Kobe Bryant, Provocateur.
Say what you will about the Lakers great's motives, ego or lack of loyalty, he remains one of basketball's most gifted players. Express-News NBA writer Mike Monroe breaks down Bryant's stated desire that the Lakers trade him.
The case for keeping Kobe
Fair Value as Fantasy: When there is bad blood in the water, NBA sharks circle. Nobody is going to give Lakers owner Jerry Buss fair value for Bryant when Buss is deemed desperate to deal him.
81 Points: When Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game is the only one ahead of you on the NBA's list of "Most Points, Single Game," you are worth keeping, if only for the box office appeal.
Bruce Bowen in Purple: Because Bryant is such a great scorer, few who aren't true basketball experts recognize that he is one of the league's great defenders. Ask any of the international players he locked up while he represented Team USA over the summer.
The case for trading Kobe
Happy Is as Happy Does: Bryant pouted through training camp, possibly feigning minor injuries so he could sit out sessions. He has seemed uninterested at times, even unwilling to shoot. This can't be good.
A Deal Worth Making?: Should the Bulls decide, probably as the trade deadline nears, they can part with Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and Andres Nocioni to get Bryant, the Lakers can rebuild nicely around those four and Andrew Bynum.
The Nuisance Factor: Buss and the Lakers' organization have stood by Bryant through his trying personal times and endured criticisms planted through media sycophants. Everyone has a breaking point. Mitch Kupchak probably is past his. Buss could be getting close.
Bottom Line Unhappy or not, Bryant leads the NBA in scoring, at 30.6 points per game. He's averaging 7.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists and plays lock-down defense. Despite the opening-night boos at Staples Center, he is still L.A.'s most popular sports figure. Dr. Buss can't trade him unless he gets fair value. That won't be possible until the trade deadline nears, no matter what you read on the Internet.
The case for keeping Kobe
Fair Value as Fantasy: When there is bad blood in the water, NBA sharks circle. Nobody is going to give Lakers owner Jerry Buss fair value for Bryant when Buss is deemed desperate to deal him.
81 Points: When Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game is the only one ahead of you on the NBA's list of "Most Points, Single Game," you are worth keeping, if only for the box office appeal.
Bruce Bowen in Purple: Because Bryant is such a great scorer, few who aren't true basketball experts recognize that he is one of the league's great defenders. Ask any of the international players he locked up while he represented Team USA over the summer.
The case for trading Kobe
Happy Is as Happy Does: Bryant pouted through training camp, possibly feigning minor injuries so he could sit out sessions. He has seemed uninterested at times, even unwilling to shoot. This can't be good.
A Deal Worth Making?: Should the Bulls decide, probably as the trade deadline nears, they can part with Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and Andres Nocioni to get Bryant, the Lakers can rebuild nicely around those four and Andrew Bynum.
The Nuisance Factor: Buss and the Lakers' organization have stood by Bryant through his trying personal times and endured criticisms planted through media sycophants. Everyone has a breaking point. Mitch Kupchak probably is past his. Buss could be getting close.
Bottom Line Unhappy or not, Bryant leads the NBA in scoring, at 30.6 points per game. He's averaging 7.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists and plays lock-down defense. Despite the opening-night boos at Staples Center, he is still L.A.'s most popular sports figure. Dr. Buss can't trade him unless he gets fair value. That won't be possible until the trade deadline nears, no matter what you read on the Internet.
by Mike Monroe
MySA.Com
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