Kobe agrees to contact extension with Lakers

[The4thHorseman]

Yes happiness...

Being called an idiot and a liar. Having to deal with trade demands, Kobe airing out his laundry in the media, demands to fire Mitch, fights with the coaches, players. I'm sure that it was all "happiness" he experienced.

Of course he had to go through all that. It's was his job description. Every owner is sports goes through everything you wrote.

If banging hot chicks with billions of dollars from the TWC deal lying around next to the 5 trophy Kobe gave him isn't happiness. Then I don't know what it.

Buss had been in the business long enough to know that the most competitive lot often have an explosive temperament. Kobe wasn't the first. Kareem wanted a trade when this "Magic" kid came in and took over the team, hugging and jumping up and down over regular season wins.

Magic gave them an ultimatum: trade me or fire Westhead. He then became public enemy #1 when Buss in fact did fire Westhead. They replaced him with a color commentator who had no coaching experience. That Riley guy turned out alright.

Shaq was very public with his verbal lashings towards Dr. Buss.

Dr Buss was no stranger to that type of behavior, it comes with the territory. But at the end of the day, the man was as competitive as the players he signed. He was all about winning and loyalty, two traits that sadly many believe to be mutually exclusive, as evidenced in this thread.

Kareem wanted traded because of Magic? I'm not saying that isn't true but it's the first time I've ever heard or seen that claim.

Plus saying that "Magic took over the team" his rookie year is simply not true. He may have performed well, but it was certainly still Kareem's (who was already a lock for the HoF) team.

[JellosJigglin]

Of course he had to go through all that. It's was his job description. Every owner is sports goes through everything you wrote.

If banging hot chicks with billions of dollars from the TWC deal lying around next to the 5 trophy Kobe gave him isn't happiness. Then I don't know what it.

Buss had been in the business long enough to know that the most competitive lot often have an explosive temperament. Kobe wasn't the first. Kareem wanted a trade when this "Magic" kid came in and took over the team, hugging and jumping up and down over regular season wins.

Magic gave them an ultimatum: trade me or fire Westhead. He then became public enemy #1 when Buss in fact did fire Westhead. They replaced him with a color commentator who had no coaching experience. That Riley guy turned out alright.

Shaq was very public with his verbal lashings towards Dr. Buss.

Dr Buss was no stranger to that type of behavior, it comes with the territory. But at the end of the day, the man was as competitive as the players he signed. He was all about winning and loyalty, two traits that sadly many believe to be mutually exclusive, as evidenced in this thread.

Kareem wanted traded because of Magic? I'm not saying that isn't true but it's the first time I've ever heard or seen that claim.

I forgot where I read it but it was a short-lived request in a moment of frustration. Westhead wanted to coach the team in a slow half court style which favored Kareem, but Magic wanted to run (obviously). There was a lot of tension internally early on.

[MisterWestside]

Sorry but that is at the HEART of the counter argument. "Kobe isn't about titles", "Haha Lakers are done", "well there goes any chance of the Lakers being a contender again".

You can't provide a counter-argument if you don't even understand the original argument. This isn't about who the Lakers "can or can't get". Anyone with sense can read that the Lakers can still land a free agent given Bryant's recent contract signing; thus I'm not interested in arguments that display this ignorance.

The issue is that of roster flexibility. Given the player that they just signed, their current roster, and the players that will be available in free agency; did this contract put the Lakers in the best position to improve this team going forward? I invite you to go back and read the commentary on that matter.

[LLcoleJ]

You can't provide a counter-argument if you don't even understand the original argument. This isn't about who the Lakers "can or can't get". Anyone with sense can read that the Lakers can still land a free agent given Bryant's recent contract signing; thus I'm not interested in arguments that display this ignorance.

The issue is that of roster flexibility. Given the player that they just signed, their current roster, and the players that will be available in free agency; did this contract put the Lakers in the best position to improve this team going forward? I invite you to go back and read the commentary on that matter.

So in a nut-shell.

This is not about who the Lakers can and cannot get. However, it is about who the lakers can sign with less flexibility then they would have had?

[microfib4thewin]

who are the Lakers missing out on by giving Kobe this contract?

With THIS extension? It will probably scare off any potential FA who has the slightest care about winning. If all they care about is getting paid and getting pampered like a superstar then they will have no problem coming to LA. This is what the extension is telling to the whole world. You will get your Rudy Gay or Brandon Jennings, you are not going to get your Kevin Love or Kevin Durant unless they too don't care about winning.

[bigpimpatl]

Sorry but that is at the HEART of the counter argument. "Kobe isn't about titles", "Haha Lakers are done", "well there goes any chance of the Lakers being a contender again".

You can't provide a counter-argument if you don't even understand the original argument. This isn't about who the Lakers "can or can't get". Anyone with sense can read that the Lakers can still land a free agent given Bryant's recent contract signing; thus I'm not interested in arguments that display this ignorance.

The issue is that of roster flexibility. Given the player that they just signed, their current roster, and the players that will be available in free agency; did this contract put the Lakers in the best position to improve this team going forward? I invite you to go back and read the commentary on that matter.

just forget it. Lakers fans have a crystal ball and know exactly who will be available and what events will happen. And apparently it's nothing good.

[Lyrix]

This has seemed to piss off non-laker fans more than Laker fans. I don't like this deal at all, but everyone already knew what was going to happen for months. I'm not going to justify it. It was a dumb move for the Lakers and Kobe.

[Mr MoJo Risin]

This has seemed to piss off non-laker fans more than Laker fans.

Strange isn't it. Non Laker fans should love this. Maybe they were hoping that Kobe would be a FA, and hope that their team would be able to sign him.

[Mr MoJo Risin]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is eyeing the team's Dec. 6 game in Sacramento as his possible return, saying he's looking forward to three practices in the four days before that game. Bryant hasn't played this season while recovering from surgery in April on a torn Achilles tendon. He is traveling with the Lakers but won't play during the team's three-game road trip that began tonight in Washington.

[chefy]

Yea I don't know whats so hard to grasp here. Kobe takes more money = the less assets the lakers will have in the off season. Simple as that.

I also found it funny how some lakers fans were so big about that cap space after dwight signed with the rockets, saying "will be fine, we don't need dwight, we have cap space etc etc."

So now after losing that big cap space, the lakers are still gonna be ok? And that "cap space" wasn't important in the first place anyway? Lmao. Some of you guys are being delusional.

I'm a lakers fan and kobe fan, but that doesn't mean I have to support every single move they make.

Does kobe deserve that contract? I say hell yes! But what happened to "I'm all about winning, championship and ****?????" I don't think Kobe's greedy, it's his ego!

[NO-KG-AI]

The team is willing to pay the luxury tax, this doesn't hurt the Lakers nearly as much as it would hurt someone else. Kobe can have his cake and eat it to, they can still resign everyone they have bird rights too, and can still move people to bring in others. Why would people think the Lakers can't bring in talent? Gonna be a lot of mad folks around here when they somehow end up with someone that seemed out of reach. I've basically accepted that they get whatever and whoever they want, lol.

[Seralin]

The biggest mistake the Lakers made with this deal is not offering a blank contract to Kobe. Just give him a blank contract and let him write the amount. Even then, the amount would be much much less than what the Lakers gave to him. Kobe wouldn't dare to act as arrogant knowing this would get out sooner or later, and on the opposite, he would be hailed as a great team player putting his team's future over everything, including his pride.

Now he won't have that chance, and he will be criticized for years to come, if this becomes a very big obstacle for the Lakers building a new dynasty soon.

[TheBargnaniRule]

This has seemed to piss off non-laker fans more than Laker fans. I don't like this deal at all, but everyone already knew what was going to happen for months. I'm not going to justify it. It was a dumb move for the Lakers and Kobe.

Not at all. It was a great move for Kobe. He made the smart decision to quit on titles and instead to get a nice paycheck before retirement. I can respect that.

Now for the Lakers..

[GlennQuagmire]

The team is willing to pay the luxury tax, this doesn't hurt the Lakers nearly as much as it would hurt someone else. Kobe can have his cake and eat it to, they can still resign everyone they have bird rights too, and can still move people to bring in others. Why would people think the Lakers can't bring in talent? Gonna be a lot of mad folks around here when they somehow end up with someone that seemed out of reach. I've basically accepted that they get whatever and whoever they want, lol.

Ive been saying this since page 40 or so.

These gold and purple bastards are worth in the billions.
An thats not even counting the inheritance Jerry Buss left his kids which is also in the billions.

I think David Stern and the NBA created this CBA to stop the Lakers and develop some competitive balance.
The sad thing is I don't think it will hold up too long. The Lakers bring in waaay too much money not just for themselves but for the entire league.

[markjay]

The biggest mistake the Lakers made with this deal is not offering a blank contract to Kobe. Just give him a blank contract and let him write the amount. Even then, the amount would be much much less than what the Lakers gave to him. Kobe wouldn't dare to act as arrogant knowing this would get out sooner or later, and on the opposite, he would be hailed as a great team player putting his team's future over everything, including his pride.

Now he won't have that chance, and he will be criticized for years to come, if this becomes a very big obstacle for the Lakers building a new dynasty soon.

I think there's a lot of naïveté about how this contract was negotiated. Just because Kobe claims the Lakers just handed him the contract doesn't mean that's what happened. I think there was a few weeks of negotiation with Kobe's agent. I'm sure the Lakers would have preferred to give him less but didn't want to risk a media circus of Kobe threatening free agency.

[Seralin]

The biggest mistake the Lakers made with this deal is not offering a blank contract to Kobe. Just give him a blank contract and let him write the amount. Even then, the amount would be much much less than what the Lakers gave to him. Kobe wouldn't dare to act as arrogant knowing this would get out sooner or later, and on the opposite, he would be hailed as a great team player putting his team's future over everything, including his pride.

Now he won't have that chance, and he will be criticized for years to come, if this becomes a very big obstacle for the Lakers building a new dynasty soon.

I think there's a lot of naïveté about how this contract was negotiated. Just because Kobe claims the Lakers just handed him the contract doesn't mean that's what happened. I think there was a few weeks of negotiation with Kobe's agent. I'm sure the Lakers would have preferred to give him less but didn't want to risk a media circus of Kobe threatening free agency.

Someone will speak about how the negotiations proceeded sooner or later, depending on the number of people involved. But, considering they haven't corrected Kobe's statements and it felt like a rushed deal, it is likely it went as he told.

[markjay]

Something I haven't seen addressed in this thread -- though I haven't read every page -- I wonder how much Kobe could have gotten in free agency. Who might have gone after him and what would they pay (assuming, for the sake of argument that there was little drop odd in his play from last season)?

[CodyB_]

Something I haven't seen addressed in this thread -- though I haven't read every page -- I wonder how much Kobe could have gotten in free agency. Who might have gone after him and what would they pay (assuming, for the sake of argument that there was little drop odd in his play from last season)?

No doubt he commands the max. Biggest drawcard in basketball.

[Shot Clock]

The team is willing to pay the luxury tax, this doesn't hurt the Lakers nearly as much as it would hurt someone else. Kobe can have his cake and eat it to, they can still resign everyone they have bird rights too, and can still move people to bring in others. Why would people think the Lakers can't bring in talent? Gonna be a lot of mad folks around here when they somehow end up with someone that seemed out of reach. I've basically accepted that they get whatever and whoever they want, lol.

Ive been saying this since page 40 or so.

These gold and purple bastards are worth in the billions.
An thats not even counting the inheritance Jerry Buss left his kids which is also in the billions.

I think David Stern and the NBA created this CBA to stop the Lakers and develop some competitive balance.
The sad thing is I don't think it will hold up too long. The Lakers bring in waaay too much money not just for themselves but for the entire league.

I really don't think either of you understand how the salary cap works.

[Shot Clock]

What if this was in Dr. Buss's will? Kobe gave him so much happiness toward the later end of his life. He gave Dr. Buss 5 ships, and crap load of money from the TWC deal. What if this was a way to say thanks to Kobe for his hardwork and loyalty.

Yes happiness...

Being called an idiot and a liar. Having to deal with trade demands, Kobe airing out his laundry in the media, demands to fire Mitch, fights with the coaches, players. I'm sure that it was all "happiness" he experienced.

Of course he had to go through all that. It's was his job description. Every owner is sports goes through everything you wrote.

If banging hot chicks with billions of dollars from the TWC deal lying around next to the 5 trophy Kobe gave him isn't happiness. Then I don't know what it.

Go ahead name me one owner that had their best player call them an idiot and a liar and was happy about it.

You can name lots of isolated incidents but you won't find the entire package like you get with Kobe. It was even reported that Buss fired Brown to avoid another incident like the one he went through with Magic. He knew it was coming. Oh and he was banging hot chicks long before Kobe came to town.