Why Kobe Bryant Publicly Recommitted To L.A. LakersApril 21 08  The fog on Kobe Bryant’s relationship with the Lakers has officially cleared. On Monday, the superstar made public what many have suspected for some time: he wants to stay long-term in Los Angeles. Check out the highlights from this story from the Associated Press:
On being a Laker: "Absolutely. I’ve always wanted to be here. I just felt like I was in a position where I didn’t really have a choice. They wanted to go in an opposite direction. My legs aren’t as young as they used to be. Just let me know. I love the weather. I love my ’63 drop-top Impala. I love the 405 [freeway]. I love my guys."
On this season’s success: “The journey we’ve been on is fun. It’s been a blast. With that being said, we play for titles. We want to win the championship. We’ll be disappointed if we don’t. But if it does happen, we’ll regroup and go at it again. We’ve got some great pieces here. Now it’s time to put it all together. We get that big fellow [Andrew Bynum] back down there and we’ll really be rolling."
My Quick Take: Bryant isn’t staying on the left coast because of the Impalas, warm weather, and freeways. Here are his true reasons for sticking in L.A.: - Mamba is winning on his terms. During their championship run, Bryant played second fiddle to Shaq; the ultimate Robin, capable of taking over when Batman (O’Neal) was bricking free throws or grappling with his ‘spare tire’. Now the Lakers are winning and Bryant has his starring role.
- The Lakers finally got their business right. Zen-Master Phil re-signed. The front office seems more stable; Mitch Kupchak is in charge, no more black sheep members of the Buss family posting state of the franchise briefings on their myspace pages.
- This team will compete for years. Pau Gasol can play, Andrew Bynum will evolve into a top centre, and Lamar Odom is a well-rounded talent. Derek Fisher stabilizes and the bench is stacked.
- He belongs in purple-and-gold. The number, eight or twenty-four, doesn’t matter. Could you see Bryant suiting up for another team?
Why do you think Bryant re-committed to the Lakers? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts. Image courtesy of Tim DD.
Posted by
Ron
on 04.23.2008 | Kobe didn’t have to apologize to anyone. Matter of fact if Kobe say’s nothing the Lakers never make any kind of move. Remember we had the same team as last year, that’s why he said what he said. . | Posted by
bwill
on 04.23.2008 | Can you people stop hating on Kobe? He is the nba MVP he is well overdue for one. If Bynum comes back they are going to win the title. KB24 MVP Baby!! . | Posted by
on 04.22.2008 | everyone is a fan of kobe somehow. whether u love to hate him or hate to love him, hes the best. kobe was making his team better before gasol arrived. sasha and farmar were drilling 3’s all day, ronny’s defense got better, etc. i doubt the entire bench would be playing as good if kobe wasnt around. . | Posted by
on 04.22.2008 | How can anyone like kobe, okay hes a good player, but look at how many shots he takes every game, thats the only reason he scores so much. duz he makes his teammates better like a lebron or wade, NO. now , suddenly that the lakers got pau, and bynum was doing good, and the actually started winning, everyone is considering kobe for mvp, when it should be pau or bynum that deserve the credit. have we all forgot how crap kobe and the lakers were doing before those 2 emerged (pau and bynum). even in the short period of time when pau and bynum were both injured, it was the "old lakers" again, with only kobe, and they only won around 50 eprcent of their games, just like the other seasons with only kobe. so KOBE ISNT AN MVP, and, hes only saying he wants to stay because now theyre winning. NOW . | Posted by
ronh
on 04.22.2008 | Kobe Bryant is the best. They are going to win 2 to 3 championships if this team stays healthy. Get em Black Mamba!! . | Posted by
JasonsGay4Suns
on 04.22.2008 | That’s fine Jason, I don’t care why he wants to stay—he’s still here and will be here when we meet in the western finals. I would have loved to hear you change your tune if he had gone to PHX. "Kobe is the greatest player ever to grace the Suns locker room." Ha! I’m a fan, you’re a professional—show it. . | Posted by
R24ADY
on 04.22.2008 | Go Lakersz. Carpe Diem . | Posted by
on 04.21.2008 | the lakers were already good before pau came because bynum’s potential was finally materializing. if bynum never went down, the pau trade would have never happened, but the lakers would have still been on pace for 56 wins just like they were early in the season. so get your facts right jason instead of letting hate ruin your brain cells. . | Posted by
on 04.21.2008 | u guys dont get it. kb24 wouldnt leave. did u see how great they were doing before bynum was injured??? they were already being predicted to go far in the playoffs. kb24 only was considering to leave because he didnt know how well bynum had progressed in the offseason. everyone in the team stepped up their game and so he stood around. plus its true, it would be extremely hard to find a good trade for kobe. i mean, his skillz are off the charts! and the lakers have him!!! . | Posted by
kiddiejoy
on 04.21.2008 | mamba you’re great! . | Posted by
Oly Sandor
on 04.21.2008 | Hi Jason, if the Lakers didn’t improve, then I could see Bryant opting out early and leaving via free agency in 2009-10. However, the Lakers would struggle to trade him for two reasons. First, they are dealing from a position of weakness and getting back anything close to equal value is impossible. Second, Bryant’s contract has been deemed the best in the history of pro sports. Few, if any teams, could assume such a deal. Those that could, like NY, lack tradeable pieces. Just my thought. Thanks for commenting. . | Posted by
Jason
on 04.21.2008 | He only wants to stay because of the Pau Gasol Heist. If that hadn’t happened he’d be in a different city next year. Don’t fool yourselves, Fakers Fans. All glitz and no substance in Hollywood . |
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Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
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