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John Amaechi is serving as a basketball analyst for his homeland Great Britain's BBC at the Olympics. His appearance has caught some in the NBA establishment by surprise.

"It's been tense to say the least," Amaechi said about what it's been like being seeing some Team USA players and coaches.

Amaechi said players have turned away from him, and there remains a "lot of tension."

"I ran into Kobe, and he was surprised to see me," Amaechi said. "It didn't go well.''

Ok so here's my take on it, specific to Kobe.

First of all John is an attention whore. To support his book he did alot of interviews, and while I'm sure being a gay player is a bit of an issue on both sides of that fence and knowing the typical male athletes m.o. regarding gay teammates, he obviously has a sense of showmanship seemed to stretch the reality out.

Secondly... there is bad blood between Kobe and Amaechi stemming from the Lakers trying to aquire his services and his blunt refusal. He had turned down a 17 million dollar offer from the Lakers for a $600,000 offer with Orlando.

I can't for the life of me find Shaq's quote, but I remember he ripped Amaechi and there was a general feeling of dislike among lakers for his decision.

Basically I think he's painting Kobe a gay hater, when that's not the case at all. He just doesn't like him.

What is Amaechi's standard for a meeting 'going well'?

^ a back rub

link?

oh yeah, sorry. It was a wiretap, but here's the link:

article

It didn't go well Amechi because you were a speed bump in the NBA. Has little to do with the fact that you are gay. As well to Crow's contract snub reference.

Thanks man.

Corvus Crow wrote:

John Amaechi is serving as a basketball analyst for his homeland Great Britain's BBC at the Olympics. His appearance has caught some in the NBA establishment by surprise.

"It's been tense to say the least," Amaechi said about what it's been like being seeing some Team USA players and coaches.

Amaechi said players have turned away from him, and there remains a "lot of tension."

"I ran into Kobe, and he was surprised to see me," Amaechi said. "It didn't go well.''

Ok so here's my take on it, specific to Kobe.

First of all John is an attention whore. To support his book he did alot of interviews, and while I'm sure being a gay player is a bit of an issue on both sides of that fence and knowing the typical male athletes m.o. regarding gay teammates, he obviously has a sense of showmanship seemed to stretch the reality out.

Secondly... there is bad blood between Kobe and Amaechi stemming from the Lakers trying to aquire his services and his blunt refusal. He had turned down a 17 million dollar offer from the Lakers for a $600,000 offer with Orlando.
I can't for the life of me find Shaq's quote, but I remember he ripped Amaechi and there was a general feeling of dislike among lakers for his decision.

Basically I think he's painting Kobe a gay hater, when that's not the case at all. He just doesn't like him.

Really? When was this? Amaechi was never more than a backup big.

Kobe's always an easy target.

Yeah it's nice to see all the worldwide love for KB24 he kind of lives in a bubble of love/hate in the USA

I watched the introductions on the intetrnet this morning it was like you guys said it was. LBJ good ovation, CP3 same as LBJ solid, DWADE bigger ovation than LBJ, KOBE was like the beatles. I wonder if it has much to do with the MVP race and the Finals or nothing at all. Where is all this coming from kinda surprising again because we live in the bubble out here.

LAL4Life wrote:

Corvus Crow wrote:

John Amaechi is serving as a basketball analyst for his homeland Great Britain's BBC at the Olympics. His appearance has caught some in the NBA establishment by surprise.

"It's been tense to say the least," Amaechi said about what it's been like being seeing some Team USA players and coaches.

Amaechi said players have turned away from him, and there remains a "lot of tension."

"I ran into Kobe, and he was surprised to see me," Amaechi said. "It didn't go well.''

Ok so here's my take on it, specific to Kobe.

First of all John is an attention whore. To support his book he did alot of interviews, and while I'm sure being a gay player is a bit of an issue on both sides of that fence and knowing the typical male athletes m.o. regarding gay teammates, he obviously has a sense of showmanship seemed to stretch the reality out.

Secondly... there is bad blood between Kobe and Amaechi stemming from the Lakers trying to aquire his services and his blunt refusal. He had turned down a 17 million dollar offer from the Lakers for a $600,000 offer with Orlando.
I can't for the life of me find Shaq's quote, but I remember he ripped Amaechi and there was a general feeling of dislike among lakers for his decision.

Basically I think he's painting Kobe a gay hater, when that's not the case at all. He just doesn't like him.

Really? When was this? Amaechi was never more than a backup big.

2000 after we won a title:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2000/07/17/amaechi000717.html

The Orlando Magic, fresh from losing the Tim Duncan sweepstakes, have managed to avoid veering too far off-centre by convincing big-man John Amaechi to stay in Florida.

Amaechi announced his intention to stay with the Magic Sunday, saying he will re-sign with the team despite a more lucrative offer from the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, and the advice of friends and family.

"Against the counsel of my agent, sisters and best friend, against everything that says I'm not making the best of the situation, against my own best financial sense, I'm re-signing because I think the Magic need me more than the Lakers," Amaechi told The Orlando Sentinel.

Amaechi, who averaged 10.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 21.1 minutes in 80 games last season, turned down a guaranteed $17 million US offer from the Lakers, opting for short term-deal from Magic with the potential for increased future riches.

Corvus Crow wrote:

John Amaechi is serving as a basketball analyst for his homeland Great Britain's BBC at the Olympics. His appearance has caught some in the NBA establishment by surprise.

"It's been tense to say the least," Amaechi said about what it's been like being seeing some Team USA players and coaches.

Amaechi said players have turned away from him, and there remains a "lot of tension."

"I ran into Kobe, and he was surprised to see me," Amaechi said. "It didn't go well.''

Ok so here's my take on it, specific to Kobe.

First of all John is an attention whore. To support his book he did alot of interviews, and while I'm sure being a gay player is a bit of an issue on both sides of that fence and knowing the typical male athletes m.o. regarding gay teammates, he obviously has a sense of showmanship seemed to stretch the reality out.

Secondly... there is bad blood between Kobe and Amaechi stemming from the Lakers trying to aquire his services and his blunt refusal. He had turned down a 17 million dollar offer from the Lakers for a $600,000 offer with Orlando.

I can't for the life of me find Shaq's quote, but I remember he ripped Amaechi and there was a general feeling of dislike among lakers for his decision.

Basically I think he's painting Kobe a gay hater, when that's not the case at all. He just doesn't like him.

interesting on the amaechi to lakers part.

We offered that sunflower (and I only say this because of the way he abuses his orientation for some attention) 17 Million? No wonder Kobe doesn't like that bitch.

milesfides wrote:Kobe's always an easy target.

I agree miles, it's like hey if I mention Kobe in the sentence I'm sure I'll get some run. Then not to elaborate on what was the exchange between him and Kobe makes it more shady to say the least. You just can blow , "It didn't go well" out there and expect it to mean something.