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

[DayofMourning]

At first I thought the deal was trash, but it makes sense to me now. As stated above, let him end his career amicably as a Laker legend. You have to pay a certain amount of money any way, so why not appease Kobe with the pay checks? You're not winning right away with him regardless, so he isn't taking away from players who could put the Lakers over the top.

I can see the Lakers wanting to move on though as well. They will probably be on the edges of their seats to make some moves and get a team rebuilt once Kobe decides to move on. They will likely have a few good draft picks growing in their system and will be ready to sign some big names, and start the process over again.

[HotRocks34]

link?

To supposed info about the article:

http://lakerholics.net/?p=66831

My guess is that the author of the above piece subscribes to the magazine, and he got it already. Although the piece supposedly is not online yet.

[ricks]

If this is true, this says more about them than about Kobe. Why in the world did they sign him for $48 million if they don't want to keep him?

Came into same the same thing.

If the despise Bryant so much, why give him 48m over 2 seasons?

You want to know why?

Because ESPN is full of ****.

[HotRocks34]

My own opinions about Kobe, the extension, the LAL front office:


* WHY SIGN KOBE TO THE EXTENSION ====> From reports, Jeannie Buss was more keen on the extension than Jimmy Buss was. Also, it seemed that Dr Buss wanted to take care of Kobe. And as was mentioned earlier in the thread, if you don't think you can bring in free agents, then keep the customers happy by "taking care of" Kobe and making it The Kobe Retirement Tour for the next couple of years while you bring in another part of Lakers lore to coach Kobe. I think it's a sound PR move, if not perhaps the greatest basketball move.

* DOES THE LAKERS FRONT OFFICE REALLY FEEL THIS WAY? ===========> Yes, I think they do. 1-2 years ago, I recall reading some material online that gave the impression that Jim Buss was not high on Kobe in some regards, I believe. And at the end of last year, there was information coming out that Kobe would like to see D'Antoni gone. Even though the front office had not made the decision, supposedly. And then Kobe left early for Europe before the Lakers season ended, I believe, which the front office seemingly made sure reporters knew about at the time. This has been brewing for awhile, I think.

* DO PLAYERS REALLY NOT WANT TO PLAY WITH KOBE? =============> Abbott had a piece some time ago that was along the same lines, I think. If I recall properly, Pau Gasol's agent was quoted (talking about Pau getting blamed for Lakers losses) and Ramon Sessions may also have been mentioned at the time.

* WHAT IS ESPN'S AND ABBOTT'S DEAL WITH KOBE? =================> Abbott definitely seems to have a "thing" as regards Kobe. I see Abbott as kind of the opposite of someone like Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk. Helin appears to want to glorify Kobe, whereas Abbott seems determined to "correct" the Kobe narrative at every turn. As someone who has observed the media coverage of the NBA and Kobe for a long period of time, I understand where Abbott is coming from (or I think I do; I don't know him personally). As far as ESPN, in general, I don't know what their deal with Kobe is. They seem to have adapted Abbott's mentality towards Kobe overall, however. That is, they seem to see themselves as the "narrative police" to 'make things right' as regards Kobe and his legacy.


Kobe, of course, called ESPN "idiots" the other day after ESPN ranked him the 40th best player in the NBA for the upcoming season. If it wasn't ESPN doing what they are doing, though, my guess is that some other outlet or entity would be doing the "counter narrative" thing with Kobe instead. In some ways, I believe, ESPN represents the Analytical Movement Group vs the Old School "Eye Test" Group in this regard, and Kobe is like Exhibit A in that face-off.

[Slava]

Asking Henry Abbott for an opinion on Kobe is like asking Fox news for their opinion on Obama. You already know the answer before he opens his mouth.

The Lakers wanted him out so badly that they gave him $48.5 million to play 2 more years before even seeing him make a comeback from an Achilles tear. Yeah right, sounds about correct.

[HotRocks34]

Asking Henry Abbott for an opinion on Kobe is like asking Fox news for their opinion on Obama. You already know the answer before he opens his mouth.

No doubt about it, Slava.

[tosi]

Honestly.. With no real talent on the Lakers, and I mean young promising talents besides Randle, who do they expect to attract?

Better to Sign Kobe, try to cash in on some revenue because he is still very popular while they tank. If Kobe, Nash and CO get hurt, then it only helps them in the long run to get a better pick.

[Modulate]

They only signed him because letting him go would be a PR nightmare.

I doubt that's the only reason but it had to be a big part of the decision. I'm sure they knew that giving him that contract would tie their hands until he retires (assuming he does), too.

No matter how he plays, Kobe's still a huge draw. If he plays well, great. If it's his swan song, people will come out to watch an all-time great play his last games.

So while Kobe will still bring in money, they're not gonna go hard to build around him. The Lakers will milk him (and he'll milk them) for what they can and then everyone moves on.

[NCHeels2008]

I'm glad HotRocks and Slava did my job for me, Abbott has always had a hard on against Kobe for some reason.

[XtotheDeezy]

Buss can "can't wait" all he wants, but we all know that he will be the first one on his knees, mouth open and new contract in hand, when Kobe demands it.

[Exodus]

They didn't have to give him a max deal

[baubo]

This makes no sense. Kobe has been underpaid(like any other superstar in the past decade) for this entire career. All the reports from the Lakers and Kobe is about how this last extension is a "thank you" for his superstar level play for the past decade plus. If the Lakers thought they could build off Kobe today and surround him with other stars, then they're delusional more than anything else.

Either be an a-hole and pay your players based on expected future return, or be a "nice organization" and bite through the crappy years as you're overpaying your over the hill stars for their past production. You can't have it both ways.

[CodyB_]

It will simply be the right time when Kobe retires. No one is 'waiting' for anything, the Lakers knew that signing Kobe to this contract would preclude them from contending in the short term but it would secure some immense profit for the next 2-3 years.

Last year there was no Kobe, the Lakers weren't winning and the NBA had some very exciting squids. Regardless, the Lakers still topped the league in total profit at about $150 million. The Lakers brass probably came to terms with short term mediocrity for two reasons. A) The financial hit was significant due to years of being over the cap B) The potential people they could throw their money at could not elevate them to contender status anyway

Result: The Lakers as a business will endure short term suckyness, increase bankroll and let Kobe play out his days as the 'Man' (if his body can keep up)

In an ideal world, the Lakers kept Dwight, Kobe took a back seat and the Lakers added some more strategic pieces to make them a contender. This is the second best option.

[Rob Diaz]

I find it surprising that there are still people that believe the Lakers signed Kobe to that contract for basketball reasons or purposes lol.

[hype_2004]

Then why did these idiots gave him that absurd contract, if they did not want to keep him in the first place?

[xBulletproof]

In other words: "See. See. Nobody wants to play with Kobe, it's all his fault. I am not a bad GM or owner. See!"

[AussieBuck]

Kobe keeps the merch $$ coming in and doesn't get out of the way of a bit of tanking. Not the worst thing in the world.

[logical_art]

I'd like to hear some names of people who are not pampered, entitled losers (DH) who don't want to play with Kobe.

[EArl]

They should have amnestied him.

That's dumbest thing ive heard. Why would they amnesty one of the only things that currently bring seats to the Staples Center. You're better than that Sting.

[berkkobe7]

Kobe to Knicks, Amare and Bargs to Lakers.
2016 Fa recruting with melo and kobe


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