** The Official Los Angeles Lakers Thread **

[Livaso 0]

I don't know if this is still all happening because of what was said in the other thread by hills.It could be a threat to force them to be busy in the off season.

Indiana: O'NealAtlanta: Joe Johnson & #3 pick

I doubt he'd be willing to leave the Lakers for teams in even worse shape.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

There are ways to play around with the salary rules.I don't see them getting Wallace out of Chicago, the Bulls signed him because they needed a guy in the middle to at least play solid defense. The Bulls are loaded with young talent on the perimeter but they aren't giving up their defensive centerpiece.Other places he could be traded... (all in the East for obvious reasons) and this is just me brainstorming, not anything I've read anywhere.NJ: Carter & a pickNY: for a few of their players with bloated contractsIndiana: O'NealAtlanta: Joe Johnson & #3 pick

Ben Wallace has a no trade clause, he wouldn't waive it to go to LA where they would have a bunch of young players in re-build mode.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

It could be a threat to force them to be busy in the off season.I doubt he'd be willing to leave the Lakers for teams in even worse shape.

If you've listened to all his interviews today and yesterday, he feels betrayed by the organization. This isn't a calculated move on his part to get them to do what needs to be done, although, in the end that's what may end up happening...hopefully.

[SuitedAces21 2,723]

If the Lakers trade Kobe Bryant I will murder the person closest to me when I hear the news.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

If the Lakers trade Kobe Bryant I will murder the person closest to me when I hear the news.

This is already affecting my life. I've been following all this stuff so I forgot to set my fantasy lineup today and have a bunch of guys not playing...and I'm playing the first place team.

[SuitedAces21 2,723]

This is already affecting my life. I've been following all this stuff so I forgot to set my fantasy lineup today and have a bunch of guys not playing...and I'm playing the first place team.

I know what you mean. I couldnt get it up this afternoon. My girlfriend just didnt understand.

[CaneBrain 95]

Bill Simmons just posted a blog highlighting the top seven trade scenarios for Kobe.http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/...ryDate=20070530They can make it work a variety of ways with Chicago. Only Phoenix has more tradable assets.Gorden, Deng, 9th pick and PJ Brown was one possibility. Dont know if the Bulls would want to give up Gordon and Deng. But thats what it would probably take.edit: Chris Sheridan proposed this scenario.... Tyrus Thomas, Gordon, Duhon, and Nocioni (and a pick?) for Kobe. Sheridan says it seems like too much...I think if they can get Kobe and keep Deng and Hinrich they should do it in an instant.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

Bill Simmons just posted a blog highlighting the top seven trade scenarios for Kobe.http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/...ryDate=20070530They can make it work a variety of ways with Chicago. Only Phoenix has more tradable assets.Gorden, Deng, 9th pick and PJ Brown was one possibility. Dont know if the Bulls would want to give up Gordon and Deng. But thats what it would probably take.edit: Chris Sheridan proposed this scenario.... Tyrus Thomas, Gordon, Duhon, and Nocioni (and a pick?) for Kobe. Sheridan says it seems like too much...I think if they can get Kobe and keep Deng and Hinrich they should do it in an instant.

OMG, this is so depressing. I don't want Gordon, Deng, Duhon, Marion, Barbosa, Howard, Terry, Oden, Durant, Marbury, Crawford. I want Kobe. But I can't blame him. I wish I could erase this part of my mind like that Eternal Sunshine movie and have it re-implanted opening night and just accept whatever happened this summer, instead of having to hear about it and whatnot every day until something either happens or doesn't happen.

[SuitedAces21 2,723]

I dont know what we're worrying about. NO WAY they trade him. NO WAY. Its just not doable.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

I dont know what we're worrying about. NO WAY they trade him. NO WAY. Its just not doable.

I hope you're right. Everything is going to have to go perfect when everyone gets together. I mean this goes beyond basketball, it's gotten real personal and it's going to have to go down the right way for him to stay.

[Jadaki 0]

I dont know what we're worrying about. NO WAY they trade him. NO WAY. Its just not doable.

Trade him and get something in return, or have him play out his contract and bounce at the end of it on principle. Then you get jack squat.

[BigDMcGee 3,355]

Bill Simmons just posted a blog highlighting the top seven trade scenarios for Kobe.http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/...ryDate=20070530They can make it work a variety of ways with Chicago. Only Phoenix has more tradable assets.Gorden, Deng, 9th pick and PJ Brown was one possibility. Dont know if the Bulls would want to give up Gordon and Deng. But thats what it would probably take.edit: Chris Sheridan proposed this scenario.... Tyrus Thomas, Gordon, Duhon, and Nocioni (and a pick?) for Kobe. Sheridan says it seems like too much...I think if they can get Kobe and keep Deng and Hinrich they should do it in an instant.

IF the bulls don't make that trade, or a variant of it, they are fools. Kobe would put them over the absolute top, and allow them to cruise through the east. God I want Kobe to be a bull so fuking bad.

[CaneBrain 95]

IF the bulls don't make that trade, or a variant of it, they are fools. Kobe would put them over the absolute top, and allow them to cruise through the east. God I want Kobe to be a bull so fuking bad.

personally I would try to entice the Lake show to take the trade Sheridan proposed. You lose a lot of youth but you keep Hinrich and Deng which would be gravy.Hinrich, Bryant, Deng, Wallace and 9 other whoevers should be good enough in the crappy East. Just add a halfway decent PF and boom, easy trip to the finals.

[BigDMcGee 3,355]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2906373and now... for your... CHICAGO BULLS... At guard.. number 24.. KOOOOBE.... BRRRRRYANT

[Livaso 0]

If something happens I want it to happen soon so this off-season isn't flooded with it. Plus it'll be easier for Lakers fans. Quick like a bandaid.

[SuitedAces21 2,723]

If something happens I want it to happen soon so this off-season isn't flooded with it. Plus it'll be easier for Lakers fans. Quick like a bandaid.

My basketball heart will be broken forever if they trade him. I dont even know how I'll root for them...

[Jadaki 0]

if you have a true team affiliation you never stop rooting for that team regardless of how they are managed. You can be disgruntled, but not cheering for them is kind of asinine.

[SuitedAces21 2,723]

if you have a true team affiliation you never stop rooting for that team regardless of how they are managed. You can be disgruntled, but not cheering for them is kind of asinine.

I know, I know. But it will be tough. I may need a buffer year.

[Jadaki 0]

I may need a bfluffer.

And some reading material?

[SuitedAces21 2,723]

And some reading material?

The 'Medellion' script would work just fine...PABLO FUCKING ESCOOOBARRRR!

[BigDMcGee 3,355]

From Kobe's website...http://news.kb24.com/#311

Wassup y'all ...Man, today is one of those surreal days for me and my family. When you love something as much as I love the Lakers its hard to even imagine thinking about being elsewhere. But, the ONE THING I will never sacrifice when it comes to basketball is WINNING. That is plain and simply what it's all about. It's in my DNA. It's what pushes me to work as hard as I do. It's my daily passion and pursuit.The more I thought about the future, the more I became convinced that the Lakers and me just have two different visions for the future. The Lakers are pursuing a longer-term plan that is different from what Dr. Buss shared with me at the time I re-signed as a free agent. I have seen that plan unfold for the last three years and watched great trade opportunities come and go, and have seen free agents passed on. That has led to the Lakers not winning a playoff series. All of that was frustrating in itself, but then, this week to have someone "inside" the Laker organization try to blame me in the media for us not being a contender right now -- that is what brought me to my current position today.I want it to be clear that I still love, with all my heart, the Laker Legacy. From Mikan to West to Goodrich to Wilt to Kareem to Magic. That will never change. And the support my family and I have gotten from Lakers fans is undeniably the best. I will also always believe that.But, now there is a new road ahead. I am gonna keep grindin and keep workin to get back to competing for Championships. Sometimes the trek up the mountain is tough. But, I know we'll get there.Strength and Honor,KobeJune 14 :: 2007

[Livaso 0]

....To Magic to Kobe. He must realize what he's a part of. 24 (and presumably 8?) are going to be hanging next to 33, and 32 and 13. This isn't like Karl Malone or Patrick Ewing or something. The man has 3 rings. Being anything other than a life-long Laker to me seems like its ruining the aura of being a hall of famer. That's something none of us could possibly understand though. Until San Diego gets another Basketball team he's playing in the most coveted market in professional sports. You have to respect him for wanting to win that badly. Even more so after you've been to the midwest in Feburary.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

....To Magic to Kobe. He must realize what he's a part of. 24 (and presumably 8?) are going to be hanging next to 33, and 32 and 13. This isn't like Karl Malone or Patrick Ewing or something. The man has 3 rings. Being anything other than a life-long Laker to me seems like its ruining the aura of being a hall of famer. That's something none of us could possibly understand though. Until San Diego gets another Basketball team he's playing in the most coveted market in professional sports. You have to respect him for wanting to win that badly. Even more so after you've been to the midwest in Feburary.

I'm confused by the San Diego thing.

[BigDMcGee 3,355]

I'm confused by the San Diego thing.

what he means is, San Diego is the best place to live in the country, IE warm, sunny weather all year round, hot, hot women, hoppin' night club scene. If there was an NBA team, it would be one of the most desirable places to play. I mean, if you're a max player, you can get the max in any market ( you get more with your own club, but i mean if you sign for a max deal away from your club) so all things being equal, San Diego would own. I'm kinda suprised SD doesn't have a team, unless LA has squashed any attempt to get a team to protect their franchise, a la Baltimore/DC

[Livaso 0]

Yeah..Ever notice how the Padres and Chargers never have problems luring free agents? Or the Dodgers or Angels.the Clippers used to be in San Diego right? I think it'd be in their best interest to go back.