Jordan had players moved. Magic asked to be traded or fire the coach. Alan Iverson and all his antics And who has thrown more teamates under the bus than Shaq? All MVP's
Well, what do you think would have happened if the trade Kobe wanted was made? With the addition of Fisher & Gasol, I think he is better suited to shut the hell up and be a player and not a GM. He has a tendency to talk about players and "rat" on them for selfish reasons.
If the Lakers organization would have succumbed to his demands, they would have an old player and locked up with a big salary and you the Lakers fans would be out in the cold cause he would have just left LA for greener pastures as soon as his contract was up. Remember, even Buss called him out in public and only then did he become the quite good teammate.
Well, much to the Mitch's and Buss's credit, they held their ground realizing their superstar was being petty by taking what is disclosed everyday behind closes doors public those two idiotic radio/tv trade me trade me not days. The bynum for kidd thing was not meant for public consumption and recorded secretely. Regardless, he should have known better. Why wouldnt he want to have Kidd over Bynum AT THAT TIME? He had just played the summer with him for USA and Bynum hadnt stepped into his good year. He was jawing with some kids in a parking lot, not giving a press conference. But hes not the GM, hes the best player in the game right now. He got over his tantrum. Squared it away with his teamates. And since day one of training camp has played the best team ball of the career. If people are going to argue that you cant give it to him or others based on previous years accomplishments, then certainly the same logic should apply to past discretions should it not? Again, there is a long list of superstars who have demanded trades, coaching changes etc...
* Next game just watch when Kobe sits and watch the score and watch the team play without him. Tell me which unit plays better.
I watch every Laker game and I pay attention to the second unit. I usually tend to see the leads get bigger while Kobe sits and the team plays smarter. Doesn't always happen but I say 7 out of 10 times they usually do better. Just an observation...might want to look at that.
I doubt you would find a laker fan that wouldnt praise the 2nd unit. The lakers are deep and they very often extend leads while Kobe is on the bench. They are the 2nd unit, they play against the other teams 2nd unit.
So maybe theres a larger talent gap between 2nd units than there is between starters?
I may not be a fan of the Lakers or shall I say Kobe? But I do respect a quality team. Since I live in LA, I have the luxury to watch every game. I have been since the age of twelve.
Please don't call me a hater cause i am not.I love the Laker players they have except for Turiaf (acts like a child) & Kobe. I respect and admire Kobe's game...just not his character.
So many athletes these days are self absorbed jerks. We all lknow that. Kobe is no different. We all know he can be selfish and say childish things. He also had his fued with Shaq, and Shaq being the loveable guy he is, kobe became the villian. Shaq is pulling the same MO with every team and disses everyone yet hes still jolly ole Shaq. The colorado thing only escalated an already dysfunctional situation. If we are going villianize the atheltes for adulterous affairs, thats a long long list. Lot's of the aforementioned MVP's would be right on top. I guess my point is it's all about perception and media influence but what do we really know about what truly goes on behind the scenes? AS OF TODAY, the team all says they are a close unit, they certainly appear to enjoy themselves. Jackson and Kobe are tight for the moment. And I personally wish there where a lot more Turiaf's in the league. It's enjoyable for me to see someone hustle and enjoying doing it.
Bottom line, it is the character of the players that gets to me.
No arguments here. Just as everyone wants a level playing field with the refs in the game, it should also be when passing judgement off it.
