LeBron is winning as the star of a team. His contract isn't taking up half the cap. No one is downing Kobe for getting paid as much as he could. Folks are downing Kobe for saying he is all about winning, yet taking a contract that heavily impedes his teams chance to surround him with talent to win. If he would have taken a LeBron type deal or even something like a Duncan deal since he is older, then LA could have put 2 stars around him.
Why does Kobe wait til after he gets his huge extension to complain? He knew what he was signing up for.
Comparing the Lakers to other teams is just silly. Other teams haven't been able to and can't attract talent like the Lakers can. Kobe won't be there to chase away the next Dwight that comes along. One of the big free agents will be signing there.
What two stars? Carmelo and whoever wasn't going to be enough to carry a 36 year old Kobe. His winning days are done and he knows it.
kirby trying to save face. sucks that laker fans fall for it. 50 mil for 2 years and the lakers are gonna tank both season. wow
the way i see it, kobe already retired, its just not official yet. but he found out he can scam the lakers 50 mil if he stays for 2 more years. just needs to play half a season or less, put the front office on blast, and keep implying that he wants another ring. so he will officially retire in the 2015-2016 season
Sorry to tell you this, the future will look at Kobe the same way NBA players, whether mediocre to supertar HoF'er like KD, view him, as one of the GOAT and a champion amongst champions. But that doesn't discredit what you said about him tho.
Then enjoy cashing your checks and stop crying about building a contender around me when your cap killing deal makes it next to impossible.
They should've never given him those two additional years, especially for that ridiculous amount of money. This arrogant piece of sh.. should be thankful and shut up, disgusting behaviour.
To say winning is all that matters is a flat out lie,in fact he made it clear getting his money is top priority, otherwise he would have taken less and gave his team a chance to add multiple all-stars. I'm never gonna begrudge a man for making as much money as he can, just don't lie about your primary goal.
Kobe is going to be a top SG in the league next season. I hate the Lakers. I hate Kobe's ego. But I don't let it cloud an undeniable pattern of Kobe being one of the hardest working athletes - not just NBA, but any type of athlete - in the world. That's not to say he will be able to will his team anywhere in the way he did in the past, but I can certainly see it happen if the Lakers sign or acquire a big name FA like Love or Melo this summer. Unfortunately, it will require a huge amount of luck, because management/ownership is clueless and Kupchak does not do anything particularly well. Kobe will be fine though, and I'm certain he will put in a good enough season to make sure the people upstairs don't get to blame him for the declining franchise.
