Thread: Kobe: Hire West or trade me

Originally Posted by jbruin152

I wouldn't go so far as to say he's been the problem, but he has exacerbated the problem. The Bynum pick isn't looking too hot right now, the Vujacic and Cook picks were terrible, and the FA signings have been uninspiring at best (granted the Shaq trade just left us with more big contracts and little wiggle room).

Hopefully Kwame's expiring contract plus Odom and/or Bynum can be valuable to someone, but probably not now that our management has no negotiating leverage considering they've been called out by their poster boy.

Oh, and I miss Derek Fisher too.

You're right. In my anger I tend to lash out. I've gotta be honest though, I'm so tired of his **** right now. I would KILL to have that number one pick right now. I just wish it could have been a team like Boston that got it so there was a possibility that we could trade him for that pick and scrubs. Those contracts expire. Look to land some solid guys that can play defense and hit some shots. Right back on top. Not now though. Not for a loooooooooooong time.

Originally Posted by SmytheKing

You're right. In my anger I tend to lash out. I've gotta be honest though, I'm so tired of his **** right now. I would KILL to have that number one pick right now. I just wish it could have been a team like Boston that got it so there was a possibility that we could trade him for that pick and scrubs. Those contracts expire. Look to land some solid guys that can play defense and hit some shots. Right back on top. Not now though. Not for a loooooooooooong time.

Question: was it worth it for the three rings?

I think so. We're spoiled.

Originally Posted by jbruin152

Question: was it worth it for the three rings?

I think so. We're spoiled.

Here's the thing though, he played some of his best basketball during that time. Hell, I was arguing that he deserved to share the MVP trophy on their third one. He was amazing in that series. I'll give credit when it's due, but he's been self-destructing for four years and it's killing this team.

Spoiled for sure. I don't want it to even out over the next several years however.

Originally Posted by SmytheKing

Yeah. Think of all the free agents they shouldn't have passed up. C'mon man. Kobe has been the problem on this team for years now. Nothing's changed. He's tied their hands after more or less forcing management to trade Shaq.

funny how you blame Kobe and forget about Buss not wanting to include Shaq in the Lakers' future, Mitch slamming Shaq in public, and Shaq's big ego that made him cruise at 75% until the playoffs and made him always get tired of his teammates (slammed Penny when he came to LA, slammed Kobe and Phil when he went to Miami)

Originally Posted by jbruin152

I wouldn't go so far as to say he's been the problem, but he has exacerbated the problem. The Bynum pick isn't looking too hot right now, the Vujacic and Cook picks were terrible, and the FA signings have been uninspiring at best (granted the Shaq trade just left us with more big contracts and little wiggle room).

Not to mention signing Vlad Rad, Aaron McKie, and Smush. I also hate the Cook pick, considering Barbossa and Josh Howard were both on the board, but Mitch likes to stick to his plan on draft day instead of picking the best player available. Also, drafting Rush over Tashaun Prince hurts.

Originally Posted by DiehardKingsFan

funny how you blame Kobe and forget about Buss not wanting to include Shaq in the Lakers' future, Mitch slamming Shaq in public, and Shaq's big ego that made him cruise at 75% until the playoffs and made him always get tired of his teammates (slammed Penny when he came to LA, slammed Kobe and Phil when he went to Miami)

It's not so much that he's blaming Kobe and letting Shaq off the hook. Shaq isn't here, and hasn't been for 3 years. They both were to blame for the fractionalization of the team, but right now he's just not part of the equation any more.

Also, a crucial point. Shaq is the exact opposite of Kobe in the press; he knows how to work them. He may not be the brightest guy on the planet, but he is personable and charismatic, whereas Kobe's behavior just evokes very little sympathy and he really doesn't know when to just shut up.

there's a lot of loathing going around in here.

Originally Posted by 33isgod

there's a lot of loathing going around in here.

Losing will do that to a fan base.

Blame, blame, blame.

Why do you guys hate the Lakers? Oh yeah...I know why...cause they win Championships. Almost everyone on this website hates winners. Thats why the Kings are so loved. Cause they are loosers.

Me personally, I used to like the Lakers in the 80s with Magic and Kareem. As a Knick fan, the Lakers were my last line of defense every year against the teams I really hated--Boston, Philadelphia and Detroit. Even the Bulls that last time in the Finals for them. Then you guys went out and collected everybody I can't stand, Phil Jackson to be the coach, Shaq, Rodman, etc. Kobe turned out to be an unlikable, arrogant punk. All you were missing was Danny Ainge and Horace Grant to be my all time most hated team.

So someday I probably won't hate the Lakers again, but who knows? As a Knick fan we have our own problems.