Lakers offseason thread

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Originally Posted by SmytheKing

Lots of people call him selfish. The MAIN difference between the two guys is that no one ever questioned his desire to win and put the team first. Kobe has been questioned on that a LOT. Not saying any of it is 100% true, but the simple matter of things is that the appearance is that Kobe wants to win. . .but on his terms.

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If Shaq was putting the team first, he wouldn't have showed up to training camp after the 3 peat at an out of shape 340lbs.

During those 3 peat years, Kobe was widely regarded as the second best player in the league. Do you actually think the Lakers would have achieved a 3 peat with players on their roster not putting the team first?

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Originally Posted by redxalonso

If Shaq was putting the team first, he wouldn't have showed up to training camp after the 3 peat at an out of shape 340lbs.

During those 3 peat years, Kobe was widely regarded as the second best player in the league. Do you actually think the Lakers would have achieved a 3 peat with players on their roster not putting the team first?

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I said, I'm not going to argue whether Kobe is or isn't like that. It's the accusations that have been made throughout his career by other players, teammates, (and now) his coach. Having said that, Kobe was without question playing team ball during those runs and anyone who says otherwise is lying. Now, AFTER those championships. . .well, I'll let you decide.

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Originally Posted by SmytheKing

I said, I'm not going to argue whether Kobe is or isn't like that. It's the accusations that have been made throughout his career by other players, teammates, (and now) his coach. Having said that, Kobe was without question playing team ball during those runs and anyone who says otherwise is lying. Now, AFTER those championships. . .well, I'll let you decide.

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After the 3 peat, I'm pretty sure Kobe became quite passive with his play for a period of time, until it was necessary to take matters into his own hands. He was trying to be the "facilitator" of the team.

The bottom line is, I think the media's criticism focused on Kobe is over done because Shaq, Kobe, and the Lakers front office(mainly Jerry Buss) were all guilty of taking their success for granted. The organization imploded and the Laker front office did a horrible job building a competitive team around Kobe post 3 peat.

IMO the root of the problem wasn't Kobe who was all business about winning, but Shaq turning into a fat slob, and a the same time couldn't shut up in claiming the Lakers being "HIS" team. Did you ever get the feeling that Shaq, Karl Malone and Payton were trying to marginalize Kobe?

Can the Lakers trade Kobe already?

Yes. Will they? No.

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Originally Posted by 33isgod

Yes. Will they? No.

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You wanna bet on that?

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Originally Posted by SmytheKing

You wanna bet on that?

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His question was implying if they were going to trade him right now. As of right now, he's still here. So technically i win.

Anyone watching the game? What a heartbreaker. All the heart to comeback from a 10 point deficit with a minute left only to have Battier shoot a 3 with 2 seconds left. Great effort tonight even though they came up short 95-93. Atleast this team has heart.

Believe it or not, Lakers lost because of Kobe's poor shooting at the free throw line. Kobe went 18/27 from
the line. Horrible!

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Originally Posted by 33isgod

Believe it or not, Lakers lost because of Kobe's poor shooting at the free throw line. Kobe went 18/27 from
the line. Horrible!

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Wasn't because of him taking 42% of the teams shots and making only 40% of those?

Man, I can't wait to get rid of this guy and start over.

I could only stomach the first 5 minutes of the game and couldn't stop laughing. The teams combined for 2 points in the first 4 minutes. 4 points after 5. I love the NBA.