New York Daily News: Kobe and Phil at it?

[George O'Brien]

New York Daily News

Jackson didn't get up off the bench in the final three quarters of last Sunday's game. That's how overpowering his team was at the Nets' expense. But he also didn't get up to yell at Bryant for taking some mindless shots near the end of the half, when the Lakers could have easily extended their lead to 20, instead of only 14.
Jackson's demeanor regarding Bryant was rather telling, if you believe the whispers regarding his view of Kobe. At the All-Star Game, Bryant all but announced over the Staples P.A. that he does not like Jackson as a person. While Bryant says he has no problems with Jackson as a coach, Jackson isn't so crazy about Kobe, the player.

One team source said that Jackson has been holding off on signing an extension because he no longer wants to coach Bryant, who apparently is way too selfish for Jackson's liking. If Jackson does commit to the Lakers to stay on in the coming months, that could be a sign that he knows that Bryant is definitely leaving via free agency, or that the Lakers have decided on a sign-and-trade to get Bryant out of town.

Either this means Kobe is certain to be availabe or it means Kobe is too selfish. Something for everyone.

 

[Joe Mama]

Or it could just be another in a long line of reports predicting the breakup of the Lakers. Phil Jackson might not like coaching Kobe Bryant, but I can't imagine he thinks he really has a shot to win another championship without him. The Lakers are nothing more than an average team without both of them in the lineup.

Joe Mama

 

[SirStefan32]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Or it could just be another in a long line of reports predicting the breakup of the Lakers. Phil Jackson might not like coaching Kobe Bryant, but I can't imagine he thinks he really has a shot to win another championship without him. The Lakers are nothing more than an average team without both of them in the lineup.

Joe Mama

I have to disagree with you Joe. Put Shaq on any team and they will be more than an average team. Could they win the championship without Kobe? Probably not, but if they signed a couple of decent role playears to go along with their current lineup, I think they would have a good shot.

Stefan

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by SirStefan32
I have to disagree with you Joe. Put Shaq on any team and they will be more than an average team. Could they win the championship without Kobe? Probably not, but if they signed a couple of decent role playears to go along with their current lineup, I think they would have a good shot.

Stefan

Point taken. I guess I was talking more about this year's Lakers team without Kobe Bryant (and Karl Malone out of the lineup). However you are right. They probably could compete with other Western Conference teams with a decent signing or two, or if Karl Malone could get back to his early-season form. I still think that without Kobe Bryant they could not beat San Antonio or Sacramento in a seven-game series though.

Joe Mama

 

[devilalum]

The Lakers saying they absolutely will not do a sign and trade for Kobe is rediculous. If Kobe is leaving that would be the only way the Lakers could get someting in return.

If the Lakers could get Payton and Malone to come back and trade Kobe for a second tier star (no way they get equal value because of Kobes free agent status) say Paul Pierce.

Shaq
Malone
Pierce
Payton
Who Cares

This team would have as good a shot as anyone to win it all especially since the team factor would probably improve.

Cupcheck will probably change his tune about a sign and trade if he's sure Kobes gone.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
Bryant all but announced over the Staples P.A. that he does not like Jackson as a person.

Just as there are many fans that do not like Kobe as a person.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by devilalum
The Lakers saying they absolutely will not do a sign and trade for Kobe is rediculous. If Kobe is leaving that would be the only way the Lakers could get someting in return.

If the Lakers could get Payton and Malone to come back and trade Kobe for a second tier star (no way they get equal value because of Kobes free agent status) say Paul Pierce.

Shaq
Malone
Pierce
Payton
Who Cares

This team would have as good a shot as anyone to win it all especially since the team factor would probably improve.

Cupcheck will probably change his tune about a sign and trade if he's sure Kobes gone.

Of course the problem with that trade scenario is that Kobe Bryant would have to want to play in Boston. That's pretty unlikely. Coming up with a sign and trade deal that works for the Lakers, the other team, and Kobe Bryant is very difficult. The Lakers would probably be better off letting him walk.

Joe Mama

 

[boisesuns]

imagine if the lakers really fell apart after this season.

phil leaves
shaq retires (won't play for anyone else)
kobe goes too....
payton and malone??

imagine the team of destiny, gone after one year. probly won't happen, but it's not a streach to think that it might not be the same 4 guys either.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by boisesuns
imagine if the lakers really fell apart after this season.

phil leaves
shaq retires (won't play for anyone else)
kobe goes too....
payton and malone??

imagine the team of destiny, gone after one year. probly won't happen, but it's not a streach to think that it might not be the same 4 guys either.

Obviously this is a best case scenerio (for the rest of the NBA), it is unlikely. Shaq has two years left on his contract for $29 million and $32 million. He wants to keep getting the same money, but unless the Lakers give in he cannot get it anywhere else. KG is going from $28 million to $16 million because that is more than anyone else could pay. Shaq can threaten to retire, but if he needs more than $16 million "for his family", it is not clear how that solves his financial problems.

By contrast, Malone is in his 19th season and has his pick of teams to play for if he decides to go for one more year. He could easily get mid cap money from Dallas and have a decent chance to get back to the finals.

There were rumors a week or so ago that Payton is getting frustrated with Phil. The apparent reason was that he was not getting the number of minutes he wanted, but the underlying issue may be that he is not happy with the triangle offense. I am guessing that chances are well over 50-50 that he will move on.

With both Payton and Kobe willing to leave because of Jackson, I would not be shocked if Jackson decides to retire first. A new coach would get rid of the hated triangle and give these guys a reason to stay.