Kobe demands to be traded

The guy is unbelievably talented, but he's another athlete I've had more than enough of with his off the court b.s. Why is he making these claims now, three years after Shaq and Jackson left (the latter came back after a year away from coaching the Lakers)?

He would make any team better, no question. But in the salary cap era of the NBA, who can really trade for him? Assuming a team wants Bryant, how can the Lakers ever expect to get anything close to Bryant's value in return?

Forgetting his mouth and ego, I'd gladly take him on the Cavs in exchange for Gooden, Hughes, and either Gibson or Varejao. But if he couldn't peacefully coexist with Shaq, then I don't see how Kobe & LeBron wouldn't have their differences as to who gets the most shots, plays, etc.

Bryant wants out of LA

Although he's probably the most talented player in the world, I wouldn't want him anywhere near the Bulls. I can't remember who it was against but I can remember a very revealing Game 6 or Game 7 playoff game. The Lakers were losing and in the second half, when he should have carried his team and willed them to victory, he passed up shot after shot. In the games before, he was being criticized for taking too many shots and as if to make a point, he wanted to show the media/public what would happen if he didn't take all the shots. Of course, the Lakers lost. I was disgusted.

It wasn't the first time he did that and in my opinion, he basically quit on his team. There is a selfish streak in him that is a bit hard to fathom.

If there was more than one incident, I know for sure something happened the way you described in the Lakers Game 7 vs. Phoenix in the 2006 playoffs. He did quit on his team in that game and the Suns annihilated LA in that game after the Lakers held a 3-1 series lead.

From what it sounds like initially, your Bulls might be one of the few teams that can afford Bryant in the East. I completely understand your reservations, Don Sicilia, but I would not be surprised to see Bryant in the red and white uniform next season. Be prepared for some major turmoil coming from the Bulls locker room. Of course, the Bulls will be next season's favorite to win it all the second this season concludes.

The Bulls would have to give up two out of three of Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Nocioni plus P.J. Brown's expiring contract. LA would probably want the Bulls' lottery pick as well.

They have the parts to do it - it's just a matter of whether they can pull the trigger.

I'd rather watch Global Icon than watch Black Mamba.

Yeah, he's done the not-shooting thing more than once... it seems like he does it after every time his ball-hogging gets bigger attention than usual. It's like, for God's sake, just shoot it! What are you doing? Make your statement some other time, not in playoffs. And then he complains when they lose.

On the one hand, it must be frustrating doing all the scoring. There will usually be one or two other guys who also step up at any given game, like Lamar or sometimes Mo Evans or someone. But we have the youngest team in the NBA. That's one of the problems. They built this team based on potential, not based on "let's win right now". Which kind of sucks, especially when one season after another goes by and still no results. And besides, with all the injuries this season, there's not been more than one or two seriously good guys on the court at one time in a long while.

The managers need to have a busy summer if they want to keep Kobe. I hope he stays. He's the best, I don't care what anyone says. At this point, I don't care who has to be traded in order to keep him. I have an attachment to Lamar, but other than that, get rid of anyone you need to get rid of, as many as need be to get a serious team going.

But if he has to go, we'd better get something damn good out of the deal. And I mean good.

And what you said about the "selfish streak", DB... it's a hell of a lot more than a streak.

Kobe has done a complete 180 and now is saying he doesn't want to be traded. He's going on and on about how he's not going anywhere. L.A. is his team. He could at least just say he's thought the situation over and has changed his mind. But he's making it sound like he never wanted to be traded. Maybe in the meeting Phil had with him he told Kobe he wouldn't get his $80 some millions dollars due him if he left.

Or perhaps people within the Laker organization reminded Kobe how they all stood by him, loaned him the team plane, etc. when he was accused of raping a woman in Colorado. ( at how quickly you forget, Kobe)

Here's Bill Simmons take on possible places Kobe can land if the Lakers trade him:

Seven trade possibilities for Kobe

"What have you done for me lately?"

In any case, if it was true that a Laker "insider" tried to pin the Shaq trade on Kobe (Shaq believes Kobe when Kobe said he didn't say anything), neither side is looking too good right now.

Stephen A. Smith still has a radio show? My thoughts exactly.