Okay, so this has been all over the place in the past 24 hours. Let’s run down the sequence of events:
1) ESPN’s Ric Bucher says that Kobe Bryant will demand a trade if Jerry West isn’t rehired as the Lakers’ general manager.
2) Kobe says that’s not so to the LA Times. (The trade request part, not the Jerry West part.)
3) ESPN’s Steven A Smith, on Monday’s NBA Shootaround, says he’s talked to Kobe and Bucher was telling the truth. Kobe will demand a trade.
Now the latest – Kobe has typed up his own statement for release on his website. A portion is below.
I have NOT asked to be traded, I don’t want to be traded and I have given no ultimatums or demands of being traded.
I love it here in LA, my family loves it here. I’ve been a laker fan my whole life. A REAL Laker fan! I’m talkin Silk Wilks days, and know the history of the Lakers going back to George Mikan era. I WANT to retire a Laker and contend for titles.
It is my opinion that Mr Clutch, one of the greatest GMs the game has ever seen would b able to get us to back to that level sooner rather than later. If he is available, then it makes sense to give him the reigns and let him do what he does BEST. I KNOW I can trust him to build us an elite team.
Since there are typos in there, you know it’s real. It’s also in a section called “The Truth”, so it’s even like labelled clearly as not being “The Lie”. Not only that, but it’s next to a huge picture of Kobe’s head.
What can we learn from this?
Basically, that ESPN is trying to spice up both their NBA Playoff coverage and their summer trade rumor thingies. You know that Kobe’s name will officially be in play for rumored trades by guys like Sam Smith and Jay Mariotti (who’s already on it) no matter what now.
It remains to be seen how ESPN will refute Kobe’s insistance that they’re lying, but there’s no doubt they shall find a way.
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Number 39????
On the MAMBAS????
Is this the new team in Las Vegas that Kobe wants to be traded to once he starts it?
Apparently his left arm wasn’t included in the trade.
Is that little WSM patch on his shoulder because it died?
Also, does the word Mambas on the jersey indicate that maybe the Mamba reproduced and that shooting one of them isn’t the end … or is it?
Mamba is sterile, although that’s not revealed in the film – there’s some behind the scenes juice for you!
kobe is the best thing thats happened to the Lakers since the early 90s and he’s staying period.
why dont you give us accurate news, i knew i should not trust anything from something called yaysports what the hell is tht. kobe will be on the bulls next season
kobe is a laker for life and if he is traded the lakers will lose a lot of fans,games,and money, my son will die of a heart attack because of cancer
Kobe is the best player to EVER play this game. I love this guy’s game. But let’s all face it. Wer’e worrying about a frikin millionaire getting money for just playing basketball….. If want’s to be stupid and leave RIGHT after he made # 24 jerseys (aka piss off Laker fans who bought the jersey like me) then let him do it. He won’t win a title whereever he goes next anyway because they fotta trade their best talent for him. Either way Kobe loses, unfortunately. LAKERS 4 EVER!!!! Peace.
i fill he needs to leave because he can do it all by himself he needs some help kevin garrent is leaving the timberwolves but he says its a better chance of hIM is going to the cavilers and win a couple of campionships with by boy lebron james aka king james his name AINT lebrick james it is LEBRON JAMES AKA KING JAMES GET IT CORRECT PHIL JASKSON IS GOING TO PERSHAUDE HIM SOME KIND OF WAY
haha, I never heard LeBrick James before… that’s pretty funny
kobe is the best player of all time yes he is better than michael jordan and magic johnson he is number one
kobe is one of the best nba stars acctully hes brought the nba to a whole new level and he could do alot more. also other players could learn from him
kobe isnt goin no were he is gona stay a laker forever AND HE IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA
What the hell is a mamba? Number 39? HE IS STAYING WITH THE LAKERS… WITH THE NUMBER 24!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
klfdsmg;l
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