LA Daily News: Kobe: Denver in mix

[George O'Brien]

LA Daily News

Kobe: Denver in mix

By Howard Beck
Staff Writer

DENVER -- Kobe Bryant has for the first time identified a potential NBA employer other than the Lakers, and it's perhaps the last team anyone expected.

Yes, the Denver Nuggets are officially in the Kobe Sweepstakes, despite their proximity to the town in which Bryant will stand trial for sexual assault, and despite the harsh reception Nuggets fans have given Bryant in two trips here.

"As I've been saying, at the end of the season I'm going to sit down and evaluate every option and break down every team, and Denver is one of them," Bryant said after the Lakers' morning shootaround here Wednesday.

Denver will be positioned to offer Bryant a maximum-level contract, six years and $98.6 million, and the Denver Post recently reported the Nuggets are interested.

The Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs also are expected to woo Bryant, though the Suns and Spurs would need to maneuver their payrolls to offer a max deal.

Working in Denver's favor is the Nuggets' sudden emergence as a playoff contender, and now, the public support for Bryant expressed by general manager Kiki Vandeweghe. Earlier this week, Vandeweghe urged Nuggets fans not to boo Bryant.

"I appreciate that," Bryant said. "That's something that he didn't have to do, but he did it. It shows a lot of support on his part. It goes a long way with me."

Bryant made similar comments two months ago, after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich asked fans in his town to be kind.

But this is the first time Bryant has expressed interest in a specific team other than the Lakers, and it comes less than two weeks after he repeated his desire to be "a Laker for life."

Of the Nuggets, currently seeded eighth in the West, Bryant said: "I think they've improved tremendously. The job Kiki has done has been masterful, how quickly he's been able to turn things around."

 

[Gee!]

To me, this just sounds like he is trying to sway the public in his favor for the trial. Why would he only come out and mention Denver. His lawyers prolly had him say this. it gets the public thinking that they cant lock him up bcuz he could be a Nugget.

 

[Dr. Dumas]

Originally posted by SameOleGee
To me, this just sounds like he is trying to sway the public in his favor for the trial. Why would he only come out and mention Denver. His lawyers prolly had him say this. it gets the public thinking that they cant lock him up bcuz he could be a Nugget.

What makes you so sure that he has no interest in Denver. It sounded to me that he was going to sit down after the season is over and look at all of the possibilities, which Denver is included.

 

[Gee!]

Originally posted by Dr. Dumas
What makes you so sure that he has no interest in Denver. It sounded to me that he was going to sit down after the season is over and look at all of the possibilities, which Denver is included.

All Im saying is, why is he only mentioning Denver publicly?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Hen mentioned Phoenix publically as well after our game.

 

[George O'Brien]

Kobe is just keeping his options open.

None the less, I have repeatedly said that Denver is the Sun's biggest competitor in the Kobe race. They have a playoff team and more cap space.

 

[Joe Mama]

First of all, if Portland keeps playing the way they are right now Denver might not be in the playoffs. Portland is only two games back right now.

Frankly I don't understand what the writer of this article is getting so excited about. He says that no other cities have been mentioned by name, but that simply is not true. The same kind of questions were asked the other night when Kobe Bryant was in Phoenix, and he answered them almost the same way. The only difference is that most people don't expect that Kobe Bryant would really want to play in Denver since he is on trial for rape nearby there.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaplin]

I'll say it again, Denver is even a less possible destination for Kobe than the Clippers are. Why? Because Denver would NOT be "his team". There's a young player over there that they got named Carmelo something-or-other, and he is the cornerstone of the franchise, whether or not Kobe goes there or not.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I'll say it again, Denver is even a less possible destination for Kobe than the Clippers are. Why? Because Denver would NOT be "his team". There's a young player over there that they got named Carmelo something-or-other, and he is the cornerstone of the franchise, whether or not Kobe goes there or not.

You may be right, but I doubt there is a Suns fan out there who would trade Amaer for Carmelo.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
You may be right, but I doubt there is a Suns fan out there who would trade Amaer for Carmelo.

Oh I agree, BUT Carmelo's role on that team is still different than Amare's right now.

 

[SweetD]

I would trade Carmelo for Marion.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Oh I agree, BUT Carmelo's role on that team is still different than Amare's right now.

But the signs are there. You cannot talk about how Amare could be in the same class as KG, Duncan, and J. O'Neal while saying he will not a center point of the team. It shouldn't make a difference.

On the other hand, Phoenix does have better weather during basketball season.

 

[elindholm]

Oh I agree, BUT Carmelo's role on that team is still different than Amare's right now.

I understand what you mean, but I don't think I agree. Stoudemire is as important to the Suns as Anthony is to the Nuggets. The reason that the Suns aren't seen as "Stoudemire's team" is that they began the year with two bigger stars and Stoudemire has been hurt. But since getting healthy, Stoudemire's numbers have been at least as good as Anthony's, and I think we'd all agree that the remaining "other" star on the team, Marion, is much more likely to be traded away than Stoudemire is.

So I see Stoudemire and Anthony as being in fairly comparable positions right now. Both would take a back seat to Bryant if he were to join the roster.

 

[fordronken]

Originally posted by elindholm
Oh I agree, BUT Carmelo's role on that team is still different than Amare's right now.

I understand what you mean, but I don't think I agree. Stoudemire is as important to the Suns as Anthony is to the Nuggets. The reason that the Suns aren't seen as "Stoudemire's team" is that they began the year with two bigger stars and Stoudemire has been hurt. But since getting healthy, Stoudemire's numbers have been at least as good as Anthony's, and I think we'd all agree that the remaining "other" star on the team, Marion, is much more likely to be traded away than Stoudemire is.

So I see Stoudemire and Anthony as being in fairly comparable positions right now. Both would take a back seat to Bryant if he were to join the roster.

It would only take a few practices of Carmello getting punked by Kobe to prove whose team it is.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by elindholm
Oh I agree, BUT Carmelo's role on that team is still different than Amare's right now.

I understand what you mean, but I don't think I agree. Stoudemire is as important to the Suns as Anthony is to the Nuggets. The reason that the Suns aren't seen as "Stoudemire's team" is that they began the year with two bigger stars and Stoudemire has been hurt. But since getting healthy, Stoudemire's numbers have been at least as good as Anthony's, and I think we'd all agree that the remaining "other" star on the team, Marion, is much more likely to be traded away than Stoudemire is.

So I see Stoudemire and Anthony as being in fairly comparable positions right now. Both would take a back seat to Bryant if he were to join the roster.

Fair enough.

But they do play the same position... Although I guess you could interchange them at SF/SG.

 

[Joe Mama]

Kobe Bryant would look like a hero if he came to the Phoenix Suns next season. This team has lost a lot of games, but they are not THAT far off. It's obvious that they just need someone like Bryant who can create down the stretch when the offense bogs down. Most importantly the thing the Phoenix Suns have that none of the other suitors other than San Antonio does is a legitimate low post presence.

Joe Mama

 

[scudney]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Most importantly the thing the Phoenix Suns have that none of the other suitors other than San Antonio does is a legitimate low post presence.

Joe Mama

that sentence sounded pretty good... its been a while since suns fans have been able to say that

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by scudney
that sentence sounded pretty good... its been a while since suns fans have been able to say that

It would sound even better with a coma.

I would have to say that the Clips have a decent low post guy too, but the point is well taken. Denver, Utah, and Atlanta all lack a strong low post offense. Nene has the potential, but Amare averages 6 ppg more and almost 2 rpg more right now.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
It would sound even better with a coma.

I would have to say that the Clips have a decent low post guy too, but the point is well taken. Denver, Utah, and Atlanta all lack a strong low post offense. Nene has the potential, but Amare averages 6 ppg more and almost 2 rpg more right now.

That's COMMA, not coma, George.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Chaplin
That's COMMA, not coma, George.

I've been tired, so I guess it's me with the coma.

I use the "edit function" on this system a lot, but in this case not quick enough.

 

[devilalum]

Phoenix is the best situation for Kobe.

The Suns having a terrible record might actually make them more appealing. I think Kobe wants to make his mark. In LA he'll always be Shaq's sidekick but with Phoenix Kobe would be the man.

Amare may be the next Malone but he's several years younger than Kobe. Kobe would be #1. They also play completely different positions and would complement each other.

The Clips are totally out of the question because of Sterling and The Nougets have Carmello.

Heck Mello was already whining about not making the All Star game and he's only 19. Do you think he'll be happy playing second fiddle to Kobe? IMO their games are too similar. Both need the ball. If Kobe's in Denver Mello's psyche will be a mess.