Laker fans begin to worry ; Kobe Quote

[slinslin]

From the LA Times

His teammates feel more distant than ever from him. Most of them believe he will head elsewhere when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
They're so frustrated with his turns when he ignores everyone else on the court that one Laker told a Clipper after last Sunday's game that if the growing feeling that Bryant could be a Clipper next season is close to true, then "You can have him."

 

[frdbtr]

I can't speak for the rest of you guys but I don't think that I want Kobe on this team. I think that he is a selfish player and won't make the team better. If he leaves the lakers it will be to have a team that he can dominate as it's superstar. He will take away from Amare's game and Amare should be the focal point of our offense.

 

[slinslin]

Don't know. Kobe hasn't really played selfish in any games I saw this year.

He also doesn't really dominate the ball on offense. He moves well without the ball and passes very well.

 

[Joe Mama]

On the court there is no doubt in my mind that acquiring Kobe Bryant would be a fantastic move. Off the court I'm not so sure. I'm still not sold that the Phoenix Suns really want to give him a maximum contract given his off the court trouble. Unless somehow he is proven innocent (as opposed to being found not guilty) the Colangeli will look like big-time hypocrites signing him. I'm also not sold that he would really want to come here. The Clippers seem like they would be a better fit for him because he knows he would have a huge fan base in Los Angeles already.

Joe Mama

 

[frdbtr]

If he is so unselfish then why are all of these reports coming out that he is wearing on his teammates. Other reports are that he is a loner and not a leader in the locker room. Don't you think it would piss off players if your leader didn't talk to anyone in the locker room or after practice and games but as soon as they make a mistake on the court Kobe is in their face. I think that this is the reason that he has worn out his welcome in LA.

 

[slinslin]

Because the Lakers are a team in turmoil.

They can't get their players on the same page it seems and most of them are recruited by Shaq and support Shaq.

 

[fordronken]

Don't you guys see the similarities between the way people percieve Kobe's relationship with his Laker teammates as there was between Stephon and his Nets teammates?

Sometimes a new team comes with a new state of mind and a clean slate.

 

[frdbtr]

Originally posted by fordronken
Don't you guys see the similarities between the way people percieve Kobe's relationship with his Laker teammates as there was between Stephon and his Nets teammates?

Sometimes a new team comes with a new state of mind and a clean slate.

I still feel that Marbury was a bad fit for Phoenix. I rooted for him because he was a Sun but I never felt that he was a good floor leader. I think that he is a class act (certainly better the Kidd) but I feel that he was a bad fit for our team. I think that Kobe would be a bad fit for the Suns. I would rather they try to get a good point guard that knows how to control tempo and run a team and build off of our 2 stars (Amare and Marion) and keep salaries reasonable so that they don't get into another bind with having a bunch of Max scrubs losing games.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by frdbtr
I still feel that Marbury was a bad fit for Phoenix. I rooted for him because he was a Sun but I never felt that he was a good floor leader. I think that he is a class act (certainly better the Kidd) but I feel that he was a bad fit for our team. I think that Kobe would be a bad fit for the Suns. I would rather they try to get a good point guard that knows how to control tempo and run a team and build off of our 2 stars (Amare and Marion) and keep salaries reasonable so that they don't get into another bind with having a bunch of Max scrubs losing games.

I agree with the first part. As for the second, the Suns may already have their point guard. Go Barbosa.

 

[frdbtr]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
I agree with the first part. As for the second, the Suns may already have their point guard. Go Barbosa.

Cautiously Optimistic about Barbosa. Hopefully he is the guy, and can continue to play well. I would like to see his assists come up a bit though.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
I agree with the first part. As for the second, the Suns may already have their point guard. Go Barbosa.

It's still too early to really tell, but Barbosa looks like more of a finisher than a creator to me so far. Vujanic, assuming he is anywhere near as good as people are saying, JJ, and Barbosa might make a nice guard rotation. Of course I'm still not sold on JJ even though he has looked better in his last two performances.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaplin]

I find it hard to comprehend that people would actually turn down Kobe Bryant. You just don't turn down a player like that if he wants to play for your team. Good fit? Kobe Bryant is the kind of player that you make the team fit around. I love Amare Stoudemire, but Kobe Bryant would immediately change this team. And IMO, for the better

I just can't fathom why anyone would turn down a player like Kobe Bryant. As much as I hate the Lakers, if he expressed interest in the Suns, I'd do whatever I could to try to get him.

PS. the above assumes Kobe become acquitted...

 

[frdbtr]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I find it hard to comprehend that people would actually turn down Kobe Bryant. You just don't turn down a player like that if he wants to play for your team. Good fit? Kobe Bryant is the kind of player that you make the team fit around. I love Amare Stoudemire, but Kobe Bryant would immediately change this team. And IMO, for the better

I just can't fathom why anyone would turn down a player like Kobe Bryant. As much as I hate the Lakers, if he expressed interest in the Suns, I'd do whatever I could to try to get him.

PS. the above assumes Kobe become acquitted...

Kobe is a great player, but he is still a guard and I would rather see if Amare can turn into a great player in his own right then to mortgage the Suns on a guard that is proving to be very selfish.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I find it hard to comprehend that people would actually turn down Kobe Bryant. You just don't turn down a player like that if he wants to play for your team. Good fit? Kobe Bryant is the kind of player that you make the team fit around. I love Amare Stoudemire, but Kobe Bryant would immediately change this team. And IMO, for the better

I just can't fathom why anyone would turn down a player like Kobe Bryant. As much as I hate the Lakers, if he expressed interest in the Suns, I'd do whatever I could to try to get him.

PS. the above assumes Kobe become acquitted...

Assuming he is vindicated (acquitted may not be enough), it would all depend on the deal. For next year it has to START at $15 million. BTW, Garnett will be making $16 million next year going up to $24 million in 2008/09. After the Grant Hill fiasco, I get nervious about those kinds of committments.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
Assuming he is vindicated (acquitted may not be enough), it would all depend on the deal. For next year it has to START at $15 million. BTW, Garnett will be making $16 million next year going up to $24 million in 2008/09. After the Grant Hill fiasco, I get nervious about those kinds of committments.

The thing is, Kobe Bryant is no Grant Hill.

This posturing is mind-boggling. If the Suns see a chance to get Kobe Bryant, then I hope like hell that they try to get him.

Like I said, Amare Stoudemire is great, but I am unwilling to watch this team lose over and over just to see Amare become a great player--and if we're losing, with the Suns track record, we'll just trade the kid.

 

[slinslin]

The Suns could offer him something like 7yrs/100M$ right? And the Lakers could offer 7yrs/106M$ I believe so it is not a huge difference for someone who made a ton of money already and gets commercials.

Actually I think it is not a dream to think Kobe leaves LA. He might want to escape the media pressure in LA and the Suns might be one of his highest rated teams anyway if he was to chose one of all teams.

 

[frdbtr]

Originally posted by slinslin
The Suns could offer him something like 7yrs/100M$ right? And the Lakers could offer 7yrs/106M$ I believe so it is not a huge difference for someone who made a ton of money already and gets commercials.

Actually I think it is not a dream to think Kobe leaves LA. He might want to escape the media pressure in LA and the Suns might be one of his highest rated teams anyway if he was to chose one of all teams.

That would take roughly 14 million per year to make a deal like that. According to the numbers that i have read the Suns wouldn't even be close to being able to offer that.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by frdbtr
Kobe is a great player, but he is still a guard and I would rather see if Amare can turn into a great player in his own right then to mortgage the Suns on a guard that is proving to be very selfish.

Chap is right IMO. Assuming he is found not guilty, he wants to sign here, and the Colangeli want him this would be an absolute no-brainer. Kobe Bryant would make Amare Stoudemire a much better player. As much as I like Amare I don't think he will ever be in next superstar class of player with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett. I'm just hoping he ends up in the very next group of players with guys like Paul Pierce, Allen Iverson, Chris Webber (uninjured), etc.

As I wrote earlier this morning, I really don't think Kobe Bryant will sign with the Phoenix Suns. Several things would have to happen.

1. Obviously Kobe Bryant would have to be acquitted, but also can believe the public opinion would need to be that he did not do it. It's bad enough that he put himself in this position to begin with. The Colangelos want a good basketball team. They also want on that is marketable. I don't think they want to pay the super maximum to somebody with a bad public image.

2. The Suns would need to get rid of either Jahidi White or Howard Eiseley. $6-8 million is not going to get Kobe Bryant. It's probably going to take at least $14-15 million. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Shawn Marion is even tradable (BYC status) until halfway through next season.

3. The Suns are going to need to look promising for the rest of the season. They have got to look like a team that could be a serious contender with Kobe Bryant. Supposedly he wants to show that he can lead a team to the championship. These get to believe that the Suns can contend with him as part of the team.

I think Kobe Bryant will re-sign with the Lakers or go to the Clippers. Still, we are over a month from the trade deadline, there is still an expansion draft, a regular draft, and the summer to make moves. I mean who thought 4 days ago that we would even be discussing these kinds of possibilities? I know I didn't.

Joe Mama

 

[slinslin]

Originally posted by frdbtr
That would take roughly 14 million per year to make a deal like that. According to the numbers that i have read the Suns
wouldn't even be close to being able to offer that.

The Suns would have to get rid off Jahidi or Eisley to make such an offer.

Most "experts" expect the cap to rise to as much as 47M$ at least 45M$.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
I think Kobe Bryant will re-sign with the Lakers or go to the Clippers. Still, we are over a month from the trade deadline, there is still an expansion draft, a regular draft, and the summer to make moves. I mean who thought 4 days ago that we would even be discussing these kinds of possibilities? I know I didn't.

Joe Mama

Now what makes you think he'll go to the Clippers?

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Chap is right IMO. Assuming he is found not guilty, he wants to sign here, and the Colangeli want him this would be an absolute no-brainer. Kobe Bryant would make Amare Stoudemire a much better player. As much as I like Amare I don't think he will ever be in next superstar class of player with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett. I'm just hoping he ends up in the very next group of players with guys like Paul Pierce, Allen Iverson, Chris Webber (uninjured), etc.

As I wrote earlier this morning, I really don't think Kobe Bryant will sign with the Phoenix Suns. Several things would have to happen.

1. Obviously Kobe Bryant would have to be acquitted, but also can believe the public opinion would need to be that he did not do it. It's bad enough that he put himself in this position to begin with. The Colangelos want a good basketball team. They also want on that is marketable. I don't think they want to pay the super maximum to somebody with a bad public image.

2. The Suns would need to get rid of either Jahidi White or Howard Eiseley. $6-8 million is not going to get Kobe Bryant. It's probably going to take at least $14-15 million. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Shawn Marion is even tradable (BYC status) until halfway through next season.

3. The Suns are going to need to look promising for the rest of the season. They have got to look like a team that could be a serious contender with Kobe Bryant. Supposedly he wants to show that he can lead a team to the championship. These get to believe that the Suns can contend with him as part of the team.

I think Kobe Bryant will re-sign with the Lakers or go to the Clippers. Still, we are over a month from the trade deadline, there is still an expansion draft, a regular draft, and the summer to make moves. I mean who thought 4 days ago that we would even be discussing these kinds of possibilities? I know I didn't.

Joe Mama

I agree. I would point out that the Spurs could get into the mix if they decide not to sign Manu and dump someone like Bowen or Rose. There are other teams with marketable players the Lakers could do a trade with.

Kobe would be nice, but I'm doubtful that it will happen even if the Suns have the cap space.

 

[slinslin]

I wanted to ask the same

Scott Albuquerque, NM: Good afternoon. Chad, everyone keeps talking about Kobe being a possibility for the Suns now. Seriously, how possible is it? I just cant imagine Phoenix would do all this unless they had something going on in the background.

Chad Ford: (1:15 PM ET ) I agree with my colleague Marc Stein that the Lakers are the obvious favorites. After that I disagree with his assertion that the Clippers are next in line. Kobe has a relationship with Coach Mike D'Antoni and better building blocks for a championship in Phoenix. And, as far as organizations go, I think the Suns are first class. The Clippers ? Eh, not so much. In other words, I think if Kobe decides he wants to bolt, the Suns are in my mind, the favorites to land him assuming, of course, that he's acquitted of the rape charges pending against him.



Concerning Kobe Bryant the Suns seem to hold all the trump cards compared to the Clippers except that he would not have to move out of LA which quite possibly could be one of the reason he wants to leave.

 

[Chaplin]

What's funny is that both the Spurs and the Clippers, and now the Suns ALL have all-star caliber Power Forwards. What makes the Clippers more appetizing?

Remember the Italy connections as well.

 

[newfan101]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I find it hard to comprehend that people would actually turn down Kobe Bryant. You just don't turn down a player like that if he wants to play for your team. Good fit? Kobe Bryant is the kind of player that you make the team fit around. I love Amare Stoudemire, but Kobe Bryant would immediately change this team. And IMO, for the better

I just can't fathom why anyone would turn down a player like Kobe Bryant. As much as I hate the Lakers, if he expressed interest in the Suns, I'd do whatever I could to try to get him.

PS. the above assumes Kobe become acquitted...

I could not agree more. Kobe is the only non big man capable of making a team a contender. Past Shaq, Duncan, and Garnett, I can't see going after anyone else. I would never compare him to Jordan, but he is the closest thing physically, mentally, and athletically to him in the game today. Kobe and Amare would give me the most hope of winning a championship since Barkley. I cannot think of another non big man in the league today (maybe Lebron) that could give this team that kind of hope.

 

[frdbtr]

Looks like I am in the minority here. I can accept that. I still believe that Teams that win championships have good chemestry, or they have Shaq . I feel that Kobe has too much baggage. He is a great player but I just don't like him on the Suns. This is not my emotion speaking either. I just don't like his attitude. If he wasn't a selfish person, he would have never cheated on his wife. That is the ultimate in selfishness.