High payrolls are associated with teams that go deep into the Playoffs. Lakers, Cavs and Celtics had the 3 highest payrolls. Lakers won the championship, Celtics made the Finals, the Cavs leChoked. In 2008, Kobe said it was time to get to work, there are no more excuses. It's all on him now. Lebron, "I won't stop until I bring a Championship to Cleveland". Only one of the two kept his word.
Kobe wasn't cherished for demanding a trade. He was for winning 5 championships for Lakers. He wanted to win as the man and he did. Imagine Kobe couldn't win a championship and replaced RA in that Celtics combo in order to win one. That's more of a slap than an accomplishment. LeQuitter did just that.
Couldn't agree more. You know, it is ironic that these Kobe nut hugging fans refuse to believe that Kobe-- who totally manipulated his way to L.A., basically ran off the one teammate who helped him win his first 3 rings, then goes on to openly rip other teammates, whined and moaned to the media about needing help, and get this -- raped a female while portraying himself as a bible reading, faithful family man -- could actually be a bigger douche than LeBron?? Go figure
The Kobe haters won't let facts get in the way. 1) Kobe was a Laker before Shaq 2) Hornets VP himself said he wanted Vlade, not Kobe. 3) Kobe was never convicted. The girl had slept with 4 men within 24 hours and was taking crazy pills. If this happened now, she would be on Youtube with the name of "Kat Stacks". 4) Both Kobe and Shaq concur that Buss didn't want to pay $30 million to Shaq 5) Kobe+Odom+Bynum were #1 in the West, Gasoft coattailed on several months later 6) Kobe said he'd take care of business. LeQuit said he wouldn't stop until he brought a Title to Cleveland. Kobe kept his word...twice. LeQuit betrayed Cleveland on National TV to play LeRobin.
I don't see why staying and recruiting another superstar is any worse than joining another superstar. The difference between Lebron and Kobe was that Lebron hyped up his own decision to proportions that speak to how self-important he is. As far as the ultimate anti-hero, I still have to say that mantle has to go to Kobe w/o question. He raped a woman. I'll root against Kobe over Lebron any day. Both are guilty of douchebaggery though.
The financial offer doesn't change the fact that LA may have had a deal in place before he was actually eligible to start negotiating.
First, we're talking about 96, not 95. Second, that's completely irrelevant. I was responding to a poster that stated the Lakers were a lottery team before Shaq and Kobe arrived. I was pointing out that he was incorrect.
Ceballos and Nick Van Exel were the best players on that Lakers team, not Vlade. And even adding Shaq and Kobe, the Lakers only won three more games the next year.
1) Kobe was barely there first, it was the same offseason. Also, the Lakers may have had a deal in place with Shaq already. 2,3,4 -> Phil Jackson
The Miami Heat played in the NBA Finals within the last two years? No, but that's exactly what you're saying. Lebron joined a Miami Heat roster that had exactly one player that was there when they won a championship four years ago. Kobe going to the Spurs/Pistons in 04 would have meant him joining a team that was either defending champs, or one year removed from winning the championship and consisting of the exact same roster.
Lol, you're delusional. Management bent over backwards to assemble the best team? So you think the Cavs minus lebron is one of the best teams in the NBA? Lol, theyre a lottery team now, and this season you will see how horrible his teammates were. Bet that. If I am proven wrong, I wont post here anymore. And as far as your statement that he left the "best" team to join a better team? Thats an oxymoron. The word "best" means that there is nothing better. You're an idiot. Lebron could be on almost any team and make it a 60 win team. Bet that too.
LMAO! It's on him now? At that point they had added Gasol in a fluke trade and they were stacked. What's funny about that comment is that it's about him trying to take all the credit, when the credit should really go to the whole TEAM. That comment would be about as relevant as Dwayne Wade coming out now and saying "It's on me! Time to get to work." LOL.
4) I wonder why Buss didn't want to pay Shaq? Maybe because Kobe didn't get along with him? 5) In 2006-07, the Lakers sucked balls. (Remember Kobe quitting in Game 7 against the Suns?) In 2007-08 they added Gasol and went to the Finals! Gasol riding coottails? SURE... 6) What is a bigger betrayal- leaving as a FA, or demanding a trade while under contract? We'll see who takes care of business this year...
