A newly released video clip records Kobe Bryant ripping the Lakers organization and teammate Andrew Bynum.
A couple of guys recorded a conversation, which apparently took place a few days before Kobe demanded to be traded. The guys who captured the video have created a web site and plan to charge people to view the video.
I wonder if they've realized that it will be all over YouTube five minutes after it's realeased.
Anyway, this isn't about a few dorks trying to make a profit.
It's about the Lakers needing to get a clue and move forward in their attempts to trade Bryant. Why they want this albatross is beyond me, but obviously their sentiments are unrequited.
As I see it, the Lakers have two options:
- Hold onto Kobe and run the risk that he either doesn't play at all, or he plays and behaves like a two year-old, whining when he doesn't get his way and frequently refusing to play well with others. So basically, more of what they've endured for the past several years.
- Trade Kobe for less than he's worth. You'd have to be living in a bomb shelter to not know that Bryant wants out, which puts the Lakers in a less than ideal bargaining position. Remember when Seattle got a bat boy and a bag of peanuts for Ken Griffey, Jr., once he demanded to be traded? This might not be that bad, as Bryant has yet to demand a specific destination city, but the Lakers won't get market value in exchange for the most talented player in the league.
So there you have it. Keep Kobe and watch the franchise continue to disintegrate, or get rid of him and start rebuilding.
3 comments:
They're in probably a worse situation than the Giants. At least the Giants have pitching to build around. The Lakers have...Kwame?
As a Laker fan, I'd be for a trade as long as you can get near market value. Honestly, though, I don't see him getting traded, no matter how much he demands it and gets upset. He puts the LALA crowd in the seats. Ben Gorden wouldn't.
I still believe that they can keep Kobe and keep him happy by trading for a couple above average role players or another big-man superstar (Garnett, please). As long as they win ball games, Kobe will be happy, I think. Getting rid of Kobe and starting over with Gordon, Arenas, or Marion (all rumored in trade possibilities for Kobe) won't make the team any better. Jordan had his role players, Kobe just needs his.
Garnett and Kobe would not coexist on the same team.
I don't see why they wouldn't. Garnett isn't an alpha-dog, in fact he's very willing to give up the ball. I think he would be the perfect compliment for Kobe, actually--a guy who's to the point in his career when he just wants to win, and will defer to Kobe when necessary.
Post a Comment