RealGM

http://www.lakersnation.com/kobe-bryant-qa-on-revenge-next-year-mamba-mentality-kobe-9-elite/2014/03/01/

(Jeff G is a guy from a local radio station out here in LA)

Jeff G.: You just signed a two-year deal…talk about that means to you and what the fans can expect the last two years from Kobe.

Kobe: “This year, we all know it’s been a real tough year for us right? So what I’d like everybody to do is to really just sit back and just absorb this year. Take it all in. Sit back and watch and listen and hear all the hate that’s being thrown at us and remember every person that’s kicking you when you’re down because next year it ain’t gunna be this way.”

Appreciate it now. Let it sit in now, because revenge is sweet and it’s quick.”

JG: There’s a lot of people that have had a lack of faith in the team and your recovery and all those things, but that’s all motivation [for you]?

Kobe: “You’ve got to appreciate that and enjoy that and use that as fuel as motivation to basically just shut everybody the hell up. It’s that challenge, that challenge that drives us all, I think, and definitely keeps me going.”

Man I want this guy to win another ring before this current contract is up... Regardless Kobe seems to have faith in the front office making moves this offseason so we'll see.

Kobe is starting to remind me of a late career Mike Tyson. Tyson was a shell of his former self but he would still get big money fights because he could talk a big game, I hope that's not the case with Kobe. He deserves a dignified end to his career more than any active superstar.

Slava wrote:Kobe is starting to remind me of a late career Mike Tyson. Tyson was a shell of his former self but he would still get big money fights because he could talk a big game, I hope that's not the case with Kobe. He deserves a dignified end to his career more than any active superstar.

I think in my opinion thats the #1 thing wrong with the NBA... Its gotten to the point where individual accolades and accomplishments are more significant than the team. Its really the only sport where what you did even yesterday doesnt matter and most people have the "what have you done for me lately." To be honest this is where I respect Spurs fans more than anything. Those 4 ships Duncan won (so far for them) are forever etched in stone and anything additional accomplished is just just the cherry on top. Football is another sport that promotes team success over just the individual.

With that being said Slava... I'm already at peace with Kobe 5 rings so far and if he never played another minute in the NBA. I'm still happy for this era of Lakers basketball revolved around Phil, Kobe, Shaq, Gasol and Fisher. I just want to enjoy these last 2 years of this guy without so many people beating the guy up while he's down. Probably the biggest reason I defend Shaq so much. People always talk about how it ended and how he always stayed out of shape... But in reality those 7 years with him here in Purp n Gold was alot more positive than negative and I'm just happy to have experienced it all.

Regardless of how this story ends with Kobe (We just may have a Mike Tyson/Roy Jones/MJ/Bird) type of ending where their getting destroyed out there in front of our very eyes. But at the very least.... He's going out on HIS TERMS... Not everyone elses. And as a fan of this Lakers franchise....I'm ok and happy with that

So read between the lines, "sit back and take it all in"... Does that imply that Kobe may be sitting out the entire year... I can't believe this year... Not to get off topic but what is the percentage that LeBron comes to La La next year... Is it 5%... 10%... What if...

One Love wrote:So read between the lines, "sit back and take it all in"... Does that imply that Kobe may be sitting out the entire year... I can't believe this year... Not to get off topic but what is the percentage that LeBron comes to La La next year... Is it 5%... 10%... What if...

Hell yeah he's sitting out the year.....why should he come back?

He's doing the right and smart thing

The Lebron pipe dream ended by the time the ink dried up on Kobe's new contract.

word

Slava wrote:The Lebron pipe dream ended by the time the ink dried up on Kobe's new contract.

Anybody thinking Lebron was coming here was a pipe dream BEFORE Kobe signed his deal. I mean that's got to be the most ass backwards thinking ever. Lebron was NEVER coming here period.

leeprettyp wrote:Man I want this guy to win another ring before this current contract is up... Regardless Kobe seems to have faith in the front office making moves this offseason so we'll see.

I was already thinking like Kobe was all season long, karma and revenge is a b*tch....believe that.

I don't see Lebron coming next year unless they get bounced in the playoffs badly, then maybe there is a chance. Melo on the other hand is very possible along with another solid player, I would actually strongly consider Pau if the offense is different. It's a thin line between a top three pick and a tenth pick so I hope team tank can pull through. A nice domino effect that at the end has a new head coach that can come in and instill a winning attitude and has respect of these players would be ideal.

I've always thought of Derrick Fisher being a head coach someday, I wonder when his playing days are over if he would go that route. I'm sure Phil would not mind mentoring him from afar.

Another option is Byron Scott, he is finally available and seams to be hanging around town ready to pounce on MDA's job. I would not mind that since I cannot believe MDA is going to be back next year.

I could see LO back next year as well but I would be cautious.

Farmar looks like the real deal and may get offers but not anything we can't match.

Marshall will be an awesome back up that will eventually have good trade value if Farmar excels.

Then there's Kobe... Man I have seen how Kobe looks when he isn't 100% and it ain't pretty. I have also never seen anyone who has the competitive edge that he does. I hope it all comes together but so many things have to line up. Let's just hope Jim and Mitch are ready to make the correct decisions and are ready when opportunity knocks at the door.

Whatever Kobe. I am afraid revenge won't be coming for at least a few seasons and definitely, Im afraid, not during Kobe's campaign. Unless he thinks getting to the playoffs to lose in the Western Semi or Western Finals is revenge, I certainly don't think it is.

briansaddleback wrote:Whatever Kobe. I am afraid revenge won't be coming for at least a few seasons and definitely, Im afraid, not during Kobe's campaign. Unless he thinks getting to the playoffs to lose in the Western Semi or Western Finals is revenge, I certainly don't think it is.

He is confident and works hard in his craft to prove his doubters wrong. It is what separates him from the T-Macs and Vince Carters of his era. I hope he can play to his 2013 level, but judging from what I saw during his comeback that seems like a pipe dream

He played a few games this season off rust after being out, haven't even seen him enough to try to write him off like that. His timing was a bit off but that's to be expected, nothing to speak definite about.

Kobe is aware of what the Laker circumstances are, he's not talking just to talk. He obviously knows something greater lies ahead or else he wouldn't speak so reassuringly. Don't know what more of a hint people need.


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Going to be crazy to see Kobe play after sitting out essentially an entire season. Really a bummer, we were robbed of a year of the Mamba.

i find it funny how I'm making sure our team is at the bottom of the NBA this season. Its strange that I want my team to lose but I see the big picture so that's the only thing that gives me comfort. I'm looking forward to the draft too, younger legs on the team. I'm not saying the player we draft will be a game changer but he'll be a good part in us starting new

Slava wrote:Kobe is starting to remind me of a late career Mike Tyson. Tyson was a shell of his former self but he would still get big money fights because he could talk a big game, I hope that's not the case with Kobe. He deserves a dignified end to his career more than any active superstar.

one of the favorite grantland articles has a great line about some of the stuff kobe says:

I won’t speak for everyone, but I used to loathe Kobe, and now I kinda love him more than anyone. This happened for a lot of people, I think. Somewhere along the line Kobe went from being the NBA’s Alex Rodriguez to the NBA’s Derek Jeter. I think it’s because at some point we all stopped fact-checking his ridiculousness, and just started savoring it.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/an-in ... t-friends/

dockingsched wrote:

Slava wrote:Kobe is starting to remind me of a late career Mike Tyson. Tyson was a shell of his former self but he would still get big money fights because he could talk a big game, I hope that's not the case with Kobe. He deserves a dignified end to his career more than any active superstar.

one of the favorite grantland articles has a great line about some of the stuff kobe says:

I won’t speak for everyone, but I used to loathe Kobe, and now I kinda love him more than anyone. This happened for a lot of people, I think. Somewhere along the line Kobe went from being the NBA’s Alex Rodriguez to the NBA’s Derek Jeter. I think it’s because at some point we all stopped fact-checking his ridiculousness, and just started savoring it.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/an-in ... t-friends/

I only worry because of the false pretense and unnecessary expectations these statements generate amongst an easily excited fanbase. People have got accustomed to seeing him be superhuman for 18 seasons that seeing him as a regular player would be quite a shock even without these bold statements.

He's just inviting unnecessary pressure on himself and the franchise.

Slava wrote:

dockingsched wrote:

Slava wrote:Kobe is starting to remind me of a late career Mike Tyson. Tyson was a shell of his former self but he would still get big money fights because he could talk a big game, I hope that's not the case with Kobe. He deserves a dignified end to his career more than any active superstar.

one of the favorite grantland articles has a great line about some of the stuff kobe says:

I won’t speak for everyone, but I used to loathe Kobe, and now I kinda love him more than anyone. This happened for a lot of people, I think. Somewhere along the line Kobe went from being the NBA’s Alex Rodriguez to the NBA’s Derek Jeter. I think it’s because at some point we all stopped fact-checking his ridiculousness, and just started savoring it.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/an-in ... t-friends/

I only worry because of the false pretense and unnecessary expectations these statements generate amongst an easily excited fanbase. People have got accustomed to seeing him be superhuman for 18 seasons that seeing him as a regular player would be quite a shock even without these bold statements.

He's just inviting unnecessary pressure on himself and the franchise.

Maybe he feels the need to put that sort of pressure on himself though as a means to keep him focused?

I'm sure he's feeling a lot of doubt right now. Regardless how fun would it be if he gets even remotely close to being back. IMO the next 2 years need to be about fostering young talent/Kobe's swansong.

yea, if no big aquistion this off-season I dont see any type of "revenge" happening next yr.

Slava wrote:Kobe is starting to remind me of a late career Mike Tyson. Tyson was a shell of his former self but he would still get big money fights because he could talk a big game, I hope that's not the case with Kobe. He deserves a dignified end to his career more than any active superstar.

Nah, there's a huge difference. When Tyson's physical advantage waned, he simply got out-boxed. Kobe hasn't had a physical advantage over his opponents since he hit 30. Last year before he tore his achilles', he was playing at arguably the highest skill level of his career, when he put a dysfunctional team with a pouting Dwight and Pau and gimpy Nash on his shoulders and basically played point guard.

The problem with Kobe is his health, not his skill, and that's what makes him different from Tyson. Doesn't have anything to do with "dignity", Kobe's not biting anybody's ear off.

And anything Kobe is saying right now isn't different from the same "big talk" he's been doing for his entire career.