Post#29 » by spree8 » Tue Apr 8, 2014 5:07 pm
I wouldn't really say it's a bad thing to be a "Kobe guy" because as a Laker fan, the guy has been here for almost 2 decades. That's a huge portion of many of our lives. I've been a fan since 1999-2000 and have admired Kobe since the start of his career. When the guy brings 5 titles to your team, and would practically play through anything short of 2 broken legs it's hard to not want what's best for him.
Frankly, I would question the loyalty of the fans who don't have that level of respect and love for the guy who has been the face of the franchise for 2 decades. It's almost like a boss not recognizing or rewarding their employee for their hard work, sacrifice and success they've brought to the company. I know it's not the same but that's the best analogy I can give.
I don't think it's that easy to say "I root for the name on the front not the back"...how could you turn your back on someone who's given you everything you could possibly ask for as a fan for almost 20 years?? He deserves more respect than that fellas. That's not right to say imo.
Yea he makes millions and asked for a trade (which was just a way of forcing them to get better and it worked)...he never wanted to leave. Yea he didn't take a pay cut, but not many players do. For the players like the Miami big 3 and Duncan who did, there are 10x the players who didn't. That's his right. Not to mention, unlike the Miami 3, Kobe doesn't have a guarantee that a pay cut would get top stars who are compatible with him. They still managed to get Dwight and Nash without a pay cut and look what happened. So I don't blame him.
In terms of what this franchise should do, I'm torn. On one hand I think the pick should be kept, but when I think of Kobe and everything he's done, I feel he's earned the right to go out swinging and I feel that the fans should stick by him the way he has stuck around here through the good and bad.
It's tough, if the pick is top 3 is even tougher. IMO if the pick stays 6th, since it's a 5 potential franchise player draft, then I'd probably trade it for KLove, but first I'd be getting together with agents of FA's to see who would be interested in coming for the money available...approx 16 mil.
At the end of the day, we are not talking about a regular player here folks. He's not a journeyman, or even a Lebron type who packed up and left his team, this guy bleeds purple and gold. I'd stick by him and let him go out on his shield...when he's gone, then a rebuild can be done the right way.
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