Chaplin,
I read it on this uncredible source called ESPN.Com.
Here is a copy of the Insider article:
Distractions. The Lakers seem to thrive on them.
Over the weekend, the death of Shaquille O'Neal's grandfather and the birth of his new baby led to a plethora of questions over his availability and his focus for the team's series with the Timberwolves.
Shaq's 32 points and 10 rebounds Sunday quickly quieted those comments. But lost in all the Shaq hoopla was a warning shot by Kobe Bryant that could rock the entire franchise.
Will Kobe and Shaq play Michael and Scottie and break-up the Lakers?
Bryant told the L.A. Daily News on Saturday that he plans on opting out of his contract in 2004.
The news stunned GM Mitch Kupchak and the rest of the franchise.
"That's the first I've heard of it," Kupchak said. "I don't know exactly what it means, other than somebody would like to explore options and have options."
While several commentators have tried to soften the blow by claiming Kobe's refusal to sign a contract extension has more to do with financial planning than his relationship with the Lakers, don't believe that for a second.
Kobe stands to gain nothing, financially, from refusing to sign an extension. Yes, the collective bargaining agreement expires after next season, but if you believe the players are going to come out of the new agreement with better terms, you're dreaming.
Kobe isn't opting out so he can build his nest egg. He's restless. He wants to smell the grass on the other side of the Lakers fence. He's grown tired of Phil Jackson's criticisms and playing in Shaq's shadow.
He's also wary of the Lakers' future. Jackson's contract expires after next season. Shaq has promised to follow Phil out the door. If Kobe locks in now and Phil and Shaq bolt, the Lakers will be terrible. The team has largely foregone rebuilding to keep running at a championship level. Only young players like Kareem Rush and Devean George seem to have any real upside. Kobe wants to win more than anything else. With or without the Lakers.
"It is what it is. I like options, man," Bryant said Saturday. "I like learning things. I like exploring different situations. That's all, really."
Bryant was defensive when asked if he might leave L.A.
"Are you trying to start some (stuff) right now?" he told the Daily News. "I don't know. You never say never. I mean, you never know. Obviously, I want to stay here, I want to play my career out here, but you never know."
Phil Jackson's contract also expires after next season.
Kupchak seemed resigned to changes.
"We've had such great success with our team and coaching staff, I know it's tough for anybody to think it's going to change," Kupchak said. "But everybody has to do what's right for them."
Is Kobe better off leaving L.A.? Grizzlies president Jerry West thinks so. His plan, since day one, was to clear enough cap space to lure Bryant to Memphis in 2004.
The Grizzlies aren't there yet, but they'll be working hard this summer to get far enough below the cap to sign Kobe. The team has been trying to package Lorenzen Wright and Stromile Swift since last fall. They'll also give away Jason Williams to the highest bidder, and even Shane Battier's available at the right price.
Memphis feels a combination of Kobe, Mike Miller, Pau Gasol and Earl Watson (who West adores) would make it a contender in the Western Conference.
Of course, the Grizzlies won't be alone in their pursuit of Kobe. The Pistons, Heat (if they don't sign a big free agent this summer), Hornets and Spurs (if they take it easy on free agency this summer) could get far enough under the cap to offer Kobe the max.
But it won't be easy to leave the bright lights of L.A., especially if Phil and Shaq commit to return. Right now, that's still up in the air.
Jackson told the Daily News that how the Lakers play the next several weeks will determine his desire to sign an extension. Shaq still maintains he'll walk if Jackson does.
"Right now, I couldn't see myself playing for anybody else, but we just have to see who that somebody else is," O'Neal said. "If it's like a Chuck Daly or somebody that's the same caliber, then yeah, I'll give it a try. But Phil's my guy."
Now, Jackson, Kobe and O'Neal could be deciding their futures in the same summer. If that doesn't keep Kupchak up at night, nothing will.
