Lakers in the News 2/16/14: "Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money" & Kobe questions his basketball mortality
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:13 am    Post subject: Lakers in the News 2/16/14: "Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money" & Kobe questions his basketball mortality

Quote:
The scoop from an L.A. Lakers insider


David Simon
Posted: Sunday, February 16, 2014 1:30 am

Some things in life are about what you know, some are who you know. Today we’re in the who you know portion. When I worked for NBA.com, one of my colleagues was a fellow named Dave McMenamin, who has since gone on to become the Lakers’ beat writer for ESPN, also appearing on Fox Sports to discuss the goings on of the purple and gold. Since the NBA is on All-Star break, I decided to holler at Mr. McMenamin and see if he might answer a few questions I had about the team and to provide some insight for Kauai’s Laker nation. Here is that Q&A with one of L.A.’s most knowledgeable sources.
David Simon: While many expected the Lakers to be a fringe playoff team this year, the injuries have been way too much to overcome. Nobody really saw 18-35 coming, so what is the team’s mindset right now, as best you can tell? What was their attitude to start the season? How has it changed and what goals do they to hope to reach after the All-Star break?
Dave McMenamin: Since most of the guys who are healthy for L.A. right now are still young and looking to carve out a career – players like Kendall Marshall, Wes Johnson, Ryan Kelly, Robert Sacre – doom and gloom hasn’t set in with this team just yet. Playing big minutes in the NBA, even if it’s resulting in 22 losses in the last 27 games for the team, isn’t something those guys are taking for granted so I think that’s delayed the doom and gloom process of totally setting in around this team. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told me this week that when the team was 10-9 with Kobe Bryant’s return just around the corner, there was a lot of optimism of what they could accomplish this season. As it stands now, the goals are much more meager – use the final 29 games of the season to evaluate the players who will become free agents come July 1 to prioritize who they want back; play hard and keep it competitive every night so they still sell tickets to games; and hope that no more injuries occur to this already ravaged roster.
DS: As happens every season, the Pau Gasol trade rumors are back again. Do you expect him to be dealt? Do you expect him to be with the team beyond this season? What would Kobe prefer and how much of his influence might the team take into consideration?
DM: Yes, I expect him to be dealt if the right deal is out there. The Lakers are seeking more than just salary cap relief by trading Gasol, however. If all they wanted to do was save money, the Andrew Bynum deal would have happened with Cleveland weeks ago. The team views Gasol as one of the few pieces it has that it can flip to acquire assets that will help them in the future. If the right deal doesn’t present itself, I still don’t see Gasol returning to the team beyond this season. He will still be looking for a salary in the $10-12 million range after making north of $19 million this season and the Lakers won’t be willing to pay that much, no matter what Bryant feels about him.


http://thegardenisland.com/sports/the-scoop-from-an-l-a-lakers-insider/article_769f158c-96d1-11e3-86be-0019bb2963f4.html


Last edited by Cha*n on Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:54 pm; edited 2 times in total
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:17 am    Post subject:

Quote:
Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money

This just in: No, the Lakers didn’t just lay $48.5 million on Kobe Bryant out of the blue.

If they had (as the team and Bryant said they did), then it would have been generous to a fault, closing down options for the next two seasons.

If, on the other hand, the process was mutual with both sides signaling their interest and compromising on the price, it’s something else – an expensive but arguably reasonable, decision to retain Kobe to help them transition.

Indeed, that’s what happened, Lakers insiders told the Register.
The Lakers had already begun thinking about extending Bryant – Jeanie Buss was all for it, Jim more deliberate – when the two sides began feeling each other out before Kobe’s return in December.

When word came back that Bryant liked the idea of getting it done, the bargaining started.

Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player.

As originally reported, Jim and Jeanie agreed because it’s what their father would have done.

They may have even done it on their father’s advice, since Jerry Buss did the same thing to thank Magic Johnson for his extraordinary contribution.
Whatever the case, the situations weren’t the same.


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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:17 am    Post subject:

Quote:
Shawne Williams' 10-day contract with Lakers expires

By Eric Pincus
February 16, 2014, 7:29 a.m.

Shawne Williams' 10-day contract with the Lakers expires Sunday, leaving him a free agent on his 28th birthday.

The 6-foot-9 forward signed with the Lakers on Feb. 6 for $69,998. Because Williams is on a minimum contract, the NBA will reimburse the Lakers $17,981 with $52,017 of Williams' salary counting against the team's salary cap and luxury tax.

Williams was originally picked up by the Lakers in the off-season, signing a non-guaranteed contract. Before his contract locked in for the entire season, the team waived him Jan. 7.

In 36 games this season, Williams averaged 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 38% from the field.



http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-shawne-williams-10-day-contract-expires-20140216,0,3606010.story#ixzz2tVNKKVuv
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:22 am    Post subject:

Thanks for the assist 32

Lakers news is scarce this morning. Usually around 2pm - 4pm articles start coming in. A few nice reads this morning though. For the 1st time in my short memory there are no Lakers at the All-star game.


Some news for the All-star gala.

John Wall‘s final dunk of the night won the 2014 Slam Dunk Contest
http://www.prosportsdaily.com/Headlines/ExternalArticle?articleId=290527


In the first year of the new 3-point contest format, the 27-year old Marco Belinelli emerged victorious
[url=http://www.prosportsdaily.com/Headlines/ExternalArticle?articleId=290526

NBA All-Star Game 2014: Time, TV schedule, radio and more
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/2/16/5411434/2014-nba-all-star-game-schedule-tv-time-radio

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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:48 am    Post subject:

32 wrote:
Quote:
Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money

This just in: No, the Lakers didn’t just lay $48.5 million on Kobe Bryant out of the blue.

If they had (as the team and Bryant said they did), then it would have been generous to a fault, closing down options for the next two seasons.

If, on the other hand, the process was mutual with both sides signaling their interest and compromising on the price, it’s something else – an expensive but arguably reasonable, decision to retain Kobe to help them transition.

Indeed, that’s what happened, Lakers insiders told the Register.
The Lakers had already begun thinking about extending Bryant – Jeanie Buss was all for it, Jim more deliberate – when the two sides began feeling each other out before Kobe’s return in December.

When word came back that Bryant liked the idea of getting it done, the bargaining started.

Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player.

As originally reported, Jim and Jeanie agreed because it’s what their father would have done.

They may have even done it on their father’s advice, since Jerry Buss did the same thing to thank Magic Johnson for his extraordinary contribution.
Whatever the case, the situations weren’t the same.


OC Register


IF THIS IS TRUE "Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player";

Then KB's priorities are clearly:

1. Money
2. All time scoring leader
3. Championships (a DISTANT third).

One could make an argument for flipping #1 and #2.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:59 am    Post subject:

RI Laker wrote:
32 wrote:
Quote:
Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money

This just in: No, the Lakers didn’t just lay $48.5 million on Kobe Bryant out of the blue.

If they had (as the team and Bryant said they did), then it would have been generous to a fault, closing down options for the next two seasons.

If, on the other hand, the process was mutual with both sides signaling their interest and compromising on the price, it’s something else – an expensive but arguably reasonable, decision to retain Kobe to help them transition.

Indeed, that’s what happened, Lakers insiders told the Register.
The Lakers had already begun thinking about extending Bryant – Jeanie Buss was all for it, Jim more deliberate – when the two sides began feeling each other out before Kobe’s return in December.

When word came back that Bryant liked the idea of getting it done, the bargaining started.

Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player.

As originally reported, Jim and Jeanie agreed because it’s what their father would have done.

They may have even done it on their father’s advice, since Jerry Buss did the same thing to thank Magic Johnson for his extraordinary contribution.
Whatever the case, the situations weren’t the same.


OC Register


IF THIS IS TRUE "Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player";

Then KB's priorities are clearly:

1. Money
2. All time scoring leader
3. Championships (a DISTANT third).

One could make an argument for flipping #1 and #2.


Kobe didn't actually "SAY" these things. He said these things through an agent.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:44 am    Post subject:

RI Laker wrote:
32 wrote:
Quote:
Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money

This just in: No, the Lakers didn’t just lay $48.5 million on Kobe Bryant out of the blue.

If they had (as the team and Bryant said they did), then it would have been generous to a fault, closing down options for the next two seasons.

If, on the other hand, the process was mutual with both sides signaling their interest and compromising on the price, it’s something else – an expensive but arguably reasonable, decision to retain Kobe to help them transition.

Indeed, that’s what happened, Lakers insiders told the Register.
The Lakers had already begun thinking about extending Bryant – Jeanie Buss was all for it, Jim more deliberate – when the two sides began feeling each other out before Kobe’s return in December.

When word came back that Bryant liked the idea of getting it done, the bargaining started.

Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player.

As originally reported, Jim and Jeanie agreed because it’s what their father would have done.

They may have even done it on their father’s advice, since Jerry Buss did the same thing to thank Magic Johnson for his extraordinary contribution.
Whatever the case, the situations weren’t the same.


OC Register


IF THIS IS TRUE "Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player";

Then KB's priorities are clearly:

1. Money
2. All time scoring leader
3. Championships (a DISTANT third).

One could make an argument for flipping #1 and #2.



He's always been about the money, but he does shot his azzz off so you may be right.

If he were about the Chips "as he says he is", he'd have passed up on the big bucks. That would NOT guarantee players coming over but it would not have been a blocker as is today...
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:53 am    Post subject:

RI Laker wrote:
32 wrote:
Quote:
Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money

This just in: No, the Lakers didn’t just lay $48.5 million on Kobe Bryant out of the blue.

If they had (as the team and Bryant said they did), then it would have been generous to a fault, closing down options for the next two seasons.

If, on the other hand, the process was mutual with both sides signaling their interest and compromising on the price, it’s something else – an expensive but arguably reasonable, decision to retain Kobe to help them transition.

Indeed, that’s what happened, Lakers insiders told the Register.
The Lakers had already begun thinking about extending Bryant – Jeanie Buss was all for it, Jim more deliberate – when the two sides began feeling each other out before Kobe’s return in December.

When word came back that Bryant liked the idea of getting it done, the bargaining started.

Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player.

As originally reported, Jim and Jeanie agreed because it’s what their father would have done.

They may have even done it on their father’s advice, since Jerry Buss did the same thing to thank Magic Johnson for his extraordinary contribution.
Whatever the case, the situations weren’t the same.


OC Register


IF THIS IS TRUE "Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player";

Then KB's priorities are clearly:

1. Money
2. All time scoring leader
3. Championships (a DISTANT third).

One could make an argument for flipping #1 and #2.


well, you just realize this? Kobe accomplished all he needed to when he won that 09 title (the first w/o in Shaq's shadow). don't you ever believe that each year short of a title is wasted year BS Kobe's been saying, it was clearly Kobe's intention to get all the $$$ he can get from Lakers. i'm disappointed in Jim Buss, i've been his biggest defender on this forum, but he really caved to Jeannie and Kobe's pressure on this one, he should've told Kobe without seeing you play a game 2 year 20mil, take or leave it.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:59 am    Post subject:

Money is important to every NBA player. It's why I laugh every time someone posits that someone like Kobe would settle for MLE money or less to go to a winning team. I remember people saying that about Arenas, Westbrook, and Love too, that they were strange enough cats to pass up he guaranteed cash, and yet they all took their max contracts when push came to shove.

Money is always a priority.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 10:25 am    Post subject:

mhan00 wrote:
Money is important to every NBA player. It's why I laugh every time someone posits that someone like Kobe would settle for MLE money or less to go to a winning team. I remember people saying that about Arenas, Westbrook, and Love too, that they were strange enough cats to pass up he guaranteed cash, and yet they all took their max contracts when push came to shove.

Money is always a priority.


That must make a guy like lebron look good.

But in all honesty, i dont mind the lakers gaiving him the deal, its only for 2 years. The way i look at it, as long as kobe ist he face of the franchise it will sell tickets which is their main priority. Without kobe as seen this year, their tv rating dropped, cant even get on national broadcasting, and cant even sell out home games consistently. They will ride him till they can get a new star.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 10:57 am    Post subject:

SGV-Laker fan wrote:
RI Laker wrote:
32 wrote:
Quote:
Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money

This just in: No, the Lakers didn’t just lay $48.5 million on Kobe Bryant out of the blue.

If they had (as the team and Bryant said they did), then it would have been generous to a fault, closing down options for the next two seasons.

If, on the other hand, the process was mutual with both sides signaling their interest and compromising on the price, it’s something else – an expensive but arguably reasonable, decision to retain Kobe to help them transition.

Indeed, that’s what happened, Lakers insiders told the Register.
The Lakers had already begun thinking about extending Bryant – Jeanie Buss was all for it, Jim more deliberate – when the two sides began feeling each other out before Kobe’s return in December.

When word came back that Bryant liked the idea of getting it done, the bargaining started.

Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player.

As originally reported, Jim and Jeanie agreed because it’s what their father would have done.

They may have even done it on their father’s advice, since Jerry Buss did the same thing to thank Magic Johnson for his extraordinary contribution.
Whatever the case, the situations weren’t the same.


OC Register


IF THIS IS TRUE "Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player";

Then KB's priorities are clearly:

1. Money
2. All time scoring leader
3. Championships (a DISTANT third).

One could make an argument for flipping #1 and #2.


well, you just realize this? Kobe accomplished all he needed to when he won that 09 title (the first w/o in Shaq's shadow). don't you ever believe that each year short of a title is wasted year BS Kobe's been saying, it was clearly Kobe's intention to get all the $$$ he can get from Lakers. i'm disappointed in Jim Buss, i've been his biggest defender on this forum, but he really caved to Jeannie and Kobe's pressure on this one, he should've told Kobe without seeing you play a game 2 year 20mil, take or leave it.

I think Kobe's #1 intention is still winning another title. He's always been chasing Jordan, which means winning at least one more ring, and with Kobe it's always been winning or misery. Maybe when they were negotiating both sides came to the realization that the chances of him winning #6 were realistically slim to none, so they decided to make up for that by paying Kobe as much as they could to end his career.

I think the money part for Kobe is part of his alpha dog mentality, of needing to be the top dog. Jordan got paid $30+ million a year his last 2 seasons.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 11:09 am    Post subject:

It was very clear what Kobe's & the Lakers priorities were when the amount settled on was announced: 1) making sure his legacy as a top paid alpha baller was maintained, and 2) doing so with at least a small shot at his 6th, which does not look very likely at this point.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 11:16 am    Post subject:

SGV-Laker fan wrote:
RI Laker wrote:
32 wrote:
Quote:
Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money

This just in: No, the Lakers didn’t just lay $48.5 million on Kobe Bryant out of the blue.

If they had (as the team and Bryant said they did), then it would have been generous to a fault, closing down options for the next two seasons.

If, on the other hand, the process was mutual with both sides signaling their interest and compromising on the price, it’s something else – an expensive but arguably reasonable, decision to retain Kobe to help them transition.

Indeed, that’s what happened, Lakers insiders told the Register.
The Lakers had already begun thinking about extending Bryant – Jeanie Buss was all for it, Jim more deliberate – when the two sides began feeling each other out before Kobe’s return in December.

When word came back that Bryant liked the idea of getting it done, the bargaining started.

Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player.

As originally reported, Jim and Jeanie agreed because it’s what their father would have done.

They may have even done it on their father’s advice, since Jerry Buss did the same thing to thank Magic Johnson for his extraordinary contribution.
Whatever the case, the situations weren’t the same.


OC Register


IF THIS IS TRUE "Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player";

Then KB's priorities are clearly:

1. Money
2. All time scoring leader
3. Championships (a DISTANT third).

One could make an argument for flipping #1 and #2.


well, you just realize this? Kobe accomplished all he needed to when he won that 09 title (the first w/o in Shaq's shadow). don't you ever believe that each year short of a title is wasted year BS Kobe's been saying, it was clearly Kobe's intention to get all the $$$ he can get from Lakers. i'm disappointed in Jim Buss, i've been his biggest defender on this forum, but he really caved to Jeannie and Kobe's pressure on this one, he should've told Kobe without seeing you play a game 2 year 20mil, take or leave it.


What?!?! That is what a thoughtless, ungracious fan would say. No way do you tell a legendary championship all time great, who by his contributions can qualify as the Lakers all time greatest player to take it or leave it. The audacity of these so called Laker fans are through the roof! SMH!
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 11:20 am    Post subject:

LakerDYnasty72 wrote:
It was very clear what Kobe's & the Lakers priorities were when the amount settled on was announced: 1) making sure his legacy as a top paid alpha baller was maintained, and 2) doing so with at least a small shot at his 6th, which does not look very likely at this point.


They still are in a position to make major improvements. Why not wait and see what is on the horizon this summer?
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 11:52 am    Post subject:

KobeButler wrote:
mhan00 wrote:
Money is important to every NBA player. It's why I laugh every time someone posits that someone like Kobe would settle for MLE money or less to go to a winning team. I remember people saying that about Arenas, Westbrook, and Love too, that they were strange enough cats to pass up he guaranteed cash, and yet they all took their max contracts when push came to shove.

Money is always a priority.


That must make a guy like lebron look good.

But in all honesty, i dont mind the lakers gaiving him the deal, its only for 2 years. The way i look at it, as long as kobe ist he face of the franchise it will sell tickets which is their main priority. Without kobe as seen this year, their tv rating dropped, cant even get on national broadcasting, and cant even sell out home games consistently. They will ride him till they can get a new star.


Why is it always about Kobe? The Lakers are not on national TV because they stink and are not entertaining. End of story.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 11:58 am    Post subject:

Dwarf Nebula wrote:
KobeButler wrote:
mhan00 wrote:
Money is important to every NBA player. It's why I laugh every time someone posits that someone like Kobe would settle for MLE money or less to go to a winning team. I remember people saying that about Arenas, Westbrook, and Love too, that they were strange enough cats to pass up he guaranteed cash, and yet they all took their max contracts when push came to shove.

Money is always a priority.


That must make a guy like lebron look good.

But in all honesty, i dont mind the lakers gaiving him the deal, its only for 2 years. The way i look at it, as long as kobe ist he face of the franchise it will sell tickets which is their main priority. Without kobe as seen this year, their tv rating dropped, cant even get on national broadcasting, and cant even sell out home games consistently. They will ride him till they can get a new star.


Why is it always about Kobe? The Lakers are not on national TV because they stink and are not entertaining. End of story.


Because it is about Kobe. Same record,same futility, same everything but put Kobe on the team, the Lakers get far better ratings. Why? Because it's Kobe.

Now, if Kobe is hobbling around looking like (bleep), maybe you'll see a drop, maybe. But even if Kobe was average, people will tune in to watch.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 12:03 pm    Post subject:

32 wrote:
Quote:
Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money

This just in: No, the Lakers didn’t just lay $48.5 million on Kobe Bryant out of the blue.

If they had (as the team and Bryant said they did), then it would have been generous to a fault, closing down options for the next two seasons.

If, on the other hand, the process was mutual with both sides signaling their interest and compromising on the price, it’s something else – an expensive but arguably reasonable, decision to retain Kobe to help them transition.

Indeed, that’s what happened, Lakers insiders told the Register.
The Lakers had already begun thinking about extending Bryant – Jeanie Buss was all for it, Jim more deliberate – when the two sides began feeling each other out before Kobe’s return in December.

When word came back that Bryant liked the idea of getting it done, the bargaining started.

Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player.

As originally reported, Jim and Jeanie agreed because it’s what their father would have done.

They may have even done it on their father’s advice, since Jerry Buss did the same thing to thank Magic Johnson for his extraordinary contribution.
Whatever the case, the situations weren’t the same.


OC Register


The Bryant contract is not about pay-for-performance. After Howard walked away, I don't think the Buss kids wanted a drawn out media battle with Bryant over his new contract.

So they politely gave Bryant several options, which were trade-offs between Bryant's salary and remaining cap space to sign FAs.

Bryant took the one most favorable to him, and the team be damned.

The cover story, from the Buss kids, is that Jerry would have wanted it this way.

A major blunder by the Lakers, and a selfish play by Bryant.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 12:54 pm    Post subject:

salvosation wrote:
LakerDYnasty72 wrote:
It was very clear what Kobe's & the Lakers priorities were when the amount settled on was announced: 1) making sure his legacy as a top paid alpha baller was maintained, and 2) doing so with at least a small shot at his 6th, which does not look very likely at this point.


They still are in a position to make major improvements. Why not wait and see what is on the horizon this summer?


More than willing to wait for the improvements. Doesn't invalidate my previous statement.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 2:22 pm    Post subject:

Dwarf Nebula wrote:
KobeButler wrote:
mhan00 wrote:
Money is important to every NBA player. It's why I laugh every time someone posits that someone like Kobe would settle for MLE money or less to go to a winning team. I remember people saying that about Arenas, Westbrook, and Love too, that they were strange enough cats to pass up he guaranteed cash, and yet they all took their max contracts when push came to shove.

Money is always a priority.


That must make a guy like lebron look good.

But in all honesty, i dont mind the lakers gaiving him the deal, its only for 2 years. The way i look at it, as long as kobe ist he face of the franchise it will sell tickets which is their main priority. Without kobe as seen this year, their tv rating dropped, cant even get on national broadcasting, and cant even sell out home games consistently. They will ride him till they can get a new star.


Why is it always about Kobe? The Lakers are not on national TV because they stink and are not entertaining. End of story.


They aren't on national tv cause theirs no reason for them to be...even if we stink Kobe's star power will put them on tv cause people will still pay to see him.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 2:35 pm    Post subject:

LGTownDrunk wrote:
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Quote:
Heisler: How Lakers actually gave Kobe all that money

This just in: No, the Lakers didn’t just lay $48.5 million on Kobe Bryant out of the blue.

If they had (as the team and Bryant said they did), then it would have been generous to a fault, closing down options for the next two seasons.

If, on the other hand, the process was mutual with both sides signaling their interest and compromising on the price, it’s something else – an expensive but arguably reasonable, decision to retain Kobe to help them transition.

Indeed, that’s what happened, Lakers insiders told the Register.
The Lakers had already begun thinking about extending Bryant – Jeanie Buss was all for it, Jim more deliberate – when the two sides began feeling each other out before Kobe’s return in December.

When word came back that Bryant liked the idea of getting it done, the bargaining started.

Bryant asked for more than he got, but settled for remaining the NBA’s highest-paid player.

As originally reported, Jim and Jeanie agreed because it’s what their father would have done.

They may have even done it on their father’s advice, since Jerry Buss did the same thing to thank Magic Johnson for his extraordinary contribution.
Whatever the case, the situations weren’t the same.


OC Register


The Bryant contract is not about pay-for-performance. After Howard walked away, I don't think the Buss kids wanted a drawn out media battle with Bryant over his new contract.

So they politely gave Bryant several options, which were trade-offs between Bryant's salary and remaining cap space to sign FAs.

Bryant took the one most favorable to him, and the team be damned.

The cover story, from the Buss kids, is that Jerry would have wanted it this way.

A major blunder by the Lakers, and a selfish play by Bryant.


well said. i blame Lakers front office more on this one, can't really hate on Kobe's intention of getting most $$$ on his last contract. but Lakers front office underestimated the intelligence of most Laker fans, they believe they all come to see Kobe, WRONG, we want to see a winning product, not just some star. front office was afraid of ticket sells, sponsorship lost if Kobe goes elsewhere and was very shortsighted, little they know by limiting their chance to rebuild, they'll suffer more in the long run.
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:48 pm    Post subject:

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Kobe: Recovery 'a slow process'
Updated: February 16, 2014, 9:55 PM ET
By J.A. Adande | ESPN.com

Kobe On The Long Road Back

Kobe Bryant discusses his rehabilitation from injury and his future with the Lakers.
Tags: Kobe Bryant, Lakers

The Word: NBA First-Half Winners And Losers
NEW ORLEANS -- Kobe Bryant sounded more confident about the Los Angeles Lakers' ability to return to the ranks of the NBA's elite teams with their summer transactions than he did in his ability to return to the court this season.

Calling his recovery from a broken bone in his left knee "a slow process," Bryant was vague about the prospects of a return in the Lakers' 29 remaining games.

David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images
Kobe Bryant called his recovery from a broken bone in his knee "a slow process" and was vague about the prospects of a return to the Lakers this season.
"Just try to get better and then go from there," he said when asked of his hopes for playing. "I just try to focus, keep my blinders on and just do what I have to do and not worry too much about what's going on around you, but just stay focused on what my responsibilities are."

Bryant held a news conference before the All-Star Game. He was voted into the starting lineup by fans despite playing just six games after returning from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered last season before he broke the bone in his knee.


http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10468222/kobe-bryant-unsure-return-los-angeles-lakers-season
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:50 pm    Post subject:

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KOBE BRYANT RUNNING OUT OF TIME FOR 2013-14 LAKERS RETURN

February 16, 2014 · 9:14PM


VIDEO: Kobe Bryant’s All-Star news conference
NEW ORLEANS – The specter of Kobe Bryant missing the rest of the season grew Sunday.
The Lakers star said his recovery from a fractured left knee is “coming slowly,” and the usual defiant tone about a 2013-14 return was noticeably replaced by a non-committal response.
“I haven’t been thinking about it,” Bryant told NBA.com when asked if feels he has played his last game of the season. “I keep my blinders on and just try to get healthy.”
Asked if was as confident as before he would play again before next season, he replied, “I’m in the same emotional state as I was before. Just keep my blinders on and just keep on working and just go from there.”
Bryant missed the first 19 games of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles’ tendon, returned Dec. 8 against the Raptors, then fractured the knee Dec. 17 at Memphis after just six appearances at 29.5 minutes per. The original timetable was that he would miss approximately six weeks, or until the final days of January.
On Jan. 28, though, the Lakers announced Bryant still had pain and swelling in the knee and that his workouts would consist mostly of riding a stationary bike, part of a program of non-weight bearing exercises. That ruled him out of the All-Star game, after being voted a Western Conference starter by fans.
“It’s coming slowly,” he told a press conference at Smoothie King Center before the All-Star game. “It’s coming slowly. I’m optimistic coming into out of the break that I will have some improvements once I get back to L.A. and do a couple follow-ups and then go from there. But it’s been a slow process.”


http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/02/16/kobe-bryant-running-out-of-time-for-2013-14-lakers-return/
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:52 pm    Post subject:

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An All-Star spectator, Kobe Bryant questions his basketball mortality
February 16, 2014 8:17 pm ET


Kobe Bryant dodges questions on whether he will return to the Lakers this season. (USATSI)
NEW ORLEANS -- Questioning his longevity and openly wondering whether his body is rebelling against him, Kobe Bryant said Sunday that his latest injury woes have forced him to ask himself, "Is this it?"

"To have those conversations with yourself and not be intimidated by that and not succumb to that is part of the challenge," Bryant said in the interview room before the All-Star Game, which he is missing as he recovers from a fractured leg. "It's really the biggest challenge. Maybe this is the end, but then again, maybe it's not. And it's my responsibility to do all that I can to make sure that it's not."

Bryant, 35, only made it six games into his comeback from a ruptured Achilles' tendon before fracturing his left tibia in December. He said he'll undergo more tests after the break to measure his progress. He twice dodged a question about whether he's hopeful he'll be able to return to the 18-35 Lakers this season.


http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24446343/an-all-star-spectator-kobe-bryant-questions-his-basketball-mortality
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:56 pm    Post subject:

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NBA Rumors: Kobe Bryant doesn’t want free agent input

BY ANDREW MELNICK - FEB 16TH, 2014 AT 10:20 PM

Los Angeles Lakers‘ guard Kobe Byrant has played in just six games because of his knee injury. He was still voted into the All-Star game, but couldn’t play.

He has been at most of the weekend’s events and has answered questions about his team’s future.

Although it appears Bryant is heavily involved in the Lakers’ decisions, he gave a surprising answer when asked about the offseason.

“In all honesty, I don’t want it,” Bryant said, via Brett Pollakoff of Pro Basketball Talk. “That’s what they do. I’m not a general manager. I don’t know about scouting players and doing things of that nature, so I’ll let them do their job. They have obviously done a phenomenal job at it for years, so I’m not going to jump in the way. All I ask is if something is going to go down, just let me know about it beforehand so I don’t hear about it on a ticker or something. But that’s about it.”


http://fansided.com/2014/02/16/nba-rumors-kobe-bryant-doesnt-want-free-agent-input/#!v4Q6K
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:07 pm    Post subject:

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Kobe Bryant hopes to play in future NBA All-Star Games


8:51 PM, February 16, 2014 | 0 Comments

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant spoke before the All-Star Game on Sunday in New Orleans. / Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports

by Sean Highkin, USA TODAY Sports

NEW ORLEANS - Kobe Bryant's future is up in the air, but the Los Angeles Lakers guard doesn't sound like somebody who was finished playing at an All-Star level.

Speaking Sunday before the 2014 NBA All-Star Game that he had to sit out of because of a knee injury, Bryant was confident he would return to the level of play that Lakers fans have grown accustomed to over his 18-year career.

"I hope so," Bryant said of playing in future All-Star Games. "That means you're one of the best players in the world, so it's obviously a goal of mine to be here."


http://www.freep.com/usatoday/article/5537835
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