Kobe glad he wasn't traded, is 'happy' with Lakers

[LakeShow]

Kobe glad he wasn't traded, is 'happy' with Lakers
By Chris Broussard
ESPN The Magazine
(Archive)
Updated: December 13, 2007, 8:39 P

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3153959

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- It's time to do away with the image of Kobe Bryant playing under protest. After completing a Lakers practice Wednesday afternoon, Bryant said he's glad he hasn't been traded.

"I'm happy to be here," Bryant said. "My guys and I -- we have such a tight bond. Business and basketball sometimes can cloud things, but when you get here in your element and you're around your teammates and just having a good time with them and thinking about them and not about the business of the game, that's when it becomes fun."

Bryant wouldn't go as far as to rescind the well-publicized trade demand he made in May. When asked if he no longer wanted the Lakers to trade him, he essentially gave a no comment, saying, "I don't get into that stuff."

Nonetheless, the admission that he is happy to still be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers signifies a massive change in Bryant's thinking and may indeed be analogous to a repeal.





Business and basketball sometimes can cloud things, but when you get here in your element and you're around your teammates and just having a good time with them and thinking about them and not about the business of the game, that's when it becomes fun.
-- Lakers guard Kobe Bryant

The Lakers' success certainly has something to do with Bryant's change of heart. Despite the absence of several key players due to injury, the club takes a 12-8 record and three-game win streak into tonight's game against San Antonio.

Their list of victims is as impressive as any in the league, as they've beaten Phoenix, Utah, Detroit, Golden State, Houston, Chicago and Denver twice.

"I don't think the wins we've had are a fluke whatsoever," Bryant said. "In our locker room, we don't feel like the wins we've had are flukes. We've had to grind some out and go into tough places and deal with injuries and illnesses. We feel pretty good about where we're at."

Asked if he believes the Lakers are legitimate contenders in the Western Conference, he said:

"We're very young and we have a lot of growth to do and a lot of maturing to do," he said. "But we're okay."

There is a sense of relief around the Lakers organization right now, if not because the storm surrounding Kobe is over then at least because it's subsided substantially. In hindsight, Bryant believes all the drama that engulfed himself and the club throughout the off-season and training camp has actually become a positive. It was a harsh reminder that just making the playoffs is not enough.

"Sometimes you have to kind of put a fire to them a little bit so that they understand that we're playing for higher stakes," Bryant said of his teammates. "Once they understood that and saw me come into training camp saying 'Look, I'm tired of playing for the playoffs. I'm not playing for that. I don't know what you guys are playing for, but I'm not playing for that.' Once they understood that 'Hey, this guy's head is on a championship level, this is where we need to get,' then it kind of ignited another side of them and they started looking at this thing a little differently.

"I think it changed their perspective a little bit and kind of shifted their focus to 'Okay, he's playing for a championship so this is what we need to do."

But Bryant's teammates aren't the only ones who've undergone an attitude adjustment. The other Lakers say Bryant's been more sociable than ever off the court, joining teammates for lunch before road games and things like that.

"When a team goes through stuff -- whatever it is -- it either grows further apart or closer together," Luke Walton said. "Our team's been through a lot, and I think it's definitely brought us all closer together. Kobe is a huge part of the team so the only way we can get closer is if he gets closer and he's definitely gotten closer to a bunch of the guys."

Harmony in Laker-land?

Apparently so.

Chris Broussard covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine

[da_suns_fan]

Test....is DSF back?

[ancestron]

wait till they start losing then he will be whining and bitching all over again!
yep

[LakeShow]

He wont be a problem any more. He feels comfortable with the direction the lakers are headed!

[balli]

wait till they start losing then he will be whining and bitching all over again!

But, he'll still want to win and compete more than any other player in The League.

(excluding KG of course)

[balli]

I think..AI..Duncan..Nash...Lebron..Manu..and probably another 10 players want to win everytime they step out on the floor too!


Pat Riley once put a large bucket of ice water in front of him and told his team: "If you want to win a championship, you have to want it…"

Stopping in mid-sentence, Riley plunged his head into the water and kept it there for several seconds, which turned into a minute, which turned into even more than a minute. His players sat dumbfounded, watching, until Riley finally pulled his head out of the water and finished his sentence:

"…like it's your last breath."


Nobody, not A.I. not Duncan, not LeBron, nobody wants it like this ^ more than Kobe and KG.

[da_suns_fan]

Can anyone read this post?

Please respond.

[LakeShow]

Can anyone read this post?

Please respond.

I can

[da_suns_fan]

I can

Grazie....how come no one can read my posts under my normal SN?

It doesn't say that Im banned and it still shows that I was the last one to post in a thread....

Hmmmmmmmm...

[ambchang]

LOL at his justification that him going on a rampage in the offseason was in fact beneficial to the club. Sort of like saying he had intentions of showing leadership and asking the team to aim higher is the reason he went out and publicly demanded a trade, chastised the owner and called out his teammates.

[LakeShow]

Grazie....how come no one can read my posts under my normal SN?

It doesn't say that Im banned and it still shows that I was the last one to post in a thread....

Hmmmmmmmm...

You got me? I noticed it yesterday saying you posted but nothing was there.

[bdubya]

"I've realized that if I ever want to escape from the clusterfuck I've created here, I've got to make all the right noises 24/7/365."

[LakeShow]

I really don't think kobe intended to actually consider trading him. I think Dr. Buss called his bluff.

I don't know about the whole team but It can be said that because of his criticism of Bynum, it made him work hard to prove that he can be a dominate player in this league.

[balli]

Can you read players minds or something? :lol

Kind of. I think we all can in a way. I do spend thousands of hours of my life watching them as much as I can.

Lebron summed up his career goals as"global icon" ie; to become a marketing force.

Tim Duncan reacts to winning championships like he was a five year old girl getting a birthday present.

A.I. might come close to Kobe and KG, but y'know, damn if he'd actually want to sacrifice practicing based on the outside shot that it might make him better or able to win more.

I'm not saying these guys don't want it. But man, it's widely, widely known and accepted by fans and players alike that Kobe and KG are the most intense and probably work harder than anyone else to squeeze out every drop of their God given talent. I'm not saying they win more or that even their methods of trying to win are more effective. I'm just saying, nobody wants a ring like Kobe and KG do.

[phyzik]

Kobe = :dramaquee

[mystargtr34]

Kind of. I think we all can in a way. I do spend thousands of hours of my life watching them as much as I can.

Lebron summed up his career goals as"global icon" ie; to become a marketing force.

Tim Duncan reacts to winning championships like he was a five year old girl getting a birthday present.

A.I. might come close to Kobe and KG, but y'know, damn if he'd actually want to sacrifice practicing based on the outside shot that it might make him better or able to win more.

I'm not saying these guys don't want it. But man, it's widely, widely known and accepted by fans and players alike that Kobe and KG are the most intense and probably work harder than anyone else to squeeze out every drop of their God given talent. I'm not saying they win more or that even their methods of trying to win are more effective. I'm just saying, nobody wants a ring like Kobe and KG do.

Rob Pelinka?

[mystargtr34]

Can anyone read this post?

Please respond.

Unfortunately Yes :spin

[BonnerDynasty]

LMMFAO.

Blah blah blah blah. He'll be bitching come Finals time when his team has been knocked out for a month and he wants to steal the spotlight from the last two teams.

It's hilarious how well he plays Lakers fans like a yo-yo.

[BonnerDynasty]

Kind of. I think we all can in a way. I do spend thousands of hours of my life watching them as much as I can.

Lebron summed up his career goals as"global icon" ie; to become a marketing force.

Tim Duncan reacts to winning championships like he was a five year old girl getting a birthday present.

A.I. might come close to Kobe and KG, but y'know, damn if he'd actually want to sacrifice practicing based on the outside shot that it might make him better or able to win more.

I'm not saying these guys don't want it. But man, it's widely, widely known and accepted by fans and players alike that Kobe and KG are the most intense and probably work harder than anyone else to squeeze out every drop of their God given talent. I'm not saying they win more or that even their methods of trying to win are more effective. I'm just saying, nobody wants a ring like Kobe and KG do.

Why did KG waste away in Minn. for all that time then?

I'm assuming $200 mil > a ring.

Kobe wants to win? That's why he couldn't keep the dynasty together? HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA people hate their employees all the damn time. They put it past them. He gets paid millions of dollars and can't even do this.

[itzsoweezee]

whiny bitch.

mamba (lol) should just shut the fuck up.

[balli]

Where do you come up with this stuff? So Lebron said he wants to be global..ok. If all he carried about was his image he would never pass the ball to his teammates and just start averaging 40 points per game. Of course he wants to win..win he is out on the floor!

So the way Duncan acts when he wins a title means he doesn't care about winning?

Who said they don't care about winning? Not me. Don't put words in my mouth. In fact, I specifically said.


I'm not saying these guys don't want it.

Again, don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say ALL LeBron cares about is his image, I said he summed his career goal as to become a global marketing icon. Of course he cares about other things, including wins, but that doesn't change the fact that one could reasonably infer he's more concerned about being a billionaire someday.



Right since AI doesn't like to practice he doesn't have the heart! Do you forget that AI has played with more injuries than probably any player in the NBA. He takes more beating than anyone because of his size.

Yes, he does take a physical beating during games. It's still true he NEVER has lifted weights or made any real attempt to improve his God given talent by truly practicing and working on his game. Again, don't put words in my mouth, I didn't come close to saying he didn't have heart. I'm saying Kobe and KG have more heart. Enough to try and continually make themselves better anyway.


You forgot about Manu and Nash..Manu comes of the bench because all he cares about is winning! Nash will play through pain and injuries too.

I'll concede that maybe you could throw Nash in the conversation. Except for the fact he routinely spends little to no energy on defense. As far as Manu goes, that's Pop's call. Besides, to everyone outside San Antonio Manu Ginobili is the embodiment and archtype for cheating little bitches. I could care less if he cares about winning a lot. He's a punk bitch that routinely flops up and down the court to do so. He cheats, he's a cheater.

(BTW, I pre-emptively refuse to argue about Manu, so don't even try. He's by far my least favorite NBA player and no amount of bickering between us will change my level of disgust for him and his game)


Don't say it's widely known about Kobe and KG...If KG cared so much about winning he would taken less to bring in better players in Minnesota. The guy doesn't like to take the last shot!.

Okay then take the words of Paul Shirley who played with both of them. Most of the article is spent calling Kobe the antithesis of KG, but here's the telling part.

http://www.slate.com/id/2169154/pagenum/all/


For all their differences, Garnett and Bryant do share one trait. They might be the two most focused human beings I've been around. In fact, if they were on the same team, they'd probably each reach new heights as a result of their efforts to outdo the other.

Focused on what? Being the best they could possibly be so as to achieve NBA success.


Kobe wants to win..but he thought he could be the man all by himself. He calls out his teammates..and turns into a huge ball hog at times.

I already countered this part of your argument-


I'm not saying they win more or that even their methods of trying to win are more effective. I'm just saying, nobody wants a ring like Kobe and KG do.

I'm not arguing that they're bigger winners, or that they even play in ways that are ultimately conducive to team success. Or the twisted notion you keep wrongly attributing to me; that nobody else wants to win at all.

I'm just saying that if the NBA championship came down to wanting it like you'd hold your last breath- Kobe and KG would hold their breath the longest. By far.

[Capt Bringdown]

I'm just saying that if the NBA championship came down to wanting it like you'd hold your last breath- Kobe and KG would hold their breath the longest. By far.
In your opinion.
In my opinion it's pretty silly to make sweeping blanket statements about hundreds of people you've never met and no nothing about except for what the media feeds you.

Making qualitative judgments about entirely subjective factors such as desire is something we all do as fans, but we should probably just leave it at that...unless your intention is to come across as a boring simpleton.

[balli]

In your opinion.
In my opinion it's pretty silly to make sweeping blanket statements about hundreds of people you've never met and no nothing about except for what the media feeds you.

Making qualitative judgments about entirely subjective factors such as desire is something we all do as fans, but we should probably just leave it at that...unless your intention is to come across as a boring simpleton.

Fuck you man. Don't call me simple for having an opinion. Who the fuck said it wasn't an entirely subjective judgment? I never said my opinion was bond, you're right it is just that, my opinion. I'd say it's as an informed one as a fan could make.

I'd also dispute your notion of the media. I have league pass homey. Have had for several years. Doesn't have shit to do with the media feeding me.

I've watched both these guys since they were drafted and I've watch games highlighting every team of the past decade for thousands upon literally thousands of hours and I use my eyes and brain in conjunction. I'm allowed to come to conclusions asshole.

[Indazone]

If they can assemble a team that looks like the Jordan led Bulls then yeah he should be happy. That means they gotta have another guard like Pippen who can score but also is the perfect wingman for Kobe. They need a rebounding monster like Rodman who can pull down 10-20 rebounds per game. If not that, then they need two wings that can pull down an average of 7-10 rebounds per game. Their Center position does not have to be great but if they can get a big man then so be it. They need guard who can push the guard and score from any position. A long range specialist like Kerr and then if all the pieces fall in place watch out.

[balli]

I don't want to get into a argument of over this..but I'm sorry unless you have concrete evidence about wanting to win titles that Kobe and KG want it more than anyone else then please show it.

Well I don't have any concrete evidence. I provided a quote by their mutual former teamate, calling them the two most focused people on Planet Earth, if that helps. The fact is, this is a message board and this is a subjective argument. Furthermore, this opinion of mine is the message I'm posting. You could choose to ignore my argument and likewise, I could ignore yours. But if that's the case why are we here in the first place? To list a bunch of facts that we can all agree are statistically accurate?


And If Kobe only cares about titles so much why didn't he just along with Shaq? If winning titles is the only thing that matters to him? He could have probably still won another one with Shaq...but no Kobe wanted to be the man, period! Now that he doesn't have Shaq and realizes how hard it is..now he cares about titles!
I'll contend that it was Dr. Buss' decision. Maybe they could of won another ring together, but based on the falling apart of the 04' team, I highly, highly doubt it. Also, based on the way Shaq is playing now I think whoever made the decision (Kobe or Buss) it was the correct one.


Did you remember a couple of times in the past when Kobe tried to make a point by not shooting the ball against the Suns..while his team got destroyed. He let his team lose to make a point. If he cared about winning he would do everything to help his team win.

I remember one single occasion; the second half of a game seven where Kobe flat gave up in an unwinnable blowout after putting a bunch of scrubs on his back and literally carrying them ENTIRELY BY HIMSELF to three playoff wins against an incredibly good Suns team. That series? The one where Kobe played better than he ever has before for six games and got no help from his teamates in games 5, 6 & 7, whatsoever? That one?



One last thing..the older the player gets without a title...that is when he will do everything in his power to get one. Example Barkley going to the Rockets. Malone going to the Lakers...Payton to the Lakers..then to the Heat. Veterans want it as bad as anyone. That is why they will ride the bench to get one! And that is why Grant is playing for the Suns in hope of a title this year. I give Grant a lot of credit he has been injured most of his career but he keeps coming back for a shot at the title. And that is why AI wanted to be traded so he can get a title.

I'll just say this. I'm from Utah and I watched Malone and Stockton play from the time I can first remeber my conciousness. I saw the entirety of their careers and I don't think Malone wanted it more than Kobe or KG. Stockton did, but not Karl. I'll concede that veterans hanker for titles, no doubt, but among active vets today, not more than Kobe or KG.

Look it's pointless to argue about this. As has been pointed out, it comes down to opinion. These are just mine. I base them on defense, intensity, intimidation and practice. You can have yours too, but I'm done arguing about it.

[Capt Bringdown]

Who the fuck said it wasn't an entirely subjective judgment?

LOL, uh you did, which is why you've been called out for the foolish nonsense you've posted on this thread.

-Claiming you can "kind of" read minds because you watch thousands of hours of television.
-Citing an anecdote about Pat Riley holding his breath as proof that KG and Kobe are the dog's bollocks when it comes to determination. In your words, "by far," LOL.
-Boasting that your claims are "widely, widely known," and then trying to weasel out of that claim by whimpering that it's only your opinion when you got challenged to produce a smidgen of proof. Of course you don't want to argue about it-you can't.
-(this is my favorite) You've got leaguepass! Gotdamn, we got ourselves an NBA authority here sportsfans!

OK, we all get the idea that you're a big KG and Kobe fan. Just don't be such a twit about it OK? Making wild unjustifiable claims and then trying to weasel out of them isn't a very compelling take.

[balli]

uh you did, which is why you've been called out for the foolish nonsense you've posted on this thread.

Okay you fucking pussy, then find where I said my side of the argument was a rock-solid factual one and put it in quote marks.


-Claiming you can "kind of" read minds because you watch thousands of hours of television.
Dude, don't be the fucking faggot that takes one thing somebody says and then disregards the very next sentence. I said we all can, in a way.

Learn to read between the lines douche. I'm not claiming ESP or some shit. I'm claiming that I'm not autistic like you appear to be. See most of us are human beings who posses an observable nature. Us normal people are able to see emotions in others and understand facts about them and their actions in a way that allows us to glean some insight and information into their capacities and traits as other human beings. Fucking idiot.


--Citing an anecdote about Pat Riley holding his breath as proof that KG and Kobe are the dog's bollocks when it comes to determination. In your words, "by far,".

Again, who the fuck said it was proof, clown? Don't put words in my mouth. I related the well known story as a metaphorical example of desire. I wasn't trying to prove anything by that. I was trying to convey the concept I was thinking, through an allegorical reference. Learn basic tenets of argumentation before you spout shit out of your too big mouth again.


Boasting that your claims are "widely, widely known," and then trying to weasel out of that claim by whimpering that it's only your opinion when you got challenged to produce a smidgen of proof.
What the fuck kind of proof do you want me to produce. I tried twice by citing a teamate of both of them, although this time I won't repeat what he said. You should've learned to read by now. OF COURSE IT'S MAINLY BASED ON PERSONAL OPINION.

Again, what the fuck do you think message boards are for? I'm damn sure not here to post stats that we can all sit around and admire while saying, "oh yeah, that proof is solid. We sure can all agree on that." It's a fucking message board asshole.


Of course you don't want to argue about it-you can't.
I'm more than happy to argue about it. What I don't want is some stupid motherfucker like yourself interjecting himself into my conversation, twisting my words around and telling me to come up with some sort of quantitative analysis for measuring a players' passion.

Let me clue you in fucker, this conversation about passion is taking place. Your whole laughable premise seems to be that as fans we shouldn't even have the audacity to try and judge something so subjective as desire. Probably cause you're to fucking stupid to do so yourself. What the fuck do you think being a fan is? Sitting around while NOT making judgments about players?


You've got leaguepass! Gotdamn, we got ourselves an NBA authority here sportsfans!

Listen you hillbilly douche... I only said I have league pass after you said I knew nothing about the NBA except for what the media fed me. Obviously, I'm not going to let someone as brazenly idiotoc as yourself mischaracterize me as such. Therefore I refuted your stupidity with the notion that I actually watch basketball and the players I'm talking about.

By the way, did you have anything to say about basketball yourself in this entire thread, or are you just busy distorting my words, quoting half my ideas and bitching about how I may or may not come by my information about the NBA?


OK, we all get the idea that you're a big KG and Kobe fan.
Again, I never even said I was a fan of these guys. I said I thought they wanted to win the most. That's about it. In fact, I really don't root for Kobe or LA at all. I routinely root for them to lose against like 20 other teams in the league. As far as KG goes I like him no more or no less than a lot of superstars in this league. (although admittedly, I'm happy to finally see him in a good situation for once) I've never seen such a douche as yourself attribute so many ideas and claims to someone when they were never made in the first place.

Captain bringdown? The only thing you've ever brought down is your pants, so your gay ass boyfriend could ream you in the ass. Now fuck off asshole.

[AFBlue]

Title should be...

Kobe glad his team isn't losing too often, is 'happy' with Lakers...for now

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Kobe is such a fairweather :dramaquee

[Gordionot]

Pat Riley once put a large bucket of ice water in front of him and told his team: "If you want to win a championship, you have to want it…"

Just a bucket? Pffff. Check this out:

"And though Nash may be getting better and better as a player, his body doesn’t recover from exertion as fast. Nash’s preferred method of treating his sore muscles and swollen joints is to lever himself into a 53-degree ice bath, wearing thermal socks to keep the frostbite out of his toes.

“I can’t even pull a beer out of water that cold,” says the Suns’ assistant coach Alvin Gentry."

Both Manu and Nash and strike me as "wanting it" significantly more than Kobe and KG. KG often becomes a shrinking violet during clutch moments, while Kobe often just stops trying, as he did during the last game of the Suns series a couple years ago.

It's impossible to tell who really wants it the most, as others have pointed out. Some people (like Duncan) don't wear their hearts on their sleeves. I don't think winning is Kobe's primary motivation; his foremost concern is self-aggrandizement. People like Duncan and Nash will forgo personal glory in favor of team success.

[balli]

Just a bucket? Pffff. Check this out:

"And though Nash may be getting better and better as a player, his body doesn’t recover from exertion as fast. Nash’s preferred method of treating his sore muscles and swollen joints is to lever himself into a 53-degree ice bath, wearing thermal socks to keep the frostbite out of his toes.

“I can’t even pull a beer out of water that cold,” says the Suns’ assistant coach Alvin Gentry."

Has anyone else ever done that shit? Seriously, it makes your body feel like a million bucks when you get out. It doesn't hurt too bad except where the water line get's your exposed skin. Everything underwater just goes numb. Alvin Gentry's funny.


Both Manu and Nash and strike me as "wanting it" significantly more than Kobe and KG. KG often becomes a shrinking violet during clutch moments, while Kobe often just stops trying, as he did during the last game of the Suns series a couple years ago.

Cool. I can dig it. My opinion just differs that's all. People got bent about it though. You're right. It is impossible to really know who wants it most. But for me, based on what I see and observe I've reached the conclusions I have, as you did as well. I mean nobody is "right" here. I just think it's funny how much people got bent with my opinion on the subject.

And Kobe did straight quit for the second half of that Suns game. Like I said there's a lot of Kobe Bryant I'm not a fan of, but he did for 6.5 games bust his ass and play better than just about 99.5% of athletes out there.

Seriously, there was no need for that asshole, capt. broughtdown, to call me simpleminded for having my opinion on the matter and then to say that we shouldn't even have opinions to begin with.

[Gordionot]

Has anyone else ever done that shit? Seriously, it makes your body feel like a million bucks when you get out. It doesn't hurt too bad except where the water line get's your exposed skin. Everything underwater just goes numb. Alvin Gentry's funny.

I grew up swimming in very cold water, rivers coming down from the rocky mountains. Not quite ice water. It's definitely painful until your body adjusts to the temperature. Just ask anyone who's ever done the polar bear swim and jumped out screaming. And yes it does feel great once you're out.

[Capt Bringdown]

Seriously, there was no need for that asshole, capt. broughtdown, to call me simpleminded for having my opinion on the matter and then to say that we shouldn't even have opinions to begin with.

LOL, you only said it was your opinion after you got called out, by several on this thread, not only me. Claiming that you're in the know because you can read minds and because you have leaguepass is indeed simpleminded. Nobody got "bent" over your opinion, just the way you stated it as if it were an assertion of fact.

You seem really fragile and defensive. No one agrees with your take, get over it. Are you going to throw another fit and call me a bunch of names now? Give it your best shot, LOL.

I think desire is over-rated, and to try to rank a given player's desire over another's is just silly fanboy talk.

[ambchang]

LOL at people gauging somebody's level of "wanting it" by how animated they get on the court.

[bostonguy]

Again thank you John Paxson for being a dumb son of a bitch. Thank you for overrating Deng/Gordon. We have our big 3 partly because of your stupidity. Cant wait to see Noah become the man either.

[LakeShow]

Sam Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Pro Basketball
Soar spot
After months of turmoil, Kobe Bryant is happy and the Lakers are flying high

December 18, 2007


Finally, Kobe Bryant playing on the United Center floor.

Not, though, as many here had hoped and many in the media had forecast. Bryant, in Chicago to play the Bulls on Tuesday night, remains in the Lakers' purple and gold. And while almost everybody was figuring out trade scenarios for Bryant and the Bulls, the Lakers have quietly started to become one of the Western Conference's better teams.


Look, no one among the Bulls ever said they didn't want Bryant. There was a distinction: It became clear they couldn't get him.

It was never about not trading Luol Deng. It was about not trading Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Wallace, Joakim Noah and draft picks, or trading Ben Gordon and Tyrus Thomas to get an All-Star once the Lakers started telling teams they'd need at least one All-Star in any deal. And the receiving team would have to take back some bad contracts, like Vladimir Radmanovic's.

And then, assuming Bryant would have dropped his no-trade and opt-out clauses, which was doubtful, the Bulls would have offered him a two-year, $55 million extension that kicked in when he was 33. And then Bryant would have to be satisfied playing with Aaron Gray, Viktor Khryapa, Chris Duhon and Thabo Sefolosha?

The Lakers are 14-9 and 2 ½ games out of first place in the Pacific Division. They seem to have stumbled into being a team that can finish in the top four in the Western Conference and perhaps make a run at a championship.

One could argue the Bulls don't have two players to rival 20-year-old Lakers center Andrew Bynum, averaging a double-double with 11.1 points adn 10.0 rebounds, plus 2.1 blocks per game, and Lamar Odom, averaging a double-double this month. There's also coaching stability with Phil Jackson agreeing to a two-year extension.

Suddenly it's the Lakers who seem to be the well-grounded team. The Bulls are among the early disappointments, joining the Cavs, Heat, Nets and Rockets. Each of those teams is either overrated, enmeshed in internal difficulties that will be revealed later or just off to a slow start and will recover.

What's intriguing is that can also be said of the Mavericks and Suns, who have good records but don't seem to be championship contenders, perhaps because of internal issues. The window of opportunity seems to have closed on them.

No team in the West other than the Spurs appears strong and certain. The Jazz and the Nuggets, both with major defensive deficiencies, are also sliding.

One of the supposed reasons for a Bryant trade to the Bulls was the state of the East. After the Cavaliers reached the Finals last season, there was widespread belief that Bryant and any four men under 50 and not in wheelchairs could get there.

Now that has changed as well.

With off-season deals bringing players like Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Zach Randolph to the East, the margin between East and West is just 69-65 for Western Conference teams this season after being nearly 2-1 for the previous few years.

And the balance of power could rest with Jason Kidd.

Though both teams continue to deny it vehemently, a rival general manager said last week he's still hearing talk of a Nets-Mavs deal involving Kidd.

It's not hard to believe, with the Nets an ongoing mess. They had the most pathetic excuse of the year Saturday, complaining about fatigue after a loss to the Knicks in the second game of a back-to-back. They played Friday night at home, about 8 miles from Madison Square Garden. The Knicks had played in Chicago.

Kidd is said to be upset that Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson have better contracts than he does.

Dallas remains Kidd's most likely destination, but the Lakers are frequently mentioned. The Lakers' refusal to give up Bynum for Kidd last winter now looks awfully smart. The Lakers have Kwame Brown's $9 million expiring contract and some young pieces and draft picks that might make sense for the Nets. And, the Mavs have plenty in reserve to make a deal as well.

Dallas certainly is not the same team despite a little surge recently, and Dirk Nowitzki is at eight-year lows in scoring and rebounding. He could use some help. It seems he and the team need a shakeup after consecutive playoff shockers. Same goes for the Suns after getting close for three playoffs. Steve Nash was uncharacteristically upset after a loss in New Orleans on Saturday.

"I wish I could come up with a way to make sure each guy is ready to play," Nash said. "What do you do? Have an interview with each guy before each game to make sure he understands?

"When we play with energy defensively, we're one of the best defensive teams. When we don't, which is quite frequently, we're one of the worst."

The Suns have been arguing on the court and on the bench, and there has been outspoken criticism of Boris Diaw, who seems a likely trade possibility. Ron Artest remains with a Sacramento team going nowhere and with an opt-out. He has long been on the Lakers' radar. Maybe somebody latches onto Andre Miller for young players and cap relief from the rebuilding 76ers.

And so coming east again are the Lakers: harmonious, confident, controversy-free, playing well and with possibilities.

Just Kobe and his happy band of brothers. Ain't NBA life grand?

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[SpursDynasty]

Kobe SHOULD be happy. He owes the Lakers his life after he got SHAQ traded.

Kobe and Shaq being traded from L.A. in the same decade? Not happening, Kobe.

Let's see how happy he is at the All-Star break when L.A. is barely sitting at .500

[LakeShow]

Kobe SHOULD be happy. He owes the Lakers his life after he got SHAQ traded.

Kobe and Shaq being traded from L.A. in the same decade? Not happening, Kobe.

Let's see how happy he is at the All-Star break when L.A. is barely sitting at .500

I doubt that very seriously. The lakers are deepest team in the league. They are better off this season in case of injuries. The Lakers are for real and they will only get better!

[unforeseen]

Lakers' fans are something else. I live in Laker land and all of them seem to think that every team in the league exists to solely help the Lakers win a championship.

They always feel that Lakers are in the running for any major star in the league via trade. Currently, Lakers are "willing" to give Kwame Brown, Radmanovic, Walton, and 2 draft picks for Jason Kidd.

Garbage players for Jason Kidd. Incredible.

[LakeShow]

Lakers' fans are something else. I live in Laker land and all of them seem to think that every team in the league exists to solely help the Lakers win a championship.

They always feel that Lakers are in the running for any major star in the league via trade. Currently, Lakers are "willing" to give Kwame Brown, Radmanovic, Walton, and 2 draft picks for Jason Kidd.

Garbage players for Jason Kidd. Incredible.

I was kind of against trading for Jason Kidd, I feel like our guards have been solid but wow, I havent heard that. THe lakers would have to pull the trigger on that trade.

[Purple & Gold]

Lakers' fans are something else. I live in Laker land and all of them seem to think that every team in the league exists to solely help the Lakers win a championship.

They always feel that Lakers are in the running for any major star in the league via trade. Currently, Lakers are "willing" to give Kwame Brown, Radmanovic, Walton, and 2 draft picks for Jason Kidd.

Garbage players for Jason Kidd. Incredible.

Actually Farmar is included in that trade and it's either Radmanovic or Walton and filler. Still a garbage trade for Nets, but much better than that other one.


But who cares what the Nets get. :elephant :elephant