Kobe wants to be traded?

[Tickle Fiend]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2884339

I'd love to see Kobe traded. I don't hate Kobe but I hate the fuckin' Lakers.

 

[scissorman]

I'd seriously laugh my ass off if Kobe left the lakers. I hope he doesn't, but time will tell.

 

[primetime]

Oh, you KNOW i am going to address this issue....

first, to answer the question...NO he doesnt want to get traded. Kobe is simply stating what almost ALL Laker fans want. He wants management to get off their duff and DO something to make us a championship contender. Kobe realizes that the stiffs Mitch Kupchak put around him are not going to get him a title. Kobe is stating the obvious. He is doing what ALL superstars do when they are not happy with management. Jordan did the same, Shaq, Magic, etc.

Lamar Odom is NOT a second option. he is a third option. Kwame Brown is good for defense, nothing else. I said it before, the Lakers should have traded Odom, not Caron Butler for Kwame Brown. Caron has the mental toughness to WANT to be a second option. Odom doesnt. Kobe needs another "star" in order to win.

Smush sucks. Radmonovich (sp) is a complete waste of time. The only guys the Lakers should keep are Kobe, Jordan Farmar, Ronny Turiaf, Luke Walton and Maurice Evans. EVERYBODY else is expendable in my book, including Bynum. Right now, Mitch Kupchak needs to trade Bynum. His "potential" is sure to get someone to trade with the Lakers.

So no Kobe haters, Kobe doesnt want to be traded. Keep in mind he has 3 rings, so he is not desperate to win another ring to avoid not having one. That is usually the reason why people want to get traded. Kobe is speaking his mind and as the #1 option in Los Angeles, he NEEDS to call out management. Believe me, Kobe's "outburst" is EXACTLY what true Laker fans are saying. We want to win and we want to win NOW. In fact, Kobe and the Laker fans are hoping Jerry West comes back as a consultant. Mitch is a nice guy, but he is no team builder as evident by the trades he has made. I am glad Kobe is telling management to do something. Maybe we will see some action this time.

Hey Ticklefiend, i dont blame you for hating the Lakers. We are the one team that have caused the Blazers more playoff heartbreak than any other team!!!! Oh man, didnt you just love that 2000 Western Conference finals? In the words of the late great Chick Hearns after the Lakers won game 7 that year and Portland blew a 15 point 4th quarter lead:

"Someone tell Portland to pack up the champagne and break out the bottles of water. Because that is all they will be drinking on the way back home..."

Oh, that was fun.....

 

[Tickle Fiend]

It's ok thought Primetime because the future is looking beautiful in Portland right now and I'm sure we'll be able to keep the Lakers from another championship for a while.

 

[jaba]

Oh, you KNOW i am going to address this issue....

first, to answer the question...NO he doesnt want to get traded. Kobe is simply stating what almost ALL Laker fans want. He wants management to get off their duff and DO something to make us a championship contender. Kobe realizes that the stiffs Mitch Kupchak put around him are not going to get him a title. Kobe is stating the obvious. He is doing what ALL superstars do when they are not happy with management. Jordan did the same, Shaq, Magic, etc.

Lamar Odom is NOT a second option. he is a third option. Kwame Brown is good for defense, nothing else. I said it before, the Lakers should have traded Odom, not Caron Butler for Kwame Brown. Caron has the mental toughness to WANT to be a second option. Odom doesnt. Kobe needs another "star" in order to win.

Smush sucks. Radmonovich (sp) is a complete waste of time. The only guys the Lakers should keep are Kobe, Jordan Farmar, Ronny Turiaf, Luke Walton and Maurice Evans. EVERYBODY else is expendable in my book, including Bynum. Right now, Mitch Kupchak needs to trade Bynum. His "potential" is sure to get someone to trade with the Lakers.

So no Kobe haters, Kobe doesnt want to be traded. Keep in mind he has 3 rings, so he is not desperate to win another ring to avoid not having one. That is usually the reason why people want to get traded. Kobe is speaking his mind and as the #1 option in Los Angeles, he NEEDS to call out management. Believe me, Kobe's "outburst" is EXACTLY what true Laker fans are saying. We want to win and we want to win NOW. In fact, Kobe and the Laker fans are hoping Jerry West comes back as a consultant. Mitch is a nice guy, but he is no team builder as evident by the trades he has made. I am glad Kobe is telling management to do something. Maybe we will see some action this time.

Hey Ticklefiend, i dont blame you for hating the Lakers. We are the one team that have caused the Blazers more playoff heartbreak than any other team!!!! Oh man, didnt you just love that 2000 Western Conference finals? In the words of the late great Chick Hearns after the Lakers won game 7 that year and Portland blew a 15 point 4th quarter lead:

"Someone tell Portland to pack up the champagne and break out the bottles of water. Because that is all they will be drinking on the way back home..."

Oh, that was fun.....

I think it was Ray Allen that predicted that Kobe would get frustrated within a few years and demand a trade. I don't think that it will happen, but he's gotta be pissed with the lack of talent the Lakers have surrounded him with...

And if you plan to jump on this thread with the tired ass line "nobody wants to play with Kobe", at least have a quote or source of reference other than just shooting your mouth off...... 😎

The fact of the matter is, the Lakers are over the salary cap, and they are still paying players that have been traded to other teams.....team owner Jerry Buss (soon to be Jim Buss, who has so far under peformed, and shown absolutely no vision or creativity, just like you would expect from the spoiled kid of a successful team owner) will pay big bucks for big name talent, but he pinches pennies with the role players, who can be just as important to team success and chemistry as the superstars.....

and to add to the Laker misery index, I just heard that Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown both had medical progress reports on their injuries that were less than favorable......and they were thought to be two of the most valuable trade options on the team....

So I can kinda understand Kobe's frustration after a few years.....

Now I'm waiting for the "its all Kobe's own fault" post.....I'm ready for a good fight.... and you better have your facts straight...... 😛

 

[primetime]

you know Jaba, if this thread does turn into a Kobe hate fest, it will be good to know that i have at least one person supporting my views. Not that i minded battling by myself, it would be good to have someone else use their brain.

Kobe is doing what every superstar does. He says something when nothing is going right. Kobe is saying what Laker fans are saying. We need to do something NOW.

As for Portland. If they pick Oden, then they will be solid, but when the Lakers retool, the Blazers will be sent packing home once again. Just like the good ol' days....

Jaba, Jerry Buss has already said he is willing to pay the luxury tax. The biggest problem is, will Jim Buss be willing to part with Bynum. Bynum is the key piece for a trade. Kwame, unfortunately, is going nowhere. Lamar Odom is the other tradeable piece and if we have a chance to get rid of him, i hope we do. He's a good guy and all, but he is NOT a superstar. he is the very definition of a role player, even though he has the skills to be a major star.

If you had a choice for a trade, which of these rumors would you go for?

Bynum/Farmar for Jermaine Oneal or Odom/Walton (sign and trade) for Garnett?

I would hate to lose Luke, but i would love to get Garnett. Will it happen? who knows....

 

[jaba]

Garnette with the Lakers could very likely put them back in serious contention immediately, but I have heard that for a number of reasons, that's probably not going to happen....the main reason being other teams can offer much more and better talent in terms of trade bait than the lakers can.....nearly everybody in the league would be standing in line to pick up Garnett, and the lakers would be no where near the front of that line... but Garnett has a home in Malibu, California, so hope is slim, but its there....

I hear that one scenario is a trade for Indiana's Jermane O'neal (which would bring another Bryant/ O'Neal tandum to the lakers 😛) ....another involves that incredibly talented "head case" Ron Artest, who is not happy in Sacramento....so the lakers have to decide if they want to deal with the off the court baggage Artest may bring with him....but you never know, uncle Phil jackson dealt with Dennis Rodman, jackson even picked Rodman up from his home and drove him to practice, so he's accustomed to dealing with eccentric players.....and the championship rings don't lie.....

I have heard that a lot of NBA team scouts are in love with Andrew Bynum, and would love to have him....they think that kid may be a future franchise player, if he develops.....remember that spin move he busted on Shaq when Bynum dunked on Shaq as a rookie? Kareem Abdul Jaba taught him that move....but the lakers need players ready to play with Kobe now, so Bynum wiill probably get traded.....its sad to me.....I like Bynum, and the lakers have always been known for their great centers.....

 

[natural tickler]

well, thisis poetic justice, because you reap what you sow. Kobe wanted to be the man for so long, he ran Shaq out of town, and you see the result. Kobe is getting exactly what he deserves. I have no sympathy for him. If he is so great, he should try to make his teammates better, be a better leader.

hope he never wins another title

 

[jaba]

well, thisis poetic justice, because you reap what you sow. Kobe wanted to be the man for so long, he ran Shaq out of town, and you see the result. Kobe is getting exactly what he deserves. I have no sympathy for him. If he is so great, he should try to make his teammates better, be a better leader.

hope he never wins another title

well....I don't know your sources, but SHAQ just made a statement and said that exactly what you said is NOT true.....Shaq said that he knows that Kobe is telling the truth, and that Kobe did not have a hand in Shaq getting traded.....

Jerry Buss told Kobe before any of this blew up that he did not plan to retain Shaq.....Buss felt that Shaq was asking for too much money, was injury prone and getting too old, and Buss wanted to trade Shaq before his age and a possible major injury severely lessened Shaq's trade value....and Shaq now says that is what exactly took place, and Shaq says Kobe is telling the truth, and Shaq says Kobe had no part in Shaq's trade and departure.....

so you might re check your sources......

 

[RobAce]

On notice everyone.....
Kobe said himself in an interview on ESPN 1000 in New York with Stephen A. Smith that he wants to be traded, and nothing the Lakers can do will convince him to stay.
I listened to the interview and he sounded upset and sincere.

Bye Bye Laker Land...

And for all the Kobe haters.....how many teams will be lining up to sign him, and as soon as he scores 80 for your favorite team, will you be in the "Well Kobe wasn't that bad crowd"...

Kobe is moving on.........

Discussion on where to? I know in Atlanta there is support for him and the Hawks would about give their left arm (or 2 #1 draft picks) for him.

Rob

 

[tickletoy3]

I think this is just too funny. It's hysterical.

Too easy to imagine Buss wearing a purple outfit with chocolate basketballs everywhere. One of the kids in his factory whines "But daddy.. I want to win.. and I want to win now!"

Gee Kobe. Doesn't every athlete in the NBA want that? And you're so special you have to go public with it??

Kobe: "But dad.. you promised.. waaah"

This is way too funny. Kobe "Brett Favre" Bryant.

 

[jaba]

On notice everyone.....
Kobe said himself in an interview on ESPN 1000 in New York with Stephen A. Smith that he wants to be traded, and nothing the Lakers can do will convince him to stay.
I listened to the interview and he sounded upset and sincere.

Bye Bye Laker Land...

And for all the Kobe haters.....how many teams will be lining up to sign him, and as soon as he scores 80 for your favorite team, will you be in the "Well Kobe wasn't that bad crowd"...

Kobe is moving on.........

Discussion on where to? I know in Atlanta there is support for him and the Hawks would about give their left arm (or 2 #1 draft picks) for him.

Rob

I don't think that Kobe will leave, Rob, but anything is possible.....it's nice seeing a player of his talent grow up with your home team.....he has his own ego issues, and my ego would be bigger than his if I had his talent, but the guy is a franchise player and the number one draw in the NBA......New York Nicks fans are still trying to sue the NBA over Bryant's one game suspension that kept Bryant from playing in the one laker appearance in New York last season....

The Clippers and the Chicago Bulls were the only teams that had the serious cash to pay to get Kobe when Bryant was in contract negotiations a few years ago, only the Lakers could pay him more money.....

The trade rumors are entertaining, though....... the latest one I heard is trading Kobe for the Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki....maybe Dirk can lead this Laker team to a championship.....with a guy like "Smush Parker" as your laker starting point guard......geesh.......

 

[RobAce]

OK, well now I heard that on The Dan Patrick show after the previous show with Stephen A Smith, Kobe was not as open about wanting a trade he in fact said he hoped things could be worked out so he can retire as a Laker, and also that his talk with Phil Jackson after the Stephen A Smith show helped him reconsider.

So........
Trade me, Trade me not.......Trade me, Trade me not.............

Boy this will get interesting!

Anyone got the Las Vegas odds on if he will be a Laker next year or not?

Rob

 

[primetime]

I TOLD YOU SO!!!! I TOLD YOU SO!!!!

To all those damn Kobe haters, WHAT WAS PRIMETIME SAYING ABOUT SHAQ'S DEPARTURE? I told you guys that Shaq's leaving had NOTHING to do with Kobe Bryant. It was about MONEY. All you damn haters didnt pay attention to what i was saying as to what went down. You were all blinded by your Kobe hatred, that you didnt realize that the REAL issue was between Jerry Buss and Shaq. I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!! Go back and read all of my previous threads. next time, listen to me. I know what i am talking about.

Dont believe me still? Why is it that SHAQUILLE ONEAL himself has agreed with Kobe Bryant 100 percent about how everything went down? I TOLD YOU SO!!!!

Now, to business. I do not blame Kobe Bryant. Do you think Laker fans want to go through some long ass process to win another championship? HELL NO. Had Kobe Bryant left, then i can understand the long rebuilding project. But we still have the greatest basketball player in the game today and we need to WIN now. Also notice that all this crap has gone down since Jerry West left. Kobe has every right to feel the way he does right now. He wants to win. If he was truly all about himself, do you really think he would do all this? Wouldnt he just be satisfied with scoring 80 points a game and winning scoring titles? NO. Kobe wants to WIN. bottom line, Kobe wants to win. All you damn Laker haters got him wrong. he is NOT selfish, because if he was, he wouldnt give a damn about wins or losses.

Kobe is not Brett Favre. Favre's situation is different considering his age. If Favre was in his prime, then dammit, he would be right in this situation.

Kobe Bryant is basically saying in public what Laker fans are feeling. WE WANT TO WIN AND WE WANT TO WIN NOW. The Lakers right now have no choice but to go out and no matter how much it costs, they need to bring in the #1 free agent this summer NO MATTER THE COST. They need to be like most Americans and run up a huge debt and pay for it later. They need to pull some trades even if it means gutting this mediocre roster. Lamar Odom? It's been real. Andrew Bynum? peace out. Let me tell the rest of the world this. LAKER FANS WANT TO WIN NOW.

I hope this situation gets rectified this summer and at least be aggressive in trying to get better. The Laker organization has failed to pick up guys like Baron Davis, Ron Artest and Carlos Boozer. My team is at a crossroads and i pray that Jerry Buss makes the right move. He is a gambling man. He needs to make that big gamble at this point. GET THE #1 FREE AGENT THIS SUMMER. Otherwise, Mr Bryant will opt out in 2 years and the Lakers will go the way of the Celtics. into nothingness.....

oh yeah, i would like to read the responses of people who thought i was bullshitting and on Kobe's jock all this time. I TOLD YOU that Shaq left for money!!!!!!! Did You believe me????? NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Who's right now???!!!! Next time, listen to primetime....I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.

The Lakers.......the yearly soap opera of the NBA.

 

[Tickle Fiend]

I think he'll get traded eventually. He sounded very sure about wanting to get out of LA. I don't think it will be this year, but within the next two to three years. It would be the dumbest mistake the Lakers could ever make. When he leaves, that organization will be set back for years, and victory will be ours. Hahahahahahahahahaha....

 

[jaba]

I think he'll get traded eventually. He sounded very sure about wanting to get out of LA. I don't think it will be this year, but within the next two to three years. It would be the dumbest mistake the Lakers could ever make. When he leaves, that organization will be set back for years, and victory will be ours. Hahahahahahahahahaha....

Ha ha.....You know what? If Kobe leaves, you will probably be right....

There were empty seats at the Laker games and panic in the air until the lakers brought back Phil Jackson for 10 million bucks a year to sit on that laker bench and collect pine needles in his ass.....

It appears, according to news sources, that Kobe has calmed down a little, and recinded his trade request, and everybody is trying to make "kissy face" and be nice again......

But actions speak louder than words, so we will just have to wait and see what develops....

But its weird how a story like that just overshadowed Southern Cali Stanley Cup Hockey, and everything else......in Los Angeles, laker drama is the elephant in the room, squeezing out everything else.....even overshadowing the DUI arrest of laker owner Jerry Buss....

 

[tickletoy3]

"Oompa Oompa Oompa Dee Dooo.. we can work out a trade for you."

"Now Kobe.. be a good little boy and go back and play with the rest of the kids."

(angry pout face) "No daddy! I want to win! I want to win NOW!"

Buss raises voice: "KOBE.. what did daddy say?"

Kobe: "But daaaddy .. you promised!! Waaahh!! You promised you would help me win!! Waaah!"

Hmm.. I wonder if they will ever play "Who let the dogs out" at Atlanta Falcon home games anymore?

 

[primetime]

this is the best Kobe/Laker haters can do? try and make fun of Kobe's ranting? whatever happened to "no primetime, Kobe is the reason why the Lakers got rid of Shaq." yeah, the truth slapped you right in the face didnt it? again, i told you so....

as for Kobe's rant, i will admit, he has gone a little overboard with it and now he needs to keep quiet. No more talking to Stephen A. Smith, no more talking to any ESPN guys or the media in general. He made his point and that should be it. I will also admit that Kobe doesnt react well. He has a tendency to open his mouth at the first sign of distress and blurts out things that he really shouldnt say. Like "i would like to be traded" and "Shaq paid off a woman before". Yeah, he doesnt strike me as the most mature guy in high stressful personal situations.

HOWEVER, i am really tempted to get a collection going of all the TRUE Laker fans and get a full page ad in the LA Times and THANK Kobe Bryant. why? Because what Kobe is asking for is what ALL TRUE Laker fans should be demanding. we want to win and we want to win now. why in hell do we want to wait and rebuild? screw that, these are the Lakers for crying out loud and we are used to WINNING. we MISS those cool Laker flags flying on people's cars thsi time of year. We MISS the downtown parades when we are celebrating a championship. Kobe Bryant is a winner. he wants to WIN. Laker fans want to WIN. we are not going to become the damn Celtics and lose forever. why should we accept mediocrity? we are not the Portland Trailblazers or some other frachise that havent done crap in years and their fans are patient in trying to build a winner. The Lakers were champs 5 years ago and those 5 years are LONG years. We are tired of waiting. We want a title contending team and we want it NOW. Anyone who disagrees is NOT a Laker fan. Now let's see what Laker management does.

Thank you Kobe Bryant.....

My best friend and i are really looking into getting that full page ad. It is time the Laker fans start to tell management that we are not going to accept mediocre teams and we want a winner NOW. any Laker fan want to join in?

 

[tickletoy3]

Give Kobe his bottle and change his diaper. Maybe he'll shut up long enough to eat dinner.

As far as Kobe/Shaq goes that was 2004. Get over it! Shaq apparently has and he's even won another NBA title. Factor, non factor is not an issue. Shaq's play, what Shaq did, what Shaq didn't do.. has nothing to do with it. Fact is he took home yet another NBA Championship trophy. If Kobe and the Lakers could get over 2004 they might move on to 2008. I really don't think Shaq is losing sleep these days over who or what happened on 2004. If Kobe grows up and does the same maybe we will see a change in LA.

The Lakers definitely need to get over it. First step is for Kobe to stop whining, crying and act like a grown man. Does he want to win? Does he want to win now? OF COURSE he does. Tell us something we didn't know Kobe. Now tell me one NBA player who doesn't? Tell me one NBA General Manager, coach or owner who doesn't? I have an idea.. why doesn't every NBA fan in every NBA city take out a full page ad saying "We Want to Win. NOW."

Grow up Kobe.

Now on another Kobe issue, I have a question. Given the Cavs game 5 all we heard and saw was how great James was, how great James played and how James is the next MJ, blah blah. Ok, my question is this.. if that had been Kobe and not James.. can you name me one Kobe hater who would not have been screaming ball hog? But because it's James and not Kobe it's ok. It's all about James.

Riiight.. I'm so glad NFL is only 3 months away.

 

[primetime]

you know tickletoy, i am torn between your latest post. first, let me address the part of your post that i do not agree with.

Kobe at this point does need to keep quiet. He said his piece, now he needs to stop talking to the media. HOWEVER, i am glad he did it. why? because Laker management, not Kobe Bryant, has caused this mess. why shouldnt Kobe speak up? the difference between Kobe and the rest of the guys who want to win is Kobe HAS THE BALLS to do it. The Lakers had chances to get guys like Baron Davis, Carlos Boozer, Jason Kidd and Ron Artest. they didnt do squat to get those guys. They traded away Caron Butler who is turning into a pretty good superstar. they expect us fans to wait? hell no!! Not while we have the best basketball player in the NBA today on our team.

Remember, this is the Lakers we are talking about. The Lakers are the "glamour" team of the NBA. They are the team that draws the biggest ratings. they are the Yankees of basketball, the team everyone loves to hate. Laker fans are accustomed to winning and this bullshit we have been watching for 3 years is wearing out our patience. LA is a "win now" type of town. it's our culture. we do not have the patience to wait. That is the primary reason why the organization has been so successful over the decades. Name another NBA team that has as much success over the decades as the Lakers? the Celtics? they havent done shit since the 80's. Bulls? Only a dynasty in the 90's. The Knicks? do i really have to say something? The Spurs? recent history. The Lakers keep doing it over and over again. That is why we will be back and thank goodness someone like Kobe said something. we dont want to wait 9 years or longer before we are good again. we want to win and we want to win now! Unlike other places that want to win, we expect winning to happen NOW. We are the only organization that usually has the balls to try and win now. Everyone else want to "build". That is not the Lakers buddy.

it's funny that you say "get over it" with the Shaq thing. But if i remember correctly, it was people like YOU that blamed Kobe for Shaq's departure. Now that you know the truth, despite the fact that i kept telling you that for years, now you say "move on". Stop being a Kobe hater and i will...and remember, the ONLY reason why Shaq has a ring is because Dwyane Wade saved his ass, not the other way around.

now to the part that i do agree with. Funny, me and my friend talked about the Labron thing the other day. In game 5, Labron scores 29 out of the Cavs last 30 points and not one person ever said ballhog. They all congratulated Labron and said that is a guy taking a team on his shoulders and carrying them to a win. Kobe does the same exact thing and all we ever hear is "ballhog". Well Labron is a damn ballhog too. Jordan is a ballhog. Wade is a ballhog. all the greats are ballhogs. People hate Kobe Bryant for no reason and no matter what he does, people still wont like him. that is why he needs to stay in LA where everyone appreciates him.

by the way tickletoy, the next WOW installment is posted. check it out if you havent already....

 

[tickletoy3]

it's funny that you say "get over it" with the Shaq thing. But if i remember correctly, it was people like YOU that blamed Kobe for Shaq's departure. Now that you know the truth, despite the fact that i kept telling you that for years, now you say "move on". Stop being a Kobe hater and i will...and remember, the ONLY reason why Shaq has a ring is because Dwyane Wade saved his ass, not the other way around.

I say "get over it" because that's exactly what Kobe and the Lakers have to do. Reality check? This is 2007!! NOT 2004. Send Kobe a calendar for christmas so he can wake up and see what year the rest of the NBA is living in. And let's get facts straight too. First I'm not a Kobe 'hater'. He's just not at the top of my list of athletes I would want my kids to look up to. Why you ask? Do we really have to go there? Or should we call OJ's lawyers. Secondly, I never totally blamed Kobe for shaq's departure. I stated he had something to do with it. YOU yourself said he did. We both agreed BOTH had something to do with it. You are exactly right. Now we BOTH know the truth. It wasn't Shaq that 'stabbed' LA in the back. It was Lakers Management that stabbed BOTH Shaq and Kobe in the back. Shaq says you can't trust LA. They are all fake and phoney. Now that we BOTH know the truth it seems KOBE AGREES. If anyone should be saying "I told you so" it's Shaq. For years he said you couldn't trust LA.

As far as Shaq wanting more money.. well duh! Let's see.. Shaq had just led the Lakers to how many?? THREE consecutive NBA Championships? And let's count them.. THREE FINALS MVP Awards??

So don't even try that "It was all Kobe". You keep saying if it wasn't for Kobe the Lakers don't get past San Antonio. Kobe's last seconds heroics win the game. Ok now go back and look at just before Kobe's 'heroics'. Somebody hit KEY FREE THROWS to even allow what Kobe did to even matter. Guess who it was?

Hmm.. yeh I would say that would pretty much JUSTIFY a pay raise. Wouldn't you?? You can bet your last penny if Kobe EVER leads LA to a title he will want a zillion dollar pay raise. Let's see him win three back to back to back and win Finals MVP in all three. THEN Kobe can talk. Oh yeh, then after the Lakers stab Kobe in the back, let's see him go to a completely new team with all new teammates and a new coach and hmm.. oh yeh.. win yet another NBA Championship.

Sure Wade is the man in Miami. He was Finals MVP. Shaq has never once said he wasn't. Shaq has always said this is "Wade's team". If it's all about money and all about Shaq do you ever think he would say something like that? Fact is, Shaq wants to win Championships and HAS THE BALLS to do it. Shaq doesn't cry in the papers "I want to win now." No, Shaq actually goes out and DOES IT. All Shaq haters can cry about it, whine about it, say it's all Wade, say it was Alonzo, hell say it was the towel boy for all Shaq cares.. to quote the Great One "It doesn't matter what they think." After Shaq's arrival there's now a trophy in the Miami Heat front office. You can like it, not like it, slice it, dice it, cut it anyway you want and look at it but it STILL says "NBA Champion". Oh yeh and ask Wade if that trophy would be there without Shaq. I'm pretty sure his answer will be an emphatic "NO".

People hate Kobe Bryant for no reason and no matter what he does, people still wont like him. that is why he needs to stay in LA where everyone appreciates him.

I think Shaq pretty much knows the feeling. When the Miami Heat are a healthy team they can win a championship. That's been proven. When Miami are an injured team they get swept. That's been proven. It will be interesting to see where the middle road leaves them. That will define the rebuilding point. Shaq is not getting younger. It will be interesting to see his reaction when they draft or trade to replace him.

 

[jaba]

I don't disagree with what Kobe did....

Predictably, the "Kobe haters" will call him a "whiner", while the "Kobe lovers" will say he is just expressing the frustration of the fans....

I could scream at the top of my lungs, and the Buss family could care less.....Kobe makes what is in my opinion is a valid complaint about the abysmal state of the team, publically, and guess what? Now everybody is out of their laker offices and bumping into each other in the hallway, scrambling to make changes that could and should have been made years ago....now were starting to hear about the Jermaine O'Neals and the Ron Artests and Jason Kidds as possible lakers.....league impact players that laker fans are accustomed to seeing when they pay the highest ticket prices in the NBA......"Smush Parker" should have never been anywhere near a starting roster slot on the lakers.....there was a time when Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs was available, but again, laker management was complacent, and happy with the glow of the past....

So I don't have a problem with what Kobe did.....sometimes a boot in the ass reaches the brain, and gets some momentum going....

 

[primetime]

tickletoy, c'mon man. for real. c'mon....go back and read the posts between myself and every Kobe hater. Your last post was ridiculous.

Laker fans ARE over Shaq's departure. Do you even know why i continue to bring his name up? Because Kobe haters CONTINUE to blame Kobe for Shaq's departure. People like YOU. Go back and read the threads from the past.

Shaq also keep bringing up the fact that LA stabbed him, when in fact, it was Shaq that did it. Laker fans are starting to realize that the Shaq trade was not such a bad thing. Did we lose a sure fire hall of famer? yes. It would be WAY different had Shaq had a work ethic. You can see it in Miami. Pat Riley and the Miami press are now starting to realize that this guy is a lazy bum. Remember, it started with Shaq demanding more money and not putting in the work to deserve that money.

You keep going on and on about what Shaq has done and i am not forgetting the large contribution that he has done. BUT, what i have been constantly trying to point out is that Kobe Bryant played JUST as big of a role that Shaq had in winning those three titles. You only look at the NBA finals. I look at their entire playoff runs. If not for Kobe Bryant's heroics, there are no titles. If not for Robert Horry's heroics or Derek Fisher's, there are no titles. If not for Shaq's heroics, there would be no titles. Go back and read the prior threads. I ALWAYS gave credit to the Laker TEAMS, not just one person. You make it seem like Shaq is a one man show. Again, go back and read my posts. You will NEVER see me say Kobe Bryant is solely responsible for the titles in LA. I DARE you....

Kobe Bryant has never been about the money. This guy wants to win. Period. Does he want to get paid, yes, but his demands are never money. It is about WINNING. Shaq is about money.

You never paid attention to the Lakers during Shaq's time there until the NBA Finals huh? Most of the crap you say makes no sense. Man, Shaq even SAID he is the GM of the team. Hell, he is the one responsible for the departures of Nick Van Exel and fan favorite Eddie Jones. Shaq on SEVERAL occassions has said in the media that if Laker management doesnt do XYZ, he is going to be pissed beyond "pisstivity". Shaq pulled more power plays in LA than Jerry West, Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak combined. It's just that he's "Shaq".

Dwyane Wade won that title despite Shaq. Shaq was on the bench waving a towel during the CRUCIAL parts of the game. Man, no matter how you slice it, Shaq was not a factor against Dallas. Shaq's 4th title would have never happened if Dwyane Wade didnt perform and Dallas didnt choke. If you think Dallas did not choke, did you see their performance this year?

I am looking forward to the day that people will LOOK AT FACTS and pay attention to the entire story before they go off on a topic, especially when you deal with me. I am still hoping.....

Hey Jaba, do you like the idea of Marcus Camby for Kwame Brown? Also, i really believe the Lakers should try to sign Chauncey Billups. He would solve a lot of problems at point guard for the Lakers....