Originally posted by sacniner:
At this point in Kobe's career, and with where the Lakers are with OG Buss gone, is it fair to say Kobe is doing more harm than good? It seems like big time FA don't wanna play with Kobe now cause it isn't worth it. He is bigger than the rest of the team and everyone knows that.
Again, I think this is a blessing in disguise for the Lakers. Don't lock yourselves up with some big contracts for the likes of Chris Bosh types. For what? That won't get you a ring.... and in a couple of years you guys will have a lot of flexibility to make some huge moves.
It'll just be hard for some fans to endure being s**tty for a couple of years. Lakers fans aren't used to it. Kings fans like me and Marsh are used to being s**tty so it don't phase us lol.
I think there's a good degree of misattribution in the piece. FAs don't want to play for the
Lakers right now. Why? Because the cupboard is bare. Take Kobe completely out of the picture, along with the cap space that he's occupying. Why would a FA come here? Who would they be playing with? Why would say, Marc Gasol & Rajon Rondo (for example) want to join forces in LA while being surrounded by middling talent, when they could join established cores where they could put them over the top?
As for the dishonesty of the piece, painting it like Melo didn't sign in LA because of Kobe is ridiculous. He's one of Kobe's best friends in the NBA, and Kobe's the only reason he was considering coming here. He chose an extra $30M instead. Kobe's fault?LeBron was going to Cleveland or staying in Miami, and that had nothing to do with Kobe. Blaming Kobe for LeBron not ending up in LA is specious as hell.
He then mentions Kobe's history with big men, citing relationships with Shaq, Howard, Bynum, & Gasol.
Shaq - Feuded with Penny Hardaway at the end of his time in Orlando. Feuded with Dwyane Wade at the end of his time in Miami. Talked crap about Phoenix on his way out. Talked crap about Cleveland on his way out. His feud with Kobe is the most publicized, but Shaq has a long history of feuds.
Bynum - Has a history of bizarre behaviors that have gotten him exiled from no less than 3 teams after leaving the Lakers. Obviously he has an extensive injury history, but he's been dropped from rosters because of his attitude rather than kept on the injured list, and can't even get a minimum contract offer. Most injury prone guys can at least get that. Teams don't want him around.
Howard - Looooong history of Drama Llamaness, before and after Kobe. This part of the piece is the truest...Howard didn't want to play with Kobe. I also think that the feeling was mutual, and that it's a blessing that we don't have that dude signed to a long term contract.
Pau - This one is the worst. Kobe & Pau are really, really tight. Here's a direct quote from Pau, after he signed with the Bulls. Acting like he & Kobe have a bad relationship is a flat out lie.
"It was difficult. We have a close friendship," Gasol said Friday via ESPN. "We've been through a lot together, and I'm sure I will miss him. But we talked to each other and our relationship goes beyond basketball and we'll always have a friendship.
"It was difficult to talk to him, but he was very supportive and he understood. He just said I had to do what was best for me and what felt right for me and he was going to support me no matter what. That's what friends and brothers do, and that's what we are."
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/11233214/pau-gasol-chicago-bulls-said-was-difficult-say-goodbye-kobe-bryant
Kobe's a dick. No doubt about that. And he may not be beloved, but he's damn respected amongst players. Where the Lakers are right now has very little to do with him, and saying that the Front Office "can't wait for him to leave" after they just gave him a huge extension is laughable. Even Phil Jackson (who has had his misgivings with Kobe) retweeted this yesterday.
Phil Jackson ✔ @PhilJackson11
"@flea333: henry abbott your @espn kobe article is absolute garbage and a blatant irresponsible attack. "Go get'em, Flea
Kobe's not faultless by any measure, but this was a ridiculous hit piece.
