The Arrogant, Entitltled World Champion Los Angeles Lakers

[Bklyn]

This game was over after the non-call on Kobe's pump fake three on Harden and the Two Techs (nod to BIG) in the first half. I bailed on it at that point. I figured I would catch up on The Borgias.

[Chuck Nevitt]

I'm surprised the series was as competitive as it was.

[Bklyn]

Me too. It rightfully should have been a Game 6. Only Games 1 & 5 were definitive.

[sotola]

What I didn't understand about this series is that Kobe looked like he couldn't stand his teammates throughout much of it yet seemed totally pissed when the reporter eluded to blowing up the team. He truly is Jekyll and Hyde.

I can't see Gasol wearing laker purple/gold next season. But I also think his trade value has diminished considerably.

This is Kupchak's most important off season since he got Gasol (which actually occured post summer but you get the gist). If he isn't able to make a decent deal, I think we see a repeat of the crazed Kobe wanting to deal all of his teammates a couple summers back.

Question for Laker fans though --- would you trade Kobe if you somehow were able to net two can't miss all-stars in their early 20's and keep the other major cog (Bynum)? Kobe is getting older that the choice is either --- you keep him for life, or you trade him now before his value hits the downhill. Once he starts heading downward, no team will want a 34+ player making almost 20M. Some would argue that his game has already started the descent (me being one) but his game and rep are still far more scary than the majority of "all-stars". I just wonder if the exploring trades this summer doesn't include looking at suitors for Kobe.

[T Dot O Dot]

Pau got treated like he was Smush Parker by Kobe this series, if I were him I'd just ask out and make it easy for them to decide between he & Bynum.

LA should open talks with Houston again, Pau for Scola & Kevin Martin or something like that.

[tin mad dog]

I've been saying since January that the one they should trade is Ko-bitch. Are any of you tired of him throwing his teammates under the bus? He's getting older and "2005 Selfish Kobe" showed up a lot more often this year. His FG% is going down at the same time as more shots are going up. You can still get a ton of value for him.

Something like Kobe for Rondo, Allen and a couple of 1st rounders from Boston. You need a PG that feeds the 2 Seven-foot all-stars on the team. I know Kobe has a no-trade clause in his contract but he might play the "trade me" card once more. Boston, with KG and Pierce may still appeal to him.

You're probably tied down to him, which is fine if they find a way to get Howard. Otherwise, there are going to be a lot of 2nd round exits in the lakes near future.

[Bklyn]

Yeah, TMD is right...Kobe won't be traded with that No Trade Clause of his.

If LA wanted to really be dickish, they would just Amnesty him and trade Pau for Scola and KMart and try to land Deron.

It won't happen though, as the whole city of LA would revolt. People don't buy tickets to Lakers games to see Pau or Bynum and no matter where they finish in the Playoffs, they are still charging $2,700 for a courtside seat.

[T Dot O Dot]

how much over the cap are you? would amnesty on Kobe even get you the cap space for Deron?

[Bklyn]

Kobe's almost half the LA salary for next year ($27M out of $64M in salary). Pau makes $19M next year too. So, swapping him for KMart and Scola and getting rid of Bean's salary would have them at about $37/38M in salaries, with plenty of room for another star.

[Jungle Rat]

Kobe won't win another ring in LA.

[tin mad dog]

What about Pau to Chicago for Boozer and C.J.Watson? Isn't Boozer one of Kobe's dookie buddies? I'm not a big fan of Boozer's but if LA is set on shaking things up, this could be something to look into. I think if I'm Chicago, I do it.

[Jungle Rat]

Kobe will retire a Laker and LA fans will suffer for it for the next few years. It's Durants time. Watch

[aTm]

You will trade Pau to the Rockets for enough peanuts to match salary!

[Bklyn]

It's Durant's time, but Scott Brooks is not a great coach...which means there is plenty of room for people to steal years from him.

[Bklyn]

Kobe won't win another ring in LA.

It's been said, incorrectly, before. The people who said it never remember that they did though, ironically.

Bean is too much of a competitor to totally write off and he still plays for the premiere franchise in the L. I won't say he won't win another until he retires or dies.

[hedge]

"This game was over after the non-call on Kobe's pump fake three on Harden and the Two Techs (nod to BIG) in the first half. I bailed on it at that point. I figured I would catch up on The Borgias."

"I'm surprised the series was as competitive as it was."

The basketball or The Borgias?

[Bklyn]

Both, actually.

[T Dot O Dot]

Kobe won't win another ring in LA.

It's been said, incorrectly, before. The people who said it never remember that they did though, ironically.

Bean is too much of a competitor to totally write off and he still plays for the premiere franchise in the L. I won't say he won't win another until he retires or dies.

I lost my tagline for a year on WX for sayin Kobe wouldnt win a chip again

[T Dot O Dot]

this is the rallying pic for the anti-Bynum camp in LA, the tale of two facial expressions after a playoff loss to OKC

[Bklyn]

Kobe's passion is basketball, whereas Bynum is just good at it. It's his job. He'll never be a true leader of champions.