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I miss him calling radio stations every time he had a thought. Kobe's Mental Breakdown '07 was entertainment.
Source: Bryant tells Buss that he wants out
In a meeting in Spain, the Lakers star voices concerns to owner about team's direction.
By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer
June 16, 2007
Jerry Buss met with his unhappy $88.6-million employee, Kobe Bryant, for a get-together Friday between owner and superstar in the somewhat surprising setting of Spain.
They had spoken by phone two weeks ago, a few days after Bryant asked to be traded, but this was a longer, more emotional conversation.
Buss wanted to appeal to the nine-time All-Star, reminding him that trades take time to develop and that winning remains the focus of the organization, but Bryant voiced concerns about the direction of the franchise and reiterated his demand to be traded, said a source with knowledge of the situation.
"That's the message that came out of it," the source said.
Team sources vehemently insisted there were no plans to trade Bryant, and they were still hopeful that a peaceful solution could be reached. Bryant and Buss are expected to resume their dialogue in the near future.
Bryant's displeasure has grown steadily since the Lakers were eliminated by Phoenix last month in the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers are 121-125 since reaching the NBA Finals in 2004, not including their first-round exits the last two seasons.
Last month, Bryant publicly requested that Jerry West return to the team's front office — an unlikely scenario — and urged General Manager Mitch Kupchak to make trades that would steer the team in a winning direction.
"I'm still frustrated," Bryant said at the time. "I'm waiting for them to make some changes."
The Lakers have contacted numerous teams, but there have not been any blockbuster deals yet — by them or by any other team in the league.
Talks with the Indiana Pacers for six-time All-Star forward-center Jermaine O'Neal have stalled because the Lakers do not want to give up both Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum to get O'Neal.
Trade talks around the league are expected to heat up as the June 28 draft approaches and could continue into the free-agent period that begins July 1.
Bryant was vacationing in Spain and stopped by to see a practice session of his favorite soccer team, FC Barcelona, on Thursday. Buss had been in China since leaving the U.S. more than two weeks ago. He planned to travel to London before returning to Los Angeles, although it was unclear whether he went to Spain specifically to talk to Bryant.
"What they talked about and what went on between Kobe and Dr. Buss is private and will remain between the two of them," Lakers spokesman John Black said.
Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, did not return calls seeking comment.
Bryant, who will be 29 in August, has four years left on his contract, but he can void it in two years.
The two-time scoring champion, widely acknowledged as the game's most dynamic player, has the NBA's top-selling jersey and is a significant draw at Staples Center. The Lakers are very cognizant of his importance in driving ticket sales, as well as his effect on corporate sponsors.
Buss, who signed off on Bryant's seven-year, $136.4-million contract in July 2004, released a statement two weeks ago in which he said, "We will continue to pursue every avenue possible to improve our team with him as the cornerstone."
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...ck=1&cset=true
I miss him calling radio stations every time he had a thought. Kobe's Mental Breakdown '07 was entertainment.
damn, i had no idea he was that old.
Hopefully he gets traded to China or somewhere far.
Seems to me that he's haunted and childishly jealous of the Spur's success. Wasn't it right after the Spurs beat the Suns and were heading to the finals that he first made his demands?
Now the Spurs have won the le, and it's another pathetic, almost creepy attempt to steal the spotlight.
Chris sherdian said he could be heading to the knicks
What would the Knicks have that The Lakers would take?
Chris Sheridan has been shouting that into the wind since Day 1. I'm not buying it.
The Lakers don't have to trade him. He has threatened to sit out the season yet. And even if he did, I'm not sure that the Lakers wouldn't rather watch him sit than take whatever crappy offer the Knicks can muster.
I don't believe he'll sit out the season...still Kobe to the bulls for Deng, Wallace, Gordon and the 9th pick is pretty good. I still love Kobe, but you aren't going to get a better deal than that...still I'm sure Mitch will trade Kobe for some ankle tape and David Lee from the Knicks. I don't know what to think about all of this...my loyalty is with the Lakers, but Kobe's being a jerk, but then again the HO is full of ignorance as well....time will tell. I like JO, Odom and Kobe if that works out in LA.
Hes not going anywhere.
what spotlight?
david lee
nate robinson
balkman
believe it or not the knicks have alot of young talent.....
david lee i can agree with...the other 2? Not so much...
those scrubs do do not make what kobe makes
It's odd how Bryant blew up a championship level team, then complains that the Lakers haven't done enough to surround him with talent to be a contender again. Somewhere, Shaq smiles as he looks out across the Atlantic.
Kobe in the east will be Finals for him.
He and Marbury in the backcourt would be crazy.
He and Bulls would be pointelss since the bulls will loose the whole team to get him. It would be worse than current Lakers but its the east so it might be btter for him
8th seed.what spotlight?
why the would the bulls do that? kobe's hitting 30, showing signs of mental fragility, needs the ball without necessarily improving his teammates, and is complaining about a team that would be pretty on par with what would be left of the bulls if such a trade happened.
The Bulls have the 9th pick. Hold on to it Chicago. They could very powerful unless the get stupid and get the Kobe fever. dont do it chicago!
can chicago afford kobe's contract + that assload of cash they signed ben wallace for? even if they unload 3 guys will they have enough?
Yes, it's all about the Spurs. Everything is about the Spurs.
I wouldn't trade him, I'd let him sit if he didn't want to play....
Deng, Gordon, Wallace, and the #9 sounds good to me for Kobe.
Do it CHI!!
Kobe is just trying to cement his place as the most overrated player in NBA history.
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