Lakers’ GM Mitch Kupchak has largely escaped the discussion when it comes to front office stupidity in the NBA, and that’s mostly because the last two Laker teams have made the playoffs, despite it being on the back of the team’s sole star player, who has done it while most of the rest of the squad stands around and watches.
After losing to the Suns in the first round, Kobe Bryant said in a press conference that there needed to be major changes, and right now, he’s got one for Jerry Buss: either bring back Jerry West as GM and give him full authority over basketball operations, or he’s willing to waive my no-trade clause to get out of town.
The two amusing things about this whole debacle:
1) If the Lakers don’t pull off a blockbuster trade this off-season (they’ve got no money to sign anyone in free agency, really), then Buss will have allowed the exit of two marquee players in a three year span, which is nothing to sneeze at.
2) On the video attached to this article, Ric Bucher suggests Chicago as a possible destination for Kobe, and I wonder how that would go over in the city MJ reigned in for so long, with a player who has made no secret of his desire to dominate the game like MJ, but with none of the tact and faux-humility that Jordan had.
Frankly, I’m a Kobe supporter, and what Lakers management has done around him is absolutely criminal in terms of the players around him. How Smush Parker was permitted to become an NBA starting point guard is probably the most egregious example. (Losing Derek Fisher was a blow to the franchise that was bigger than people probably realize.) Much of it has been injury-related with Lamar Odom and Bill Walton, but even at 100%, those players won’t help get Kobe and the Lakers to the NBA Finals. If the trade does happen down the line, Lakers fans will be treated to another series of years similar to the early-to-mid-90s, after Magic’s forced retirement and before Shaq came to town.
Filed under: NBA, front office | Tagged: Kobe Bryant
It’s hard to think of Kobe in a uniform other than the Lakers. I don’t want him to be traded, but I’d have to get over it quickly. I’m a fan of the organization, first and foremost. Nevertheless, If he were to be traded it would lighten my load. I spend an inordinate amount of my time defending T.O., Kobe, and George Lucas. This trade could knock a third of my work off of my plate.
I’m surprised anyone tries to defend George Lucas much. Defending T.O., Barry, and Kobe is easy by comparison.
The man changed cinema for Heaven’s sakes! Have you seen the trailer for the new Clone Wars 3-D show? It’s Incredible. C’mon Signal, let go of your hate:)