Kobe Bryant is the next . . .

[Cheesebeef]

Michael Jordan - ugh - I hate even writing that - but damn if it isn't true. No one in the league has this kid's combination of talent, confidence and absolute drive to be the best - not to mention being THE assassin that he is.

Anyone who thinks that adding Kobe to this team (a team which finished more than 10 games out of the playoffs) while still holding onto Amare - will hurt us just can not be objective. The guy is bar none - the best player in the game - you don't pass up on the best player in the game - especially one that hasn't even hit his prime yet and is leading the Lakers - again - to another possible title - this kid is amazing and the Suns should and must pull out every stop possible to get him.

Sorry George - but after watching another one of Kobe's incredible games - I had to say this.

 

[sly fly]

Michael Jordan - ugh - I hate even writing that - but damn if it isn't true. No one in the league has this kid's combination of talent, confidence and absolute drive to be the best - not to mention being THE assassin that he is.

Anyone who thinks that adding Kobe to this team (a team which finished more than 10 games out of the playoffs) while still holding onto Amare - will hurt us just can not be objective. The guy is bar none - the best player in the game - you don't pass up on the best player in the game - especially one that hasn't even hit his prime yet and is leading the Lakers - again - to another possible title - this kid is amazing and the Suns should and must pull out every stop possible to get him.

Sorry George - but after watching another one of Kobe's incredible games - I had to say this.

Laughing. I was going to post the same thing.

Nah, Kobe wouldn't fit in with the Suns.

Pretty amazing George is bored with all the Kobe talk. I actually read his posts right before I go to bed. They help me go to sleep faster. (Just kidding, George )

The game he had tonight AFTER flying in from Colorado was the kind of game that immortalizes superstars.

His crossover looked like it was in fast motion. He shot jumpers like no one was guarding him. And, he scored in traffic all night long.

Simply a hoop junkie's dream.

 

[George O'Brien]

Michael Jordan - ugh - I hate even writing that - but damn if it isn't true. No one in the league has this kid's combination of talent, confidence and absolute drive to be the best - not to mention being THE assassin that he is.

Anyone who thinks that adding Kobe to this team (a team which finished more than 10 games out of the playoffs) while still holding onto Amare - will hurt us just can not be objective. The guy is bar none - the best player in the game - you don't pass up on the best player in the game - especially one that hasn't even hit his prime yet and is leading the Lakers - again - to another possible title - this kid is amazing and the Suns should and must pull out every stop possible to get him.

Sorry George - but after watching another one of Kobe's incredible games - I had to say this.

No need to apologize. After playing poorly in the first two games against the Spurs Kobe has certainly stepped it up a knotch in the last two. I'm not sure I like him as a person, but I've never doubted he is a super player.

My concern has not been whether adding Kobe wouldn't be a good thing, just that it is so unlikely. Jerry Buss has said (in effect) that he will do ANYTHING to keep Kobe, which may include dumping Phil Jackson. Certainly money is no object.

So realistically, what are the Suns chances of getting Kobe? I think 1 in 20 is too optomistic, but let's use that figure for a moment. If the only way to clear enough cap space is to offer the lottery pick for the Bobcats to take White, do you do it if there is only a 5% chance it will work? Do you hold off signing other free agents until after Kobe's trial for a 5% of chance of signing him? Do you cut off all trade offers that requiring using cap space on a 5% chance of getting Kobe?

As it is, there are rumors that the Cap may actually be reduced to $43 million. If that happens, the Suns would only have $15 million in cap space. If Kobe demands the $14.2 million teams other than the Lakers can offer, it would leave the Suns with no money to sign anyone else other than for minimum contracts. If the Suns draft someone, it would reduce their cap space to about $13 million. Is that enough? To do $14.2 the Suns would have to give up White, having a draft pick, signing Vujanic, and most likely Dice. It could be done - but would making all those moves make sense if Kobe doesn't sign?

BTW, one often ignored advantage to moving Eisley rather than White is that he gets $500,000 more next year than White. If the Suns were to sign Kobe, having the extra $500 k might prove handy.

 

[hsandhu]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the max a team can offer Kobe in the first year $13.1 million (which, with the %10 increase is a 6 year $98 million contract).

I have no idea what the chances of getting Kobe are. However, I know how Colangelo operates in these situations, thus I believe they'll be going into the expansion draft and nba draft, knowing exactly what their chances of getting Kobe are (obviously they can't tamper, but players have "feelers" to organizations all the time). Thus they'll know if they have a chance at Kobe, and will likely only move money and picks (Charlotte really shouldn't need this year's number one, cleveland's pick plus $3 million should be more than enough for a $5.8 million, last season contract, that will be very attractive in midseason trades), if they know they are in line to get him.

 

[George O'Brien]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the max a team can offer Kobe in the first year $13.1 million (which, with the %10 increase is a 6 year $98 million contract).

I have no idea what the chances of getting Kobe are. However, I know how Colangelo operates in these situations, thus I believe they'll be going into the expansion draft and nba draft, knowing exactly what their chances of getting Kobe are (obviously they can't tamper, but players have "feelers" to organizations all the time). Thus they'll know if they have a chance at Kobe, and will likely only move money and picks (Charlotte really shouldn't need this year's number one, cleveland's pick plus $3 million should be more than enough for a $5.8 million, last season contract, that will be very attractive in midseason trades), if they know they are in line to get him.

Someone with a better understanding of the NBA player's contract than me posted an explanation of how much could be offered. Kobe is making $13.5 million this season. I think it was something like a 5% increase over his last year's salary, which would be just under $14.2.

Does anyone have the exact figures?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Kobe Bryant can recieve 30% of the cap, or 105% increase from his previous deal if he currently makes more than 30%.

If the cap is below 44.1 million (I think thats what it is) then Kobe can earn 14.175 million in his first year (Assuming his contract is just under 13.5 million right now, however, according the Larry Coon email posted earlier, his contract was higher). If the salary cap is higher than 44.1 million, then he can recieve 30% of the cap.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Found it.

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29106&highlight=larry+coon

Ah I just figured it out. Larry Coon's salary number for Bryant is for the season he would opt out of. Apparently you look at the last year of the contract, not the year he opts out to determine the whether to use 30% of the cap, or a 105% raise.

Anyways, unless the cap is higher than 47 million not 44, he will make 105% of this years salary, with 12.5% raises each year.

So the 14.175 million is the magic number.

 

[LakeShowMan]

I've been telling you guys this for 3.5 years already. I am glad some of you are finally coming around.

Seriously, though, last night was one of those amazing performances that just takes your breath away. Simply incredible.

Loved this quote from Shaq:

"I don't see how he does it," O'Neal said. "He's a fabulous player, probably the best player that ever played the game, especially with all the stuff he's been going through. And it was a fabulous night for him, a memorable night."

Hopefully, for my sake these guys can coexist for a few more years. We'll see.

 

[Skkorpion]

Actually, if Kobe doesn't keep better control of his pecker, he'll be the next Magic Johnson.

 

[George O'Brien]

Actually, if Kobe doesn't keep better control of his pecker, he'll be the next Magic Johnson.

Or Dwayn Bobbit.

 

[Joe Mama]

Anyone who thinks that adding Kobe to this team (a team which finished more than 10 games out of the playoffs) while still holding onto Amare - will hurt us just can not be objective. The guy is bar none - the best player in the game - you don't pass up on the best player in the game - especially one that hasn't even hit his prime yet and is leading the Lakers - again - to another possible title - this kid is amazing and the Suns should and must pull out every stop possible to get him.

This is why people should not yet overly excited about somebody after one game. Kobe Bryant is clearly one of the best players in the NBA today. I'm not arguing that by any means. He also has an incredible drive and desire to win. He is not the best player in the game. He might be the third best player in the game. Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are the best play players in the game today.

Sometimes I hope that we get to see Tracy McGrady with Shaquille O'Neal somehow before Shaq is over the hill.

Joe Mama

 

[fordronken]

I've actually heard from a few different sources, though I'm not sure how reliable(both were "close to someone in the organization") that Kobe was just as bad as anybody in the league regarding infidelity and that as a whole, it's a much more widely performed act than people seem to think.

 

[elindholm]

He is not the best player in the game. He might be the third best player in the game. Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are the best play players in the game today.

I would have agreed with you two weeks ago, but my opinion of Garnett is sinking fast. So far in these playoffs, the Wolves have needed Cassell to hit all of their big shots. Garnett, when I've been watching, hasn't been able to get close to the basket or even get good shots off from mid range a lot of the time. Yes, he did make the final shot in the last game, but it was a bit of a prayer -- awkward, off balance, and out of rhythm. If you compare Garnett's ability to get good looks under pressure with that of Duncan or Bryant, Garnett doesn't fare too well.

Garnett has a better all-around game, but if the main thing that great players are supposed to do is put the ball in the basket when the stakes are highest, I'd have to prefer Bryant at this point.

 

[elindholm]

I've actually heard from a few different sources, though I'm not sure how reliable(both were "close to someone in the organization") that Kobe was just as bad as anybody in the league regarding infidelity

Exactly. We know that infidelity is common in general, and studies show (somewhat surprisingly, to me) that it becomes more common as you look at higher income brackets. That doesn't excuse it, of course, but those are the facts.

Lots of NBA players have come out and said that fooling around is rampant. I think if we cheer one player while booing another because of fidelity issues, we run real risks of hypocrisy -- the chance that our "preferred" player is doing the same thing is too significant to ignore.

Ultimately, I don't care. We know that a lot of people who are successful in their careers are failures in their personal lives. So what? I don't consider adultery to be a sin against God or society -- it's a violation of the trust of one's spouse and family (and, I suppose to some extent, the adulterous co-conspirator), but nothing more.

If I'm running a competitive, multi-million dollar business, I want the person who does the best job. If he turns out to be a jerk, that's too bad, but I'd still rather have him working for me than for a rival.

 

[fordronken]

Garnett is the same player he's always been. Plays great team basketball, but can't take over when it counts(at least not much). Now, the only difference is that Cassell is there to take over for him. Last year's T'Wolves would have gotten out of the first round, too, if they'd played against 'Melo's Nuggets.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Actually, if Kobe doesn't keep better control of his pecker, he'll be the next Magic Johnson.

c'mon skorp, you can say that about every ballplayer in ever major sport. they're all ******. they've been raised with a ridiculous sense of entitlement to everything and anything they desire from those astute enough to have recognized their talent at early ages. they have little to no concept of right and wrong. i love watching 'em, but i expect very little else from 'em.

a good example is listening to friends who frequent the scottsdale night scene. spring training is like baseball players gone wild. fidelity means nada.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I've actually heard from a few different sources, though I'm not sure how reliable(both were "close to someone in the organization") that Kobe was just as bad as anybody in the league regarding infidelity and that as a whole, it's a much more widely performed act than people seem to think.

reverend! 'xactly!

 

[fordronken]

c'mon skorp, you can say that about every ballplayer in ever major sport. they're all ******. they've been raised with a ridiculous sense of entitlement to everything and anything they desire from those astute enough to have recognized their talent at early ages. they have little to no concept of right and wrong. i love watching 'em, but i expect very little else from 'em.

a good example is listening to friends who frequent the scottsdale night scene. spring training is like baseball players gone wild. fidelity means nada.

I'm not sure how much of it has to do with a concept of right or wrong. To be perfectly honest there are very few men I know who, married or not, if they had attractive women thrown at them, I would be able to say with absolute certainty wouldn't act on their carnal urges. And once it starts up and a community(in this case, atheletes) begin to accept this as a social norm, it becomes even less predictable that these men will begin and continue engaging in acts such as these.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

a good example is listening to friends who frequent the scottsdale night scene. spring training is like baseball players gone wild. fidelity means nada.

Yeah, no kidding. Supposedly big "family" guys have these 20-25 year old Scottsdale girls on the side that they have fun with for a month or two and fly out occasionally on road trips. I'm friends with girls that have that sort of relationship with two AL All Stars. NBA is no different. This girl I went to school with gets jetted around the country occasionally on the tab of a certain basketball player (who's still in the playoffs) just for a weekend of banging. Man, I wish I was a pro athlete.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I've actually heard from a few different sources, though I'm not sure how reliable(both were "close to someone in the organization") that Kobe was just as bad as anybody in the league regarding infidelity

Exactly. We know that infidelity is common in general, and studies show (somewhat surprisingly, to me) that it becomes more common as you look at higher income brackets. That doesn't excuse it, of course, but those are the facts.

Lots of NBA players have come out and said that fooling around is rampant. I think if we cheer one player while booing another because of fidelity issues, we run real risks of hypocrisy -- the chance that our "preferred" player is doing the same thing is too significant to ignore.

Ultimately, I don't care. We know that a lot of people who are successful in their careers are failures in their personal lives. So what? I don't consider adultery to be a sin against God or society -- it's a violation of the trust of one's spouse and family (and, I suppose to some extent, the adulterous co-conspirator), but nothing more.

If I'm running a competitive, multi-million dollar business, I want the person who does the best job. If he turns out to be a jerk, that's too bad, but I'd still rather have him working for me than for a rival.

And if he's a rapist. . . ?

 

[elindholm]

And if he's a rapist. . . ?

That would obviously be different, but I'm fairly confident that he isn't.

 

[Joe Mama]

And if he's a rapist. . . ?

That would obviously be different, but I'm fairly confident that he isn't.

fairly confident he isn't a rapist, or fairly confident he won't be convicted of being a rapist? We all know there's a big difference.

So far in this round of the playoffs Kevin Garnett is averaging 25.4 points, 14.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.75 blocks per game. He's shooting 44% from the field. Kobe Bryant is averaging 25.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. He's shooting 42% from the field. Clutch performances are great and all, but I want consistency. A shot still accounts for two points at the beginning of the game just like it does at the end.

What you think would happen if you took Kevin Garnett and put him on the Lakers with Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, and Gary Payton? I think they would kill everybody.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

fairly confident he isn't a rapist, or fairly confident he won't be convicted of being a rapist?

Both. I'm guessing -- I wasn't there -- but media rumors have convinced me that it's more likely that the alleged victim is mentally unbalanced than it is that Bryant suddenly became violent.

So far in this round of the playoffs Kevin Garnett is averaging 25.4 points, 14.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.75 blocks per game. He's shooting 44% from the field. Kobe Bryant is averaging 25.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. He's shooting 42% from the field. Clutch performances are great and all, but I want consistency.

And Garnett is more consistent because his FG% is two points higher? I'm afraid I don't get your point. Garnett gets more rebounds, but he doesn't play alongside O'Neal and Malone.

 

[Joe Mama]

fairly confident he isn't a rapist, or fairly confident he won't be convicted of being a rapist?

Both. I'm guessing -- I wasn't there -- but media rumors have convinced me that it's more likely that the alleged victim is mentally unbalanced than it is that Bryant suddenly became violent.

I don't necessarily disagree, but you know 99% of those rumors were floated out of the Kobe Bryant Camp.

So far in this round of the playoffs Kevin Garnett is averaging 25.4 points, 14.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.75 blocks per game. He's shooting 44% from the field. Kobe Bryant is averaging 25.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. He's shooting 42% from the field. Clutch performances are great and all, but I want consistency.

And Garnett is more consistent because his FG% is two points higher? I'm afraid I don't get your point. Garnett gets more rebounds, but he doesn't play alongside O'Neal and Malone.

Touche! KG gets ever so slightly more assists, and he doesn't play alongside Shaquille O'Neal or Karl Malone. I consistency I meant he plays well in from start to finish, game to game, instead of just in the fourth quarter. Of course last game KG was just 6-21 from the field.

Let's put it this way. If there was a draft with all of the existing NBA players connect there is no doubt Kevin Garnett would get taken before Kobe Bryant. He would be the first or second player taken.

Joe Mama

 

[sly fly]

I'd take Kobe Bryant over KG 8 days a week.

Even Shaq says he's the best player that ever lived.

What does Kobe have to do to convince some of you???