Reply With Quote
Its Kobe
link
Ted Green: Why would anyone want to leave the Lakers?
9:35 AM, July 17, 2009
I'm not saying what you're about to read is based on anything other than instinct and an odd feeling I have. It may be 1,000% wrong. File this under ... Just Asking:
Is anyone else completely befuddled, even flummoxed by the Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza situations? That was rhetorical. Everyone is.
Are these not the most inexplicable "negotiations" you have seen in a long, long time?
I am as baffled as I've ever been trying to get my arms around the reasons why:
A) Ariza, an L.A. guy who attended high school and college here, would leave home, turn his back on the Lakers and say a quick and unceremonious goodbye to a championship team and a seemingly ideal professional situation, just for a few extra dollars in ... Houston? A Rockets team likely to be without both Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady? A team whose likeliest 2010 destination is the lottery?
B) And why would Odom possibly accept a midlevel exception of $5.8 million per year when the Lakers have definitely offered him $10 million per season? Doesn't that seem off-the-hook strange? Even if the total Miami money over five years is around the same as either Lakers' package, the three- or four-year deals, why in the wacky world of Lamar would he leave a championship situation where the role is tailor-made for him? No major scoring responsibility, no huge minutes if everyone's healthy, but more potential for les with THE big-market, glamor NBA franchise, plus lots of love from a city that reveres the Lakers like rock stars?
Tell me, does any of this make any sense to you at all? Of course it doesn't. Have you seen even one remotely plausible explanation from anyone inside or outside the Lakers organization?
And in Ariza's case, don't tell me it was the acquisition of Artest. The Lakers offered Ariza a new contract before they signed the flamboyant former Rocket.
So why then? Could it be, and important to reiterate, no proof here, nothing to base this on, just asking: Could it be that these two low-key, soft-spoken forwards, neither of whom has that kill-or-be-killed mentality, no longer want (or in Trevor's case, wanted) the relentless pressure of playing with, and satisfying, Kobe Bryant?
I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.
Kobe does set the bar exceedingly high for all his teammates and even higher for himself. He does not abide mistakes, mental errors, lack of full effort or losses well at all. When you mess up, you'll hear it, loud and in both ears. And when nothing less than another championship is going to make anyone around here happy, it doesn't exactly allow for an easygoing workplace, an atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation, to which Odom and Ariza seem to be so well-suited.
For those of you who follow the NBA and admire the Lakers, I know, you can't fathom not wanting to be here, not wanting to be in position for rings, not wanting the adrenaline rush that comes with the push for 60-plus wins. What real compe or wouldn't want a postseason in which every game matters and your heart, body and pride are on the line every night?
Unless, of course, you've already got your ring and you can get the same long money without having the best player on your team up in your grill.
Understand, I admire the natural born killer in Kobe, love it, actually, so I don't like this central theory any more than you do. In some ways, I hate that I even thought of it, much less wrote it for the L.A. Times.
Still, I'm not buying that Odom and Ariza have dumb, shoddy, unprofessional representation or agents who overplayed their hand against Jerry Buss. No agent in his right mind would advise a client to walk away from the Lakers as they are right now. Not if he wanted to retain a shred of league-wide credibility.
Because, think about it, if Ariza ends up lost in space in Houston and Odom disappears into the Bermuda Triangle off the coast of Florida with the mediocre Heat, both distinct endgame possibilities, what college blue chipper in his right mind would ever hire either one of the agents representing Odom and Ariza?
So because I can't think of one reason, nevermind a good reason, why both Ariza and Odom seemed to not be excited about continuing in purple and gold, if someone else has a different explanation from the one I just laid out, I would love to hear it. And you know where to find me. Right here, confused as ever.
-- Ted Green
Green formerly covered the Lakers for the L.A. Times. He is currently senior sports producer for KTLA Prime News.
Top photo: Trevor Ariza takes in the moment during the Lakers' championship parade on June 17. Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
Bottom photo: Kobe Bryant. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Its Kobe
The Lakers were obviously courting Artest While negotiating with Ariza. A certain lack of respect was shown. LO wants to start and be a "go to" guy at crunch time. He can be that in Miami. A little less mony. So what, he's made 100 mill in his career.
hmm, didn't read all that, but it is LA. done and done. You either like it or you don't. Can any Socal people imagine if San Diego or Orange county had a team...wow, talk about the ultimate place to play. Not just saying that cuz i from/live there but really LA has a lot of negatives and OC and SD take away a lot of them. I wish they'd get a SD team. Clips in anaheim obviously didn't work out because....well, its the clips, what do you expect, but a good owner and gm in Oc would make bundles as well as in SD
Prolly cause of the shower-time gang rapes...the same reason guys don't stick around too long at DrHouse's apartment.
Last edited by Fpoonsie; 07-18-2009 at 10:16 AM.
Some players care more about enjoying themselves and their time in the NBA playing a game that's supposed to be fun rather than winning.link
Ted Green: Why would anyone want to leave the Lakers?
9:35 AM, July 17, 2009
I'm not saying what you're about to read is based on anything other than instinct and an odd feeling I have. It may be 1,000% wrong. File this under ... Just Asking:
Is anyone else completely befuddled, even flummoxed by the Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza situations? That was rhetorical. Everyone is.
Are these not the most inexplicable "negotiations" you have seen in a long, long time?
I am as baffled as I've ever been trying to get my arms around the reasons why:
A) Ariza, an L.A. guy who attended high school and college here, would leave home, turn his back on the Lakers and say a quick and unceremonious goodbye to a championship team and a seemingly ideal professional situation, just for a few extra dollars in ... Houston? A Rockets team likely to be without both Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady? A team whose likeliest 2010 destination is the lottery?
B) And why would Odom possibly accept a midlevel exception of $5.8 million per year when the Lakers have definitely offered him $10 million per season? Doesn't that seem off-the-hook strange? Even if the total Miami money over five years is around the same as either Lakers' package, the three- or four-year deals, why in the wacky world of Lamar would he leave a championship situation where the role is tailor-made for him? No major scoring responsibility, no huge minutes if everyone's healthy, but more potential for les with THE big-market, glamor NBA franchise, plus lots of love from a city that reveres the Lakers like rock stars?
Tell me, does any of this make any sense to you at all? Of course it doesn't. Have you seen even one remotely plausible explanation from anyone inside or outside the Lakers organization?
And in Ariza's case, don't tell me it was the acquisition of Artest. The Lakers offered Ariza a new contract before they signed the flamboyant former Rocket.
So why then? Could it be, and important to reiterate, no proof here, nothing to base this on, just asking: Could it be that these two low-key, soft-spoken forwards, neither of whom has that kill-or-be-killed mentality, no longer want (or in Trevor's case, wanted) the relentless pressure of playing with, and satisfying, Kobe Bryant?
I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.
For those of you who follow the NBA and admire the Lakers, I know, you can't fathom not wanting to be here, not wanting to be in position for rings, not wanting the adrenaline rush that comes with the push for 60-plus wins. What real compe or wouldn't want a postseason in which every game matters and your heart, body and pride are on the line every night?
Unless, of course, you've already got your ring and you can get the same long money without having the best player on your team up in your grill.
Understand, I admire the natural born killer in Kobe, love it, actually, so I don't like this central theory any more than you do. In some ways, I hate that I even thought of it, much less wrote it for the L.A. Times.
Still, I'm not buying that Odom and Ariza have dumb, shoddy, unprofessional representation or agents who overplayed their hand against Jerry Buss. No agent in his right mind would advise a client to walk away from the Lakers as they are right now. Not if he wanted to retain a shred of league-wide credibility.
Because, think about it, if Ariza ends up lost in space in Houston and Odom disappears into the Bermuda Triangle off the coast of Florida with the mediocre Heat, both distinct endgame possibilities, what college blue chipper in his right mind would ever hire either one of the agents representing Odom and Ariza?
So because I can't think of one reason, nevermind a good reason, why both Ariza and Odom seemed to not be excited about continuing in purple and gold, if someone else has a different explanation from the one I just laid out, I would love to hear it. And you know where to find me. Right here, confused as ever.
-- Ted Green
Green formerly covered the Lakers for the L.A. Times. He is currently senior sports producer for KTLA Prime News.
Top photo: Trevor Ariza takes in the moment during the Lakers' championship parade on June 17. Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
Bottom photo: Kobe Bryant. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
It's amazing. ANY other NBA fanbase would understand this kind of thing.
Maybe they don't want to pay double the income tax and then get IOU's as tax returns in your bankrupt ing state? Neither Texas nor Florida have state income taxes so the salaries are actually even higher than they look.
I wonder why everyone is saying their farewells, so to speak, when there's been no official confirmation that Lamar has signed or will be signing with another team.
I would say it's 50-50 that he will remain a Laker. There is a report of an offer on the table from the Heat which he hasn't accepted yet.
I think in the end he'll remain a Laker.
Earthquakes and fires
Ouch! The states woes wont have much effect on Odom but speaking as one of those that would be a recipient of IOU's (that no one will honor) instead of a paycheck, it sucks.
Thank, you, myte.
And the Lakers chose Artest over Ariza.
Ya, most reports are saying there was never an offer to Ariza and that Artest contacted the Lakers and said he was available for the MLE.
I don't know who this guy is but until it's officially confirmed, it's all rumor and speculation. So don't get your hopes up if you're one of those people who think the Lakers not having Lamar means the spurs win the west.
As others here have cited: perhaps Buss has grown weary of rewarding contract year players only to see them denigrate after signage. We were fortunate to garner that ring due to extreme motivations by both Odom & Ariza and Buss made the immediate move to bring in another "ring barren" en y in Artest. Maybe unlike when Buss forsaked Ariza in broad daylight, he's forsaking Odom in the shadows, wary to reward them now that's they've feasted on the fruits of supreme victory and may will revert to type (especially Odom). Ariza is a solid citizen, but Odom can be so contrary & dynamic. Strive for the static: Phil, Kobe (has left the reservation at times), Gasol, Fisher...&...Pop, Duncan, Parker, Manu.
I don't think Kobe is a major factor. But, that's just my opinion. I think players all around the league, and especially his teammates, understand how he's wired and how tough he can be on teammates. Lamar really seemed to handle playing with Kobe fine, understanding the way Kobe was. And, Trevor Ariza was a rare teammate for Kobe in that Kobe learned to trust him fairly quickly compared to other teammates. I can't say playing with Kobe wasn't a factor at all. But, I don't think he's the deal breaker.
I think in both cases of Lamar and Trevor, they felt like they earned a lot more money than the Lakers were willing to pay them. They heard and read the quotes by guys like Magic Johnson saying he was going to have to open his wallet to keep both guys and other people in the organization that keeping them both would be their main priorities this summer. Money plays a big part, but professional athletes have huge egos and they want to feel appreciated and wanted.
I don't think it's about wanting to leave the Lakers. I think both want/ed to stay with the Lakers. I don't think it's about playing with Kobe, at least not as a major factor. It's obviously not about going to or staying in a place where they can win les. So, to me, it mostly comes down to each of those players feeling appreciated by the organization after each played very well in the playoffs to help the franchise win another championship.
The Lakers brass probably said something to the effect that they'd do everything they could to keep those two guys and bring them back. And, it's thinking they would and then realizing that's not really their stance. Basically, it's the Lakers will bring them back if it's on their terms. And, so both Ariza and Odom probably felt jilted in a way, unappreciated.
You can qualify it with money because money is absolutely a factor. But, I think it's not only the money but how the negotiations went and each of the offers and what that represented to both Ariza and Odom in terms of being appreciated and respected.
I don't think either wanted to leave the Lakers. But, each was/is obviously willing to.
How is that? Rich people's tax returns matter too...Ouch! The states woes wont have much effect on Odom but speaking as one of those that would be a recipient of IOU's (that no one will honor) instead of a paycheck, it sucks.
Ariza- Wants to turn into a big time player in Houston
Odom-Wants to Move to Florida
High cost of living, ty state economy, the fact that at some point your state will float away.
i think it was in this forum that i saw a gif of Kobe slapping Pau upside the head while sitting on the bench and Ariza looking on like, "Dayum..."
It was obvious that the Lakers were not interested in Ariza as they had their eyes on landing Artest. If you let feelings get into it then you could say they just stabbed a guy you helped them bring a championship home in the back. At the end of the day you have to step back and realize its just business and if you could improve your team in any way you do so. Role players have to understand this. Business is business
Luva with the goods/Saturday style.
It's all about $$$, egos, and winning. It's not about Ariza and Odom wanting to leave. They want(ed) to stay.
Dr. Buss in Ariza's case offered the guy market value. He doubled his salary! Wouldn't you be thrilled if your employer, in a down economy doubled yours? And your agent balks and pulls the respect card? Most peoples ego would check in too and tell the guy to not let the door hit him on the way out. But in the sports business, you have needs and sometimes you have to swallow that ego to be compe ive. Well, Artest was chomping at the bit to be a Laker and actually is a better player than Ariza. Not only that, he's willing to take less money. No brainer for the front office. Ariza's agent played hardball with bad timing and not knowing all the cards that were on the table. Ariza wanted to stay, Buss wanted to keep him. That Artest was begging to be a Laker gave Buss options he normally would not have had. And the Lakers improved in the process. The "respect" comments by the agent can be intrepreted as "I ed up and have to say someting to save face"... nothing more.
As for Odom, Dr Buss overpaid him for 5 years since the Shaq trade. How many threads have you seen across the internet talking about how great he could be and how inconsistent he is. He had a good year and was a valuable contruibutor to the le no doubt. That does not change the fact that he was overpaid. He has been offered fair market deals. So your an employer, you have put up with less than stellar production for 5 years while paying a guy much more than market value and you offer the guy a fair contract that only a couple of other companies would or could pay. And you hear nothing back other than the said employee was talking to others? You wouldnt be miffed? You tell the guy to not let the door hit him. Except in this case, there is no replacement at the doorstep wanting in so and you want to stay compe ive. So you posture. The cards are on the table. The egos are in play. The sides are playing poker and waiting for a tell. Odom has flinched first and my guess is he folds and takes the offer. Because just like the thread says.... why would he want to leave the Lakers?
As for all the Kobe hating comments.... It's well known that both Ariza and Odom are good friends with Kobe and love playing with him.
The rapist comments? Really? You can't get past that already? So so sad....
Last edited by cobbler; 07-18-2009 at 01:19 PM.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
