I'm sure everyone's heard by now but Phil Jackson is gone as Lakers' head coach and upon hearing the news, Shaq has begun to seek a trade.

And Kobe becomes a free agent July 1st, don't forget.

But Jerry Buss has made it very clear that he won't let Kobe go anywhere and by getting rid of Phil Jackson (and letting Kobe in on any decisions regarding a new coach--or so the rumors go) and shopping Shaq (preferably to an eastern team) Kobe should be a happy camper. Next year, he'll either be in jail or a Laker.

~Adam

Kobe may well regret getting what he asked for--no man is an island. The perfect example of this is the current plight of T-Mac in Orlando. Kobe and T-Mac are basically equivalent players, even allowing for the fact that the Lakers will offer Kobe a stronger supporting cast than the Magic did T-Mac, the fact remains that no single man can carry a team by himself, regardless of how good he is.

Let's also remember that the Magic were serious contenders until Shaq left in 1996. The Magic thought that they didn't have to take his discontent seriously because he would never leave a winning team. Shaq walked just the same, the Magic received no compensation and 8 years later they still haven't recovered. Granted the Lakers' prognosis is not quite as grim following Shaq's current demand for a trade, but it's quite possible they may be relegated to 2nd tier status next season, especially if Malone retires or otherwise does not return to LA.

[quote]DownLowNY
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[/qb][/quote]Kobe may well regret getting what he asked for--no man is an island. The perfect example of this is the current plight of T-Mac in Orlando. Kobe and T-Mac are basically equivalent players, even allowing for the fact that the Lakers will offer Kobe a stronger supporting cast than the Magic did T-Mac, the fact remains that no single man can carry a team by himself, regardless of how good he is.

Let's also remember that the Magic were serious contenders until Shaq left in 1996. The Magic thought that they didn't have to take his discontent seriously because he would never leave a winning team. Shaq walked just the same, the Magic received no compensation and 8 years later they still haven't recovered. Granted the Lakers' prognosis is not quite as grim following Shaq's current demand for a trade, but it's quite possible they may be relegated to 2nd tier status next season, especially if Malone retires or otherwise does not return to LA. [/QB][/QUOTE]


But Kobe is far less interested in being a team player than in his personal statistics, being the hero (last-second shots a specialty) and being THE MAN a la Michael Jordan. And no one better get in his way! If, as is the gossip du jour, Shaq somehow remains a Laker, next season will be as schizophrenic for the team as was this past one. The two of them cannot co-exist anymore.

~Adam

Nobody, least of all me, was ever under any illusion that Kobe wants to be a team player. What is even more obvious is the fact that Kobe desperately wants not only to win more rings, but to lead a team to a championship without Shaq. Barring some unforeseeable miracle, that will not happen.

I submit that Shaq most likely will be back in LA next season, but only because the Lakers will be unable to arrange a trade due to his sky-high salary. If that happens the Lakers will be on the brink of civil war. Shaq has no intention of playing second fiddle to Kobe and he will be guaranteed to clash with Phil Jackson's successor, whom Shaq will view as a puppet/agent of Kobe. He will not extend himself in any way necessary for the Lakers to win the championship next season. If the Lakers are planning to win next season they will have to find a top-notch replacement for Shaq. He may be there in body, but he will not be there in spirit.

Now that Buss and Kupchak have all but openly sided with Kobe, the Lakers management have burned their last bridge with Shaq. He will almost certainly opt out of his contract in June 2005 and give Buss & Kupchak the finger on the way out. The Lakers had better pray that Kobe doesn't get convicted. If he does, the Lakers are going to be left high and dry. Even if Shaq were willing to stay on in such an eventuality, the price is going to be very high for Lakers management.

Not only will they have to meet his original contract extension demands, but they will have to give him a four-year deal that covers Kobe's term of imprisonment. I would not be surprised if Shaq sought the dismissal of Kupchak along with Jackson's successor and anyone else that he views as a Kobe loyalist.

It's going to be a very interesting season next year for the Lakers. I can't wait for the games to begin....

Agree with your post, downlow, except for the line

"Now that Buss and Kupchak all but openly sided with Kobe..."

Kupchak openly sided with Kobe in an interview with the LA Times the morning after the Finals. In it, he said Kobe was going to be a Laker for life and that meeting his needs was job one for the Lakers & that the organization would entertain trade talk for Shaq. All this on the morning that Buss and Phil Jackson had Jackson's exit interview--and Shaq skipped attending his.

~Adam