Support NeoGAF

[Bowser]

From the recent Chad Ford Trade Kobe article...

Should the Lakers trade Kobe?

Kobe has a no-trade clause, meaning that they can't just ship him off to the Milwaukee Bucks, but there are a few trades out there that could make sense for the Lakers and Kobe.

Trades cannot happen until the end of the regular season. However, once the Lakers are eliminated from the playoffs, it might be time for Buss to pick up the phone and see if there's an advantageous Kobe deal out there.

The Lakers probably could land Corey Maggette, Chris Wilcox and a re-signed Marko Jaric from the Clippers.

The Chicago Bulls were the other team that Bryant seriously considered signing with last summer. GM John Paxson was willing to give up assets to land Kobe. A trade of Eddy Curry or Tyson Chandler (neither becomes a restricted free agent until June 30), Ben Gordon, Eric Piatkowski and the expiring contract of Othella Harrington, would work under the cap. The Lakers would then own the restricted rights to either Curry or Chandler and could re-sign him this summer.

A deal with the Memphis Grizzlies could also make some sense. West remains a fan of Kobe (and vice versa) and would likely give up anyone on his roster to get a true star in Memphis. Mike Miller, James Posey, Stromile Swift and Earl Watson in a sign-and-trade would all be possibilities.

The Seattle SuperSonics are looking for star power, too, and might be willing to part with Ray Allen and Vladimir Radmanovic in a sign-and-trade for Bryant.

While the Lakers wouldn't get "equal value" in return for Bryant in any of those deals, they would get back more than the Orlando Magic got for T-Mac and the Toronto Raptors got for Vince Carter. The Bulls' deal is especially appealing because of the upside of Curry and Gordon and Bryant's infatuation with all things Michael Jordan.

Whatever the Lakers end up doing, it's clear now that things are going to have to change in L.A. this summer. If they don't, both Kobe and the Lakers risk leaving their legacies buried under the rubble.

The Bulls deal would suck ass on the Bulls side. Ben Gordon, imo, is a real keeper.

 

[Eminem]

From the recent Chad Ford Trade Kobe article...



The Bulls deal would suck ass on the Bulls side. Ben Gordon, imo, is a real keeper.

no question. we HAVE to keep hinrich, ben, noch, du, and deng, othella is 2a on that list. curry and tyson could leave, but i pray we keep one of them. again, i love tyson.

 

[kgHavok23]

...The Bulls deal would suck ass on the Bulls side. Ben Gordon, imo, is a real keeper.

Of course he is....now. Last summer when we hadn't really been exposed to his talent in the professional level, it might have been acceptable to send him and the two big guys for Kobe....personally, I woulda hated that. If that had occurred, Lakers are 38-31, Bulls are 25-45. That cost is simply too high for one player, unless that one player is Shaq. Or maybe Duncan.

A kobe for Tyson-Curry-draft pick-$$$ I would have been fine with. Again, at the time.

 

[etiolate]

Is Ric Bucher an LA writer?

Cuz..

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=bucher_ric&id=2024238

Most the shit in this article is just stuff he made up, a bunch of "as if"s and weird scary fortune teller interpretations of meaningless plays. The only thing thats straight and true is the title of the article.

ESPN needs to get its act together.

 

[sc0la]

Is Ric Bucher an LA writer?

Ric has never been a big fan of Chris Webber. actually, as far as I can tell the man hardly likes basketball.

 

[kgHavok23]

Ric knows his stuff, thats for sure....but he does come off as being a little angry sometime. Anyone is better than Marc Stein, and you know its true....did David Aldridge really leave ESPN? Where's he at?

 

[Ninja Scooter]

what isn't true about that article? Webber has and always will have the rep for never coming through in the clutch, winning the big game, or making plays when it counts, all the way back to the "Timeout" play at Michigan. The part about his fake "badass" persona is spot on too. I don't know how many times i'd watch the Kings play the Lakers during the height of the "Queens/Lakers" feud and see CWebb running up and down the court with that phonyass scowl on his face...until the 4th quarter hit when he'd promptly disappear.

 

[Bowser]

Ric knows his stuff, thats for sure....but he does come off as being a little angry sometime. Anyone is better than Marc Stein, and you know its true....did David Aldridge really leave ESPN? Where's he at?

TNT, I believe.

 

[bishoptl]

But the Kings clearly aren't mourning his absence. They are playing with the zest of men freed from bondage. Maybe they aren't any more of a threat to win a title this year than they were with him -- but the way they looked Monday night, they certainly aren't any less.

A perfect summation of last night's game. Skinner and whatsisname have made Petrie look like a freaking genius - and Weber is still doing nothing when it counts. Last night's announcing team had me in stitches, though - when the last 10 minutes came around, the colour commentator's crackback about AI sending the other 4 dude to the bench because they're not going to touch the ball again had me rolling. :lol

 

[Eminem]

Ric knows his stuff, thats for sure....but he does come off as being a little angry sometime. Anyone is better than Marc Stein, and you know its true....did David Aldridge really leave ESPN? Where's he at?

yeah, TNT.

 

[etiolate]

what isn't true about that article? Webber has and always will have the rep for never coming through in the clutch, winning the big game, or making plays when it counts, all the way back to the "Timeout" play at Michigan. The part about his fake "badass" persona is spot on too. I don't know how many times i'd watch the Kings play the Lakers during the height of the "Queens/Lakers" feud and see CWebb running up and down the court with that phonyass scowl on his face...until the 4th quarter hit when he'd promptly disappear.

I'm not talking about Webber failing in the clutch(though peolpe forget he hit big shots for the Kings this year), more when Bucher exagerated the story:

Then, when Peja Stojakovic came at him on a breakaway and missed a leaner, Webber grabbed the rebound and smirked, as if to say, "I told you he was soft." This being the Peja he vaguely accused last summer of not being tough enough and thereby contributing to why the Kings never reached the NBA Finals. When another turnover produced another Stojakovic drive on Webber, Stojakovic finished this one and drew a foul. Webber patted referee Gary Zielinski on the butt, said, "Good call," then sneered all the way back to the 76ers' bench. A little later, he grabbed a rebound and bounce-passed it behind his back to Iverson while staring at the Kings' bench, as if to say, "Yeah, you once had a big man who could that."

Like that. I watched the game, there wasn't any animosity like that going on. He just started filling his story with crap like that halfway in.

And I can't believe Brian Skinner never got off the bench in Philly.

 

[bishoptl]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=250328022 :lol

"We're No. 1. You can put us up against anybody in the league," Hughes said.

Arenas scored 28 points and Hughes added 25 points Monday night, leading the Wizards to a 114-16 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Gotta love dem typos

 

[DMczaf]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/292947p-250770c.html

Magic Johnson sees a renaissance in Knicks basketball, just not this season. And maybe not next year, either.

:lol Magic on top of his game

"I know (Isiah's) not done," Johnson said, alluding to what may be a busy summer for Thomas on the trade front.

"It's going to continue until he's got what he needs."

Damn, I was hoping he would stop when he doesn't have what he needs.

 

[bishoptl]

Magic and Isiah have been in each other's back pocket since way back. You remember the two of them kissing at center court before a game? WTF :lol

For such a smart businessman (and no matter what you may think of Magic, he knows business), he's incredibly blind when it comes to the Knick's shortcomings. That team is capped out and then some - never mind how many guys that they traded away who are now contributing heavily on playoff contenders. Othella Harrington. Dikembe Mutumbo. Shandon Anderson.

Anyone seen Jamal Crawford lately? :lol

Zeke continues to display his incredible managing acumen. Looks good on ya, NY.

 

[bionic77]

Magic and Isiah have been in each other's back pocket since way back. You remember the two of them kissing at center court before a game? WTF :lol

Jordan made Magic do it.

 

[Loki]

Magic and Isiah have been in each other's back pocket since way back. You remember the two of them kissing at center court before a game? WTF :lol

I've always contended that Isiah (and I guess Magic, by extension) were gay. Not just because of what you mentioned above, but there were also murmurs back when Magic announced that he had contracted HIV-- iirc, Isiah or someone close to Isiah told a reporter that Magic had engaged in homosexual sex.


Not only that, but did anyone see the way Isiah totally looked like he was gonna cream his pants when he paired up with Magic during the All-Star weekend two years back for that "shootout" event? Isiah's eyes were glowing, like he was truly in love with Magic. I recall watching it, and Isiah was going on and on about how much he "loved" Magic and what a "special relationship they had that no one else could understand", and between the tone of his voice, the look in his eyes, and what he was saying, I half expected Isiah on national TV to go "I have a confession to make..."


Seriously-- I wish I had a tape of that event. There's no way those two haven't been intimately involved. This wasn't merely deep friendship. I love my best friend as much as anyone, but...no. I guess there's still too much of a stigma attached to "coming out" in pro sports even though it's become more accepted in society at large.

 

[bionic77]

I've always contended that Isiah (and I guess Magic, by extension) were gay. Not just because of what you mentioned above, but there were also murmurs back when Magic announced that he had contracted HIV-- iirc, Isiah or someone close to Isiah told a reporter that Magic had engaged in homosexual sex.


Not only that, but did anyone see the way Isiah totally looked like he was gonna cream his pants when he paired up with Magic during the All-Star weekend two years back for that "shootout" event? Isiah's eyes were glowing, like he was truly in love with Magic. I recall watching it, and Isiah was going on and on about how much he "loved" Magic and what a "special relationship they had that no one else could understand", and between the tone of his voice, the look in his eyes, and what he was saying, I half expected Isiah on national TV to go "I have a confession to make..."


Seriously-- I wish I had a tape of that event. There's no way those two haven't been intimately involved. This wasn't merely deep friendship. I love my best friend as much as anyone, but...no. I guess it's still too much of a stigma in pro sports to come out even though it's become more accepted in society at large.

I have always contended that Jordan is a filthy terrorist that gave Magic HIV and forced him to kiss Isiah Thomas. I don't know much about Isiah's personal life, but Magic definitely wasn't considering the amount of ass he bagged at the Playboy Mansion alone (I heard Jordan wasn't allowed the premises, somthing about being too ugly and how it would be cruel to the Playmates). Maybe Magic is bi, but I think it is much more logical to assume that Magic was somehow blackmailed by Jordan into kissing Isiah. Jordan knew deep down he could never match Magic on the court in a fair fight, so he had to resort to blackmail and biological warfare (I won't even go into how Magic really got HIV) to make himself look better. There are literally websites out there on geocites to back up all my claims. Notice the plural usage of the word website, as in more then one. I think that evidence speaks for itself.

P.S. Jordan and Brady are gay lovers.

 

[bishoptl]

"Oh bionic....you see this fine specimen right here? I'm gonna bone her in the starfish in the back of my limo all the way home. Yes, yes I am."

 

[DMczaf]

I have always contended that Jordan is a filthy terrorist that gave Magic HIV and forced him to kiss Isiah Thomas. I don't know much about Isiah's personal life, but Magic definitely wasn't considering the amount of ass he bagged at the Playboy Mansion alone (I heard Jordan wasn't allowed the premises, somthing about being too ugly and how it would be cruel to the Playmates). Maybe Magic is bi, but I think it is much more logical to assume that Magic was somehow blackmailed by Jordan into kissing Isiah. Jordan knew deep down he could never match Magic on the court in a fair fight, so he had to resort to blackmail and biological warfare (I won't even go into how Magic really got HIV) to make himself look better. There are literally websites out there on geocites to back up all my claims. Notice the plural usage of the word website, as in more then one. I think that evidence speaks for itself.

P.S. Jordan and Brady are gay lovers.

Don't forget Jordan also sexually assaulted Kobe when he was still a teenager

Mmmm

 

[Boomer]

"Oh bionic....you see this fine specimen right here? I'm gonna bone her in the starfish in the back of my limo all the way home. Yes, yes I am."

starfish :lol

She's hot.

 

[DMczaf]

http://s7.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1RC5DKHRYE3WB37DFJCTFWTQNA

:lol :lol

 

[Cloudy]

A win at last! *tears of joy*

 

[rc213]

WOOOOOOO! The Slump Is Over! CHAMPIONSHIP HERE WE COME!

 

[DMczaf]

A win at last! *tears of joy*

Lakers next 10 games

Mar 31 Minnesota 10:30 pm
Apr 2 at San Antonio 8:30 pm
Apr 3 at Memphis 8:00 pm
Apr 5 at Phoenix 10:00 pm
Apr 7 vs Houston 10:30 pm
Apr 8 at Seattle 10:30 pm
Apr 10 at Sacramento 3:30 pm
Apr 11 vs Phoenix 10:30 pm
Apr 15 vs Sacramento 10:30 pm
Apr 17 vs Dallas 3:30 pm ABC

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Cloudy]

Oh, I still want them firmly in the lotto but pls no losing streak records :lol

 

[Incognito]

SONICS COME BACK FROM 14; CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT

WITHOUT LEWIS, RADMONOVIC, OR FORTSON WHILE ALLOWING MEMPHIS TO SHOOT 56% ON THEIR HOMECOURT.

SAN ANTONIO, UR NEXT.

 

[DarienA]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/11264191.htm

This team isn't quite as close -- very few are -- but it shares the spotlight, the credit, the ball, the triumphs and more, as evidenced by Wang Zhi-Zhi's obsession with soul food, and his demands that all teammates call him if they're going to get some.

''There has been no head-butting,'' Wade says. ``Not one incident all year.''

And then, through a laugh, after much prodding, he admits that, yes, Lamar Odom and Caron Butler have called his cellphone to complain about what they left now that they're stuck with pry-the-ball-from-my-cold-dead-fingers Bryant.

oooooooooh.

 

[bionic77]

"Oh bionic....you see this fine specimen right here? I'm gonna bone her in the starfish in the back of my limo all the way home. Yes, yes I am."

If that isn't the face of evil, I don't know what is.

Loki, Lakers are out of the playoffs, but Kobe's FG% is over 43% now. Time to pay up on our bet. You will have some sort of Kobe avatar for the next month.

 

[AirBrian]

Lakers next 10 games

Mar 31 Minnesota 10:30 pm
Apr 2 at San Antonio 8:30 pm
Apr 3 at Memphis 8:00 pm
Apr 5 at Phoenix 10:00 pm
Apr 7 vs Houston 10:30 pm
Apr 8 at Seattle 10:30 pm
Apr 10 at Sacramento 3:30 pm
Apr 11 vs Phoenix 10:30 pm
Apr 15 vs Sacramento 10:30 pm
Apr 17 vs Dallas 3:30 pm ABC

:lol :lol :lol

Holy crap! Is that schedule for real? :lol :lol

 

[Hurricane_Chris]

It might seem lunacy to trade a talent like Kobe. After all, the kid can still get it done offensively. He is often spectacular. He can do it all. He can win a game single-handedly. The trouble is, he often tries, and sometimes he loses them single-handedly as well. He might put on an astounding display, draining three or four 3-pointers in a row. But then will come a key possession, when a cocky willingness to slay an opponent by himself should give way to thoughtful management of the clock and the ball, and Bryant will respond by taking a fall-away trey with two foes in his face. He’ll miss, and the game will slip away.

Might be a good idea to get something for the Kobster before his stock drops more than it already has...

link

 

[Cloudy]

Might be a good idea to get something for the Kobster before his stock drops more than it already has...

Only Kobe can average 28, 6 and 6 and still be talked about as if he's some bum player :lol

 

[DMczaf]

Only Kobe can average 28, 6 and 6 and still be talked about as if he's some bum player :lol

Um...*cough*

 

[Cloudy]

I guess that's true but the Magic only won like 20 games...playing in the East! >_< Lakers were in the playoff race all year and if the Grizz keep tanking (nooooooooo!), who knows?

Hopefully, Kobe can get some balance around him and bounce back like Tracy next season

 

[DMczaf]

Hopefully, Kobe can get some balance around him and bounce back like Tracy next season

 

[DarienA]

I guess that's true but the Magic only won like 20 games...playing in the East! >_< Lakers were in the playoff race all year and if the Grizz keep tanking (nooooooooo!), who knows?

Hopefully, Kobe can get some balance around him and bounce back like Tracy next season

ummm and I'm seriously not being funny which year are you referring to?

 

[bionic77]

I guess that's true but the Magic only won like 20 games...playing in the East! >_< Lakers were in the playoff race all year and if the Grizz keep tanking (nooooooooo!), who knows?

Hopefully, Kobe can get some balance around him and bounce back like Tracy next season

P.S. DM, notice the praise Konex had for T-Mac at the end there? It is working...

 

[DMczaf]

P.S. DM, notice the praise Konex had for T-Mac at the end there? It is working...

 

[Cloudy]

ummm and I'm seriously not being funny which year are you referring to?

Just so you know, they were never under .500 since starting 1-2 until this current 8 game losing streak and only fell out of a playoff spot during that stretch. With Kobe missing 14 games, that's pretty remarkable.

In fact, they are mathematically still in the playoff race but I want them to lose the next 8. Deron Williams, baby!!!!

 

[DarienA]

Just so you know, they were never under .500 since starting 1-2 until this current 8 game losing streak. In fact, they are mathematically still in the playoff race but I want them to lose the next 8

Oh I know that, it's just weird to hear this mish mash team being described as in the playoff hunt... then again I guess for the most part most teams were still in the playoff hunt most of the year...

 

[Cloudy]

Jeanine Buss just called in on Rome's show during his daily Kobe-bashing session. Looks like the org. is tired of seeing their franchise player get trashed :lol

 

[Blackace]

Jeanine Buss just called in on Rome's show during his daily Kobe-bashing session. Looks like the org. is tired of seeing their franchise player get trashed :lol

Buss: Don't ruin his stock before we trade his ass!

 

[Blackace]

Only Kobe can average 28, 6 and 6 and still be talked about as if he's some bum player :lol

Fact: scoring a lot of points while playing for a bad team doesn't make you a great player
21 pts 10 rbs 2.7 as a game the year before being trade to my beloved Sonics...

 

[Bowser]

Boozer's done for the rest of year...

 

[Matrix]

:lol Gundy is priceless...

 

[DMczaf]

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Pimpwerx]

Hopefully, Kobe can get some balance around him and bounce back like Tracy next season

Keep your false praise and your bad luck the fuck away from T-Mac and The Heat. You have been warned. PEACE.

 

[Loki]

LOL! :lol

 

[Guzim]

Bulls losing!?

WTF!?

 

[theo]

celtics being owned by keith van horn?!?!?

unbelievable

 

[Doc Holliday]

Air Gordon!