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Kobe opting out for his 2004 contract, can Houston get him?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Cipherous, Apr 21, 2003.

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  1. Cipherous

    Cipherous Member

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    From an ESPN insider article, I heard that Kobe will wanna opt out of his contract extension due to his relationship with Phil and Shaq. He may be traded next season before his contract expires after the 2003-04 season.

    Of course it sounds stupid because Kobe is rollling the dive at other championships but he will no longer be behind the shadow of Shaq.

    Why would Kobe wanna leave? If he gets his 4th ring this year, he still has to top Jordan for the best player ever. He will have to carry a team like Jordan did, he will have to go against the man who people said Kobe is nothing without...Shaq. Once he proves that he can carry a team like Jordan did, and make everybody around him better without the help of Shaq, Kobe will be arguably the best player ever.

    I think Kobe would love it in Houston. Of course, I think Francis and Mobley and Kobe is a big no no, even Kobe and Francis is asking too much. But even as a Maryland fan, I'd take Kobe over Francis.

    If we can clear the cap and make room for Kobe, IE get rid of Rice, MoT, Cato and M.Norris, we could persuade Kobe to come here.
     
    #1 Cipherous, Apr 21, 2003
  2. GB_Rocket

    GB_Rocket Member

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    I bet Jerry West gets his grubby hands on Kobe.
     
    #2 GB_Rocket, Apr 21, 2003
  3. LAfadeaway33

    LAfadeaway33 Member

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    Just like GB_Rocket said, if anyone gets him i bet it'll be West. However, if I were Kobe, I would finish out the extension on my contract (3 yrs?) firmly cementing this Lakers team as a true dynasty right up there with Jordan's Bulls, Magic's Lakers, and Russell's Celtics. He'll then be what, 27? just reaching his prime. Then I would go to another team and show that I could win without the big fella'. I can see him essentialy going almost anywhere but here. The places I would go if I were him are to West and the Grizz or New York (seems perfect for Kobe) or Miami.
     
    #3 LAfadeaway33, Apr 21, 2003
  4. StevieFlight3

    StevieFlight3 Member

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    by that time he shaq would retire and he could lead the lakers
     
    #4 StevieFlight3, Apr 21, 2003
  5. DaDa

    DaDa Member

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    If Kobe wants to prove he can be the man, alone; Houston isn't the place he'd want to be. Also, who are we going to give up in order to land him? Mobley and Griffin! :rolleyes: The Lakers would be asking for Ming or Francis, at least. Francis: Yes. Ming: No.
     
    #5 DaDa, Apr 21, 2003
  6. leebigez

    leebigez Member

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    Interesting. After next season, the byc comes off of Francis. They will make roughly the same money. Ming is a little more passive than Shaq. Would playing with Ming even though he will be a very dominant player, will not be as dominant as Shaq. Kobe-Ming in the west would be very ,very interesting. I'd give up Mobley and Francis for him.
     
    #6 leebigez, Apr 21, 2003
  7. LAfadeaway33

    LAfadeaway33 Member

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    Good point. Isn't Shaq supposed to retire by the time he's 32 or somthing. That gives him 1 or 2 more years left. Kobe would have the Lakers all to himself then.
     
    #7 LAfadeaway33, Apr 21, 2003
  8. codell

    codell Member

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    That was my thought. Kobe is what 25? Assuming the Lakers win 4 in a row, I don't see Shaq playing more than 2-3 more years. After that, Kobe will be in his prime.

    The only team I see Kobe playing for besides the Lakers is Philly, NY or Chicago.
     
    #8 codell, Apr 21, 2003
  9. count_dough-ku

    count_dough-ku Member

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    I don't think the Rockets have a snowball's chance in hell of landing Kobe. But the good news for them is that a bunch of teams out there will be desperate to clear cap room so they can make a run at him. That means Rice's contract will look very nice to a lot of GMs and could land the Rockets some decent role players in return.
     
    #9 count_dough-ku, Apr 21, 2003
  10. Cipherous

    Cipherous Member

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    Good point, Kobe is a pipe dream but we can dream

    too bad, Norris, Taylor or Cato isn't on the same boat as Rice.
     
    #10 Cipherous, Apr 21, 2003
  11. RocketFan4ever

    RocketFan4ever Member

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    Does Houston want him??:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
     
    #11 RocketFan4ever, Apr 21, 2003
  12. KeepJuaquin

    KeepJuaquin Member

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    We could get him.

    Just give up Francis and a 1st Round Pick or Mobley. :D
     
    #12 KeepJuaquin, Apr 21, 2003
  13. Lil Francis

    Lil Francis Member

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    If he is serious about leaving then the Lakers should unload him next season. You can't let a player like that walk away for free.
     
    #13 Lil Francis, Apr 22, 2003
  14. dskillz

    dskillz Member

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    The question is, would you trade Francis for Kobe? HELL YES!!!! I know I would. Yao and Kobe would be a great tandem and Kobe has won rings so maybe the other players would actually listen to him.
     
    #14 dskillz, Apr 22, 2003
  15. KeepJuaquin

    KeepJuaquin Member

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    Francis and a 2nd Rounder for Kobe would be enough if he really wants to leave.
     
    #15 KeepJuaquin, Apr 22, 2003
  16. Uprising

    Uprising Member

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    Kobe isn't what this team needs. They are already having woes with their passing. We have enough players who want the ball. Already not enough touchs to go around.
     
    #16 Uprising, Apr 22, 2003
  17. Juugie

    Juugie Member

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    I would trade anyone on this team for Kobe - anyone.
     
    #17 Juugie, Apr 22, 2003
  18. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    both Phil and Shaq will be out of LA before Kobe.
     
    #18 SamFisher, Apr 22, 2003
  19. Shot caller

    Shot caller Member

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    The Lakers might be Kobe's in a couple of years, but would he want them?
    They are not deep and have average roll players at best. The guys off the bench are not what they used to be and they have lost some talent over the years.
     
    #19 Shot caller, Apr 22, 2003
  20. Cipherous

    Cipherous Member

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    I'd trade Yao for Kobe and Yao is the new franchise player for the rockets, that about sums what Kobe is worth.
     
    #20 Cipherous, Apr 22, 2003
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