Hakeem and MJ chased money late in their career because during their primes they were getting paid less than the MLE. Look at some of the top salaries in the NBA it all changed in the mid 90s when the big contracts were handed out before then they were nearly as big. Jordan did sign for the vet min (~ 1mil) when he came back with the wizards though also from what Kobe said I took it as that he would be open to a paycut but he isnt going to go take the vet min. the way some people perceive right now. Instead of trying to get 15 million he may try to get like 9-10 instead.
How many times must I clarify? I'm on my phone. Give me a break. Just ignore that first post. I never said money was all that mattered. But it is the highest priority. Now please don't respond again that my first post doesn't make sense. I have now acknowledged that 3 times already.
Straight up Jim Buss is an idiot if he signs Kobe to anything close to his current contract. First he has to give max money if he is lucky to another free agent. That would put a 32 million cap hold on the lakers until they sign Kobe. Add that with Nash's 9 mil and all the empty roster holds and that leaves them with 10 mil or maybe even less. An old Nash and an old Kobe plus one 2nd tier player and a bunch of minimum contracts. The lakers should just amnesty Kobe now and start all over. The only reason this happens is if Kobe has naked pictures of Jim Buss with D'Antoni.
Yeah, this is America. It's his god given right to get every dime for his (very) marketable skill. The idea that the guy with 5 rings doesn't care about winning is ridiculous. He cares about winning but when his body is old and his jumper isn't falling no one is going to be granting him any favors, so why would he?
The thing is, the salary cap is much more restrictive these days. There's a difference between players like Harden or Durant getting the "max" and players like Kobe or Dirk who are grandfathered in with higher salaries based on big contracts in the old CBA. Kobe's $30 mil salary takes up over 50% of the team salary cap. It gives the team virtually no flexibility to acquire additional stars, even if they are willing to go over the luxury tax (as LA has in the past). If Kobe is not willing o take a paycut from $30 mil, then his ego is clearly greater than his desire to win another ring.
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He already has more than everybody else in the league doesn't he? I don't even like Kobe, I don't know what I'm doing right now. I feel like I'm trolling myself.
Kobe actually probably gets paid the same as the rest if you look at it on an hourly basis. The man puts in far more hours than anyone else. Also, I think that taking less than what youre worth is like dumping a product to cheat the competition. I hate when players manipulate the system and take less in order to have an unfair advantage by forming a superteam in a hot city.
I'm not so sure about that. Dating back to B-Rs first year listing team salaries (90-91), Jordan was a top paid (if not the highest paid) player in the league in early 90s. He was getting more than Ewing and Robinson. DRob and Ewing overtaking him is often just a matter of who signed their contract last. Last guy usually gets paid the most. Plus, MJ got paid $30m in '96-97.
On one hand, I feel like Kobe is right in feeling like it's insulting to expect him to take a paycut. He's Kobe. Other players should be taking paycuts to play WITH him (this is in HIS mind, of course). However, on the other hand, if he wants his final years to be relevant whatsoever, he needs to understand his role now, and see that he's an aging superstar who is coming off a devastating injury. He needs help, and the only way to get that help is making room for someone else to come and team up. But, at the end of the day, this is the stuff that makes Kobe who he is. Could he help the Lakers free up some space, and sign another star? Sure. Does he NEED to? Not even close. Therefore, why should he?
kobe is going to go for his own personal accolades in the end, he doesnt care if they win or not as long as he comes out looking good
It's his job, so he should try to make as much money as possible. From the other end, no team is going to use half their cap space to sign Kobe Bryant.
Does anybody even like playing with Kobe? Serious question.... You get the sense that everybody respects him but nobody really likes the guy.
I honestly don't see why he wouldn't take a pay cut. I mean he's one of the most recognizable faces in the sports world. He's making money through marketing, endorsements etc. If he really wants that next ring he'll have to budge to make room for a supporting cast. Then again I'm hoping he doesn't because I want them to stay mediocre for a while.
