From ESPN:

Kobe Bryant (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3118) isn't happy with the Lakers' direction and wants Jerry West back in Los Angeles to fix things.

Bryant told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that he wants the Lakers to bring West back to the organization and give him full authority. If the Lakers don't want to do that, Bryant said he wants to be traded.

Boo-hoo...my team can't magically make lemons out of lemonade. I can't say that I disagree with much of what T.J. Simers of the L.A. Times says in this article (http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-simers27may27,1,408566,full.column?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-lakers), where he calls out Kobe for whining.

Kobe is the one that wanted Shaq out right? So he could put his stamp on the team and not have to share the offense limelight with Shaq. So Kobe sometimes you get what you ask for. You are the leader and you aren't up to the job. There's plenty of talent on that Laker team, they don't need Jerry West. Everytime Kobe whines about losing, he should be told "Well, where would the team be if you hadn't run Shaq off with all your superstar grandiosity?"

Who do they have playing Shaq's part in the triangle offense these days. Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum. Isn't that it? Kwame is injured alot and Bynum is developing but very raw still.

WYSIWYG, Black Mamba, WYSIWYG.

Yeah, Kobe definitely wanted Shaq out. On the other hand, Shaq wanted to get his money too, and he was conspicuously overweight during their last couple of playoff runs. Kobe was mostly tagged as the villain by the media during that off-season (summer '04) that ended up with Shaq being traded to Miami, but there were definitely no "good guys" in the whole thing as far as I was concerned.

Kobe is probably the best player in the NBA. He's the most consistent, he plays both ways and he is unbelievably clutch. While everyone talks about whether LeBron should shoot or pass, Kobe is the guy who would have scored and won the game on an +1 free throw.

I don't have a problem with this. Mitch Kupchak hasn't been a very good GM and Kobe is hungry to win NOW. I would be disappointed if he was complacent or just went through the motions, but that has never been Kobe's way. The guy is a worker.

I don't like his personality, but the guy can flat out ball.

No doubt that he's a great player, certainly better than LeBron, but doesn't he also bear some responsibility for the situation they're in? There's nothing wrong with him taking lots of shots, since he's far and away the best player on his team. But given what happened with Shaq, doesn't it suggest to other top-level guys that if they go to the Lakers and don't get on Kobe's good side for whatever reason, then the whole thing will fail?

The underlying issues with a lot of teams, like Minnesota and the Lakers is that they are in cap hell and have lesser GMs.

Folks want to play with Kobe and KG, but the money doesn't work, and it's a money driven league.

The Lakers turned Shaq into Odom and Kwame Brown. Odom can't stay healthy and Brown is barely a starter in this league.

I guess that's true, but it goes back to how Kobe probably should have been more careful about getting what he wished for. He obviously thought they could get back to contending before too long with the personnel and cap space that would result from moving Shaq, but it didn't work out, and now he's stuck with a mediocre team. Trying harder to make it work with the big guy (who wasn't trying too hard himself) probably would have been Kobe's best move, as opposed to helping blow the whole thing up and hoping to get back to contender status.

Dont forget Butler that is now doing very well in Washington...

Honestly I think a lineup of Bynum, Odom,Butler,Kobe, and a decent PG is enough to advance a round in the playoffs.. on second thought..

trade bynum for Kidd and youd have...

Butler,Odom,Kobe,Kidd add a center and voila DANGEROUS team.

Kobe doesn't make those around him better. Kobe is a selfish player who does not think of the team. When Kobe rewrites his contract to allow for more quality players on his team, then he can be seen in a new light. If Kobe doesn't like his situation, then demand a trade. Jerry West is done with basketball. Time for Jerry to enjoy golf. Time for Kobe to stand up and make his team better. Kobe is a Filet of Weiner.

The Kobe/Shaq show was done. He knew it, Shaq knew it, and the Lakers knew it. Shaq is making too much money now to put together a complete team around. Miami is running into the same trouble now.

If Kobe wants to go then try and get as many young players and picks out it that you can. I don't think he going anywhere. My guess is they hire West back and give him what he wants.

Can Kobe be better? Without doubt. He can improve his leadership skills. But then, maybe being the best scorer in basketball means that a certain selfishness is required.

I just keep looking at KG who has afforded Minnesota opportunity after opportunity to assemble a roster around him (even taking a pay cut) and the front office incompetence is too much to overcome.

There is definitely two sides to this story. Is it about Kobe being a petulant prima donna or a player who refuses to endorse his General Manager, who has basically presided over taking the team apart, not building it up or maintaining it. You almost have to wonder where Phil Jackson falls on this debate. Is Kobe speaking the words he wish he could say?

Can Kobe be better? Without doubt. He can improve his leadership skills. But then, maybe being the best scorer in basketball means that a certain selfishness is required.

I just keep looking at KG who has afforded Minnesota opportunity after opportunity to assemble a roster around him (even taking a pay cut) and the front office incompetence is too much to overcome.

There is definitely two sides to this story. Is it about Kobe being a petulant prima donna or a player who refuses to endorse his General Manager, who has basically presided over taking the team apart, not building it up or maintaining it. You almost have to wonder where Phil Jackson falls on this debate. Is Kobe speaking the words he wish he could say?


I think Jackson signed for the dough. There are low expectations, and he is LOVED by the Lakers. His legacy is all set. Kobe is more concerned about his legacy. That's why the wine fest..........

Well, I feel pretty comfortable saying that if Kobe is traded, it will hurt the Lakers more than it hurts him. And I assume that is the leverage he is trying to apply to affect change.

Well, I feel pretty comfortable saying that if Kobe is traded, it will hurt the Lakers more than it hurts him. And I assume that is the leverage he is trying to apply to affect change.

I see the Lakers improving once Kobe is gone. Same way the 76ers began to shape up once their albatross left.

I don't like Kobe at all as a person, but he might be one of the 3 best basketball players I have ever watched. Iverson had physical limitations (size) which hurt his ability to play the 2 (his natural position) and defend larger guards.

Kobe has none of those problems. He's a true 2 and one of the best man defenders in the league.

I'm thinking that when Kobe gave the Lakers that ultimatum two years ago, "This team ain't big enough for the both of us. Either Shaq goes or I go," the Lakers made a very, very bad choice.

I can't stand Kobe. I'm wondering whether I could bring myself to root for him if he were on the Pistons. I don't think I could. I go all out to win fantasy sports, but I've never attempted to get him on my team. I hated rooting for him the one day I picked him in Ozarks contest.

He's a despicable selfish bastard, albeit a gifted one. He only wants better players on the team to make him look better. He wants great players on the team to stand around and be there on his off nights. I can't see anyone with great talent putting up with him.

Link courtesy of TrueHoop

Kobe speaks out on his blog.

KB24.com | Kobe Bryant | The Official Site Of Kobe Bryant (http://news.kb24.com/#301)

OK, so two days after Kobe said this on his blog:

I have NOT asked to be traded, I don't want to be traded and I have given no ultimatums or demands of being traded.He says this (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2886927) to Stephen A. Smith on the radio:

"I would like to be traded, yeah," Bryant said on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York. "Tough as it is to come to that conclusion there's no other alternative, you know?"

Bryant, interviewed by Stephen A. Smith, was asked if there was anything the Lakers could do to change his mind?

"No," Bryan said. "I just want them to do the right thing."
Nice. Credibility all the way for the Mamba.

Of course the Lakers have been idiots in this thing as well, and now Jerry Buss has been arrested (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2886160) on suspicion of DUI (though I doubt that has anything to do with what Kobe's been saying). They're all a bunch of tools.

Kobe Bryant (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3118/;_ylt=AvGs2P2RQCyZaqO62kc7CuqLvLYF) asked to be traded from the Lakers on Wednesday, a day after calling the team's front office "a mess." He said there was nothing the Lakers could do to change his mind.


Bryant asks for trade from Lakers - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AuXXn7XBkdYCCNddZ5IbIGE5nYcB?slug=ap-lakersbryant&prov=ap&type=lgns)

Hmmm, some draft picks, Chauncey, AJ out to LA...

GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN!!

Rip and Chauncey. I mean, you can't break up the best backcourt in basketball!!! (joking) (about all of it)

Kobe, Rip, Tay, JMax, with a nice big shot blocker behind them...


GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN!!!
:icon_evil:

Lakers need a PG and big man to help out Kwame and Bynum. Send them in a S & T Billups & webber and also, Nazr, Delfino, Flip jr and Flip Sr .

We take Kobe, Chris Mihm, Phil Jackson and maybe Smush back:) How does that work in the RealGM land.....:)

No way they take CB and a bunch of scrubs off the heap (a little harsh) for arguably the best player in the league. It would have to start with CB and Rip or CB and Wallace.

CB and Wallace.

Sold!!!!



I'm officially in blow up the team mode. Joe can trade for Satan for all I care.

This happens, say hello to praying to the injury god every year.

We trade to LA........Billups - Wallace - Mohammed

We get from LA........Bryant - Brown - Bynum


:stirthepot: :) :stirthepot: :) :stirthepot:

No way they take CB and a bunch of scrubs off the heap (a little harsh) for arguably the best player in the league. It would have to start with CB and Rip or CB and Wallace.

Hey those are our scrubs you talking about. The same scrubs, playing or not are trying for a ring this year. Why has it took Kobe 3 years to realize that he couldn't do it by himself, (without Shaq, Fisher, Malone and the glove).

Either way Kobe has once again managed to get the NBA spotlight on him to offset any attention to tonights Spurs/Jazz closeout. Otherwise we would have to hear about LaBron all day up until game time.

Selfish move on Kobe's part to get West back in the organization. Obviously Mitch Kupcake doesn't feel to good right now.

This happens, say hello to praying to the injury god every year.

It could be a once in a lifetime gamble. But Kobe, faults aside, can flat out ball and play D. I am all for Joe inquiring about the asking price.

I really dislike Kobe, and I don't want to see him in Detroit, except when his team is getting crushed by the Pistons. However...

If you forget about salaries and all of the off-court issues, which players would you not be willing to trade for Kobe, straight up? I can only think of one--Tim Duncan. The Spurs would be worse with Kobe rather than Duncan. But can you imagine the Cavs with Kobe instead of LeBron? Scary.

I really dislike Kobe, and I don't want to see him in Detroit, except when his team is getting crushed by the Pistons. However...

If you forget about salaries and all of the off-court issues, which players would you not be willing to trade for Kobe, straight up? I can only think of one--Tim Duncan. The Spurs would be worse with Kobe rather than Duncan. But can you imagine the Cavs with Kobe instead of LeBron? Scary.

Can you imagine the Bulls with Kobe. That is truly frightening.

You have to include Rip, or another deal sending Rip on his way. You can't have two starting shooting guards.

You have to include Rip, or another deal sending Rip on his way. You can't have two starting shooting guards.

We already have two starting SG, CB and Rip :MusicBigGrin: Especially the way CB is playing. Where's the assists?

We already have two starting SG, CB and Rip :MusicBigGrin: Especially the way CB is playing. Where's the assists?
Tru dat:sssh:

Tru dat:sssh:


I hope Joe atleast asks about the 0.00001% possibility. You think the Lakers would trade with the Pistons on this scale?

I hope Joe atleast asks about the 0.00001% possibility. You think the Lakers would trade with the Pistons on this scale?


Think about it. We're the only team with a BEVY of talent that would be willing to trade with the Lakers (speculation). Don't see others being able to offer the Lakers what we can.

Knicks

Think about it. We're the only team with a BEVY of talent that would be willing to trade with the Lakers (speculation). Don't see others being able to offer the Lakers what we can.

Celtics could probably send Pierce who wants out along with Gomes and/or West.

Knicks


:pound: :pound: :pound:

Knicks


Local LA times beat writer J.A.Adande advises that if Mitch Kupcake sees the area code 212 pop up on his caller Id he will not answer it. :laugh:

Celtics could probably send Pierce who wants out along with Gomes and/or West.

I doubt Kobe would go to the Celtics. If they trade Pierce and everything, but the kitchen sink to get Kobe who will he play with? It will be like playing for the Lakers all over again.

The teams that seem to have the juice to get a deal done in the East would be Chicago, Detroit and New York.

According to WDFN, Kobe later today went on the Dan Patrick show and said he doesn't want to be traded.

Go figure.

If the Pistons don't win it all I expect Joe to make a big move. The Lakers are very high on Jordan Farmer. This is why Kobe is so mad. They rather keep Farmer than go out and get Kidd. No matter what the Lakers do they are not going to get value for Kobe.

Kobe averages 5 to 6 assists a game. You can get away with an average to below average point guard with Kobe on the roster if there are other legit threats on the floor.

Kobe is a lot like Brett Favre. Both have won championships. Both are MVP players. Both have a huge public following. Brett recently said he would retire, only to change his mind. Rumors of his dissatisfaction with the rebuilding process in Green Bay makes one think of Kobe. Especially with the trade rumors that swirled around Brett. Both certainly are primadonnas...Both lost their big men (Shaq...Reggie White) and the teams were never the same............

According to WDFN, Kobe later today went on the Dan Patrick show and said he doesn't want to be traded.

Go figure.


Phil Jackson talked to Kobe and has calmed him down a bit from the trade me stance. We will see what happens.

So he's been back-pedalling for the rest of the day, and apparently he told an L.A. radio station "I don't want to go anywhere, this is my team" or something along those lines. WHATEVER. One doesn't have to defend the ineptitude of the Lakers front office to point out that Kobe has been handling this with a level of immaturity that's reaching into T.O. territory.

If Kobe Bryant is traded to the Eastern Conference the 3 biggest superstars in the NBA will all be in the East.

1) Kobe Bryant -
2) Dwayne Wade - Miami
3) LeBron James - Cleveland

Unless Bryant goes to the Pistons it would be VERY bad for Kobe to come to the Eastern Conference. The Pistons already have their hands full w/ Miami and Cleveland right now. If Kobe goes to a team like Chicago that would be DOOMSDAY for Detroit Basketball.

Don't forget what happened to the "BAD BOYS". Michael Jordan got beat by them 2-3 times before finally sweeping them in the 1991 playoffs and leading the Bulls to 6 NBA Championships and complete dominance in the Eastern Conference.

Right now the Pistons are trying to fight off LeBron James and Dwayne Wade for the throne of the Eastern Conference. If you add Kobe Bryant to the mix (who is a lot better than either Wade or James) the Pistons will crumble

Kobe is going no where. He has three rings and yes he would like more, espcially since Shaq has four, but he also wants to be da man or the big man on campus. Yesterday in LA he was the man. In fact he was the man all over the USA. His crying managed to dominate the ESPNews, Sportscenter, ATH, PTI ,NBA TV, the local radio stations, Steven A Smith and Dan Partrick radio shows and the NBA pregame, the halftime and the post game comments for the Spurs/Jazz massacre.

He even got the 2nd or 3rd lead stories of the night on our numerous local 11:00 newscasts out here in So Cal and then the first coverage on the sports segment. Now mind you that the Ducks won the second game on the Stanley Cup finals last night and both the Angels and Dodgers won and are in first place of their respective divisions, but Kobe got 2 mins and the three teams each got a 20 seconds of oh by the way.

Local feedback from the LA streetfans was: "Selfish, let him go", "there are no lakers w/o Kobe" and "I will support the team if he leaves" "We need more players...trade him"

He is out of the playoffs, but he still managed to hear his named called multiple times yesterday as if he had scored 81 points and then in the end backed off "trade me" tirade by acting selfish and putting his team's management in precarious position. Now I have to admit that Mitch Kupcake is no Jerry West, so he does have a point there.

Can you imagine the Bulls with Kobe. That is truly frightening.

Yeah this was the first team I came up with in terms of terrifying possibility. Ben Gordon with the beautiful rainbow shot to the Lakers, with whoever else to make the deal, maybe even Nocioni.

Kobe would just be a deadly 2 in that Bulls scenario with the defense he plays.

Man.

You know, deals with the devil don't always work out badly.

Really.

You know, deals with the devil don't always work out badly.

Really.

Worked for Robert Johnson.

Yeah this was the first team I came up with in terms of terrifying possibility. Ben Gordon with the beautiful rainbow shot to the Lakers, with whoever else to make the deal, maybe even Nocioni.

Kobe would just be a deadly 2 in that Bulls scenario with the defense he plays.

Man.

If I'm the Lakers I take Tyrus Thomas, Ben Gordon, Noccioni, and the Knicks Pick from the Bulls.

Chad Ford is reporting a possible deal being discussed with Lakers and Indy:

Odom, Bynum, and the #19 pick for Jermaine O'neal


Ford adds that the Pacers are also willing to throw in either Tinsley, Murphy, or Marquis Daniels for Kwame Brown's expiring contract.


This is an intriguing prospect.

ESPN - Reports: Bryant meets Buss in Spain, stands firm - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2906373)

Reports: Bryant not budging off trade demand

Odom, Bynum, and the #19 pick for Jermaine O'neal




Excellent for Indy..............

Bad for LA.............

When O`Neal goes down the second time during the season, Kobe will go off!!!!!!!!!!!

LA needs more than oft-injured O'Neal. They have Kobe and Odom and nothing else. They need lots of help. I think Kobe realizes that it may take a few years for them to be able to assemble a competing squad and he's not willing to wait.

Chad Ford is reporting a possible deal being discussed with Lakers and Indy:

Odom, Bynum, and the #19 pick for Jermaine O'neal


Ford adds that the Pacers are also willing to throw in either Tinsley, Murphy, or Marquis Daniels for Kwame Brown's expiring contract.


This is an intriguing prospect.

LA is getting hosed on this deal. All of that for Jermaine O'Neal? Can we get that much for Sheed? I would part with Sheed with the quickness if we could get Odom, Bynum and the 19th pick. Perhaps we can wisper sweet nothings in LA's ear and they take Nazr too.

We then would have a young starting Center in Bynum to build around.
We then would have the 15th, the 19th and the 27th pick in the first round. We could then package two of those picks to move up to secure our future PG and then get a PF or a SG/SF to come off the bench.

Local sources and ESPN guy Ric Bucher indicates that Kobe would love to go to the Suns, Knicks and Bulls with the latter probably having the best shot.

I am thinking the lakers would love to take Ben Gordon, Loul Dang and maybe tyrus Thomas, but that would then devastate the Bulls and Kobe would have the same issue he has in LA now.

The only way the Pistons could pul it off would have to be a S & T with Billups and send Rip and some draft picks with him....

Local sources and ESPN guy Ric Bucher indicates that Kobe would love to go to the Suns, Knicks and Bulls with the latter probably having the best shot.

I am thinking the lakers would love to take Ben Gordon, Loul Dang and maybe tyrus Thomas, but that would then devastate the Bulls and Kobe would have the same issue he has in LA now.

The only way the Pistons could pul it off would have to be a S & T with Billups and send Rip and some draft picks with him....

My Lord, La Dre, do you really think the Bulls would have to give up all three of those guys to end up with Kobe? I mean I know Kobe is a great player, but that's two starters and a starter for their future? I don't think they'll give up that much.

My Lord, La Dre, do you really think the Bulls would have to give up all three of those guys to end up with Kobe? I mean I know Kobe is a great player, but that's two starters and a starter for their future? I don't think they'll give up that much.

Doubt if the Bulls would do it either Kim, but it just depends on the salaries and how mad Dr Buss is and what he demands... :gaah:

Kobe + Wallace + Nocioni + Hinrich, pretty darn good lineup.

Kobe + Wallace + Nocioni + Hinrich, pretty darn good lineup.

Yeah, but it'd be even better with Luol Deng in there, right?

Yeah, but it'd be even better with Luol Deng in there, right?

I agree, I would be hard pressed to give up Deng.....if I were Paxson!

The only way the Pistons could pul it off would have to be a S & T with Billups and send Rip and some draft picks with him....


Now that would just be yucky. :puke:

Kobe saying his view for the future doesn't fit with the Lakers.

Kobe implies trade request on his Web site - NBA - MSNBC.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19277669/)

Kobe saying his view for the future doesn't fit with the Lakers.

Kobe implies trade request on his Web site - NBA - MSNBC.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19277669/)

Hmmm...I wonder which team will reel in Kobe Dick? :sssh:

Hope it's not Detroit. I'll miss them.

Hmmm...I wonder which team will reel in Kobe Dick? :sssh:

Hope it's not Detroit. I'll miss them.

I don't think you will have to worry about that. Davidson is too cheap to bring in Kobe for starters and it would take trading the whole team to get him here. The only way Kobe ends up here is if there is a fire sale.

I see Kobe going to Chicago or New York.

Alert the paparazzi. If Kobe Bryant's trade-me, trade-me-not public drama didn't already resemble something out of the Paris Hilton playbook, now there's a scandalous video tape of Bryant on the market.
The latest twist in the saga is a 24-second, profanity-peppered clip in which Bryant reportedly reiterates his desire to be traded and derides Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and center Andrew Bynum.



LA Daily News - New tale: Kobe caught on tape (http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_6173780)

PROFANE VIDEO LATEST BLEMISH FOR KOBE By MARC BERMAN - New York Knicks (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06192007/sports/knicks/profane_video_latest_blemish_for_kobe_knicks_marc_ berman.htm)

I love it. At this rate, he'll be bought out and we can sign him for the veterans minimum!

I love it. At this rate, he'll be bought out and we can sign him for the veterans minimum!

I don't know that we want to sign a guy who uses the F word.

I would give up my starting guards and pick #27 for Kobe and Kwame. His star power plus what we have remaing could be good enough to continue controlling the East.

Kobe Bryant is not a good person.

I don't know that we want to sign a guy who uses the F word.

The four letter one... "Flip"?:sssh:

Kobe apologizes (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2927333) to Kupchak...sort of...well, not exactly:

Although he didn't rescind his trade request, Kobe Bryant (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3118) softened his stance somewhat Thursday night, saying he had apologized to Los Angeles Lakers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal) general manager Mitch Kupchak in person for the way he handled his upset feelings five weeks ago.

"I just felt like as a man, it was important for me to tell him, 'I'm sorry it came out that way,' " Bryant said at a lightly attended news conference at Loyola Marymount, where he spoke mainly about his camp for youngsters at the school this week.

Bryant said that while he could have called Kupchak, it was important he speak with him face-to-face.

"I was frustrated, I was venting," Bryant said.

When asked whether he still wanted out, Bryant replied: "I haven't thought about that in a long, long time. I've kind of stepped away from that. I've concentrated on Team USA. What I say is what I say. We'll just have to see where it goes."

Does he actually thinks this makes him look better? Who's his PR advisor, that chick who was representing T.O.? He just digs the hole deeper every time he opens his mouth. :Cry:

Kobe apologizes (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2927333) to Kupchak...sort of...well, not exactly:



Does he actually thinks this makes him look better? Who's his PR advisor, that chick who was representing T.O.? He just digs the hole deeper every time he opens his mouth. :Cry:

I don`t think he believes it makes him look better, however, I do think it was the right thing to do. Perhaps he should have done it without telling the media he did it.........that would have been better, IMO.

The apology probably went something like this, "Hey Mitch, I`m sorry I said what I did. I dod want to be traded though, so if you can make that happen, preferably to Chicago, so at least I can have a chance to win another title in say, a year or so."

"Oh, look at the time, gotta run, hit me on my cell if you work something out................holla!!!!!"

I don`t think he believes it makes him look better, however, I do think it was the right thing to do. Perhaps he should have done it without telling the media he did it.........that would have been better, IMO.

Yeah, that's the point. He made a complete idiot of himself in the media by changing his mind about trade demands 6 different times in one day, so apparently he decided to apologize to Kupchak for that. But why go back to the media with it? And when you're still demanding to be traded? While pretending that you haven't been thinking about it lately? Riiiiight...

I don't know that we want to sign a guy who uses the F word.

You mean F word as in Flip?

:hoops:

You mean F word as in Flip?

:hoops:

If you had scrolled you would see I already said that on June 19th. Then again...I guess you have me blocked so you wouldn't know.:pound::pound::pound:

ESPN - Buss still willing to listen to trade offers for Kobe - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3058329)

ESPN - Buss still willing to listen to trade offers for Kobe - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3058329)


Dr Buss finally realizes that not getting Garnett, O'Neal or Artest means that Kobe, Turiaf, Radominich, and Fisher will not be enough to get a ring or even get past the second round. They trailed most of yesterday's game by 15 points before making it respectable...of course it was an preseason game but who cares...Laker diehearts do believe me and they are concerned..

With that being said>> Kobe and Mihm for Rip, Nazr, Flip, Dupree and 2nd round draft pick 2013...Ok I realize that is not enough...If I were Buss I would turn it down too. May have to throw in Tay or Max too and I know none of you would agree to that.....:)
.

You're basically proposing Rip + Tay + salary burdon for Kobe + Mihm... that seems like a fair trade. Probably still better for us. The Lakers would get Hollywood Hamilton though, and Tay would go back to his hometown.

We'd have the best starting lineup in bball still and a potentially good bench.
Billups/ Stuckey
Kobe/ Afflalo
Maxiell/Hayes
Dyess/ Amir
Sheed/ Mihm


.... wait a minute. I see what you're doing. You're trying to get all of your favorite Pistons to go to LA and stick us with that ball hog Kobe.

You're basically proposing Rip + Tay + salary burdon for Kobe + Mihm... that seems like a fair trade. Probably still better for us. The Lakers would get Hollywood Hamilton though, and Tay would go back to his hometown.

We'd have the best starting lineup in bball still and a potentially good bench.
Billups/ Stuckey
Kobe/ Afflalo
Maxiell/Hayes
Dyess/ Amir
Sheed/ Mihm


.... wait a minute. I see what you're doing. You're trying to get all of your favorite Pistons to go to LA and stick us with that ball hog Kobe.




Didn't think about that scenario but of course I would still be pulling for my original homeboyz Pistons. Tay and Rip would get some sentimental cheers from me if I ever show up at any Laker Games:sssh:

As far as ballhog Kobe goes he would be limited to just taking the combined average shots per game last year of Rip and Tay about (30 maybe):)

Dr Buss finally realizes that not getting Garnett, O'Neal or Artest means that Kobe, Turiaf, Radominich, and Fisher will not be enough to get a ring or even get past the second round. They trailed most of yesterday's game by 15 points before making it respectable...of course it was an preseason game but who cares...Laker diehearts do believe me and they are concerned..

With that being said>> Kobe and Mihm for Rip, Nazr, Flip, Dupree and 2nd round draft pick 2013...Ok I realize that is not enough...If I were Buss I would turn it down too. May have to throw in Tay or Max too and I know none of you would agree to that.....:)
.

Lakers best player in order.

1. Kobe
2. Odom - You didn't mention
3. Walton - You didn't mention
4. Crittenton - You did mention
5. Everyone else

If Odom is healthy the Lakers are a definite playoff team.

:hoops:

Lakers best player in order.

1. Kobe
2. Odom - You didn't mention
3. Walton - You didn't mention
4. Crittenton - You did mention
5. Everyone else

If Odom is healthy the Lakers are a definite playoff team.

:hoops:
Yeah I know Walton and Odom will help out, and they will make the playoffs, but how long are the local Laker fans going to take second round exits...??

Kobe leaves in 2 years. Dr. Buss just wants something so he'll look at all offers. Doesn't want to get nothing when the contract runs out. Dumars will listen.

Kobe, Mihm, and Phil Jackson for Rip, Nazr, Tayshaun, and Flip Saunders.:stirthepot:

Kobe for Flip Saunders.
We can't let the Lakers rip us off like this.

Is the increasingly ridiculous Kobe "should I stay or should I go" soap opera finally coming to an end (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=KobeTradestein)?


The Lakers, according to NBA front-office sources, have no looming intentions to initiate any Bryant trade discussions and would still prefer to hang onto to their most popular player since Magic Johnson. There is nonetheless a growing belief around the league that the proposals will be flooding in now and that Bryant will indeed be moved -- possibly even before the season starts -- after last week's admission from Lakers owner Jerry Buss that he "would certainly listen" to trade offers for Bryant in the wake of Kobe's loud declaration last May that he wants out … and Kobe's subsequent refusals to recant the request.

So edgy is Lakerland that Bryant, after dodging the media for a few days, was forced to address reports Tuesday that he has already cleaned out his locker at the team's practice facility. One team source insisted to ESPN.com that Bryant indeed removed his personal belongings, but Bryant and agent Rob Pelinka told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that Kobe had merely cleaned up his locker after Monday's practice, leaving plenty behind.

Yet such is the tension around the team now that Bryant can't sit out a practice without sparking an immediate panic that he's leaving for Chicago or Dallas, with multiple sources insisting that Bryant -- who possesses the league's only active no-trade clause -- lists the Mavericks as his No. 1 destination.

It's a tension Kobe created, of course, when he demanded a trade nearly five months ago with a slew of critical comments aimed at the organization that helped make him a worldwide brand and which backed him steadfastly through a sexual-assault trial in the 2003-04 season. But Buss' comments -- which Bryant admitted Tuesday "caught me off guard a little bit '' -- appear to have permanently changed the dynamic.

Those comments marked the first-ever acknowlegment from the Lakers of any openness to parting with Bryant, after months of scoffing at the mere suggestion.

I hope something happens after all this media hoopla from Mark Stein and others. I think it would make the NBA more interesting to see Kobe on a different team. The Lakers are gonna want A LOT. Players, draft-picks, first-born children, coupons to Chuck E. Cheese.

Imagine if he went to Chicago? Wow, that would really be something. That would change the balance of things in the NBA fo sho.

I didn't really read back through all the possible Pistons trade scenarios but I think the Lakers would most certainly want Amir Johnson to be involved in any trade. But I think having Kobe on a Pistons team would run counter to Joe D's philosophy of team ball. Kobe is simply not a team player from what I've seen and I'm not sure he can become one. In that respect, Jordan was a much better player because he finally listened to Jackson on that issue.