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I wont care about the NBA after 2011
I know, it's early and I didn't really care much about the article as it's way too soon. But , everybody's already talking about the 2010 LeBron, Wade, Bosh sweepstakes.
But some points caught my eye.
- He could get a humongous contract to the tune of $150 million over 6 years (he'd be 36 at the end of the contract).
- At $150 million, that's $25 million per season. Some of the rich billionaire owners in Europe could double that and conceivably pony up $50 million per year. I wouldn't be surprised if FIBA subsidizes some of that under the table just to make the coup happen.
- Kobe, more than anybody wants a legacy, even if he's offered $50 million per season in Europe, I don't think he'd think twice about staying in LA to chase MJ's 6 rings (he only needs 3 more to tie).
Kobe a long shot to leave Lakers
by Chris Mannix
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?eref=T1
Before the anticipated 2010 free-agent bonanza that could include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Amaré Stoudemire and Chris Bosh, there could be one free agent on the market who, if he chooses to switch teams, would significantly shift the balance of power.
I'm talking about Kobe Bryant.
It seems like only yesterday that Bryant had the city of Los Angeles holding its collective breath while he debated his future. In July 2004, Bryant was the subject of daily speculation as he kept the Lakers waiting while flirting with the Bulls, Nuggets, Knicks and (gulp) crosstown Clippers as a free agent.
In the end, Bryant elected to remain a Laker, a decision that initially looked dubious -- with the lottery season in 2005, the back-to-back first-round exits in '06 and '07 and the will-he-or-won't-he-be-traded saga last offseason -- but now has paid major dividends, as the Lakers are the defending conference champions and a favorite to win the NBA le.
But as Los Angeles prepares to begin a training camp that will be filled with more love than Woodstock (Kobe will praise Andrew Bynum, Bynum will praise Pau Gasol and Phil Jackson will praise everybody), there will be a rather large elephant lurking in the room: After the season, the 30-year-old Bryant can opt out of the final two years of his contract (worth $47.8 million) and become a free agent.
"He's going to opt out," an Eastern Conference general manager said. "He's going to want to see what the market is. He's going to want to flex his muscles."
Even if Kobe does opt out, however, very few executives believe that he would leave the Lakers, who would be able to offer him a six-year deal worth about $150 million.
"He will definitely re-sign," an East personnel executive said. "This isn't five years ago. He's the unquestioned leader of an elite team and he's playing in a city that loves him."
If Bryant were determined to sign elsewhere, he would face a limited market. Based on a projected 2009-2010 salary cap of $61-62 million, and the potential renouncing of certain players, only a handful of teams will have the cap space to make Bryant a realistic offer (in addition to the overseas option):
• Oklahoma City: No chance. The Thunder could have $25 million in cap space next year, but they have a young roster and are primed for rebuilding. It's hard to see Bryant's leaving a contender in Los Angeles for a team in transition in a much smaller market.
• Portland: Intriguing but doubtful. To be sure, adding Bryant to an up-and-coming team built around Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy is exciting to consider. But the Trail Blazers have made a commitment to Roy, the 2007 Rookie of the Year, at shooting guard, and though they could conceivably shift him to either point guard or small forward, it's not something they are eager to do.
Moreover, a sizable chunk of the Blazers' cap space depends on the future of Darius Miles, who signed with Boston last month after missing the last two seasons with a knee injury. If Miles plays 10 games with the Celtics this season, his $9 million salary -- which the Blazers cut from the books after getting a rare career-ending injury exception for Miles -- will count against Portland's salary cap. Though the Blazers could have some $15 million in cap space even with Miles, it might not be enough to entice Bryant.
• Memphis: See Oklahoma City. While the Grizzlies have the potential for about $20 million in cap space, Bryant isn't about to leave L.A. for a chance to tutor O.J. Mayo and Co.
• Europe: The summer buzz centered on the tantalizing possibility that a first-tier NBA star like Bryant could be lured to Europe by a $50 million annual salary. "Fifty million is a little ridiculous," the East general manager said. "Thirty million is probably the limit. But if that's a $30 million net [after taxes] salary for one season, that's the same as a $60 million contract in the U.S."
While Bryant seems like the perfect candidate for a European excursion -- he lived in Italy for seven years as a youngster, speaks fluent Italian and has extraordinary worldwide appeal -- it's doubtful that he would seriously consider a move. More than any player in the NBA today, Bryant defines his career by championships (he has three). And if he remains with the Lakers, he has a legitimate shot to make a run at Michael Jordan's total of six rings.
Last edited by Allanon; 09-19-2008 at 08:33 PM.
I wont care about the NBA after 2011
European white girls>Colorado White girls
WTF @ "he only needs 3 rings to tie" MJ.
6? He's already disappointed twice in a row trying to get #4.
There's a roughly a dozen top-50 overall players that can combine for zero.
Being great isn't enough.
To say he ONLY needs as many as he's already won, a total that's more than most great players anyways, is a bit absurd...
He only needs to get another Shaquille O'Neal level player back in LA.
As a fan of a franchise still searching for its first le, I'm really put out at the thought of winning three les being mentioned in the same type as "only" ...
Bynum.
Beyond Kobe + Bynum, this Laker team is also alot more talented than the 3peat Lakers and young enough to contend for a ring until Kobe's contract runs out for a possible Kobe total of 9 rings.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves, I'd be happy with some dominance this year to start.
Now I know you were just phucking with us.
If Kobe gets offered $50 million a year from a Euro team, he's leaving the NBA.
Kobe has been in the League for a dozen years now and has three. He'll probably only play a total of six more at a high level and a total of 8-to-10 more in the League, and you have some expectation of six in those eight/ten years?
Give me whatever you're smoking because it seems strong enough to get me past the sting of 0-for-40...
Kobe needs 3 to tie Jordan's total, but he still needs 6 to equal Jordan's greatness.
None of Jordan's rings were won playing second fiddle.
LMAO @ "it's possible for Kobe to win 9"
It's possible the Mavs go on a five-peat too. It's possible Matt Bonner wins league MVP next season. It's possible Amare will say something smart for once.
Hahah.I knew 9 would wake you up.
Right now, you can't say Kobe & Jordan in the same sentence.Kobe needs 3 to tie Jordan's total, but he still needs 6 to equal Jordan's greatness. None of Jordan's rings were won playing second fiddle.
But if Kobe finishes with 6 or more rings, it all becomes debateable. Kobe knows that, that's why you couldn't pay him enough to leave the NBA.
Jordan didn't win his first ring until he was 28. Kobe just turned 30 so truth is Kobe's still 1 ring ahead of Jordan at the same age and I doubt Kobe's going to take time off to play Baseball so Kobe gets another 2 years to get more rings.
Both guys had championship level teams when they hit their prime. Jordan basically won 6 rings in 8 years. Kobe would need to win 3 in 6 years, it sounds doable to me.
Last edited by Allanon; 09-19-2008 at 11:05 PM.
Truly you have a dizzying intellect!
Why?
Truly you have a dizzying intellect!
Jordan had 2 rings the day he turned 30 while Kobe has 3?
Jordan compressed his 6 rings into 8 years. Kobe needs 3 in 6 years. I'd say the odds of Kobe beating Jordan's ring count are pretty good.
You just assume to much based upon the fact that Jordan didn't win his first until 28.
And again, stop using "ONLY" when talking les. It's a in' move whether intended or not. If Kobe wins one more he'll be lucky.
What's the difference? Is it not true? Kobe had more rings at the same age. Jordan didn't get his 4th ring until he was 33.
The Lakers were 3 wins away from another ring just this year. If Kobe had no support sure, but Kobe's team right now is better than the one Jordan had when he went on his 3peat.And again, stop using "ONLY" when talking les. It's a in' move whether intended or not. If Kobe wins one more he'll be lucky.
Last year, nobody expected the Lakers to be in the Finals.
However, not winning a ring this year would be a major choke job by the Lakers.
Possible, sure.
Odds being pretty good, not by a long shot.
Jordan had 2 rings as the main go-to guy on the championship team the day he turned 30. Kobe has zero rings as the main go-to guy on a championship team.
Kobe can feasibly win three more les. But, it's far from being a "pretty good" chance.
chances are "pretty good" for somebody named Kobe with the team he currently has. It's obviously not an easy task for most other players.
, Duncan, LeBron, Wade, would likely win 3 rings out of 6 with the current Laker squad with Phil as the coach.
That's what you get with ass Laker fans. They have that sickening sense of en lement, and the distorted view that championships are easy to come by.
well actually two, and so were the Mavs in 05-06 look where they are now.
there's something called a target on their backs which is what they have now, and in a conference with potentially 8 or 9 50 win teams, making it back to the Finals doesnt seem so easy anymore.
You simply assume too much. You assume a sustained level of great TEAM play by Kobe. You assume no physical setbacks to and continued improve of Bynum. You assume a bit too much from aging and unproven role players. What of Odom? His contract is almost through... You assume chemistry. You assume health.
If it was so easy, why couldn't they win it last year? And don't say Bynum is all that's needed because you have no idea how he'll respond to his new team, and how hid body will respond to his procedures.
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