Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant sat out practice for the third straight day Tuesday, then denied a report that he had cleaned out his locker -- a story carried by several local news outlets.
Bryant spoke for less than two minutes in the parking lot of the team's practice facility. Previously, he had said very little to reporters since Jerry Buss stated last week in Honolulu that he "would certainly listen" to trade offers for the NBA's scoring leader.
Kobe said, "I don't know, talk to Mitch and Mr. Buss about that," when asked if he had played his final game for the Lakers, referring to general manager Mitch Kupchak and the team's owner. "I'm just getting ready. If I'm here, I'm ready to strap it up."
2007-10-17 02:27:07 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Basketball
Kobe is too good of a player for Jerry Buss to disrespect him like he's done. Kobe has single handily carried that team ever since Mr. Buss let Shaq get away!
I was wish that the Lakers would have tried a little harder to get Garnett when he was available.
I think that things have gotten out of hand between Kobe and ownership and management, and it's passed the point of "hugging and making up."
I don't think we'll see Kobe in a Laker jersey next year. Who will be willing to trade for him, is a better question.
2007-10-17 05:55:48 · answer #1 · answered by tonydgr8 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a slight possibility that he has played his last 'Kobe-like' game with the Lakers, but because of the dynamics surrounding this situation, it would be very tough for the Lakers to move Kobe now. Many teams in the NBA with relatively "fair" trade value would take a big salary cap hit by picking up Kobe, and would have to dump some player salary in order to do so. Plus, the Lakers do not want to trade Kobe to a Western Conference team. You don't want to face your ex-superstar 4 times in the regular season and possibly in a playoff series.
Teams that have some wiggle room and trade value to make this deal are obviously the Chicago Bulls, but also Orlando, Washington, Indiana, and Atlanta, but Kobe wouldn't go to Indiana or Atlanta. Chicago has the best chance if they package Luol Deng and Ben Gordon. As a Lakers fan, I would rather see the Lakers get Agent Zero Gilbert Arenas instead. He is a proven superstar and clutch shooter.
The Lakers also have the most trade leverage at this moment. Kobe can opt out of his deal after the 2008-09 season, and if the Lakers wait until after the 2007-08 season, they will have lost this leverage, and teams would see the Lakers as being desperate to get almost anything for Kobe (i.e. Shaq for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom and Brian Grant).
Unless there is a great deal that comes the Lakers way in the next 10 days, it looks like Kobe will play another game in Purple and Gold because he does not want to hurt his trade value and slow the process down. He wants this deal to happen ASAP, as painful as it is for me to say that.
2007-10-17 04:39:06 · answer #2 · answered by Sales Manager 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think teams will be willing to give up all the players that would be required in a Kobe trade. And Kobe has shown that he's not the type of player that can propel (a la MJ) a team into the championship. He needs that supporting cast.
2007-10-17 03:24:40 · answer #3 · answered by NotoriousOne 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really doubt that he's played his last game as a Laker, since most other teams would be giving up a ton of things if they traded for him, but it's possible.
2007-10-17 02:46:19 · answer #4 · answered by Curtis A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't care where Kobe plays, he's good! But I think he's gonna stay with the Lakers for a little while.
2007-10-17 05:46:46 · answer #5 · answered by basketballgal_8 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe he is the best player in his generation, not a kobe fan but it would be better if he could prove that he could won the championship without shaq on his side! Kobe did improve a lot but still he have things to learn more...
2007-10-17 02:33:59 · answer #6 · answered by babs 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kobe performed stable on-ball D, he became into poking and basically sticking with Wade, however the Lakers sucked on %.-and-roll protection, Wade exploded to the rim each time somebody set a %. for him.
2016-10-09 09:52:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me put it this way...I'm a Celtics fan...and you saw how many players we gave up to get Kevin Garnett...Might as well say Ray Allen too...
I'm pretty sure the Lakers would demand about the same for Kobe, if not more...I'm not sure a team would want him THAT bad...Although you never know...A team that has been down for a while, such as the Clippers or something...Who knows?...*L*
2007-10-17 03:29:51 · answer #8 · answered by Terry C. 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think that kobe must stay in Lakers.
2007-10-17 03:07:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No...He is tired from playing all summer...he is resting up for the season....he is a vet he doesn't need much playing time in the preseason!!!
2007-10-17 02:52:55 · answer #10 · answered by J Dub 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋