October 31, 2007
Kobe Bryant has had a busy couple of weeks. His coach questioned his heart and his willingness to play basketball, he’s sprained his wrist, he was booed by the L.A. fans in the first game of the season, and apparently he’s been involved in a trade rumor (Chicago fans need to read this) or two, or three, or four…Before you start feeling bad for Kobe though, here are 5 reasons why, even if Kobe doesn’t get traded, he’ll be able to bear this season.
1. He’s making $19.4 million dollars this year. Since the Lakers probably won’t make the playoffs, Kobe will play in around 82 games (the NBA regular season). He’ll make approximately $237,000/game.
2. Akin to the first point? Kobe’s contract allowed him to receive 70% ($13.5 million) of his salary for the upcoming season, in June (I have to shudder give credit to Steven A. Smith for this statistic).
3. Kobe Bryant isn’t adverse to playing in L.A. completely. As he’s stated, in many an interview, he wants/wanted to play his entire career there. The no-trade clause in his contract will keep him from going to any other team that’s not a contender.
4. Derek Fisher. Fisher brings stability to a team that has Kobe, an oft-injured Lamar Odom, and……..[insert your favorite Lakers role player here]. He’s a reliable shooter, Kobe knows him from the Laker glory days, and he can take over the point guard duties, allowing Kobe to play his natural 2-guard position.
5. He’s selfish. People seem to have forgotten, but the whole reason Kobe is in this mess in the first place is because he couldn’t play with another dominant superstar for any extended period of time (sorry Odom…you aren’t healthy and I’m not convinced you’re a superstar anyway).
So, yes, Kobe will be okay if he’s forced to play another year in Los Angeles. Now, why should the Lakers trade Kobe as soon as possible? Here are your three reasons…
1. Team Chemistry. I don’t think any coach in the history of sports will tell you that having a superstar who hates his team is better than having 15 guys who play together and love where they’re at. Sure, Kobe will single-handedly win some games for the Lakers, but, without any team chemistry? If you are somehow able to see the playoffs…you definitely aren’t going anywhere once you get there.
2. Kobe’s opt out clause. Yes, I know, Kobe can’t opt out for another 2 years, but trying to trade Kobe away next year will be impossible. No one will give you proper value, because everyone instead will just save their money and their players, and bid on Kobe themselves.
3. Stop all of this speculation. The fact that this story is getting this much time in print and on TV is retarded. Let’s get something done, so we can go back to breaking down the games, instead of wasting time showing me which trade could have maybe transpired two weeks ago.
So, there you have it. Kobe could stay in LA if he absolutely had to, and tough it out for another season, but the best option, for all parties involved, is to trade him now. I don’t really have that much faith in the abilities of Jerry Buss (see: why this situation occurred in the first place) so it will be interesting to see what happens.
ESPN: Jackson says Kobe not putting ‘heart and soul’ into on-court performance
ESPN: Bryant sits out Lakers practice, but is expected to be ready for opener
Yahoo! Sports: Lakers/Rockets October 30th recap
Everythings Coming Up Milhouse: The Kobe trade and moronic sports fans
ESPN: Cuban: No Kobe in Dallas
Sactown Royalty: Kings involved in Lakers-Bulls deal?
Gilbert Arenas Blog: Take my name out of the rumors
7 comments
I think the Lakers have to get Kobe out. As you said, it will be hard to trade him later, and they won’t advance deep in the playoffs without chemistry. The one-man team was great entertainment, but at some point, you have to put success over entertainment.
It is time for Kobe and the Lakers to part ways, although this will be a gruesome time for L.A. as they rebuild their franchise. It will be fascinating to watch him on another team, and equally fascinating to see what his new teammates think of him and how that dynamic will all play out. Wherever he goes, someone will lose shots…and that just creates new issues for the media to report on…and on…and on.
i dont think Fisher is a reason to stay anywhere. He’s a veteran, but he’s ugly and his career 9 points and 3 assists per game are’nt going to do much
I can’t imagine Kobe Bryant playing anywhere else than Los Angeles in ’07-’08. Maybe switching cities to wear a different team’s jersey for the 2008 season, but it all seems like too big of a hassle right now. Think of all the headaches it must be for the guys over in LA listening to this garbage day in, day out. It’s bad for us sports fans who are already tired of hearing and reading about it.
Back to the point: if I were Chicago, I wouldn’t want Kobe Bryant to be suiting up in a white/red Bulls jersey after giving away huge talents in Ben Gordon (and I know the upcoming player wasn’t in the ‘package’, but speaking hypothetically, consider it), Luol Deng, and Tyrus Thomas. I love the Bulls’ young team and just believe it would be idiotic for them to throw it away for a guy that’s hitting his 30s in August ’08.
Disregard the previous comment, I didn’t read about Deng and Gordon planning to test the free agent market next summer.
i’ve never been a big fan for trading away two+ rising stars for one superstar. you’re always a broken leg away from having nothing.
I think he should stay with his team and prove that he can be a good team leader. He also need to get more mature, because admit or not, Lakers need Kobe.
JEM24
Lakers fan