Kobe: If West isn't back running Lakers I want out

[AleksandarN]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2884339

Kobe Bryant isn't happy with the Lakers' direction and wants Jerry West back in Los Angeles to fix things.

Bryant told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that he wants the Lakers to bring West back to the organization and give him full authority. If the Lakers don't want to do that, Bryant said he wants to be traded.

Bryant is frustrated that the team has not made any significant moves since it re-signed him.

"I want to see us get to a contending level," he told The Los Angeles Times. "I want to see us become a championship contender. It's been a frustrating process for me and I'm sure it's been a frustrating process for all Laker fans. I'm just hoping we can get to that level. I'm still frustrated. I'm waiting for them to make some changes."

Mitch Kupchak is the current Lakers general manager.

West, who spent five seasons in Memphis, will leave his post as the Grizzlies' director of basketball operations July 1 at the end of his contract. West helped build the Lakers' dynasty in the '80s and engineered their rebirth in the '90s, overseeing seven NBA championship teams -- including back-to-back champions in 1987-1988 and three consecutive crowns from 2000-2002.

In Memphis, West never had the advantages he enjoyed in the large market of Los Angeles, where he signed Shaquille O'Neal and traded Vlade Divac for Bryant.

Bryant averaged 31.6 points per game in 2007 as the Lakers qualified for the seventh seed in the Western Conference with a 42-40 record. Los Angeles lost in five games to the Suns, however, and the Lakers haven't won a championship since O'Neal was traded to the Heat.

 

[bozzwell]

Wow. Just WOW.

 

[chrisnu]

Until I see footage of Kobe saying "get Jerry West back or I want out", I think this article is taking quotes about Kobe wanting the Lakers' FO to make changes, and putting words in his mouth.

 

[coolhandluke]

Ric Bucher? Zzzz...

 

[Gargamel]

Kobe, you complete me.

 

[VF21]

Bryant told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher ...

I quit reading after those seven words.

 

[Gargamel]

I quit reading after those seven words.

Bucher is one of Kobe's shills along w/ Jim Gray. I would put it at 100% that Kobe spoke with Bucher, but Bucher got the "or trade me" aspect wrong (Bucher amended his comment shortly after making it, which indicates that Kobe set him up to break the news and maybe even texted him back calling him a doink).

^ Assuming this is true:

a) Kobe speaks to West and I doubt he would make a statement like that w/o having a sense that it's even slightly possible.
b) It's already proven that Kobe is dissatisfied w/ Kupchak (we don't even have to make that leap anymore).
c) Kobe knows Buss sided with Magic in 81 against Westhead (a firing which Riley still says was unfair).
d) West was categorized by Jack Kent Cooke as "obsessed with money". Multiple examples of this including retiring early out of spite and suing the franchise. How much would Buss be willing to pay him in order to appease Kobe?
e) I doubt West would bump Kupchak out of loyalty. If he came back it would probably be in an advisory role.
f) Roland Lazenby once asked West a question about Jackson (pre-1999) and West replied, "F Phil Jackson" twice. Jackson barred West from team pow wows. This would drive an interesting wedge between the triad.
g) Buss wants son Jimmy to take over for Kupchak. This would be his major hesitance to negotiate w/ West.

Lotta intrigue there.

 

[VF21]

Oh, drama in La-La Land. I do love this stuff, you know. Quick. Somebody call Jeff Probst. I smell a reality series in here somewhere... Survivor: Staples Center. Outwit, outplay, outlast!!!

 

[Gargamel]

Oh, drama in La-La Land.

Big names come attached with big egos.

 

[Evenstar]

retire jerry west RETIRE!!!!!!!

 

[hoopsfan]

Jerry West on ESPN:
" I'm a lifelong Laker and we will see what happens."

Sounds like an interesting summer.

 

[Krunker]

Here's a LA Times article with a take on the situation that Kobe is dropping hints to be traded so he doesn't receive the fan's wrath:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baske...eadlines-sports-nba-lakers&ctrack=1&cset=true

 

[Warhawk]

Oh, drama in La-La Land. I do love this stuff, you know. Quick. Somebody call Jeff Probst. I smell a reality series in here somewhere... Survivor: Staples Center. Outwit, outplay, outlast!!!

I'd find it hilarious if West did come aboard the Lakers again and then determined that with what he can get in trade that the Lakers would be better without Kobe. He'd get both wishes - West would be back AND he'd get traded.

 

[Gargamel]

Jerry West on ESPN:
" I'm a lifelong Laker and we will see what happens."

Sounds like an interesting summer.

Logo was smart as usual for leaving himself a possible onramp back into the org by using the fractional-truth that stress lead him to Memphis.

When he retired and sued Cooke for breach of contract (issues w/ what Wilt was earning), it's interesting that his lawsuit dropped as soon as he was offered the head coaching spot. It's assumed reparations were made, but he has never talked about particulars. He always calls the mid-70s as the worst time of his life and leaves it at that. If he were to come back again, it wouldn't even be the first time -- and Cooke makes Buss look like a rookie when it comes to playing hardball so as long as his requirements could be met, I could see him coming back in some capacity. I'd be surprised if he bumped Kupchak though.

 

[hoopsfan]

Here's an article that actually has quotes from Kobe...unlike Ric Bucher's.

Quote:Bryant has maintained a relationship with West since his NBA career began and made no secret of his desire for the Lakers to bring him on board, which could be awkward for General Manager Mitch Kupchak, who was West's protege.

"My feeling on Jerry West is I trust him completely," Bryant said. "I don't want to get into people believing me to be bashing anybody.

"Mitch is a great guy. All I can go by is what has happened with this team the last two years, and I know Jerry West is a guy who's great at what he does.

"He wants to win and he wants to win right now. I can roll with that, even if we don't have the complete turnaround we're hoping to have this summer. Just having him back in the nucleus will help."

Lakers officials declined to comment about West, who will complete an up-and-down five-year run as the Memphis Grizzlies' director of basketball operations when his contract expires July 1.

The Lakers couldn't begin negotiations with West until that time, although a source close to West said he might simply choose to retire.

If not, West would have to consider whether to return to the team. West and Kupchak are close friends, and West would have to weigh the public's perception and Kupchak's feelings of such a move as undermining Kupchak's authority, even if West returns only as a consultant.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson would be fine with West returning, said a source close to Jackson, despite the fact West and Jackson were not on overly friendly terms when West stepped down in 2000.


Quote:Bryant said he did not link his future with the Lakers to the hiring of West, as ESPN.com reported Sunday. He has not asked for a trade and did not foresee seeking one if West was not hired.

"I would love for him to be a part of this," Bryant said. "But it's not something where I demand he comes here. All I can do is offer my thoughts. I love being a Laker. I want to retire a Laker. I want to fix this thing, or at least help any way I can."

linkamajig

 

[hoopsfan]

I could see him coming back in some capacity. I'd be surprised if he bumped Kupchak though.

At least title-wise. You can't tell me that if he came back, he would let Mitch have the last word.

 

[Gargamel]

At least title-wise. You can't tell me that if he came back, he would let Mitch have the last word.

Yeah. You'd have a situation like DeNiro in Casino where he changed his job title to avoid scrutiny by the feds, yet he still remained manager of the casino.

Mitch is a patsy anyway. Jim Buss would be the problem.

P.S. Plaschke is such a hack. Damn. He has no limits.

 

[hoopsfan]

Yeah. You'd have a situation like DeNiro in Casino where he changed his job title to avoid scrutiny by the feds, yet he still remained manager of the casino.

Mitch is a patsy anyway. Jim Buss would be the problem.

^^^True dat!

 

[BRad1055]

Jerry West is coming back. He said yesterday when asked abot he said "I hadn't really thought about, We will see what happens" when he was asked about the lakers job. That is code for my cell phone is on so just give me a call and I will be there to take over the Lakers. This will end good for Kobe and the Lakers and Jerry West will be back as GM sometime in July. Guarenteed.
.

 

[chaps]

Kobe is an idiot.

He forces Shaq out of L.A. to be THE man and management gave him what he wanted. Fast forward 3 years of mediocrity and early playoff exits, and he wants management to go get a superstar to bring the Lakers back to being contenders. Newsflash Kobe, If Shaq would of stayed in L.A, Bryant would be THE man right now because Shaq has clearly declined over the past 5 years and has shown that he has no problem whatsoever being Wade's "sidekick". Since Kobe and Shaq clearly dont have their prime at the same time: 2000-2004 was the Shaq led L.A Lakers and 2004-present would of been Kobe's Lakers with Shaq as a Sidekick.

Kind of like the Showtime Lakers where in the early 80's it was more Kareem's team, but in the mid-80's and after it became more Magic's team. Magic was just smart enough to realize that you dont win in the NBA without another superstar by your side, no matter how good you are. Jordan had Pippen, Bird had McHale, Kareem & Magic, Russell had Cousy, Shaq had Kobe, Wade had Shaq, Duncan had Robinson and his foreign backcourt. Malone had Stockton and that wasn't even enough to get them over the hump. Kobe just doesn't get it. Great player, don't get me wrong, the best in the world today, but if the Lakers are in a hole right now, he definitely deserves part of the blame. Which is why I don't feel sorry for him one bit.

 

[BRad1055]

Shaq would never have declined to Kobe and let him be the man. Just my opinion. This happens I mean you relate this to a marriage where Kobe and Shaq had there good years i.e. three titles and had there bad years i.e. the last few in LA. It is not to say it wasn't a good time together for them cause obviously it was, but people grow apart and the "marriage" ends in divorce. LOL I don't know if any of that made sense to anyone?

 

[chaps]

Shaq would never have declined to Kobe and let him be the man. Just my opinion. This happens I mean you relate this to a marriage where Kobe and Shaq had there good years i.e. three titles and had there bad years i.e. the last few in LA. It is not to say it wasn't a good time together for them cause obviously it was, but people grow apart and the "marriage" ends in divorce. LOL I don't know if any of that made sense to anyone?

I understand what you mean, but me and you are just gonna have to agree to disagree. Shaq doesn't care about being THE man, he just wants to win at all cost. it just happened that when L.A. won it three years in a row, at that time he was better suited to be the go-to-guy and Kobe the second option. But last year, it was Wade that won them the championship and you never heard him whine about it. I firmly believe that if you ask Shaq in 2003, before their ugly "divorce", he would of been more than happy to be the second option behind Kobe when his skills started to decline and Kobe's were hitting his prime.

Shaq is proving with Dwyane Wade right now, that he puts winning in front of everything, including getting his shots.

 

[jon e]

what bigger f you could kobe do to the lakers than sign with their northern rival in sacramento...

come kobe come..... ill show you around and buy you a cheeseburger that isnt laced with laxative

 

[Freakout]

Kobe is an idiot.

He forces Shaq out of L.A. to be THE man and management gave him what he wanted. Fast forward 3 years of mediocrity and early playoff exits, and he wants management to go get a superstar to bring the Lakers back to being contenders. Newsflash Kobe, If Shaq would of stayed in L.A, Bryant would be THE man right now because Shaq has clearly declined over the past 5 years and has shown that he has no problem whatsoever being Wade's "sidekick". Since Kobe and Shaq clearly dont have their prime at the same time: 2000-2004 was the Shaq led L.A Lakers and 2004-present would of been Kobe's Lakers with Shaq as a Sidekick.

Kind of like the Showtime Lakers where in the early 80's it was more Kareem's team, but in the mid-80's and after it became more Magic's team. Magic was just smart enough to realize that you dont win in the NBA without another superstar by your side, no matter how good you are. Jordan had Pippen, Bird had McHale, Kareem & Magic, Russell had Cousy, Shaq had Kobe, Wade had Shaq, Duncan had Robinson and his foreign backcourt. Malone had Stockton and that wasn't even enough to get them over the hump. Kobe just doesn't get it. Great player, don't get me wrong, the best in the world today, but if the Lakers are in a hole right now, he definitely deserves part of the blame. Which is why I don't feel sorry for him one bit.

Clearly it goes right over your head.

This is not just about the last 3 seasons. The fact is the current front office has never built a contender. Jim Buss and Mitch Kupcake have no idea how to do it.

Every since they let West walk the team has steadily declined. Poor drafts, wasting ending contracts, passing on trades that would improve the team, pathetic use of the MLE. All of those things were happening while Shaq was still here. It is just that now the impact is being felt.

You can blame Kobe for running Shaq out of town all you like but the fact is Jerry Buss was not going to give Shaq the extension he was wanting and it pissed Shaq off. Shaq also despised Mitch Kupcake and mocked him in the papers every chance he got and even said the team wouldn't had became the mess it did had Jerry West still been in charge.

Then again why am I bothering. Shaq hating Kobe = good. Kobe hating Shaq = selfish and stupid.

 

[Freakout]

I understand what you mean, but me and you are just gonna have to agree to disagree. Shaq doesn't care about being THE man, he just wants to win at all cost. it just happened that when L.A. won it three years in a row, at that time he was better suited to be the go-to-guy and Kobe the second option. But last year, it was Wade that won them the championship and you never heard him whine about it. I firmly believe that if you ask Shaq in 2003, before their ugly "divorce", he would of been more than happy to be the second option behind Kobe when his skills started to decline and Kobe's were hitting his prime.

Shaq is proving with Dwyane Wade right now, that he puts winning in front of everything, including getting his shots.

Shaq doesn't care about being the man NOW. It would be different if he was still in his prime. All he use to do was ***** about not getting the ball enough.

 

[Gargamel]

Shaq doesn't care about being THE man, he just wants to win at all cost. it just happened that when L.A. won it three years in a row, at that time he was better suited to be the go-to-guy and Kobe the second option.

Holy crap.

 

[nbrans]

I don't even understand why people think Jerry West is such a great general manager. He's really not that good!! He just got done turning the Grizzlies into an absolute disaster, his drafts has been terrible, and the Lakers' decline started in part due to the bad moves he made after the Lakers got good.

Let's look at some of his recent transactions:
Traded Shane Battier for Stro Swift and Rudy Gay
Signed Damon Stoudamire to a horrible deal
Signed Chucky Atkins (why?)
Traded Bonzi to the Kings for Bobby Jackson, who left in free agency
Traded JWill and Posey for Eddie Jones
Signed Brian Cardinal to an insanely horrible deal
Traded Brevin Knight for Bo Outlaw and Big Jake
Drafted Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones
And, of course, drafted Drew Gooden when Nene, Amare and Caron Butler were available

What a disaster! Ok, so he traded for Kobe. Great. Name another good move he's made since then.

 

[jon e]

I don't even understand why people think Jerry West is such a great general manager. He's really not that good!! He just got done turning the Grizzlies into an absolute disaster, his drafts has been terrible, and the Lakers' decline started in part due to the bad moves he made after the Lakers got good.

Let's look at some of his recent transactions:
Traded Shane Battier for Stro Swift and Rudy Gay
Signed Damon Stoudamire to a horrible deal
Signed Chucky Atkins (why?)
Traded Bonzi to the Kings for Bobby Jackson, who left in free agency
Traded JWill and Posey for Eddie Jones
Signed Brian Cardinal to an insanely horrible deal
Traded Brevin Knight for Bo Outlaw and Big Jake
Drafted Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones
And, of course, drafted Drew Gooden when Nene, Amare and Caron Butler were available

What a disaster! Ok, so he traded for Kobe. Great. Name another good move he's made since then.

i agree, it says it all. jerry west > mitch kupchak, but yea why name him?

 

[VF21]

what bigger f you could kobe do to the lakers than sign with their northern rival in sacramento...

come kobe come..... ill show you around and buy you a cheeseburger that isnt laced with laxative

Blech. Double blech.

Sorry, but this Kings fan isn't in any hurry to get Kobe Bryant. I want a TEAM, not a lead singer and backup group.

 

[jon e]

Blech. Double blech.

Sorry, but this Kings fan isn't in any hurry to get Kobe Bryant. I want a TEAM, not a lead singer and backup group.

i see your point but this kings fan is. the lakers backup group sucks! if kobe gad a "TEAM", he would use them. one might say hes had a team and ran it out of town, but he also cheated on his wife. hes made some poor decisions but hes smart enough to learn from his mistakes. never pass on that kind of talent. at the initial remarks about being traded, im sure alot of ears perked up