Henry Abbot: Lakers FO can't wait for Kobe to retire

[MoneyTalks41890]

Say what you want about Kobe, but that contract is not that bad at all. Kobe has been historically so underpaid for his productivity it's insane. Look at the numbers:


Season; Bryant's salary.

1996-97; $1,015,000;

1997-98; $1,167,240;

1998-99; $1,319,000;

1999-00; $9,000,000;

2000-01; $10,130,000;

2001-02; $11,250,000;

2002-03; $12,375,000;

2003-04; $13,500,000;

2004-05; $14,175,000;

2005-06; $15,946,875;

2006-07; $17,718,750;

2007-08; $19,490,625;

2008-09; $21,262,500;

2009-10; $23,034,375;

2010-11; $24,806,250;

2011-12; $25,244,493;

2012-13; $27,849,149;

2013-14; $30,453,805;

2014-15; $23,500,000;

2015-16; $25,000,000;



Kobe's 10th year in the league he averaged 35.4 points per game and made just $15,946,875. Look at the first three years where he made just a million a year.

If I made $320+ million dollars in the NBA and had 5 rings I wouldn't give a **** either.

[Run DLC]

But but but bu, Lakers fans on LG.net said that LeBron and Melo wanted to play with Kobe.

[SA37]

The article didn't tell us anything we didn't already know: it sucks to play basketball with Kobe Bryant.

I think this would be less of a factor if Kobe were still in his prime. But I am sure the thought of having to tolerate his style of play with so much doubt about how much he has left makes playing in L.A. unappealing.

Another factor is the league has really moved towards this attitude of player X and player Y are buddies and have discussed the possibility of playing together. I don't think this was so prevalent in the 80s and 90s. Kobe likes to associate himself with the old school mentality of the other guys are the enemy and has, from most media reports, been a very distant teammate. I don't imagine he's ever engaged in this sort of fraternal chatter.

[Mehar]

But but but bu, Lakers fans on LG.net said that LeBron and Melo wanted to play with Kobe.

(LOL). Forget the Lakers fans. I got into a back and forth with some of those clowns on RealGM last year who said i was an idiot for thinking that Melo and Lebron would have no interest by taking less to play with Kobe. What happened Lakers fans? Melo signed back with the Knicks and Lebron went to the Cavs. The Lakers front office should blame themselves for signing Kobe to a ridiculous two year extension for an amount they did not have to.

[nrockwaychicago]

But but but bu, Lakers fans on LG.net said that LeBron and Melo wanted to play with Kobe.

(LOL). Forget the Lakers fans. I got into a back and forth with some of those clowns on RealGM last year who said i was an idiot for thinking that Melo and Lebron would have no interest by taking less to play with Kobe. What happened Lakers fans? Melo signed back with the Knicks and Lebron went to the Cavs. The Lakers front office should blame themselves for signing Kobe to a ridiculous two year extension for an amount they did not have to.

They did have to and it was the right decision. Don't act like Kobe didn't earn that money.

[LLcoleJ]

But but but bu, Lakers fans on LG.net said that LeBron and Melo wanted to play with Kobe.

(LOL). Forget the Lakers fans. I got into a back and forth with some of those clowns on RealGM last year who said i was an idiot for thinking that Melo and Lebron would have no interest by taking less to play with Kobe. What happened Lakers fans? Melo signed back with the Knicks and Lebron went to the Cavs. The Lakers front office should blame themselves for signing Kobe to a ridiculous two year extension for an amount they did not have to.

Oh Snap .. tell us more. What did the fans at Laker Nation say? What other internet fights did you guys have? I will get the popcorn.

[bruh]

But but but bu, Lakers fans on LG.net said that LeBron and Melo wanted to play with Kobe.

People also need to act like the Lakers fanbase are the only fanbase that says delusional and ridiculous statements lol. Have you seen the Raptors fans on here.

Why were you even on a Lakers fan site anyway lmao

[sfernald]

Kobe's 10th year in the league he averaged 35.4 points per game and made just $15,946,875. Look at the first three years where he made just a million a year.

How are his 1st 3 years relevant? Everyone HAS to sign a rookie-scale contract into the league. Not to mention he was a bench player & combined for 7 games started in the first 2 seasons...

This is Andrew Wiggins' first three years in the league:

2014-2015 5,510,640 - - 5,510,640
2015-2016 5,758,680 - - 5,758,680
2016-2017 6,006,600 - - 6,006,600

It's a travesty. He's making 5x as much. It's relevant because Kobe was severely underpaid the first three years compared to other star players, even if he wasn't a starter.

[DTP]

For people talking about the amount Kobe was given in his extension, I think you guys are missing the main point.....people don't want to play with Kobe. LA has had cap space and still unable to bring in talent because NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY WITH HIM. So if that's the case, what's the point of saving cap space? Dwight didn't leave because they couldn't afford him.....Carmelo and LeBron didn't pass because there wasn't enough money....Paul George didn't re-sign with Indiana because LA didn't have enough money for him....its all about Kobe.

So basically the main point is, the franchise is strapped until Kobe retires...regardless of their cap situation. Which isn't bad at all, despite Kobe's contract.

[excision]

But but but bu, Lakers fans on LG.net said that LeBron and Melo wanted to play with Kobe.

People also need to act like the Lakers fanbase are the only fanbase that says delusional and ridiculous statements lol. Have you seen the Raptors fans on here.

Why were you even on a Lakers fan site anyway lmao

Difference is Raptors fans are (usually) trolling, or semi-trolling at the very least.

A lot of Laker fans genuinely believe some of the pro-kobe garbage that spews out of their mouths

[aal04]

Kobe's 10th year in the league he averaged 35.4 points per game and made just $15,946,875. Look at the first three years where he made just a million a year.

How are his 1st 3 years relevant? Everyone HAS to sign a rookie-scale contract into the league. Not to mention he was a bench player & combined for 7 games started in the first 2 seasons...

This is Andrew Wiggins' first three years in the league:

2014-2015 5,510,640 - - 5,510,640
2015-2016 5,758,680 - - 5,758,680
2016-2017 6,006,600 - - 6,006,600

It's a travesty. He's making 5x as much. It's relevant because Kobe was severely underpaid the first three years compared to other star players, even if he wasn't a starter.

Kobe was terribad when he entered the league. He was getting overpaid at 1 mill.

Wiggins is pick 1 in the most stacked draft in a long time.

And then theres inflation

[sfernald]

How are his 1st 3 years relevant? Everyone HAS to sign a rookie-scale contract into the league. Not to mention he was a bench player & combined for 7 games started in the first 2 seasons...

This is Andrew Wiggins' first three years in the league:

2014-2015 5,510,640 - - 5,510,640
2015-2016 5,758,680 - - 5,758,680
2016-2017 6,006,600 - - 6,006,600

It's a travesty. He's making 5x as much. It's relevant because Kobe was severely underpaid the first three years compared to other star players, even if he wasn't a starter.

Kobe was terribad when he entered the league. He was getting overpaid at 1 mill.

Wiggins is pick 1 in the most stacked draft in a long time.

And then theres inflation

20pts, 5rebs and 4asts is terribad in what universe?

$1.46 is the value of a dollar in 1998 compared to today's dollar.

No matter how you calculate it, he was underpaid compared to his production for most of his career and this last little payday just starts to make up for that.

[JellosJigglin]

For people talking about the amount Kobe was given in his extension, I think you guys are missing the main point.....people don't want to play with Kobe. LA has had cap space and still unable to bring in talent because NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY WITH HIM. So if that's the case, what's the point of saving cap space? Dwight didn't leave because they couldn't afford him.....Carmelo and LeBron didn't pass because there wasn't enough money....Paul George didn't re-sign with Indiana because LA didn't have enough money for him....its all about Kobe.

So basically the main point is, the franchise is strapped until Kobe retires...regardless of their cap situation. Which isn't bad at all, despite Kobe's contract.

Which free agents have the Lakers missed out on because of Kobe? This question has been asked so many times without a legitimate response that it really deserves its own thread.

Lets put it this way: If Kobe had retired at the end of last season, which free agent do you think would've taken a serious look at the Lakers? Melo? Lebron? Bosh? Who?

[John Long]

For people talking about the amount Kobe was given in his extension, I think you guys are missing the main point.....people don't want to play with Kobe. LA has had cap space and still unable to bring in talent because NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY WITH HIM. So if that's the case, what's the point of saving cap space? Dwight didn't leave because they couldn't afford him.....Carmelo and LeBron didn't pass because there wasn't enough money....Paul George didn't re-sign with Indiana because LA didn't have enough money for him....its all about Kobe.

So basically the main point is, the franchise is strapped until Kobe retires...regardless of their cap situation. Which isn't bad at all, despite Kobe's contract.

Which free agents have the Lakers missed out on because of Kobe? This question has been asked so many times without a legitimate response that it really deserves its own thread.

Lets put it this way: If Kobe had retired at the end of last season, which free agent do you think would've taken a serious look at the Lakers? Melo? Lebron? Bosh? Who?

People always gripe about delusional laker fans but fail to see that delusional kobe haters are much worse, at least fans have a reason to be delusional, this much hate to go along with this much ignorance is borderline (Please Use More Appropriate Word) and unhealthy. There are so many holes in Abbots article namely the new CBA that anybody that reads the article will quickly realize its nothing but a hate piece based on fiction not facts, but merely the writer's opinions which makes him lack integrity.

[LLcoleJ]

You know this article and posters are reaching hard when the mention Paul George as a viable FA. lol.

[bondom34]

I never, EVER thought I'd say this... but ESPN (and threads like this) have actually made me feel bad for Kobe.

I'm far from a Kobe fan, never was, but the guy is an all timer for the Lakers and the NBA despite what anyone may say.

[GeorgeDillion]

You know this article and posters are reaching hard when the mention Paul George as a viable FA. lol.

I haven't read most of this thread but Paul George mentioned it on twitter.

https://twitter.com/Yg_Trece/status/524297654570713088

I was going to post about this topic earlier but Anti-Kobe articles have grown tiresome.

[talkiewalkie]

Henry Abbott, so should Kobe quit?

Should he just come out and say: " yea you all are right. I'll just retire now."

Should he admit that the reason the Lakers are failing is because of him and if he really cares, he should quit?

Should he come out and admit "I'm over paid"

What exactly does he need to do to get people off his back and just enjoy his final years as a player?

I don't think there are answers to any of these questions. Abbott has had it out for Kobe since day 1 and he's going to bash him any chance he gets.

[guest81]

The Lakers would of stunk wiether they resigned Kobe or not. They had no picks and no young players (still don't). If the Lakers stink AND you let Kobe go? You get destroyed by everybody and become a laughingstock. At least by keeping Kobe, it keeps some Laker fans delusional enough to think that they'll be good just because of Kobe

[JohnsHopkins]

why are people saying Lakers front office should blame themselves?? do you know how much money Kobe makes that franchise as long as he is on the Lakers roster???

The lakers have had sooooo much success on an off the court because of Kobe. Most teams go through a 3-5 year window where they end up in the lottery, the lakers have never gone through that, they experienced their worse season in history last year and still lead the league in revenue.

Abott is just a bitter bald guy who no one knows about outside of espn. HE is trying to bash one of the most popular active nba players to get kb fans upset and actually read his article so he can pay his bills.