My friends, Kobe Bryant is not going anywhere!
I know that there was some talk of Kobe being upset with the Lakers situation, but I feel it came out of frustration. Kobe is such a great scorer and a great player, but he had to be disappointed that the Lakers didn't get out of the first round the last two years.
He is such a competitor who wants to win. To me, Kobe made a major mistake when he didn't get on his hands and knees and hug Shaquille O'Neal. He should have never allowed Shaq to go because LA had a great thing going. Magic Johnson wouldn't have allowed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to leave if Kareem was upset.
That's what winners do. They make sure the team comes first, since winning is all that matters. Kobe wanted to be the big star, he wanted to show he could lead the Lakers without Shaq. He is the big man, but they can't win like they did when they had the inside-outside act with Shaq. Kobe's actions led to Shaq leaving, and that put the Lakers franchise in a major bind.
I would tell Kobe the fact is he did not go out of his way to help the Shaq situation. Let's face reality, so give the team time and be patient.
Kobe's comments about wanting the team to improve is one thing. The remarks about wanting Jerry West back or else, well, what do you think Mitch Kupchak feels like right now?
Jerry Buss, Kupchak and the front office will probably have a pow-wow with Kobe. They understand the frustration and everyone wants to win. It is not that easy, and in the Western Conference, it will probably get tougher since Portland is expected to add Greg Oden while Seattle is likely to get Kevin Durant.
With the draft, the salary cap, it is not easy to add great players. It is not that easy to get help to get back to the top of the mountain.
The Lakers have some young talent with Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmar and company. Lamar Odom is a solid player when healthy. The bottom line is, LA is not going to be right up there with San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas unless there are improvements, but it is easier said than done in the NBA today.
I don't think you will see Kobe Bryant out of the Lakers uniform even with his comments. He is simply too valuable to the franchise.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
