Ask me two weeks ago, and I say he won't even talk to us. Ask me two days ago, and I tell you he's using us. Now, it appears we have a legitimate chance. I'm not sure how I feel about this. But here's the info I have. First, you have Kiki telling Kenyon Martin yesterday that he should "probably re-sign with the Nets. It's his best option" (I believe it was in the Rocky Mountain News, I will try to find the link later). Second, you have Chad Ford (who I know you guys all love and believe) saying that "in the last 24 hours something has gone down between Denver and Kobe". This made me suspicious. A stupid message board rumor actually made me think this might be serious though (inadvertantly). Here is the info from the Nugs board poster who found it: This made me do a little investigating of my own. I e-mailed a few people I know that are CLOSE TO THE NUGS ORGANIZATION BUT NOT IN IT (just want to make sure that's clear to everyone...close to, not in, but usually pretty reliable), and one of them e-mailed me back saying, "It's definately legit, and is a possibility now where it wasn't before". Right now, I'm still skeptical for obvious reasons, but I'm becoming intrigued. It makes sense for Kobe if you think about it. One, he takes a franchise that has never won before, and can take it to a new level. On the downside though, he still has the "two superstar" dillemma because we have Melo. Honestly, I don't know what to think. I'm not a fan of Kobe. I know NOTHING about the rape case (I have done everything I can to avoid it), so I'm not even thinking about how that enters into the situation. However, he instantly would knock the Nugs into NBA Championship contenders. * Miller/Boykins * Bryant/FA (JON Barry or Vo) * Melo/FA (White?) * Nene/Birdman * Camby/Elson
I just don't know about having Kobe and Andre Miller in the same backcourt. Neither are very good off the ball. But that's not to say you wouldn't be contenders, because you probably would. My guess for this "ex-NBA Player Insider Source" would be Brian Shaw
Hey, dude. You better get Kobe. Otherwise, you are really really screwed this year. It's possible that K-mart will resign with NJ, Manu will resign with SA, and you end up with on one buy Camby. The worst thing is... well, watch what just happened on the other side of that mountain you live by.
But where does that leave Miller? It's difficult to take advantage of a playmaking PG when he doesn't have the ball in his hands. Dre will have to work on his shooting.
It may happen. But it is tough for me to see Kobe in Denver, just hours away from a constant reminder of Eagle and the rape case. I mean talk about a DAILY reminder of that situation. I personally think Kobe is just leveraging Denver to get what he wants in LA. He uses Denver as a threat against the Lakers to do everything Kobe wants in LA. How funny thought would it be to see Kobe leave LA and Shaq leave LA to! I would laugh my ass off on that one. But would be sad for Rudy! Bah, I dont think it will happen though. I see Kobe back in LA.
1. I'm not sure even Kobe knows what he wants to do at this point. How would anyone else know? These things change daily. 2. At the end of the day, the Lakers can still offer Kobe more money than anyone else, the opportunity to play his career with one team like the true sports legends, and have his own team with Shaq traded. 3. I'm not discrediting the report. I'm just saying I have a problem anytime someone claims a source knows what a player is going to do. I'm not doubting the validity of the source, just the fact that it doesn't mean anything because even the player usually doesn't know what he ultimately wants to do. Kobe is an arrogant man and this is his time in the sun. He's going to play this thing out and take his time. 4. Andre Miller becomes virtually useless with Kobe Bryant in the backcourt. They both need to have the ball in their hands to be effective. The Nuggets would definitely be improved however.
Maybe Kobe thinks it's vogue to play for 2 teams? We all know how he idolizes MJ... the Nuggets would be something else if they land Kobe. BTW Nuggets4- Are yall giving up on Tskitishvili?
on the one hand, kobe and shaq leaving and the lakers falling to mediocrity or worse would be hilarious and enjoyable. on the other hand, i would hate to have rudy be apart of that and thus basically can't bring myself to root against kobe going back there. i can't see kobe leaving simply because it would be an ultimate victory for him to watch the best franchise in the nba essentially heed his every demand to get him to come back. i mean he could basically hold it over shaq that he got him traded out of LA. he gets more money than he can anywhere else. he's still in the biggest spotlight on the most glamour franchise in the nba. he's got his own team just like he wants, but with whatever they get from the shaq trade they won't be too bad. LA seems like the ultimate situation for him. if he succeeds in the brightest spotlight in the nba on his own team, he wins the game he's really playing, be as good as mj. i just don't see how he does it in denver and with another guy, melo, already there. but then again, i have no idea what he's thinking at this point and he may just sign with someone to be able to say he got the best franchise to do everything he wanted and he still jilted them. he's definitely already as good as jordan in the ego department.
I dunno How will he be received in Colorado after his trial I would think that would be the last place he wants to be Rocket River
Considering the potential legal difficulties, being in Colorado might make it easier for Kobe to play under the "work-release" program. cheapshot, I know
From an unreliable source: Upon hearing that Kobe would in fact sign with the Nuggets, all charges have been dropped.
If the Lakers lose Shaq then he should move to Denver. They have a much better supporting cast than what is left in LA. If Denver plays run and gun with Melo and Kobe then the high altitude is going to kill opposing teams in the 4th quarter.
