Kobe braces for Euro team offer
Granted, I think the odds of Kobe Bryant joining Barcelona's Catalan Club are about as remote as him hooking up with Olympiakos. But should the former happen, Lakers fans can at least take comfort knowing his departure was neither about the money nor any dissatisfaction with the purple and gold. It's simply about one man's love for football (or as Americans call it, "that sport I don't watch").
For the benefit of the hyperventilating, the article notes that Kobe was kidding. But I already anticipate nervous Nellies wigging out every time he kicks around a basketball like Pele during the stoppage of play. And not to egg those people on, but if Kobe did want to best Michael Jordan on every level, that would include more success in a second sport than MJ had with baseball.
I'm just saying.
AK
It's always something about Kobe. Didn't we have enough grief last summer? Now there's all this speculation of a Euro team. He should do us a favor and put an end to the "kidding." After all these years and all the drama we don't need any more Kobe issues, even if they aren't real. He should give his loyal fans the respect they deserve and knock this stuff off.
Posted by: Chris | October 21, 2008 at 09:26 AM
AK,
Do you get a mild mischevious pleasure out of encouraging Lakers fans to freak out by triggering their neuroses?
It seems like you do.
Anyone know what Kobe's favorite position in soccer is?
Forward, I imagine.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 21, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Kobe should do it. The only organization/club that is greater than the Lakers is F.C. Barcelona, and the only sport greater than NBA Basketball is European Futbol.
Posted by: Mayor of Kobe-Town | October 21, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Mamba 24,
Can you repost without the long series of dashes? It stretches out the blog.
Thanks
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 21, 2008 at 09:45 AM
LakerTom,
"Once again, ex sets the record straight. Precise analysis, concise points, decisive statements. You are an artist in logically explaining reality. I always wanted to be the strong silent type who, when he spoke, everyone stopped and listened. Of course, we all know why that never happened."
I agree with you regarding ExHelo. I think he is good for two reasons:
1) Brevity
He never writes a 500 word short story when a sentence or two will do. My college writing instructor always stressed; less is more.
2) Originality
He never beats a dead horse over and over. With him, you want to read the post because you know it is fresh. It is not the EXACT same post every day for a month.
IMO that is why he is the Merrill Lynch of the blog: When he speaks, people listen.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 21, 2008 at 09:48 AM
No problem. Sorry A.K.
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 21, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Victory was a pretty sweet movie. I remember watching it at the South Bay drive-in in the back of my parents' station wagon.
Looking forward to seeing if the Lakers can continue to improve with tonight's game. Okafor and Mohammed (or May) are a decent working class front-line. Not spectacular but definitely serviceable. Drew and Pau should be dominating these guys tonight but it's not going to happen unless both players bring the effort on both ends.
Richardson and Wallace are a nice athletic combo. J-Rich has been working on being more of a slasher instead of settling for jump-shots. If he penetrates, I hope Drew is there to welcome him to the paint. Vlad might have a tough time on defense tonight guarding Wallace.
And can someone please cover Matt Carroll! That kid loves killing the Lakers.
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 21, 2008 at 09:58 AM
*TUE OCT. 21 LAKERS VS. CHARLOTTE – MJ. Your days as GOAT are numbered*
Behold your successor. KOBE BEAN BRYANT - Behold the Team that will win 73
Games to eclipse the Bulls. BOW DOWN TO GREATNESS & Join the ranks
Of that magnificent draft pick of yours Kwamus Brownus III.
*
8 DAYS TILL THE BEGINNING OF THE KOBE/BEAST DYNASTY -
*
Good morning Charles
Good Morning Morning Crew, Welcome back Sheriff
Good morning Laker Nation
*
AND NOW YOUR STARTING WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION LINEUP:
At small forward # 7 Lamar Odom
At power forward # 16 Pau Gasol
At guard # 2 Derick Fisher
At center # 17 ANDREW THE BEAST BYNUMMMMMMMMMMMMM
AND AT GUARD THE 2008 MVP , KOBE BRYYYYYYYANNNNNNNNT
COACHED BY 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL 9RINGS JACKSON
*
ROLL CALL:
FAITH, BOB, KEIFO, Vman. Jay Jay, CHARLES, Edwin Gueco, Tsiry, FATTY, AngryLaker
Tha Show, Tim-4-Show, TheLakeShow, Generic_One, PIG Miller, Toad, TALIQ, LakerTruth
WesJoeNixon, Zakee, Cleon, SBPimp, The_D, Bozz, #4, Nemia Faletogo, ELLE, HmrHed
ComptonsFinest, LakerLegacy, EXHELODRVR, LAKER TOM, RICK FRIEDMAN, JON K.
Mr..Nano, ERIC M. Big DAWG, NAJA aka BONUS, KOBE_BLITZ, NEVER, The OUTLAW
RDLEE, , TWOODY. HugoBoss, CORNER J., BAYWOOD, HUGO SPAIN, JAMIE SWEET
Tsphere, WeaveMan, SixOneZero, FEARLESS, CBuck, KIWI, LAKER_STH, JANAYA
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, DICE8UP, HTP, EAST_COAST_JESSIE, JMAN,WOW
BackMamba24, BrownMamba24, WhiteMamba24, Mamba24Fan4Life, FanOfMamba,
JustAnotherMAMBAFAN, JustALakerFan, VI LakerFan, MR_BARNEY_DANGLES
HELLRAISER(certified Mamba Fan) LAKERMAN_420, SAMLL, HOBBITMAGE
Purple&Gold_REIN, ZEN, Ando, Brylle, MOKO, JOHNNY P., DAVE ROSENZWEIG
LakerGurl, SFLakerGirl, PsychedLakerGirl, SimiLakerGirl, LakerGirl1980, LakerLass
HoustonLakerGirl, SheKobe, LakersRydeOrDie, SloGal, BOCA Laker Girl, LakerFaze,
DrewPauKobe, GoKobeGo, KobesBad, KobeRocks, Laker/KobeFan, NIK KANNAN
MrBarneryDangles, JESTERGURU, SmoothD, Jeff, David Whang, ISSANG, MAN
Machiavelly, DOC4daLakeShow, LakersMR, HOBBITMAGE, Korey, KARYNANAR,
HAVA98, WREAKJAVIK, EPICMESS, StrangerInTheNight, MBENGA_FAN, CHUCK23
Allan-BRAZIL, Herb Stempel, DarkAngelSK, TROY, T_Sensei, BerkleyLaker, Dave M.
Stars_R_Aligned, Cscoot, The_Dude_Abides, Johnny Laker, The HEAD-MBENGA
MagicMan, SALTLAKER, Todd, WWKBD, Puddle, Sambosola, GREENPAZ, SEAN P.
L.A. Watcher, FUEGO32, EHOMP, KCHW, MICHIGAN_LAKER, COMPLEX_BROTHA
WondahBap, Derek, BENJAMIN, Cyrus(Ventrilquist), 1978, CALIPHILOSOPHER
HappyCamper, HappyDaze, HappyGilmore, CriticalBeatDown, RealityBites, BZAR,
AMAZING HAPPENS, TELLitLIKEitIS PSLakerLover, Lakers4Lyfe, Lakers4Real,
CooLHAIR, The_COOL BOBIE, SpokanLakerFan, Duma, Shum, ManSlayer, EEVEE
LAKERFAN BMAC, FRANK FRIZZO, LakerZeigeist, Playa, FatSam, Anthony Johnson
AKR68, GiantSquid, BotSoy, LakerFan, JLuv, CDub0512, STAN, ANDREW Z.
DAN THE MAN, KOBEBLITZ, CHUCK23, MANTIDA, AJAX, CHE, THIRTY2, XTRO
LAKERFAN, HTJ, IndianLaker, LakerAngolaN, LakerFanCanada, Bogoljub,ValleyLaker
Bruzer, Peanut_Butter_Spread, LAKERKEV, Lakers_Sparks_Fan, Trio, Reality_Check
DANCAT, LakerBandit, TwoForOne7, HAWAIID,Chick4Ever, MIKE DILLS, LAURIA
You Ever Notice? MARKYTHEARKY, Justin Leonard, Linda Pineda, GREEK_DUDE
BronxLakerFan ChitTownLaker, HoustonLaker, TexasLaker, BrazillianLaker, USCLaker
LakerNorth, LakerinBC, ROMY R, Earth_Wind_&_Fire, FKIllah, TEEJ, VIOLATER
AA Los, Wizo, Caeser, Maxximo, Wolf, Chuck23, 10MillionDollarZen, Man, Jeff Grotke
Lakers4Realz, Gino, Gabe, Floyd, Vincent, ROBYN, Khang, Old Scholol, JANDRO
EDDIE BROCK, Paul Lee, Mitchell, David In Spain, J_Doubter, Guy,AFROJOE
Playa, Butler, Franky_J., Daryl, LakerDawg, DK,JC, The Dropper, Afro Joe, KL004
MobWagoneer, PK-in-the-MESA, Andy B, HUBBIT, Jamie SWEET, LAKER_LARRY
THE HAMMER Benny Blanca, MEL, AdamKiley, JUSTIN, CHRIS H, LADIESMAN, TP
Linda Pineda, CaliKing, Aime Williams, Chucky .L.Ohno, Look Lonely, Kyle, LAL FAN
LakerHolic, GDChild, Dion Centralk, Staples24, Robyn, Lakers08, Mel, J.D. Hastings
Laker_Fan, True Laker Fan, Passionate Laker Fan, LT Laker_Fan, Grail, DaxMDD
JHLANNERY, Cameron, EMMA, Thomas, LAKAFOO, PurpleMagic, PHRED, JCOOL
Lakerfan24, SeanDouglas, StocktonShowtime, JoninJAPAN(INCANADA), Revmaxxx
40YearFan, KillerEight, LOTEC9, Todd Battles, ASM, MikeAz, LakaLover, Bynumite,
CS, LakerHopeful, Bobie, MARCO64, Drew, DASCILLA, Purple&Gold_4Eva, Tajluck
B4Hoops, HeWhoHoops, Jorema, Xtro, MCGarnagle, GUGY, Laker4Life, MARTY,
Pince Akrasian, EAGLEBOY, JR., BLKTHGHT06, SighBrandon C. Tully Moxness,
LakerBake, Sean74, Sead94, LongLiveChick , Kinglakernidas, RespectMyAuthorith,
Hariyahu, Alexinh017, NESTROS BISTRO, LiveLakers, Blaze1Bx, Swettual,
KIKOS Dad, RicoTico, SocalSpider BigGameJames, LAKERSNZ MAMBA24
*
ALL TOGETHER LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT A NEW DYNASTY IS HERE:
*
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES.
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY.
THE ONLY TEAM WITH 2 HOF COACHES. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(6). THE
HOME OF THE REIGNING AND FUTURE MVP – KOBE BRYANT. THE
HOME OF WILT, KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, ELGIN BAYLOR,
THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY, BOB MCADOO,
"BIG SHOT ROB HORRY" GAIL GOODRICH THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER
CHICK HEARN COACHED BY 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
& OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS
AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 21, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Mayor of Kobe-Town,
"Kobe should do it. The only organization/club that is greater than the Lakers is F.C. Barcelona, and the only sport greater than NBA Basketball is European Futbol. "
BLASPHEMY!
Get thee to a nunnery! Repent!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 21, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Good Morning Fam,
How about
"The A-Hole Agent's Client and Shouldve played like it was for Spain."
or
the "Luxury Tax Bigs."
Posted by: Charles | October 21, 2008 at 10:10 AM
LTLF,
When did Ron Ron and LeBron become reserves???
Posted by: pslakerfan | October 21, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Lakers_sth-
I loved Victory, too. They used to show it on a seemingly endless loop on HBO back in the early days of cable. Great premise. We're going to escape from this Nazi prison camp... but only after winning a soccer game! The entire movie exists for Pele to do a bicycle kick.
Genius.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 21, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Gotta love the morning roll call. One week till the game count, can't wait....
Lamar = 6th man of the year
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 21, 2008 at 10:19 AM
BLASPHEMY! Get thee to a nunnery! Repent!
GO LAKERS!Posted by: Jon K. | October 21, 2008 at 10:03 AM
ROFLMAO
Posted by: MAMBA24 | October 21, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Was it my t.v set or was there always an echoing sound when they played in their soccer match on that movie Victory?
Go Edson!!!
n Go Lakers!!! ofcourse
Posted by: Magia32 | October 21, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I love roll call.
Now let's go beat us down some Bobcats!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 21, 2008 at 10:23 AM
BK,
"I loved Victory, too"
Arguably the best of the Caine-Stallone-Pele films.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 21, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Jon's Estimation of the Second Round of the "Let's Give Bynum-Gasol a Decent, Unique Nickname" Playoffs:
1. The Tall Trees
2. The Sequoias
3. Twin Peaks
4. The Two-Headed Monster
5. Double-Trouble
6. The Dynamic Duo
What do you guys think? Do these six reflect the second round?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 21, 2008 at 10:43 AM
PSLakerfan,
"I think you mean EF Hutton, not Merrill Lynch?"
I think you may be correct. Are they even around any more? I don't think Hutton even made it to this years meltdown. lol. I guess people stopped listening.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 21, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Pretty Good. I'd take Twin Peaks
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 21, 2008 at 10:51 AM
"I think you mean EF Hutton, not Merrill Lynch?"I think you may be correct. Are they even
around any more? I don't think Hutton even made it to this years meltdown. lol. I guess
people stopped listening. Posted by: Eric M. | October 21, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I think Meril Lynch took over E.F.Hutton a couple years back.
Of course I may be wrong.
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 21, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Keep it coming Mamba24. It's not Lakerville without the roll call lol.
Seriously this whole thing can be summed up in two words..."Wouldn't you?"
If a team offered you all that, wouldn't you jump ship to Europe? I mean EUROPE! If he was just an emperor in China, he'll be bigger than Napoleon was.
But still people forget it's all speculation. For starters, Kobe is not going to opt out. We got a good thing going here, finally. Even he says, "finally." If Kobe's one thing it's about winning.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | October 21, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Jon K,
>>>the Second Round ...
I'd throw in the Redwoods (for those who aren't as fond of
the Sequoias) and Lords of the Boards
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 21, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Right on Mamba24!!
Posted by: dan the man | October 21, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I won't repost it, but if you want my Fellowship of the Rings
analogy, see the previous topic.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 21, 2008 at 11:08 AM
oooh. I'll revise it...
The California Redwoods
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 21, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Rise up Laker Nation--
Oh I can't wait for the roll call in exacly one week from today -- it may shake this blog to its foundation.
I, being old-school, even though I'm not that old relatively speaking, still like to thumb through my paper, hard-copy style. I have noticed that the LA Times sports section has progressively gotten shorter and less dense. Any one else notice that?
Posted by: HmrHed | October 21, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Anywho -- Kobe will be an assassin on this team -- don't know if his scoring average will warrant the MVP again, because more guys will be getting shots, but with all the attention to the bigs, defenses seem to be losing Kobe as he cuts through te lane without the ball. Keep an eye on him tonight as he moved off the ball –
Posted by: HmrHed | October 21, 2008 at 11:15 AM
That reverse alley-oop dunk by AB Sunday was a nice reminder of how Kwame use to never, ever, make that kind of play, ever.
Posted by: HmrHed | October 21, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Hate to break it to you LakerTom, but check this out (if
you haven't already)...
http://tinyurl.com/5wsmk2
Specifically, read this passage:
"Lee is seeking a five-year extension for his client worth an estimated $17 million a year, while the Lakers are more comfortable paying Bynum about $10 million a year, possibly with incentives for All-Star appearances and team playoff success."
In other words, the Lakers are offering Bynum 50 million
plus incentive bonuses to this point. If the 78 million number
was correct, then it's 50 million plus 28 million in incentive
bonuses.
As I've stated before, I think that's a very generous and
appropriate offer for this point in time. And if Bynum truly believes
that he is fully healthy and will achieve what he says he's
going to achieve, then he should have no problem accepting
incentives to reach the huge payday.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 21, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Jon K,
How about The Redwoods?
Though I'm leaning towards ignoring Kobe and just calling them the Twin Towers.
Or how about Gasol-Bynum? That works, too. Simple and to the point.
Posted by: Xodus | October 21, 2008 at 11:21 AM
I have noticed that the LA Times sports section has progressively gotten shorter and less dense.
Any one else notice that?Posted by: HmrHed | October 21, 2008 at 11:10 AM
You should see the Chicago Tribune our parent, it went all the way Tabloid
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 21, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Long Time Laker Fan,
"In other words, the Lakers are offering Bynum 50 million
plus incentive bonuses to this point. If the 78 million number
was correct, then it's 50 million plus 28 million in incentive
bonuses."
I agree that is a very fair offer. David Lee is being unreasonable in asking for the full maximum with no incentives.
Posted by: Xodus | October 21, 2008 at 11:29 AM
"finally." If Kobe's one thing it's about winning. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | October 21, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I'm not worried I'm keeping the Faith. LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 21, 2008 at 11:32 AM
hmrhed,
I noticed that Brad Turner is now writing for the Times. Good too, coz he's got all the scoops. And he's not a hater. Which aside from The K's...we know it's a refreshing change.
Posted by: Faith | October 21, 2008 at 11:34 AM
HmrHed-
It's not your mind playing tricks. The section, and I believe the entire paper, is smaller and less dense, in terms of text/ad ratios.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 21, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Hmrhed,
"I have noticed that the LA Times sports section has progressively gotten shorter and less dense. Any one else notice that?"
Yes, it's been going that way for a while. I doubt there will be any "HardCopy" papers left in another 5-10 years. They are all going broke because circulations have plummeted.
This is being hastened by their one sided views on issues. At one time, I too read the LATimes daily; Now I wouldn't give them a quarter if my life depended on it. Are you listening LATImes?
The Internet is where the action is. KBothers you are in the right place.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 21, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I really hope the team can build on the success of the weekend games tonight. I really don't want to see Lamar take any steps back and I want to see the continued success of Farm and Ariza together.
I don't really care about Fish, Kobe, and Gasol because I know they'll be there but I'm going to be focusing on Bynum's body language. He just hasn't seemed super hungry lately. I almost get the vibe that he expects to get calls now and that he is almost entitled to success. I hope not, but I want to see Bynum play superb on defense tonight against Okafor.
Lamar = 6th man of the year
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 21, 2008 at 11:43 AM
This is an interesting site regarding Kobe's shooting.
http://www.littlewhitestatistics.com/?p=22
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | October 21, 2008 at 11:48 AM
The newspaper is dying.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | October 21, 2008 at 11:50 AM
The Second Round:
1. The Tall Trees
2. The Sequoias
3. Twin Peaks
4. The Two-Headed Monster
5. Double-Trouble
6. The Dynamic Duo
7. The Redwoods
Okay, now what's the third round?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 21, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Xodus,
Especially in light of the recent "swelling" in Bynum's knee. They may be downplaying it, but it's not something you can sweep under the rug.
Posted by: Faith | October 21, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Faith,
Yep. I'm not overly concerned since he's had no ill effects after the back-to-back, but if Bynum wants a deal now the most logical offer is 5-years, 50 million guaranteed. I said a few days that the most I would offer Bynum is 5 years, 55-million and it seems like management is thinking the same way.
Posted by: Xodus | October 21, 2008 at 12:24 PM
hello laker people im back in the blog....
love the roll call mamba....
now lets go down to business...
i think the exact call for the bynum gasol tandem is the sweet and sour i red it here somewhere in the blog but the best and most fearful name would be the Cerberus!!!
although the depiction and background surrounding Cerberus often differed across various works by different authors of the era, the most notable difference being his number of heads; while most sources describe or depict three heads, others show him with two, a lesser number show a variable amount, sometimes as high as 50.
so cerberus can have to heads and just as stories told cerberus is a 2 or more headed dog which guards the gates of hades
The Lakers' Cerberus are 2 7 footers that will take care of the pain in both ends of the floor....
how bout it Jon K. a little bit mythological background a pretty scary name too....
think about it.... remember THE CERBERUS
LET HELL BE RAISE LAKERS!!!
GO LAKERS!!!
GO CERBERUS!!!
GO MAMBA!!!
GO IMPS AKA BENCH MOBS!!!
Posted by: hellraiser(certified mamba fan) | October 21, 2008 at 12:35 PM
hellraiser,
I kind of like Cerebus.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 21, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Jon K,
Put a vote on Dynamic Duo
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | October 21, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Hey gang, thanks for the positive feedback yesterday. Glad we're all feeling the early season mojo.
Can we puh-lease drop the Kobe is going to sign for 50 million in Europe reporting? Can we at least freak out about it if it ACTUALLY happens? it is the most boring topic, in my opinion, on the Blog.
Anyhoo, looking forward to tonight, it'll be interesting to see how Vladdi responds after an off game (if he's in the starting line up).
Bynum needs a break out game to get himself and his negotiations moving. He's saying all the right things, but I've never known anyone who's worried about a pay check putting their entire focus into something other than gettin' 'er done. It's life.
Have a good day Crue!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | October 21, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Just like what Egon said to Dr. Vankman:
"Print is dead!"
Posted by: 1978 | October 21, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Mamba - nice roll call. The universe will be restored with an awsome season!
Jon K - #3 all the way! The TWIN PEAKS
Also - Jordan and Ariza are front page on Yahoo video highlights. May this post as a warning to the rest of the league....
Go Lakers!
janaya
Posted by: janaya | October 21, 2008 at 12:52 PM
what about Wonder Twin Powers?
Posted by: ding how in prattville | October 21, 2008 at 12:59 PM