Having Kobe gives them an identity. They are "THE" Lakers with Kobe on the team. Kobe defines Laker. Just look at the group out there playing now without Kobe. I don't see any Lakers in them. This is why Kobe get paid the big money.
When Kobe is referring to "winning", he is not talking about simply being in playoff contention. He is talking about winning titles. I'm sure you can find numerous recent quotes from Kobe mentioning how it's all about competing for titles, how nothing else matters in LA, etc. Very bad cop-out sir. Don't resort to that. We both know Kobe isn't satisfied with simply being in playoff contention. It's really ok to acknowledge that his contract is hindering what he says he cares about most, winning.
How is it a cop-out when it is what I said the first time? I'm not resorting to anything but instead you are ignoring what I've been saying throughout this thread. I think Kobe understands now and when he signed his new contract that the Lakers weren't winning a championship once Howard had left but that doesn't mean he has to be ok with the team being absolute trash.
He is part of the reason the team is trash. If he would not have clashed with Howard then he may have stayed, and the team would not be trash. If he weren't currently injured the team would not be trash. If his contract didn't take up half the cap then the team probably wouldn't be trash going forward. Kobe is part of the problem. Point fingers at yourself mamba man. If you understand that you aren't winning a title once you signed the new deal then shut up about how titles are the only thing that matter in LA, cash your check and rehab.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/laker...n-20140319,0,3548754,full.story#axzz2wLXSuJvp Jeanie Buss says Kobe Bryant deserves farewell tour and his extension By Eric Pincus March 19, 2014, 9:00 a.m. Kobe Bryant deserves both his contract and a farewell tour as a Laker, according to owner/executive Jeanie Buss. "We never got an opportunity to do the farewell tour for Magic Johnson," Buss said on "Access SportsNet" via Time Warner Cable SportsNet. Early in the season, Bryant agreed to a two-year, $48.5-million contract extension. "Kobe, by signing that deal, will have played 20 years for one organization," said Buss. "I guarantee that won't happen again. ... We don't draft players at 17 anymore. To have the kind of longevity that he's had, makes it extremely special and I think that Lakers fans understand that." The Lakers could have significant spending power over the next few seasons. Bryant was recently critical of the Lakers' front office, saying very clearly that he expects the organization to field a contender next year. "He's such a competitor and I can only imagine what he's going through right now because he has no outlet for that," said Buss. "I understand his frustration and I will talk with him, and I will commiserate with him because I know how he feels." "I don't like this season. I don't like being eliminated from playoff contention already. It's only March," Buss said of the Lakers' 22-44 season She blamed injuries for the team's performance. "It's been extremely frustrating," she said. "I don't think I can remember a season like this in all the years that I've worked with the Lakers." Buss' role in the Lakers' organization is on the business side; she doesn't have a major say on the basketball side. Her brother and team co-owner Jim Buss is in charge of basketball operations. General Manager Mitch Kupchak works directly for Jim Buss. "I don't know specifics on the plan, but they're confident and have assured me that next year will be better, measurable by more wins," she said. "We'll continue to build from there." Does she regret how much the Lakers gave Bryant over what is expected to be the final two years of his contract? "Absolutely not," she said. "I do believe he will contribute at the same level Kobe's always contributed to the success of the Lakers" "To have Kobe retire as a Laker, that to me is really important. I'm thrilled." Bryant responded on Twitter Tuesday, presumably upon watching the segment on Time Warner Cable. Buss said she isn't worried about Bryant's contract getting in the way of the Lakers' plans. "Too much attention is being paid to salary cap and all that kind of stuff, which is important," said Buss. "Why can't we just talk about the players ... and how a basketball team comes together and not focus on slotting and cap space?" "I don't wear a hat and a T-shirt with 'cap space' on it," said Buss. "I have complete confidence in Jimmy and Mitch to put together the kind of team that Lakers fans are used to." Still, Buss said she is the final voice of the team. "Ultimately the buck stops with me," she said. "I'm president and governor of the team and I have empowered the basketball operations, the front office, to put together a basketball team, working within the confines of the collective bargaining agreement." She also has advice for the fans. "I want Lakers fans to watch the NCAA tournament," said Buss. "Who fits that Laker profile?" "Even though we're eliminated from having an opportunity to be in the playoffs this year, there are things to look forward to," said Buss, noting that the Lakers will participate in the draft lottery on May 20. "As the tournament unfolds, hopefully we'll see something, just as my dad saw something special about Magic Johnson" in 1979.
LOL Kobe going out without winning so enjoy your 20 years because the best is behind you buddy boy. No more one sided trades, no more all star bigs giving you the advantage, no more stacked teams just because you're in LA, only early exits to usher you into Bolivian.
more kobe... http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....-lakers-teammates/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs Kobe Bryant gets really mean with his Lakers ‘teammates’ The 2006-07 Los Angeles Lakers drove Kobe Bryant absolutely mad. He’s called Smush Parker “the worst” and bemoaned the attitude of Kwame Brown, two teammates on that squad who started for at least portions of the season. The maniacally competitive Kobe just didn’t take to having bad teammates. And that team had a winning record! Obviously, this year’s 22-44 outfit doesn’t suit him any better. <blockquote class='twitter-tweet'><p>Nick Young on the trash talk he hears from Kobe: "I don't talk to players on teams that are 20 games under .500"— <br />Dave McMenamin (@mcten) <a href='http://twitter.com/#!/mcten/status/445622083989430272' data-datetime='2014-03-17T18:05:58+00:00'>March 17, 2014</a></p></blockquote> This strikes me as a kidding-but-definitely-not-kidding situation, Kobe’s way of expressing his sincere dissatisfaction in a way that comes across as playful. But ask Parker and Brown whether Kobe is ever truly kidding. They weren’t long for the Lakers once it became clear Kobe wanted them gone. Nick Young and the Lakers actually contributing this season might meet similar fates. Kobe has already reportedly stated his preference for Los Angeles to fire Mike D’Antoni. There’s no reason to believe he’ll be any more forgiving of these infuriating players, either. Kobe has played just six games this season, and considering how many new acquisitions the Lakers added since last year, he’s really had no chance to build loyalty to many of them. The Lakers are 22 games under .500. They probably won’t beat the Spurs on Wednesday, but their following four games – vs. Wizards, vs. Magic, vs. Knicks, at Bucks – are all winnable. Sweep those four, and the Lakers would be 19 games under .500. That’s still a longshot, but it’s possible. Just in case, Young better prepare what conversations he wants to have with Kobe at that point. The schedule toughens again, and the Lakers could easily slip further below that 20-game mark. Waiting for next season might be a luxury Young doesn’t have.