Stuff Kobe said
I only caught the tail end of yesterday's conversation between Kobe and members of the media in which he said he "absolutely" (quoting Kobe) wants to stay with the Lakers, and is "open to finishing his career with them" (quoting the report). I missed the stuff about drop top Impalas and grading Mitch Kupchak, but did manage to hear some interesting bits. It's obviously good news to hear Kobe say he is, once and for all, happy in Los Angeles, and doesn't want to go anywhere. That's been the assumption for a while now, but it can't hurt to hear it explicitly expressed. And while there will likely always be some disconnect between how Kobe and management perceive the events of the last few seasons and the most recent offseason, if everyone is now pushing in the same direction, does it really matter?
I'm sure we'll all continue to debate what happened this summer, what led to it, and what's happened since, just as people still discuss the dissolution of the Threepeat teams. The important thing for Lakers fans is it now seems highly unlikely that those two debates will be joined by a third, regarding the end of Kobe's career as a Laker. Not anytime soon, at least.
(NOTE: There were about four or five other media members around, and they'd been talking for a while. Not all the questions are mine, as you might suspect. Just wanted to make that clear.)
Q: When was the point when you said, "Damn, I want to stay here forever." You're saying that now.
A: The same answers I've been saying today are the same answers that I've been giving. It might sound different now because we're winning. We have the first seed, so it might sound a little different, but I've been saying this all year.
Q: Well, put it this way- You weren't a happy camper at the beginning of the regular season. That was obvious. And I understand, because there was an agreement. (I believe this is in reference to Jerry Buss' preseason statements, after everyone had decided to go mum on the Trade Kobe Issue.)
A: (Kobe smiles, and doesn't disagree)
Q: So if you weren't happy at the beginning, when did you get happy?
A: Honestly, as soon as I got out on the court, I separated the business from the game. I can block out a lot of stuff and just focus on playing. Once I got out on the court with my guys, we just bonded together and had a good time, and I forgot about the business side of things pretty quickly.
Q: And when you started winning, that made you happier?
A: Yeah. I started getting excited, because I looked at Jordan (Farmar) and Sasha (Vujacic) and Andrew (Bynum) and the young fellas that have really developed, and then obviously Mitch being aggressive and making a couple of big trades that really helped us out, it showed me that they wanted to win right now. That it's not something they wanted to wait on.
Q: But Mitch never said that was because they wanted to make you happy, by doing those trades, did he?
A: No, but I'm sure that's something that's thought of.
Q: Have you talked to Jerry Buss?
A: We saw each other in the locker room before the San Antonio game. It was a big game, and he came down and wished us all good luck. That was the first time I'd seen him down there all season, really.
Q: But that's not unusual. He doesn't go into the locker room very often.
A: He doesn't go down much. We had a couple big games, and that was an opportunity to gain that one seed, so he came down and wished us all good luck.
Q: Did he talk to you and (players) individually?
A: I don't know, because I'm walking through (the locker room, into the trainer's room, etc., doing game prep) so everybody's kind of coming and going, and we had a chance to kind of shake hands before the game. (Laughs) I feel like I'm in middle school right now, talking about the girl that wouldn't ask me to the dance or something. It's like, "Well, what did she say? What did he say?"
Q: I understand. I'm just asking, if you don't mind answering, when you got past (his anger with Buss' comments). Because again, at the beginning of the season, you didn't want to be here.
A: I let it go. Hey, I've got a job to do. I'm here to play basketball. Once the season starts, I'm ready to go, in 100%.
Q: But the idea was still, or a while, that you didn't want to stay here. Or am I wrong?
A: If they want to win right now, I'm all for it. That's all I said the whole time. If you want to win right now? (Good.) If you want to wait five, six years from now? (It's not). It's pretty simple.
Q: Are you happy they didn't overreact to what you said over the summer, and didn't jump out and make the first deal that was available?
A: I think they did a really good job of being patient and maximizing the pieces that they have here. Like I said, the Trevor (Ariza) deal was huge for us, and Pau (Gasol) to go along with the bigs that we have now, and the passing ability and chemistry, it's good.
Q: How about them being patient with you?
A: I think it's the other way around. I've been sitting on this for four years now, with nothing getting done. So it took a lot of patience on my part, for three years or four years of nothing getting done. To see this thing develop to be where it is today, it feels pretty damn good.
BK
Amazing_Happens,
I wouldn't say I expect LO to develop in those areas, but I'm hopeful. haha
Posted by: Xodus | April 22, 2008 at 04:15 PM
I do not believe that Kobe planned everything out. However, it is too much of a coincidence to think that the efforts of management to acquire other players (including the unsuccessful attempts for O'Neal and Garnett this summer) and the dramatic change over the summer in Bynum's work ethic are unrelated to Kobe publicly expressing his frustration.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 22, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Charles
Starve, starve, starve, him man!
Posted by: toad | April 22, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Bynum needs to man up, I don't see him missing the 2nd round of the playoffs
Posted by: Gino | April 22, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Greenpaz,
"Chris Paul placed seventh on the DPOY list? On, may I ask, what planet? I've watched him several times this year, and his defense is atrocious. All he does is leak out for steals, leaving Tyson Chandler (who, inexplicably, is two spots behind him) to clean up the mess. AK/BK, what do you think of this?"
Since you asked me, I would simply say that I disagree with you. I had League Pass and watched a fair amount of Hornets games. Aside from the league leading steals he collects, I consider Paul among the better on the ball defending PG's out there. He's always been regarded as a good defender and I think it's a well deserved rep. It's actually a big advantage I felt NO would have over Dallas, in that I think Paul has a better chance of defending Kidd than the other way around.
Like I said, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Laker Tom said:
"Win or lose, look for Kobe to opt out this summer and he and Lamar to sign new long-term cap-friendly contracts to retire as Lakers. Look for the Lakers also to sign Drew, Jordan, and Trevor to contract extensions and match any offers for Sasha and Ronny. Jerry Buss knows that the future of the franchise is in locking up the players to keep the team together, luxury tax be damned. Look for the birth of the next Lakers dyanasty."
Tom, I'm right with you on that.............let the dynasty grow!
Posted by: toad | April 22, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Xodus,
“It's amazing that we've got 4 guys who have basically become untouchable. And I think we're all smart enough to know which 4 guys I'm referring to. I really hope LO spends the summer improving his set jumper. He's shown flashes of improvement at certain points in the season. But if he can consistently hit the 15-20 footer a Bynum, Gasol, Odom front line would REALLY be deadly.”
You must mean Jordan, Sasha, Trevor, and Ronny, no? LOL. Although, I think you may see us move to lock up those four players with longer term contracts this summer.
Thanks for the link to the LO story. I completely agree with you that the Fab4 are untouchable. Kobe and Fish plus the Triple Towers will be the greatest starting lineup in the NBA. We will dominate for a decade.
As for Lamar’s mid-range game and right hand, I have seen him improve in all three areas this year, especially his use of this right hand. As for the improvement in his midrange game, just look at how much improved his free throw shooting has been (yes, I know he blew a pair in the Denver game but in general his free throwing has improved greatly, which is usually a sign that a player’s shot is on.
In fact, I would bet that part of the increase in Lamar’s points per game recently has come by attacking the rim and getting to the line and converting more free throws. What is making Lamar the player he is capable of is great play without the ball and consistent attacking of the rim rather than settling for a jumper. Like Pau and Drew, Lamar is perfect for playing with Kobe and playing in the Triangle Offense.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 22, 2008 at 04:26 PM
To Charles:
You definitely need to relax bro.
"he insulted me"
hahahaha.
are you kidding me? what kind of guy are you that you get insulted if some other dude behind a keyboard finds your comments hilarious.
Who cares if he said your comments were stupid.
What's stupid is that you are acting stupid about it hehehe.
Seriously, why do you get all hostile about it.
Grow up, or chill out or get pills or something dude.
But don't spoil the fun for the rest of us.
GO LAKE SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Outsidergua | April 22, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Eventhough I am just as mad as all you about getting my leg pulled regarding Bynum we should all just let it go for now. Lets enjoy how our team is playing right now. We are playing at a very high level right now without Bynum. While I can't hope but dream what the team with Bynum will be like theres no point in hoping everyday. Lets focus on this series and how we are currently playing.
Odom is probably playing some of the best basketball of his career right now. I would rather focus on that then if PJ is lying or if Bynum is secretly working out. Gasol also just had a great game. And Luke, he is actually playing like Luke instead of Puke. I realize its an off day and there isn't a lot to talk about besides Bynum but I'm just saying we should be enjoying what this Laker team is doing with or without Bynum.
With that being said, I think Bynum will be back at some point in the playoffs, hopefully he does nothing but add to this already impressive and fun Laker team. And I agree with BK that you can't really trust what PJ says regarding injuries.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | April 22, 2008 at 04:30 PM
ex,
“I do not believe that Kobe planned everything out. However, it is too much of a coincidence to think that the efforts of management to acquire other players (including the unsuccessful attempts for O'Neal and Garnett this summer) and the dramatic change over the summer in Bynum's work ethic are unrelated to Kobe publicly expressing his frustration.”
Well said, ex. I would add that I think teammates like Andrew, Jordan, Lamar, Sasha, Vlade, and Ronny also realized that Kobe was pissed and dissatisfied with the quality of play of his teammates well before the public events of the summer. Fortunately, Mitch had drafted and traded for guys who accepted the challenge and worked hard during the offseason to up their games, guys who wanted to show Kobe that they were winners.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 22, 2008 at 04:36 PM
you don't and can't give bryant credit for the team's turnaround this year. but to say that his actions/words during the summer didn't have any effect is flat out wrong.
Posted by: designmao | April 22, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Outsidergua,
In regards to your post about don't spoil the fun, I wholeheartedly agree.
Here's an excerpt from my final post for him "the blog is noticing the idle day and let's keep it basketball. Your refute isn't mature enough and intelligent enough.
If you want to get into a basketball exchange let's do it. Otherwise, thanks for the pre-mature evacuation.
Posted by: Charles | April 22, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Now if your going to call me stupid also? That's takes away the credence behind your harmonious words. I was wishing if you were to lead by being to chill out guy, to be chill yourself and not insult someone.
"are you kidding me? what kind of guy are you that you get insulted if some other dude behind a keyboard finds your comments hilarious."
The irony behind that is you are reacting to someone's post behind another keyboard. With this post of your's, you have reacted twice. And if you were such the blog angel of delight, why not follow your supposed lead.
Some good points, some hypocritical points. Lot's of irony...
Posted by: Charles | April 22, 2008 at 04:41 PM
ex-
It could have played a small motivational role for guys, but as it was pointed out, Bynum was already in the gym, Sasha is as hard a worker as anyone on the team, and Farmar was already a highly motivated gym rat. Those guys were putting in the time anyway. As for the JO deal, that was something kicked around last year, and they didn't do it. The "everything including the kitchen sink" approach for KG has been on the books for a couple years now.
I agree with people that say Kobe shouldn't be hung out to dry on this (I've had the argument in the media room more than once with people who say this summer should count against Kobe in the MVP voting- to me, that seems totally unfair and irrelevant.). He's admitted he handled it poorly, and more or less apologized. Plus, he had some valid points about the state of the organization. My point is, though, that while Kobe's actions added a lot of drama and intrigue, from a personnel standpoint, the Lakers actually held back and didn't make the big move he wanted. Had all of this been kept quiet, I think the same trades would have been made, and the Lakers would have seen essentially the same results from the guys they already had.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 04:52 PM
LakerTom,
Dynasty comes from series of wins and domination.
Domination comes from happy players with that feeling that they are part of the team.
Teamwork means an open policy from the management, an open communication on where the ship is heading. On the part of players, they are willing to work for success No need of subterfuge or underhanded tactics of an inside man. No need of sidestepping fundamental needs and experimenting cheapy PG by getting Tierre Brown or Smush Parker. (This is the equivalent of outsourcing jobs, obtain cheap labor from illegals or patronize cheap products from China and expect goodwill from fellow Americans.)
If everyone will abide with this understanding then Lakers reign will go on for a long time even to the post Kobe era. We have a set policy in place not dealing with personalities. My model here is the Wizzard of Westwood.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 22, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Outsideragua, The Mob boss, Charles,
There is a pending job on hand as Laker fans:
"How to sweep the Denver Nuggets?"
I hope you all maintain peace and tranquility and back to positive postings.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 22, 2008 at 05:00 PM
BK,
"people who say this summer should count against Kobe in the MVP voting- to me, that seems totally unfair and irrelevant"
I totally agree with your enligthenment on those media people. They have an inherent distrust on Kobe since the Colorado case and separation with Shaq. Being iinfluenced by media brokers in the East Coast, they are not in tune with the news here in the west that much.
If he does not win the MVP in the league, he is an MVP of the Lakers this season, an inspiration that led to renewal. Without Kobe's rants or pressure, our attitude as well as F/O is that we're coming around and improving every year. Perhaps, the only change in personnel will be Fisher. Because of the need to grow as highlighted by Kobe, MO and Cook were pushed out as soon as a serviceable defender became available. I think there have been numerous offers-counteroffers on Pau Gasol by the Lakers as far back as other years, but it took sometime to make it into fruition. The highlight of that deal: Gasol has no chance of making Grizzlies a playoff contender so they went into rebuild mode because Mr. Hershley got back the team of which in the Prior year, it was being sold to a group of players but it didn't go through. so rather than losing another $20M, they released the high-priced player in the line up. They did not take the Bulls offer because it will not clear any cap space.
Now Bynum, Farmar, Sasha and Vlad as well as the injured LO and Luke, the pressure was within them. They know that one way or another Kobe was relating his rants on them as well, them being part of the team. It is either they fight him back or agree to improve, they have chosen the latter and we became a different team compared to two consecutive years. Last but not the least, Jerry Buss also showed his dissatisfaction to PJ's slow motion triangle, they waste precious seconds on the lateral passing, so PJ incorporated the running triangle and we noticed this change during the preseason, it won games and accepted by everyone to engage in feastbreaks within the triangle offense.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 22, 2008 at 05:25 PM
"Hi, I'm Kobe. And I want to win the Championship"
To me, is the biggest single thing Kobe did or said to help the Lakers this offseason.
It changed the mindset of the whole team and we are enjoying the fruits of his leadership.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 22, 2008 at 05:38 PM
'it's hard to argue that, especially this summer, it didn't look like the ship was without direction.'
'plus he had some valid points about the state of the organisation'
Can you expand on this a bit please.The only problems in the summer were those caused by Bryant himself...and what points did he have?The Lakers had come off a successful end to the '06 season in regards to the teams progression and it was not the moment for a change that summer.
The '07 season was disrupted by injuries from the beginning but the lakers made a good start in the West...and finished with a relatively good record given the injury problems.They played poorly down the stretch but guys just missed too much time to get the team D sorted.
No sooner ahd the season finished than Kobe started piping up...even if he hadnt there was a good argument for sitting on things and seeing how the improvement of younger players helped things and hope for an injury free season then eventually making a trade.'07 was a write off of a year as far as evaluating the team or its players went.
A trade needed to be made but it was always going to be this season or this coming offseason after the team knew what they were dealing with....To say he had any validity at all is to say Kobe was expecting a trade by the deadline LAST year? The lakers had committed to a direction at the end of '06 and to some extent had to see it through.
so...what was so directionless about the organisation exactly? on the contrary its really hard to argue that they didnt play all their cards exactly right starting with the non moves of summer '06.
Posted by: Kiwi | April 22, 2008 at 06:45 PM
why does the media keep asking about last summer? goodness. just focus on the present. media people are so curious about dirty personal issues that they just distort everything for everyone else. get over it people. obviously kobe and management has..... sheesh. i think everyone has a clear picture of what happened and what it has led to. now let's get on with it people. no need to redig the hole to find something new. no digging please.
Posted by: wasssssssssup | April 22, 2008 at 06:46 PM
why does the media keep asking about last summer? goodness. just focus on the present. media people are so curious about dirty personal issues that they just distort everything for everyone else. get over it people. obviously kobe and management has..... sheesh. i think everyone has a clear picture of what happened and what it has led to. now let's get on with it people. no need to redig the hole to find something new. no digging please.
Posted by: wasssssssssup | April 22, 2008 at 06:46 PM
BK
My above post was supposed to be addressed to you
Posted by: Kiwi | April 22, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Too much negative vibe in here today...
Why can't we just encourage everybody and be positive fans...
Show love people!
===========================
SUNS is losing in SA.
Posted by: dice8up | April 22, 2008 at 08:40 PM
This site is now officially the "Kobe Blog".
fair weather.
Posted by: Shaq-Fu | April 22, 2008 at 09:05 PM
that was a cheap foul by Rajah...
Posted by: dice8up | April 22, 2008 at 09:24 PM
I'm confused. one minute he says he was happy when he got out on the court..the next he said he was happy after seeing the "Yung'n" pull there weight..then says he was happy when he noticed Mitch making deals to win now? But yet the reporter asked 1 specific question? WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO SAY DAMN I WANA B A LAKER FOR LIFE????? The answer I expected and thought would have summed up everything he said wud have been the last answer! Apparently he was happy during NBA opening night...Sasha and Farmar didn't really come along till about close to themiddle of the season or maybe earlier! 3 different thing transpired this season (emergense of the yungsta...Ariza..Gasol) and I'm still thinkin he's only happy that were #1..or that it worked out..and not cuz of the moves Per se!
What yall think??
Posted by: lakeraholic | April 22, 2008 at 01:38 PM
One thing that caught my eye was the first game against PHX. Kobe was sitting on the bench and he was watching in disbelief how the team was blowing Phx away with fast breaks and ball movement. I saw it in his eyes and face and he was surprized at what he saw. At that point I think he became a believer.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 23, 2008 at 12:09 AM
"Hi, I'm Kobe. And I want to win the Championship"
To me, is the biggest single thing Kobe did or said to help the Lakers this offseason.
It changed the mindset of the whole team and we are enjoying the fruits of his leadership.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 22, 2008 at 05:38 PM
I completely agree since that is exactly what I posted long ago!
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 23, 2008 at 12:54 AM
I for one wish all this negative bickering would end and just try to think positive. Lets talk about the Lakers and not in fight as we all really want the Lakers to win.
I se all this negativity usually after we win several games in a row and then lose one or two and the world is ending.
The last time I checked we won the first game and we should now be looking how to adjust to the adjustments to win game 2.
Show the Lakers some love.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 23, 2008 at 12:59 AM
All of you are wrong. Kobe is a horrible player. He's overrated. Lakers got no chance against Denver in this series.
Posted by: Gary Calderon | April 24, 2008 at 09:58 AM