and interaction between all-star shooting guard Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss provide CIOs and corporate managers with the perfect refresher on five key aspects of corporate communications.

August 08, 2007 — CIO — Kobe Bryant is the quintessential corporate superstar: He is the face of the $447 million Lakers franchise, has the top-selling NBA jersey in the United States and China, and has won numerous scoring titles, All Star bids, and All Star MVP titles; within the industry, his peers and colleagues fear his scoring and envy his all-around talent.

But, what happens when a company’s superstar wants out? Managing a high maintenance superstar is tricky, but when crisis situations arise, like when a superstar mutters about leaving, proper communications can make or break your entire organization. For CIOs and vice presidents, the interaction of Lakers owner Jerry Buss with Bryant provides the chance to observe the five key aspects of corporate communications in action—and analyze whether or not Buss succeeded in each category.

1. Identifying the Issue
On May 3, 2007, less than 48 hours after the Lakers’ disappointing season ended, Kobe Bryant uttered his first unhappy words: “Do something and do it now. Especially for me, it’s beyond frustration. Three years and still being at ground zero. So this summer’s a big summer.”

Bryant’s statement encapsulates the issue: He feels the team is not championship caliber and has not been building to become elite. He wants his owner to hear the message and to react accordingly.

Yet, Buss kept us guessing as to whether he cared or even heard Bryant’s words. Buss did not contact Bryant until May 31, when the situation had escalated to where Bryant demanded a trade. Grade: C-

Recommendations: When a superstar publicly articulates three years’ worth of unhappiness, a lot of pent-up emotions are primed to explode. Listen carefully to his or her statements, because the first message usually describes the most important complaint. Analyze quickly and create a response plan immediately; if left alone, many more outbursts will surely follow or they will leave for other opportunities.

2. Knowing Your Protagonist
Buss and Bryant have worked through crisis situations together before, including the tumultuous 2004 off-season that sent Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat. In short, Buss knows Bryant’s key characteristics: loyal, stubborn and non-vocal about issues.

So, when Bryant demanded a trade on national radio, Buss should have recognized the unusualness of the behavior and reached out to Bryant immediately. Grade: B+

Recommendations: Like Buss’ relationship with Bryant, most managers know their superstars well through business interactions. Therefore, knowing the superstar isn’t usually an issue. But in a crisis situation, remember that emotions magnify personalities: If a superstar usually demands apologies, he or she will demand many more apologies when angry. Use this to your advantage: Expect extremes of their normal personalities and quickly identify possible solutions.

3. Identifying Possible Solutions
Kobe Bryant’s demands were simple. Bryant said, “We definitely have to get to that elite level now.” Bryant also suggested that he “would love for him [ex-Lakers general manager Jerry West] to be a part of [the Lakers].” Bryant then went on ESPN Radio and demanded a trade.

Since Bryant’s requests were straightforward, Buss should have easily identified possible solutions: (1) Ask Kobe which players he would like on the team; (2) Consider re-hiring Jerry West; (3) Speak to Bryant and understand why he is demanding a trade.

Buss may have identified these solutions; however, his defiant refusal to communicate with the media or Bryant about the solutions left everyone guessing. Grade: C+

Recommendations: Superstars rarely publicize internal grumbles. When they do, they usually make a clear demand, thus making it easy for managers to identify possible solutions. However, keep in mind that possible solutions must be communicated properly to appropriate stakeholders; if nobody knows about the possible solutions, no progress has been made toward resolving the issue.

4. Timing
When Bryant caused his public ruckus, he was impatient and wanted attention. He even admitted, “I know my patience is about as short as my one-year-old daughter’s.”

q Oftentimes, establishing any contact shows your superstar that he or she has been heard, and is enough to prevent the issue from worsening. When Bryant went on three sports show back-to-back on May 30 to rant, Buss went missing until he called Bryant on the close of business the following day. Buss then disappeared again until he met with Bryant on June 16. Buss did not even contact the media until June 28. Grade: D

Recommendations: When your organization’s superstar makes a public outcry, there is little time for analysis of the situation. Contact must be made with the superstar as soon as possible. Track down your superstar and have a private discussion to find out the real problem.

5. Approach Although Buss chose to remain conspicuously distant during Kobe Bryant’s public tirade, the few meetings between Buss and Bryant have been private. Given the media’s tendency to overanalyze situations and instigate drama, Buss made the right move to deal with issues behind closed doors. Grade: A

Recommendations: It is rare for any corporate situation to demand public attention for private matters. When your superstar is unhappy, discuss the problem privately and personally. As a CIO or vice president, communicate your messages directly to superstars rather than let them hear your message through the news, radio or worse: through the grapevine.

Edward Chuang is an IT Consultant at CACI International. He may be reached at ECreview@gmail.com.
© 2007 CXO Media Inc.

http://www.cio.com/article/128802/Communicating_with_a_Corporate_Superstar_Lessons_from_Kobe_Bryant

Fishing for Answers

Derek Fisher is back where he belongs as he walks the red carpet while the bright lights of Hollywood's cameras snap pictures of him and his wife Candace. After leaving the Lakers in 2004, Fisher has returned to the city he called home when he was drafted over a decade ago.

"It's nice to be back, this is home for us," says Fisher. "It's good to be back and see a lot of familiar faces."

While Fisher's return has excited the Laker faithful, it seems to have done little to appease Kobe Bryant, who has hardly gone out of his way to welcome his friend and former teammate.

"I have not spoken with him," said Fisher, who signed with the Lakers over a month ago. "We've been doing the Black Berry text messaging thing for a few weeks."

So, has Fisher gotten any insights as to Kobe's future with the Lakers from their text message exchanges?

"No, I don't have any insights into the future," he says. "I know [Kobe's] going back to Vegas for USA Basketball but we have birthdays coming up so we'll find an opportunity to get together soon."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/arash_markazi/08/10/davis.pierce/

Sam Smith frofm Chicago Tribune: Kobe Bryant is still the best individual player in the NBA."

"The Lakers figure to still have something going (remember, they were around the West's top four into January before being devastated by injuries), and Kobe Bryant is still the best individual player in the NBA."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20186852/

From the "Postman"

"You give out hope like it was candy in your pocket"

Postman Tom,

You're a true fan and as usual, your symphony of words and encouragement is an inspiration to all Laker fans. I love Cinderella too, and very much appreciate that you are a Niner fan. I just want to know one thing: What in the hell is it that you sell anyway? I bet you have made yourself a rich man.

If only because of his phenomenal basketball skills and tenacity, I too could argue for Saint Dawg in convincing fashion, almost as easily as I argue against him. It's always been this way, but like, so what? The bottom line is that Saint Dawg is a fantastic ball player; a player with issues whose leadership skills and results have always seemed impeded. I don't expect that to change anytime soon, do you, really?

Not that it would be more than a 50/50 shot in the first place (because the sun, moon and stars would have to flawlessly align) to get a Kobe led Laker team any closer to a championship this or next year, but sure, if you can get JO without giving up your future (Andrew, Lamar, Walton. Crit and perhaps a couple of others) I'd say go for it. Otherwise, to gut your team and bank on the Saint is a terrible risk, and you know it. All of you know it.

I would pose this question to all Laker fans: Is your long shot at getting a championship "sooner", with Kobe, more important to you than building a team (you have some fine young talent) which might score multiple championships later, especially with new players or high end draft picks you could gain in exchange for Kobe? Right now, the books have it at around 25 to 1 that the Lakers will win it all next season. If you acquire JO, those odds may improve to 10 or 15 to one, at best. But, if you give up the core of your new generation Laker squad, ie; Andrew, Lamar, Walton, Crit, etc., I'll give 29 to 1 that you won't win more than 29 games in 2010. By the way, the Saint and any other "star" you may be able to snag now for percieved instant gratification will be long gone.

Give this some thought: My sense is that in one form or another, right or wrong, justified or not, injured or not, on the bench or not, reasonable or not, no matter what happens, Kobe will continue to be a distraction to everyone in the Laker organization so long as he is part of it. Kobe will continue to be a distraction. A major attraction distraction, he wouldn't have it any other way of course. This has been the case, is the case, and the worst is probably yet to come. You know it Tom. Everyone knows it. By any measurment, this is not a good thing, is it?

Parenthetically, even after injury and the death of his child, Lamar and other Lakers performed "surprisingly" well (better than they reasonably should have been expected) when Kobe was out last year. They were probably thinking "Unbelievable, he's out a few games. Now we can get a sense of what kind of 'team' we could be; who "we" are". Team? Wow, now that's a concept.

Indeed, the Postman "delivered a message of hope embraced by a new generation". That's you alright. From this day forward, you are no longer "Yul" of Survivor fame. You are known to me as "The Postman!" with GHF messages of hope, optimism and cheerfulness, but never certified.

Sonnybelfast

Five Slept-On Future NBA Stars: Leandro Barbosa, Andrea Bargnani, Andrew Bynum, Jose Calderon, & Daniel Gibson

by Oly Sandor’s NBA Blog
August 10 07

CNNSI recently listed off ten NBA players on the verge of stardom:

* Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls.
* Deron Williams, Utah Jazz.
* Al Jefferson, Boston Celtics.
* Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers.
* Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks.
* Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats.
* Tyson Chandler, New Orleans Hornets.
* Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers.
* Kevin Martin, Sacramento Kings.
* Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors.

My Quick Take: I like all the players on CNNSI’s list. However, a few players were left off or omitted from Generation Next, so I thought I would produce an honorable mention section with five slept-on potential stars. These guys are currently a notch below CNNSI’s list, but have the potential to become a prime-time, future star:

Slept-on Potential Stars:

* Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns: The Brazilian Blur is an established semi-star after winning the sixth man award. But there’s more to Barbosa’s game. And he never gets enough credit. Could his attacking style land him in the All-Star game next season?

* Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors: Bargnani at 21years old is an evolved version of Dirk Nowitzki. Even Nowitzki agrees that the Raptors’ rookie is as tight as David Hasselhoff’s last CD. Bargnani will become unstoppable if he develops his mid-range game and gets a little tougher.

* Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers: Too bad about the Kobe cell phone video. Bynum has certainly had an up-and-down first two seasons in the NBA, but all the tools are there. He just needs some more touches and confidence to develop into a 15 point, 10 rebound center. Maybe more!

* Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors: The Spanish lead guard took a giant step in his second NBA season; in fact, many Raptor fans feel he’s the team’s point guard of the future, not T.J. Ford. He plays with a lot of confidence, which is so important for point guards. If he gets a starting gig, Calderon will quickly become a top eight table-setter.

* Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, Cleveland Cavaliers: One year wonder or the re-incarnation of B.J. Armstrong? Only time will tell. But Gibson gave us some nice flashes during the NBA playoffs.

Who do you see as a potential NBA star? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts?

KLBeast:

"If Kobe were a leader, the percentage of posts by me would be at least 40%! With Shaq, I would be posting at least 50%!. Don't any of you Kobe apologists defend kobiatch! There is nothing you can say, so get your heads out of his a$$!"

KL, are you ok? Did I hit a soft spot, or did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? I'm used to posts from you being calm and subjective, not irate and mindless. For a second, I thought you were gunner...

... or are you just making some incendiary comments to draw more attention to yourself?

Kobe Demands Entire Laker Squad Be Traded To The Eastern Conference (This is just for fun)

By Buster Gunning/realGM.com

Kobe Bryant is at it again, with his latest trade demand bringing the entire Laker squad over to the Eastern Conference.

“It is my best chance to get back to the finals," explained Bryant. "With the Western Conference being what it is, I just don’t see how we can make it all the way. Even with a talent like myself at the helm, it just does not seem likely.

"Now I am a reasonable man. I figure we could just send an Eastern Conference team that never really stands a chance anyway to the West to balance out the trade. A perpetual loser like the Hawks, the Bobcats or say… the Knicks would work perfect. Real losers who are going to drop the ball no matter what Conference they play in, no pun intended of course.”

David Stern is said to be considering Kobe’s request in a desperate attempt to renew interest in the NBA. Apparently fans were not as interested in the Spurs dramatic sweep of the very talented Cleveland Cavaliers .

“I have given this matter a lot of thought and decided that I will indeed consider Mr. Bryant’s request, announced the NBA’s only Commissioner. Kobe is a very talented young man and the face of this League and we would be fools not to consider his demands.”

Not all of the Los Angeles Lakers are as excited as Kobe about the potential move.

"I can't leave the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles," worried forward Luke Walton. "I was born and raised in Southern California amongst the hazy blue oceans and the elegant urban sprawl. Have you seen the strip malls here? Like nowhere else in the world… except maybe Phoenix."

Lakers' center Kwame Brown seemed a bit confused. "There's an Eastern Conference?"

The NBA is also considering allowing Shaquille O’Neal's made-for-TV fat camp kids to form an expansion franchise if they manage to get into shape.

If the event that you have nothing better to do, email Buster @ Buster.Gunning@realgm.com.

The preceding article was a piece of satirical fiction

Jorema, are you Kobe's stalker? You can tell us, it's ok...

Just wondering how you're always the first here with any kind of Kobe news, important or fluff.

That "heater" thing kills me, every single time. And why would asking that question get that response? Feeling defensive? Odd mentality...

AK,

Just a slight correction, I noticed you repeated it twice the mispelled name of the scandalous zebra, i think it is Tim Donaghy without the "e".

David Whang,

Finally, someone voiced a noticeable phenomena in the blog. Many has shied away because there is really nothing to talk except individual preference on how to interpret the historical games. On the contrary, you can blame this to the Laker organization (there I go again...haha) when there is no activity, nothing to talk about, nothing to be excited what else would you do in the blog. Saying the cliche' in another way: "an idle team becomes the topic of devious talk."

Jorema,

Thanks for including me in your dedication. Whatever we say we're just a voice in the wilderness. We're talking to Redwood trees, tall enough that your yell in this blog is not enough to reach their dead trunks. It has been an old topic, they know their problems but refuse to offer solutions. As they say during board meetings, the only effective communication for these owners is to buy them out, then you remove them from the decision-making standpoint.

With regards to Luke Walton, he may have been born and raised in San Diego but he's more of a Wildcat, the arch enemy of Bruins and Trojans. His Dad was a popular Bruin until he became a turncoat, to the Celtics. My vivid memory of Bill Walton was one Laker game wherein a fallen Laker was being helped by his fellow teammate. He admonished his teammate to leave the Laker on the floor. That was a small incident that carried over the years, now he acts as an opportunist on that broadcasting booth, anything that will prop him up as well as Luke, he'll never fail to say it. However, it's undeniable he was one of the best Centers in the NBA that's why he belongs to the Top 50 Players.

Well, 50 days have gone by, since the promised big change that would have occured in the Lakerville, nothing happened, now we are being sold by the agents of Jim Buss & Mitch Kupchak that - WE REALLY DON"T NEED A CHANGE. WE'RE COMPETITIVE IN 07 SEASON UNTIL INJURIES HAPPENED. THIS TIME, WE HAVE FISHER, CRITT, & KARL. We're on our way to a Championship Season. HAHAHAHA!!!!!!! I'm just like any other fool to be a Laker fan saying: GO LAKERS.

The Lake-Show
"MJ was the kind of guy who took satisfaction in shutting someone down, rather than outscoring them. I remember Jordan's finest moments were when he locked down the other guy for a big moment swing that would take the heart out of his counterpart. Now, Im not a MJ fan, but I do remember seeing this."
Can you elaborate a little on that? Who were these guys? Were they really the best players on the other teams? Don't mean to start an endless debate, just a question.

Edwin,

Thanks for the pick up. I've said it many times and I'll say it again, I'm a terrible speller.

AK

Postman (aka Laker Tom),

We both appreciate the variety of arguments on all sides of the Kobe issue. I too, have strong feelings about it, as you know.

I can appreciate the risk you are willing to take; it's like having a gut feeling that things will all fall into place. I'm a bit of a gambler myself. I pick the Niners to win as many as 11 games this year, not counting the playoffs, where they will win at least two. How about those apples?

I believe though that enough has been seen and done on the Kobe issue, NO MATTER WHO IS AT FAULT, to convince me (stronger now than ever) that the disruption will continue, and worse yet, it is the type of disruption that not only will prevent the Lakers from moving back to the top anytime soon, but may have negative effects which last much longer; longer perhaps than this batch of entitlement generation Laker fans can tolerate.

Of course, we agree to disagree. Actually, I hope you are right. I know that with Petrie back in charge, the Kings will be back in the hunt (barring another Maloof brain fart) in the next couple of years or so. As for me, I have seen and heard too much negative Kobe for too long and believe the Lakers and their fans are making a grave mistake by keeping this guy around any longer. Time will tell.

See you tomorrow, InShallah.

Sonnybelfast

Confucious,

That's very interesting observation with regards the statistics of LakersFG% and FT%. That's a homework in the off season. Aside from Kobe who is already close to excellent and Kobe practice every day inTeam USA, so if he plays at the start of the season, he will be a better player. Let me ask (except the new members like Fisher, Critt and Karl) what about his teammates, what type of improvement have they added in their game? Aha! it's not company time so they just gallivant and have fun. I remember during my student days, when I'm weak in some subjects like Algebra or Calculus, i try to take remedial courses during vacation to prepare myself for the school year. What about the Laker players are they practicing, hired personal coaches, 1000 free throws a week? I doubt! How can you beat the Suns, Spurs now the Celtics added if you're having fun & clubbing during off-season?

sonny:

There are as many viewpoints on Kobe Bryant as there are basketball fans. He is obviously a mercurial, complex, and driven personality blessed by exceptional talent and mental fortitude. Whether you are a fan or not, you have to admit that he is a once-in-a-generation player, much like Michael Jordan was before him. Not just a franchise player but a once-in-a-generation player. Before he is done, I believe he will surpass the achievements of Michael Jordan.

Whether he actually will surpass Jordan is going to depend greatly on how Kobe resolves this entire situation with the Lakers. If he is not careful, this situation could end up being the defining moment in his career. If the Lakers are not careful, this could be a disastrous event in the history of the franchise. Because of the gravity of the situation, I think common sense, shared necessity, and circumstances will prevail and Kobe will remain a Laker.

I am sure KL and his crew think I and many Kobe faithful have given Kobe a free pass for all that has gone done. No so. We still believe in our hearts that Kobe is a Laker for life and are hoping that everything can be resolved and used as motivation for the team to excel this season. But we know that Kobe is going to have to make a decision. I think he is smart enough to see that his only real choice at this point is to show up in camp ready and motivated to win a championship, leaving the issue of opting out for review after the end of the year.

It is possible that Kobe could disappoint me, however, and decide to sit out or take some other foolish route out of pride. I hope he doesn’t. I hope he does what is right for the team. Until he doesn’t, I will support him 100% and he will remain my favorite player. But to remain my favorite player, Kobe will have to continue to wear purple and gold because those are the only colors that I root for in the NBA.

Tom

Kl,

Your response to my post goes like this: first off, i hope your rehabbing is going well. now, back to battle.

"It is painfully well documented that there is no *consistent* #2 scoring threat for the Lakers. That would mean that Kobe is scoring a *bunch* of points against constant double & triple teams."

you make a legitimate point. i would like to see kobe use the regular season as a launching pad to bring the team together, win or lose. i remember one coach saying to a supertar (i believe it was Avery Johnson to Dirk):

*if you (mr. superstar) is being played one-on-one, kill them
*if you (mr. superstar) is being doubled team, kill them when the opportunity arises
*if you (mr. superstar) is being tripled team, kill them by finding the open man

i'd like to see kobe lead the team by using the regular season as a practice excercise to get guys ready for the playoffs. i'd have more respect for kobe even if we end up missing the playoffs.

i'm sure one will argue, "but kobe's in his prime". i would agree that kobe's in his prime. so was kobe AND shaq in 2004. you have to think that when all the shizzle was going down, kobe had to realize that he's going to have to go at it with what he has. my gripe with kobe is that, at time, he tried to work with what he has, but when things get tough, the kobe of old returns.

"Since I *KNOW* that you enjoy serious debate b/n the hits on the crack pipe, please name the last NBA player to be on the NBA 1st team offense and 1st team defense."

ah, crack pipes.....a godsend. i'll defer to you (or another blogger) on the stats. i focus on W-L.

"Kobe didn't bad mouth anyone during the season."

i'm not referring to any particular instance, but rather a tendancy to badmouth people publiclly. in my profession (and i suspect any profession) rarely does badmouthing anybody publically result in a net positive. it's just my prespective if you disagree.

"I've been reading your posts for quite awhile and you seem to be riding Kobe
extra hard. Tell the truth. You're the bf of the girl in colorado aren't you?"

first off, i appreciate that you read my posts. that's why i enjoy debating you cuz you give me some consideration on the blog. the reason i ride kobe extra hard is perhaps there's a slight probability that someone in kobe's "circle of trust" pays attention to this blog and if what i say make a minute (ie, small) difference to kobe's behavior which leads to a better outcome for the laker org, then i'd consider my efforts beneficial. the other times, i find it enjoyable that kobe worshipers get so riled up when i say anything remotely bad about kobe, so i say, what the hell, i'll just go banannas.

"Dude. Let it go. Just because Kobe is taller than you. Bigger than you.
Better looking than you and has more $$ than you is no reason to keep the
hate."

i can't argue with you here. i can say that i'm a nicer person that kobe....but we all know that nice guys finish last....LOL

------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for asking about the knee. Day 3 I was walking on crutches. Day 4 I was not walking on
crutches. :) It's going ok. They have this thing out there. Supposed to circulate 8 degree water
around the knee. Unfortunately, I don't have one of those. *sigh*

Back to the battle!

You said:
you make a legitimate point. i would like to see kobe use the regular season as a launching pad to bring the team together, win or lose.

If by this you mean passing the ball to his teammates more and let them fold under pressure or
grow to carry the weight ... It would be nice. There's only one thing. What if they can't fill the
shoes? Phil Jackson actually disagrees with this philosophy. *THAT* is why he told Kobe to
start shooting more. How do you justify Kobe going against the wishes of his HOF coach?
Kobe passes. The Lakers lose. Phil says Kobe, score! Kobe says, "nah. I'm going to directly
contradict your orders and not score. We just won't go to the playoffs. Give the fans
something to cheer about as they continue to pay top $$ for professional basketball. I heard
from Dr. Buss that he wants to raise the price. Jack Nicholson still has too much money. "

Also, Avery Johnson has the luxury of saying this because his team is *STACKED* with talent!
You don't find coaches saying that when they lack talent. Why? Because you *CANT* win that
way! It goes like this: Put the ball in the hands of your best players. When teams don't win,
management gets fired. That's one of the reasons why Greg Popovich has been a coach for
so long vs. .... PJ Carlisemo, Flip Saunders, Van Gundy from the Heat ....

You said: he tried to work with what he has, but when things get tough, the kobe of old returns.

Yes. After two 5+ game losing streaks. After having his coach ask him to score. Kobe is not acting
in a vacuum! To be "FAIR" you *MUST* account for what his coach has said, since what his coach
says affects Kobe's teammates. If Phil told Kobe to shoot more, than he also told the teammates
to pass the ball to Kobe. Kobe can't take the ball out of bounds to himself. Kobe gave his teammates ample opportunity to make shots. They didn't. Phil asked Kobe to score. Kobe did. If
he hadn't the Lakers wouldn't have made the playoffs and Dr. Buss would have lost $$. *THAT*
is not going to happen! Kobe is a meal ticket to him and Dr. Buss is content to "smoke him to the
nubs"!

You said: i'll defer to you (or another blogger) on the stats. i focus on W-L

That's a great idea. How many playoff games did Shaq win without another
all-star? Come on, this is the thing you focus on: W-L. Don't puss out on me!
Answer the question! This will show if you're actually interested in facts or
if you're only interested in your own opinion. I, The Hobbitmage, ****CHALLENGE****
you to actually look up Wins vs. Losses for Shaq without an all-star and
post it so that all can see.

You said:
i'm not referring to any particular instance, but rather a tendancy to badmouth people publiclly.

The word "tendancy" seems vague to me. Please clarify how many times must he badmouth
someone before it becomes a tendancy. Once. Twice. Three times?

Truth be told, I don't think that bad mouthing anyone makes a lot of sense. On the other hand,
there's some things out there that need to be said. Why? Because an entier market has
been created for this type of journalism. How should Kobe defend himself when people
like you accuse him of driving Shaq out of town? If he's *innocent* what "should" he say
or not say? When is he able to defend himself? Why does he have to be everybody's
whipping boy? Kobe drove out Shaq. Kobe drove out Phil. Kobe doesn't pass the ball.
That's a whole lot of crap to be putting on Kobe. How about Shaq doesn't take his conditioning
seriously? How about Phil wanted a 100% increase in salary? How about Kobe's teammates
didn't make their shots? Let's just put all of the blame where he needs to be and that is *NOT*
on Kobe's shoulders. He can't be responsible for everything bad. It pains me to say it, but ...
Kobe is *NOT* that powerful/good!

re: being a nicer person. This is subjective, so according to you ... you are nicer. I suspect that
Vanessa's opinion is slightly different.

From Jorema ...

"Are you a Kobe heater?"

Yes, Jorema, we all suffer from a lack of Spell Check here, don't we? It's comforting to know you spend all your waking hours thinking about our beloved Kobe and his latest exploits. The blog appreciates your National Enquirer touch, Jorema. If Lindsay Lohan or Paris were on the team we could count on you to bring us the latest inane insights into their world. You are a man to be admired, Jorema.

And for all you Mensa wantabees (Kobe lovers) you may be surprised to know that so-called Kobe "Haters" make up a far greater percentage of the Laker fan base than you would care to admit. Of course we must live underground less we suffer persecution for having the audacity of criticizing our beloved Kobe, don't we? While L.A. showers our little BallHog24 with glitz & neon San Antonio, Dallas, Phoenix, Golden State, Utah & probably Portland pass us on the ladder to NBA success. But, what the heck, let's keep little Kobe happy. Agree, Jorema?

"I would pose this question to all Laker fans: Is your long shot at getting a championship "sooner", with Kobe, more important to you than building a team (you have some fine young talent) which might score multiple championships later, especially with new players or high end draft picks you could gain in exchange for Kobe?"

Sonny - there is no such thing as building for the future in the NBA. To use an old cliche' - THE FUTURE IS NOW. Hoping upon hope that you luck out and get that 1st or 2nd slot in the lottery, and then stretching that luck a bit further and having that draft pick turn out to be the real deal is much more of a longshot than the 25 - 1 the book has on us winning a championship right now. Toss in the fact that our FO is totally incompotent, and the odds become overwhelmingingly ridiculous. The fact of the matter is this - WE HAVE THE GREATEST PLAYER ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH RIGHT NOW - thanks to Jerry West. You don't trade him, especially with the idiots we have at the wheel. Match him up with a complimentary superstar - aka Jermaine O'Neal, not a redundant - on again off again talent like Odom, and see what happens. You just might be surprised. At least you make a run at contention, if it works out - Kobe stays, if not - well, then you have the equivalent of basketball Armegeddon in Lakerville. At least we would have tried, and we delay the meltdown. In a worst case scenario - you wind up in the same place you would now if you trade Kobe - and that is a career seat at the Theater of Degradation, otherwise known as the NBA Lottery Selection Show. All of the trades I have been hearing for Kobe are just flat out stupid - anything short of getting Nowitzki and Terry from Dallas would be tantamount to giving up. Those that say we should build around Bynum have got to be kidding - mark my words, three years from now he will wind up in the same historical trash heap as Ralph Sampson, Sam Bowie, Benoit Benjamin, Joe Smith and Kwame Brown (oh my god, he is ours too isn't he?).

You simply can't get value for Kobe Bryant - and you will never get another one like him in the draft. We have to keep him and just hope that by some dumb stroke of luck that Mitch Kupchak pulls off the deal that is staring him in the face right now - LO and Bynum, plus one other player, for JO and probably one other player - Danny Granger at best or Mike Dunleavy at the worst - hell, even he looks better than anybody else on our sorry ass roster.

DO IT MITCH!!!

repost

ex

"Most of the people who exaggerate Kobe's value don't discuss the entire basketball world in the context of how great Kobe is."

fair enough. BTW, i do talk about other subjects, but you probably skip over them. it's all good.

IMPOSTER ALERT!

"If Kobe were a leader, the percentage of posts by me would be at least 40%! With Shaq, I would be posting at least 50%!. Don't any of you Kobe apologists defend kobiatch! There is nothing you can say, so get your heads out of his a$$!

Posted by: KLBeast | August 11, 2007 at 03:13 PM"

THIS IS NOT MY POST.