Hours after Kobe Bryant asked for a trade on Stephen A. Smith's radio show, he backed off after speaking to Phil Jackson and told Dan Patrick he wants to be a Laker for life. that is what it says on espn.com right now. to listen to the clip from the dan patrick show, u have to be an espn insider, if anyone is, go on espn.com and listen to it and tell me wat he says. here's the link... http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2886927 "I'm so tired of talking," Bryant said. "It's tough. I always dreamed about retiring as a Laker. I just hope and hope that something can be resolved. Something can be figured out. Just something so I can stay here and be in this city and be with the team I love." Bryant told Patrick he talked to Lakers coach Phil Jackson after talking to Smith and felt resassured. "When Phil and I spoke, he was optimistic and determined that we'll both be back," Bryant told Patrick. "Phil is somebody I listen to. I lean on him a lot. He assured me things are going to be OK. Things are going to be all right. Don't go full bore just yet. Take a deep breath and let us work these things out and everything will be all right. Which was very encouraging. <font size=""5"">"I don't want to go anywhere else. I want to be here for the rest of my career. It was encouraging to hear that."</font>
He just wants attention and want the Lakers to go for O'neal even if it mean letting go of Odom and Bynum.
I'm glad Phil calmed him down, it shows that Phil and Kobe have a great relationship. I still think if the Lakers don't make any changes, Kobe will press for a change. He is all about winning.
I'm listening to it. Kobe said he just wants to play basketball. Dr. Buss made a statement saying the organization is committed to winning with Kobe and he'd speak to Kobe directly. Kobe left a message for Kupchak to call him. PJax understands why Kobe asked to be traded, but wants to see what the organization can do internally to fix the situation. Jerry West returning would help out tremendously. Drafting Bynum sent mixed messages to Kobe. Mentions Boozer and Baron again being attainable, but passed on. Phil is optimistic and determined both will be back. Things will be ok and alright, don't go full board just yet. Kobe wants to be a Laker for the rest of his career. Phil doesn't want players to think they can't trust the organization.
How does all of this make young Andrew Bynum feel? It's going to be him or Kobe packing his bags this off-season...
I just got home and on Sport Center he still wants to be traded, but then it says Phil calmed him down. So what happening now?
I am so confused Kobe says he wants out to Ric Bucher then he tells John Ireland he wants to be a Laker for life then he goes today and says he wants out then later comes and he wants to be a Laker. I think he wants to scare the Laker management and they will do whatever deal is possible
Man, Lakers never fail to claim the headlines if they are not playing in the post-season lol. Anyway, this reminds me alot of when Magic asked to be traded back in, I think the end of the '81 or '82 season not sure.
Kobe deserves to be traded after what he has done. If this is just a plot to get the Lakers to move faster, I say tell him he has been traded and to pack his crap and leave. See his reaction, and then tell him he actually has been traded. I think even though he is frustrated, the way to go about this is wrong.
I do hope that Kobe stays in LA cause I dont know how the Lakers would do without him!! Just fet Garnett in La so Kobe can be quiet
<div class="quote_poster">Bacon Smeller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I do hope that Kobe stays in LA cause I dont know how the Lakers would do without him!! Just fet Garnett in La so Kobe can be quiet </div> I wish it was that easy, KG has to be doing what Kobe is now. Then we might see a Kobe- KG combo in LA.
Kobe being calmed down started with his interview on 570 with the cannons at around noon. I can't believe i'm saying this, but Vic the Brick might have saved basketball in LA ...
Vic can help calm Kobe all he wants, but management has to reach out for Kobe if they want to get anywhere. So far, according to Kobe, they haven't.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Vic can help calm Kobe all he wants, but management has to reach out for Kobe if they want to get anywhere. So far, according to Kobe, they haven't.</div> well my point was that they got Kobe to recind that 'there's nothing they can do' statement ... at least now there's a window for reconciliation
<font color=""Blue"">Kobe is on something and I want what he's on. How do you go about demanding a trade in the morning and this after lunch... "I don't want to go anywhere else. I want to be here for the rest of my career. It was encouraging to hear that."</font>
But do you really believe that? Kobe's opened up a lot this weekend. He stopped being politically correct and has opened up about how he truly feels and what he wants. Has he shredded any chance of repairing a relationship?
<font color="blue"><div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font color="blue">Kobe is on something and I want what he's on. How do you go about demanding a trade in the morning and this after lunch... "I don't want to go anywhere else. I want to be here for the rest of my career. It was encouraging to hear that."</font></div></font> Kobe's having a mental breakdown of sorts, it seems.
