New Interview:Kobe does not want to be traded,but still wants changes

pgl · Starting Rotation Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 456

His no trade clause is in effect for another 2 years,unless he waives it.

Small interview below,

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-bryant27may27,0,6373035.story?coll=la-home-sports

Twenty-four days later, No. 24 was still simmering.

Time has not tempered the frustration felt by the cornerstone of the Lakers' franchise, who has watched two key teammates — Kwame Brown and Lamar Odom — face medical issues that have thrust their off-season into doubt, as well as many trade possibilities for the team.

The Lakers that were seen at the end of the season might look a lot like those that return for the start of 2007-08, with some minor additions here and there. It isn't sitting well with Kobe Bryant.

"I want to see us get to a contending level," he said Saturday with firmness in his voice. "I want to see us become a championship contender. It's been a frustrating process for me and I'm sure it's been a frustrating process for all Laker fans. I'm just hoping we can get to that level. I'm still frustrated. I'm waiting for them to make some changes."

Bryant, though, didn't want to elaborate on what changes he thought could be made.

Bryant said Saturday he did not want to be traded. He has a no-trade clause in his contract for what is believed to be two more seasons, although he holds the right to waive it. He still has four years and $88.6 million left on his contract and has the option of terminating the contract in two years, which would leave a hefty $47.8 million on the table.

24KaratGold · Franchise Player Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 17350

You scared the (bleep) out of me because I overlooked the word not in the title
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Hector the Pup · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject:

That word may not be there in a year if nothing happens this summer.

Texas_Pete · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject:

Plaschke thinks it's time to deal Kobe:

It's time to trade Bryant

The superstar keeps dropping bombs of disappointment, and it's becoming clear that he won't win another title with these Lakers.
8:35 PM PDT,May 26 2007

Can you hear him?

"I'm still frustrated."

Are you listening?

"I'm waiting for them to make some changes."

Do you understand what Kobe Bryant was saying Saturday in an interview with The Times' Mike Bresnahan?

Bryant is still frustrated even though the Lakers have had nearly a month to calm him.

Bryant is still demanding changes even though he knows surgeries to trade-worthy Kwame Brown and Lamar Odom will prevent them from making changes.

Can you hear him?

Kobe Bryant is asking the Lakers to soothe him beyond their ability, and trade beyond their resources.

Could it be that he is asking for something else entirely?

Could Kobe Bryant be asking for a trade without asking for a trade?

Sounds like it.

Sounds exactly like it.

Sounds like Bryant heard the expected bad news about Odom, the surprise bad news about Brown, the stunning lottery news that has Greg Oden and Kevin Durant coming to the Western Conference, and he knows.

He knows his chances of winning another championship here during his prime are now officially nearing zero.

He knows that the Lakers' best trade option this summer is now him.

He knows that if he publicly demands a trade, the Lakers would scold him and fans would skewer him.

So he continues to drop little bombs of dissatisfaction like he drops three-point shots, quick and unexpected and chilling.

Bryant clearly stated Saturday that he had not asked for a trade.

But those little bombs have finally backed the Lakers into a corner out of which the only exit is to trade him.

And you know something? It's time. They should do it. It hurts to even write the words. But they should do it.

Bryant is the most entertaining athlete in American sports, a perfect fit for America's entertainment capital.

But Los Angeles is also about winning. And the smart Lakers fans are about winning. And as constituted, the Lakers cannot get past the first round with Bryant, much less win a championship with him.

His high salary keeps them from getting a second superstar needed to win. Poor trades have left the lineup bereft of the top role players needed to win. And with Bryant on the floor, the Lakers will always be barely too good for a lottery draft pick needed to win.

What many fearfully suspected when Jerry Buss handed Bryant the franchise three years ago has been proven true.

Bryant has given Los Angeles fans wonderful moments, but, asked to carry an ordinary team, he cannot give them championship moments.

Given his understandable unhappiness, Bryant's most enduring value is now in the players that can be acquired for him.

Bryant began hinting at his unrest during the embarrassing playoff series against Phoenix, when I asked him about his desire to win another championship before age robs his ability.

"We definitely have to get to that elite level, and get to that elite level, like, now," he said then.

After his postseason meeting with Lakers bosses, he spoke again about wanting to be a champion again.

"I don't want to wait anymore than I already have," he said.

He drove home from the facility and waited around for good news and what happened? Nothing but bad.

Lamar Odom's shoulder surgery was as awful as expected, ended Odom's chances of being an attractive trade commodity this summer.

Kwame Brown's upcoming ankle surgery is feared to be worse than expected, also probably ending his chances of being traded.

Portland won the draft lottery and franchise center Oden, meaning they could be a playoff team next season.

Seattle won the second choice in the lottery, which it will certainly use on franchise scorer Durant, also changing their franchises.

Bryant saw all this, knew that the Lakers' immediate future has become even more hopeless, and what did he do?

When Bresnahan contacted him Saturday during a usually calm time in the NBA cycle, Bryant continued to cite his frustration, and continued to ask for change.

Bryant didn't ask for a trade because he is savvy enough to know that such a move would make him a villain again.

Instead, Bryant is seemingly trying to persuade the Lakers to do the one thing they would never, ever do on their own.

General Manager Mitch Kupchak has said hundreds of times that he would never trade Bryant. But if Kupchak thinks he doesn't have a choice?

He could make a deal and hint that Bryant was unhappy, thus relieving himself of the blame. Bryant could — and would — nullify his no-trade clause, thus supporting Kupchak's claim.

The Lakers could acquire another superstar and a couple of top draft picks, rebuild the team like it was once rebuilt with Shaquille O'Neal and Bryant, and everyone would be happy.

Kupchak would not talk about such a scenario. In fact, when contacted by Lakers officials on Saturday, the amiable Kupchak politely refused to do any sort of interview on the subject.

He said he had already answered these questions, and he was right.

The problem is, he has no answers.

About Bryant's frustration, Kupchak earlier said, "We feel exactly the same way."

About his off-season plans, Kupchak said, "We're going to be as aggressive as we've always been."

The answer, of course, would be to never trade Shaquille O'Neal, but Kupchak had no choice. If Bryant indeed feels the way he sounds, Kupchak has no choice again.

Critics will wail that it's all so unfair and unseemly. Critics will say that once again, the Lakers are bowing to the mantra that what Kobe wants, Kobe gets.

Only this time, Kobe is right.

Hector the Pup · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:05 pm Post subject:

They won't do it this year and quite frankly, I don't trust anyone in the front office to do a competent job of it if it does come down to it next summer.

Of course, they won't have to worry about what Phil thinks because he'd be gone as a coach, but between Jimmy and Mitch, there's still enough to screw things up.

Hector the Pup · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject:

If it does come down to it, it would not suprise me in the least to see Kobe just walk in 09. The front office will be too gunshy to try and do another trade of that magnitude, so they'll freeze up next summer. They'll try and pitch the promise of capspace and building another dynasty. In the meantime, Kobe leaves for Charlotte, who will have the cap space and the infrastructure all set, just waiting for a superstar to complete the puzzle and rule the East.

Laker7 · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:

Plaschke is a moron.

Kobe is pissed and has every right to be. When he signed with the Lakers, he was promised that a championship contending team would be built around him after Shaq was traded. Chucky Atkins, Smush Parker, Sasha Vujacic, Brian Cook, Aaron McKie, and Vlade Divac do not constitute keeping that promise. He and Phil are putting the heat on Mitch for screwing up for so long.

Now Plaschke is going to suggest trading Kobe instead of going after the real problem (Mitch's dumb behind).
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Darvin Ham is an idiot!

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32752

Kobe should really read LG. He'll realize that Mitch is a frigging genius, and that it was only the injury bug that kept us from being championship contenders.

Hector the Pup · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:21 pm Post subject:

Basketball Fan · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 24760

Runway8 · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:26 pm Post subject:

Hector the Pup · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:26 pm Post subject:

Basketball Fan · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 24760

^ No but he's part owner which can't be that great either.

Hector the Pup · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject:

Doesn't matter. The players are already there.

As a part owner, the only thing MJ has done is not show up, which isn't a bad thing, and express no interest in signing VC.

Laker7 · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject:

Runway8,

We haven't made any "dominant" trades....what makes you think we need a dominant decision maker? We just need someone who knows the difference between a talented player and a pile of horse dung.

Laker7
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Darvin Ham is an idiot!

Capt.Skyhook · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:39 pm Post subject:

I hope Kobe didn't expect changes to be made this soon. If this was Sept. I would understand, but players can't be moved yet.

If he's that pissed, Kupchak needs to talk to him to let him know who they are going after. Maybe that would help. He doesn't need Kobe's approval, but keeping him informed of the process would be a big help.

Laker7 · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:43 pm Post subject:

Hector the Pup · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:45 pm Post subject:

Pappy · Star Player Joined: 02 May 2004 Posts: 3203

well, Mith said when kobe first made his statement, he was frustrrated and would soon calm down. I guess two things have happened, kobe hasnt calmed down and Mitch doesnt know Kobe very well!

one thing i like about Jim Buss is, at least he's talkin reality wether changes will come or not, Mitch and his magic wand seems too be just pissen in the wind!

Hector the Pup · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 10:00 pm Post subject:

What exactly has little Jimmy said that would be considered talking reality?

hitmankb · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 10:25 pm Post subject:

Why would kobe want to be traded to any other team? If he was, the other teams best Player or Players would come to LA, leaving kobe with NO supporting cast!

Plaschke is an Idiot!

Im all for getting Artest IF possible, Resigning a HEALTHY (if possible) Mihm, and using the MLE for a PG..
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Hector the Pup · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject:

SoCal88 · Star Player Joined: 11 Apr 2001 Posts: 7486

tw-lakbfan · Franchise Player Joined: 29 Jun 2001 Posts: 16636

Plaschke went all the out way to think for Kobe. Kobe's true intention was this and that. Kobe wants a big trade. Oh, sure. Like Plaschke has any crediblity. This kind of writing, to skew and spin matters to only portray what the writers deem to be true, is disgusting.

Terry_Teagle · Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 1:42 am Post subject:

Kobe still frustrated...WOW that's a shocker! Don't expect his attitude to change until some attempts at improving are made.