Here goes Vecsey again

[elindholm]

His mysterious source, who is "one of the few people who would know something so serious," claims that Bryant is targeting the Suns or Spurs, even if (pardon me, when) the Lakers win this year's title.

Apparently his source didn't get the word that this is all a power play by Bryant to force Jackson out, but that's okay. It can still fire up a new round of speculation for us.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/22004.htm

 

[scudney]

It's been mentioned a few times before that Kobe is more likely to stay if the Lakers win the title. But I'm not sure I buy that argument.

If anything, I think it's more of a reason why he needs to leave and prove he can win without Shaq.

I'm sure Kobe would be a lot more satisfied knowing he won a title without people questioning who the true superstar on the team was.

 

[playstation]

i'd like to believe it, but sadly its peter vescey...

i do agree with the assessment that IF he were to leave, the choice is between SA and PHX (if SA wants him they have to renounce Hedo & Ginobili)

One thing's for sure, I've got some specific dates circled on my calendar: June 22nd (robert-cats draft), June 26th (draft), July 1st (show up at Kobe's door), July 14th (sign him)

 

[Renz]

It's been mentioned a few times before that Kobe is more likely to stay if the Lakers win the title. But I'm not sure I buy that argument.

If anything, I think it's more of a reason why he needs to leave and prove he can win without Shaq.

I'm sure Kobe would be a lot more satisfied knowing he won a title without people questioning who the true superstar on the team was.

Then why would he go to San Antonio? They would still be Tim Duncan's team.

 

[scudney]

Then why would he go to San Antonio? They would still be Tim Duncan's team.

Who says he wants to go to San Antonio? Nobody knows where he wants to go. It's just all speculation at this point. But personally, I don't think he will go there. I think if he leaves, it's between the Suns & Cips

 

[George O'Brien]

Chaplin guarantees us it isn't the Clips.

Actually the chemistry between Kobe and Duncan would probably be better than Kobe and Shaq. Duncan is known as much for his passing as his scoring and Tim does not have the up and down performances that Shaq does.

The main problem facing the Spurs is cap space. Even with Manu, Turkoglu. Horry (team option); they are still only down to about $32 million. They don't have any obvious cap dumps. Rose gets $5.5 million next season on a long term contract. Bowen has a player option $4.1 million. Nesterovic gets $6.1 million.

Rose is probably their best bet to be moved, but he is probably overpaid at Malik Rose
San Antonio Spurs
Position: F
Height: 6-7 Weight: 255
College: Drexel '96
Player file | Team stats

2003-04 Statistics
PPG 7.9
RPG 4.8
APG 1.0
SPG .54
BPG .36
FG% .428
FT% .813
3P% .000
MPG 18.7

To give some perspective, Brian Candianal is a another backup forward freee agent who made $1 million last season:

Brian Cardinal
Golden State Warriors
Position: F
Height: 6-8 Weight: 245
College: Purdue '00
Player file | Team stats

2003-04 Statistics
PPG 9.6
RPG 4.2
APG 1.4
SPG .87
BPG .26
FG% .472
FT% .878
3P% .444
MPG 21.5

 

[Joe Mama]

Tim Duncan would be more appealing than Shaquille O'Neal simply because he comes into the seasons in shape, and he brings it every game. However, as George already pointed out, the San Antonio Spurs would have to find a way to move Rose's contract. That won't be an easy task by any stretch of the imagination.

If Kobe Bryant wants to show that he can take a basketball team and lead them to a championship this Phoenix Suns team would be a great fit.

Joe Mama

 

[fordronken]

Tim Duncan would be more appealing than Shaquille O'Neal simply because he comes into the seasons in shape, and he brings it every game. However, as George already pointed out, the San Antonio Spurs would have to find a way to move Rose's contract. That won't be an easy task by any stretch of the imagination.

If Kobe Bryant wants to show that he can take a basketball team and lead them to a championship this Phoenix Suns team would be a great fit.

Joe Mama

Duncan also knows what's it like to be undermanned and would appreciate the help of a second superstar.

 

[Chaplin]

Duncan also knows what's it like to be undermanned and would appreciate the help of a second superstar.

But there's no doubt that Duncan would be the #1 guy. In Phoenix, there is no doubt that Kobe would be the #1 guy, no matter what people say about Amare being a superstar already.

 

[George O'Brien]

But there's no doubt that Duncan would be the #1 guy. In Phoenix, there is no doubt that Kobe would be the #1 guy, no matter what people say about Amare being a superstar already.

I'm not sure exactly what difference it makes, but I agree. I feel Amare is at least a couple of years away from being an elite player -- in the Duncan/Garnett class. Also, I'm convinced it doesn't matter what else the Suns do, they will not be contenders until Amare emerges as an elite player.