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hmmm...
JERRY BUSS
CAPTAIN KANGAROO
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10232007...ine.htm?page=0
KEEPING KOBE IN LINE JERRY BUSS
Tiring of Bryant's act.
October 23, 2007 -- LOS ANGELES - I'm determined not to leave Los Angeles until either Kobe Bryant is blown away by the Santa Ana trade winds or Coby Karl calls Jerry Buss a liar. Some piped-in people out here are convinced Bryant will not be a Laker Oct. 30 when they open the season against the glaringly upgraded Rockets, even if L.A. must accept an inequitable return for the league's preeminent talent; that's how repugnant he supposedly has become to the owner's senses.
Though others in the know concede Bryant's incomparable purple and gold scoring salvos are endangered (even should he remain holed up at the office supply store, Phil Jackson has asked him to slab his beast-of-burden act), they refuse to believe Buss will "just take stuff" to exorcise an evil spirit.
"You can make a (bad) deal any time you want," an opposing team executive said. "If you're willing to just take stuff, what's the hurry? You've got until the late February trade deadline to afford yourself a chance to see if things can be worked out."
You can't get any more logical. Derek Fisher, perhaps the most revered voice of reason of any active player - as evidenced by his union president position - summed up Bryant's "I want to be traded" stance exactly the same way when I asked him for his take.
Unfortunately for the Lakers and their fans, common sense may not apply in this situation. Hostilities between Buss and Bryant appear to have become personal.
Jackson is the lone person who has any shot of disarming this dispute. Both sides trust him more these days than ever before, I'm informed.
Buss is listening to Jackson's advice to keep Bryant if compliant. Bryant may not be a true believer but, for the moment, Jackson has his attention; the Zen Hen is trying to persuade Bryant everything is being done within reason to boost a roster that boasts noticeably more positive qualities than given credit.
First, the Lakers are relatively healthy for an abrupt change. Lamar Odom is the sole exception, and his surgically repaired shoulder is expected to be ready for duty soon.
The young big men have gotten better, especially Andrew Bynum, who Pete Newell says showed the most improvement over a two-summer span than anyone else in his illustrious camp history.
Every small forward must be guarded deep, which opens things up inside, and two of them, Luke Walton and Odom, are the team's foremost precision passers.
The point guard position has gone from undermanned to overstaffed (Bryant, Jordan Farmar, Javaris Crittenton and Sasha Vujacic) and is rich in speed, savvy and shooting.
"Last year Sasha made every shot in practice and couldn't make any in games," Bryant needled. "Now he's putting it together."
And Fisher is providing leadership that has been absent since the moment he signed a free agent contract with the Warriors.
"Derek is holding everyone accountable on and off the court," Walton said. "He's already called two quick team meetings."
I complimented Jackson on the Lakers' depth, ball distribution and new-found devotion to defense. However, something is missing if the team has serious plans to make a playoff indentation past the first round.
"We need a big power forward, someone who can really rebound, block shots and cover people," Jackson said. "We tried to get Kevin Garnett but couldn't."
Jermaine O'Neal qualifies as that type, too. Negotiations broke down over the summer when the Pacers wanted Bynum (off limits) and Odom. There also was a snag involving salaries; Indiana wanted L.A. to assume $5M per more (Troy Murphy's deal) than the contracts they would pick up.
Will the O'Neal trade talk be revived when Odom shows he's healthy? Is another defensive-minded, rebounding power forward available for a couple of L.A.'s assets?
"I'm trying to make Bryant understand it's not over," Jackson said. "Just because the season is about to begin it doesn't mean we've stopped trying to improve."
In the meantime, the above duties are the responsibility of the amply energized and undersized Ronny Turiaf.
As for Bryant, he isn't going anywhere unless Jackson says so. Evidently the entire Buss family - Jerry and Jim, not just Jeanie - has given Jackson personnel power. Everyone working together suddenly rubberizes Kobe's crutch that the front office is the problem. Not anymore. Meaning, the only way Bryant will be traded is he decides not to play defense and team ball.
It's nearly impossible to know what's fake, real, imagined or wishful thinking. So many people are offering so much conflicting info, and Bryant's mind has been known to swivel 180 degrees during one interview.
Bottom line, if Bryant sincerely wants out of L.A., he should stop trying to play GM and waive his no-trade clause.
[email protected]
hmmm...
JERRY BUSS
CAPTAIN KANGAROO
Hmmm...
Phil Jackson
Colonel Sanders:
First thing I did when I saw this article was from the New York post was to see if it was by Peter Vescey.
When I found that it was, I automatically knew it was garbage.
Vescey and Sam Smith (Chicago Tribune) are about as trustworthy as anything from HoopsWorld.
remember that one time when he said that the Suns didn't get the greatest TV ratings of all time? pure bull ! and a complete lack of journalistic integrity to boot!
As much as I hate to do it, I'm going to have to agree with *gulp* da_suns_fan__ ...
There are few bigger rumor-mongers than Vescey. He's had some absolute BS printed under his name. I would acknowledge anything he "reports."
but...but...he SWORE that Tim Duncan was going to Orlando in 2000.There are few bigger rumor-mongers than Vescey. He's had some absolute BS printed under his name. I would acknowledge anything he "reports."
He's swore a lot of things... and, with as wrong as he usually is, has probably swore about said swearings...
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Youngman column: Bryant trade only a matter of time
Expect that a trade for the Lakers star will come by February, most likely to Chicago.
RANDY YOUNGMAN
Register columnist
[email protected] Comments 0| Recommend 3
ANAHEIM -- Reading between the lines and the rhetoric and the speculation around the NBA, it now seems to be a matter of when, not if, Kobe Bryant will be traded.
There he was Tuesday night, in Lakers purple and gold, revving up the Honda Center crowd during an exhibition game against the Utah Jazz. As always, "Ko-BE! Ko-BE! Ko-BE!" was the most popular player in the building.
But will Bryant be wearing the same uniform when the Lakers open the 2007-08 regular season next week? A report in one New York tabloid Tuesday said not to bet on that one, "even if L.A. must accept an inequitable return" because "that's how repugnant he supposedly has become to the owner's senses."
Ouch. Is Jerry Buss that angry at the Kobester?
Perhaps, but it's more likely Bryant will be playing for the Lakers until at least mid-December, one team insider said Tuesday, because of the contract status of one player the Lakers are interested in acquiring.
Though the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks also have been mentioned prominently in recent trade speculation, most signs point to the Chicago Bulls as the most logical destination for Bryant.
Nobody knows what is or isn't going on behind the scenes, but Bryant has the leverage of a full no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he essentially can choose his next team. He also has an opt-out clause in his contract after two more seasons, so the disenchantment he expressed publicly in the offseason has to be taken seriously.
There is no urgency to trade Bryant now. The team can sift through potential offers and move him before the February trading deadline, if the Lakers aren't in serious playoff contention at the time, or it can wait until after the season. The team certainly can't wait any longer than that and risk losing him to free agency without any compensation.
And if the Bulls are the most logical suitor — and all indications are that Bryant would love to play in Chicago, where Michael Jordan became a star — a deal could happen by December.
The Bulls reportedly have made star forward Luol Deng untouchable, so the Lakers made it known they wouldn't agree to a deal unless the incoming package includes center Ben Wallace, a choice between guards Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich, and others.
But when the Chicago Tribune reported that Bryant wants to play with Wallace, it meant the Bulls would have to change the package to perhaps include Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah, forward Andres Nocioni and a first-round pick.
Word is the Lakers are very interested in Nocioni, a former Argentine star who averaged 14.1 points and 5.7 rebounds for Chicago last season. But by rule, he can't be traded until after Dec. 15.
There also has been speculation in Chicago the Bulls want to find out how good this team will be before making a major trade.
So it looks as if Lakers fans will be able to cheer Bryant for at least a few more weeks.
But it doesn't look as if this marriage can be saved. Bryant alienated almost everyone in the organization by complaining in the offseason about the team not doing what it takes to improve — he wanted Jason Kidd as a teammate last season and Kevin Garnett this season — and Buss supposedly is hurt that Bryant already has forgotten how staunchly the team supported him during his legal ordeal in Colorado a few years ago.
And it certainly didn't help Bryant's at ude when Buss recently told the assembled media in Hawaii he would definitely consider trading his superstar.
If it's not Chicago, it still might be Dallas, but Mavericks owner Mark Cuban insists Dirk Nowitzki will not be part of the package. Would a deal centered around Josh Howard and Jason Terry get it done? Not likely.
And forget those silly Phoenix Suns rumors last week. Sure, Raja Bell, Amare Stoudamire and Leandro Barbosa would make the Lakers a better team, but there's no way they would risk being embarrassed several times a year by making a trade with the Suns. Why do you think Shaquille O'Neal went to Miami instead of Dallas?
But, rest assured, Kobe Bryant is out of here. It's just a matter of time.
In the interim, the rumors continue to swirl.
"Obviously, people are tuned into it, but it can only be a drumbeat for so long and then it kind of fades," Coach Phil Jackson said before Tuesday night's game, insisting the trade speculation is not a distraction for his team. "But it's still there. It's in the background."
Until the day Kobe puts on another uniform.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
The cognitive dissonance of a Kobe for T-Mac + others deal will make Fakeshow's head explode.
One thing's for sure...Kobe is putting the NBA on the map. Without him, they'd barely have any news to report!
Ah yes, his "sources" he had a 50/50 chance, and backed the wrong horse.but...but...he SWORE that Tim Duncan was going to Orlando in 2000.
Kobe >>>> NBAOne thing's for sure...Kobe is putting the NBA on the map. Without him, they'd barely have any news to report!
Rockets >>>> Lakers.
Now root for them. They are your team, don't you recall?
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