Phil Jackson left the Lakers Friday night after a meeting with owner Jerry Buss, Shaq wants to be traded...but that leaves Kobe "off-target" Bryant and a few other kinks that needs to be ironed out....
Kobe opted out of his contract, and will be an unrestricted free agent July 1st. Now the word on the street is, the Lakers will offer him a 7 year $140 million contract. A contract that cannot be matched or beat by any other team in the league. But how will they pay Kobe that much $$$ with Shaq on the same team?
They wont. Shaq is now demanding a trade. He's always said that if he can't play for Phil, he wont play with the Lakers at all, and now he wants out. O'Neal is also unhappy with the direction in which ownership is headed.
But what about Payton? Rumor has it that G.P. is willing to stay with the Lakers, now that Phil Jackson and that God-awful excuse for a triangle offense is gone, Gary Payton may remain a Laker. G.P. has gone on record saying that he did not like the triangle offense (greed maybe?). Now that its gone, he may stay. Only time will tell.
I guess the new word is that the Miami Heat wants Shaq bad and is offering big bucks however, the Kings and Mavericks are still trying to get in on the deal. I also heard that Kobe has been meeting with the Clippers. Can you even picture Kobe with the Clippers? I don't see it happening, but I also don't see too much happening for the Lakers if the team is split up (Fisher opted out his contract also). This year the Lakers should have went all the way, but everyone had their own agendas and they were not working as a team. Who cares about Payton anyway....he obviously did nothing to help the Lakers and if he wants a ring that bad....staying with the Lakers (after all the trades) will not get it. I will always remember the 3 championships that Shaq and Kobe brought to the Lakers....hopefully, we see them being productive next season!
I guess the new word is that the Miami Heat wants Shaq bad and is offering big bucks however, the Kings and Mavericks are still trying to get in on the deal. I also heard that Kobe has been meeting with the Clippers. Can you even picture Kobe with the Clippers? I don't see it happening, but I also don't see too much happening for the Lakers if the team is split up (Fisher opted out his contract also). This year the Lakers should have went all the way, but everyone had their own agendas and they were not working as a team. Who cares about Payton anyway....he obviously did nothing to help the Lakers and if he wants a ring that bad....staying with the Lakers (after all the trades) will not get it. I will always remember the 3 championships that Shaq and Kobe brought to the Lakers....hopefully, we see them being productive next season!
the Heat want Shaq, but they don't want to give up Odom, or Grant, and they might even have to throw in Caron Butler, and the Lakers really want Dwyane Wade, but the Heat don't want that at all... Shaq's contract is too big for most of these teams to handle... the Mavs don't want to give up Dirk... the Lakers don't want to trade Shaq to their archrivals... if Grant Hill would just give up, Orlando would be a great reunion... the reason why Payton is staying is b/c after last year, nobody would pay out the salary after his disappointing season... the Clippers are **** serious about getting Kobe... he could create a good duo w/ Elton Brand and a trio w/ Corey Maggette... but he'll prolly hog the ball like he does now... Fisher opted out b/c Payton is staying... and it would've been reversed if it was the case...
Oh ok...now I see....I don't think Kobe wants to play another season with Shaq and vice versa. So if Shaq stays do you see Kobe staying? I don't know....if they are willing to pay him so much then maybe, but that will be tough.
Oh ok...now I see....I don't think Kobe wants to play another season with Shaq and vice versa. So if Shaq stays do you see Kobe staying? I don't know....if they are willing to pay him so much then maybe, but that will be tough.
i think if Shaq stays, someone is gonna hold out... but i think the Clippers are seriously tryin to get Kobe... if Shaq is somehow still there, he's gonna hold out or Kobe will be in LA, but in the other locker room...but Shaq doesn't want to be a Laker in anyway possible...the Lakers want one big star for another, but nobody wants to give it up... so something will have to give...
The only choices for Kobe right now are the Lakers and Clippers. I really really don't think Kobe would ever go to the Clippers, and I really hope he doesn't. I'll be **** as hell, especially since the Lakers offered them everything, basically saying YOU are the franchise until you retire, and then you'll be like Magic is now.
Shaq REALLY doesn't want to come back! He said somethin about Rudy T like "he is a great coach, I respect him, but it doesn't matter because I won't be playing for him"
I think Kobe is going to remain a Laker and i think Shaq will probably end up in Miami for some odd reason.. Shaq and Dawayne Wade that's pretty tuff right there by it self
I also think that Shaq is headed to Miami. Shaq does not want to be a Laker and he wish is going to be granted. I read in the paper that Kobe is giving serious thought of becoming a Clipper. However, I think he is doing this to scare Jerry Buss. Kobe wants everything and in a second, he probably will be owning have the team. :x I don't know, but they better get it together.
Kobe's said date for his decision is July 14th...and i still think he'll be a Laker although if he went to the Clips and lifted them to title contention or eventually a chip that would boost him to MJ status (and everybody knows that's what he wants)..and with the Shaq trade it seems as if The Lakers become a "small ball" team like last years Heat and the Heat become a slower team with the option to run like Last years Lakers
Shaq will most likely be part of the Miami Heat, and he's back in the East where he started (same state, different city)
the Lakers are gonna give up Shaq and they will get: Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Caron Butler, and a first round pick... so basically the Heat are giving up their future for the present by getting Shaq...and it's pretty clear that both teams will be alright, Miami already had the weak Southeast on lock, and w/ Shaq arrival, they have sealed it for the next few years... the Lakers will still contend w/ Sacramento in the Pacific Division...but they just won't have the same star power... and i don't know if LA is a good spot for Odom... remember he was with the Clippers and had all that trouble :? the Lakers would've preffered to have Dwyane Wade, but that was never gonna happen...
if Kobe goes to the Clippers, the Clip Show will be an instant contender, but i really think he's not going anywhere... if he does go anywhere it's to the Clippers, but he'll be a Laker... that's clear they want him for as long as possible...
