Derrick Fisher has requested that the Jazz release him from his contract, due to his daughter Tatum's illness. There was a rumor earlier this week that the Lakers were interested in bringing a veteran point guard to give Kobe some reputable players and as you know, he and Kobe are very close. The Lakers seem to be very confident that Kobe will stay, don't they? Well, he hasn't been very vocal over the last couple of weeks, so maybe he'll be in purple and gold for the 2007-2008 season. I want to send a prayer to the Fisher family and hopefully he will be back on the hardwood soon. Oh yea, I haven't forgotten that infamous shot in San Antonio!!!
So, I was previewing this new video that has surfaced on the web. Unfortunately, you have to pay 1.99 in order to view in its entirety. Supposedly, Kobe in a supermarket parking lot in Newport Beach, trash talks the Lakers organization as well as Andrew Bynum. He was using all sorts of profanities! I found the Redemption commercial and had to post it, this guy is really full of himself. All the money that has been spent on building his career and fan base, at least those outside of Los Angeles has been a total waste. I'm starting to think this guy is running for office. He flip flops and goes to media outlets, basically on a campaign trail! Ok, so you weren't directly responsible for Shaq leaving! Ok, you were promised a championship contending team! Well, that didn't happen, but no one forced you to renew your contract. Although, you were under the misapprehension that players would be signed that could get you deep into the playoffs.
I mean don't get me wrong I'm not a fan by far. It's not because I don't feel he has talent, bottom line this dude is awesome! So, definitely no hate on my part. The thing that separates him from Lebron and Dwayne is his arrogance and selfishness. For example, if you go to http://www.kb24.com click on camps. The camp tuition is 600.00, which you expect! If you look closer, it says that if you have a number 8 jersey, Kobe will not sign it. What a joke! These parents send their kids to learn pointers and to gain skills from one of the greatest players in the NBA and he has the audacity to not sign a number 8 jersey, which he has worn for so many years. I mean seriously, you're demanding a trade, so does that mean that people can no longer bring a number 24?
Man, today is one of those surreal days for me and my family. When you love something as much as I love the Lakers its hard to even imagine thinking about being elsewhere. But, the ONE THING I will never sacrifice when it comes to basketball is WINNING. That is plain and simply what it's all about. It's in my DNA. It's what pushes me to work as hard as I do. It's my daily passion and pursuit.
The more I thought about the future, the more I became convinced that the Lakers and me just have two different visions for the future. The Lakers are pursuing a longer-term plan that is different from what Dr. Buss shared with me at the time I re-signed as a free agent. I have seen that plan unfold for the last three years and watched great trade opportunities come and go, and have seen free agents passed on. That has led to the Lakers not winning a playoff series. All of that was frustrating in itself, but then, this week to have someone "inside" the Laker organization try to blame me in the media for us not being a contender right now -- that is what brought me to my current position today.
I want it to be clear that I still love, with all my heart, the Laker Legacy. From Mikan to West to Goodrich to Wilt to Kareem to Magic. That will never change. And the support my family and I have gotten from Lakers fans is undeniably the best. I will also always believe that. But, now there is a new road ahead. I am gonna keep grindin and keep workin to get back to competing for Championships. Sometimes the trek up the mountain is tough. But, I know we'll get there.
Kobe and Mr. Buss had a meeting this week, while Kobe was on vacation. Sources, are reporting that Kobe is still demanding a trade!
I'm so sick of this dude and his constant demands. First, he gives an exclusive interview to Stephen A. Smith and goes on and on about how he isn't happy. Then he demanded to be traded and even went on to say, "I don't care if it's Pluto"! In that same week, he was on another radio program and said he wanted to stay with the Lakers organization.
I think Kobe finally realizes that he isn't the one player that can carry his team to a championship. Well, I take that back. One player was able to take his team to the "big dance", but keep in mind that was the East. The only reason why Kobe has three rings is because of the "Big Aristotle". That's what makes the Cavs so impressive, they only had LBJ. Kobe's contract is huge and I don't see the Lakers making it easy for him. It won't be a team in the West, so the only place to me that's logical is the Bulls. I mean think about it, they have enough young players and cap room. It would be a good fit, but Kobe has to change his attitude! He has to become more of a passer and trust his teammates. Lebron James always trusted his team, even when they didn't trust themselves. I think a 1-2 punch with him and Ben Wallace makes a run for the East Finals!!
