I hate Kobe. He's an arrogant prick. If he was a Rocket, I'd feel sick. (hey Im a poet and dont even know it)
Obtaining Bare Bryant is like winning the Texas lottery and finding out you have rapidly spreading, incurable leprosy on the same day.
I seriously doubt Kobe thinks he needs a big man. IMO, he wants to be like Jordan and win it all w/o a big man. Sure, maybe he wouldn't mind a bruising power forward, but not playing with Yao where the ball has to go inside out. Kobe doesn't want to play second fiddle anymore. Being the #2 option hasn't got him any rings lately.