http://lakers.ocregister.com/2012/02...pau-now/69445/Kobe to Lakers: Make a decision on Pau now
Kobe Bryant said the limbo of the Lakers possibly trading Pau Gasol has gone on enough and requested a decision be made.
“I wish management would come out and either trade him or not trade him,” Bryant said after the Lakers’ loss in Phoenix on Sunday night.
Bryant said his preference is the Lakers do not trade Gasol, citing the team’s “foundation” is in place with Bryant, Gasol and “the emergence of Andrew (Bynum).”
“Can’t have one of our pillars not knowing if he’s going to be here,” Bryant said.
Although Bryant said Gasol has “been the consummate professional” in maintaining loyalty to the Lakers and desire to stay, Bryant said: “It’s just tough for a player to give his all when you don’t know if you’re going to be here tomorrow.”
Upon being told of Bryant’s comments, Gasol said: “Obviously it’s not the best-case scenario for anybody, as a team. It’s always nice to have security and reassurance, but again, I understand. … Obviously it would be nice to know one way or the other for my mind’s sake, but I don’t know if I’m in a position to really demand that at all. I understand that things are not as easy as they appear at times.”
The Lakers were prepared before training camp to package Gasol and Lamar Odom to acquire Chris Paul until the NBA, holder of Paul’s rights as current owner of the New Orleans Hornets, nixed that trade. The Lakers traded Odom to Dallas but kept Gasol, who was recently left off the Western Conference All-Star team for the first time in four years.
“I’m not trying to force the team if they want to trade me to trade me tomorrow,” Gasol said. “Obviously I still believe in our team; I believe in our city. I believe we can continue to be a special, special team — a successful team.”
The NBA trade deadline is March 15, and Gasol is waiting for it while cognizant of various rumors involving him flying around “every other day.” Gasol said he has seen Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak after games, “but we haven’t really spoken about anything.”
Gasol said he believes the Lakers are “listening” to offers as opposed to taking him off the trading block.
“It seems it’s not that way,” Gasol said. “That’s the feeling that I get, and I haven’t really confirmed it, but from the situation and all the talks, that’s what I perceive.”
Bryant was not outwardly angry about the situation despite a couple of profanities he dropped in while saying the Lakers should trade Gasol or say they’re not trading him. He was aware of the newsworthiness of his opinion, however, half-smiling to reporters as he said: “You got some bulletin news for your story?”
Awesome ...
RJ + Blair + 1st round pick
do it RC.
RJ + Blair + 1st round pick
do it RC.
Tired old bag lacking leadership ability.
I'm a trend setter.
I set trends.
Into the retirement home you go.
4 wins in a row for me now, thanks.
Most meaningful thing in this thread
Theyre amazing,
Most meaningful thing in this thread
Pau or the bikini chick?
Pau on the spurs..scary...
We'd actually be a contender
They might do it for RJ, Blair, and a 1st. RJ gives them perimeter scoring and plays decent D. Blair would be a good backup Center with the energy and physicality he brings. First round pick would only sweeten the deal. Spurs, obviously, get the added length they've been looking for, and it's an athletic PF to boot.
5 now, thanks gramps
Honestly, RJ's offense might be more than enough to offset the drop in D to warrent him playing. Besides, that way you'd have MWP coming off the bench to add a little more depth. At any rate, it's just a wet dream; no way LA would do it.
Between Barnes, MWP and RJ, guess who's automatically guaranteed to not play for Mike Brown when they need a stop?
Good luck with that.
A man can dream...
Pau would put the spurs in the finals I believe.
Without the pick, I would entertain the idea. Then again, Manu isn't going anywhere...
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