Kobe Waffles on Trade Demand

All it took to change his mind was a few hours. Kobe Bryant is now saying he doesn't want to leave Los Angeles. All the while Lakers fans hold their breath and prepare for the worst. It is clear that Kobe is not happy with the current state of things, otherwise this fiasco wouldn't have happened. But the question now is is he discontent enough to follow through on his trade demand or is he willing to wait more?

How did he waffle on his position? According to John Nadel of the Associated Press, Kobe told LA radio station KLAC, "'They said nothing to me about a long-term plan. Absolutely nothing. They told Phil one thing and they told me another. Actions speak louder than words." Then on Wednesday morning he told ESPN Radio, "'I would like to be traded, yeah. Tough as it is to come to that conclusion, there's no other alternative. It's rough, man, but I don't see how you can rebuild that trust. I just don't know how you can move forward in that type of situation." Later in the day, he told KLAC, "'I don't want to go anywhere, this is my team."'

Why the sudden change of heart? Apparently, Kobe contacted Phil Jackson, who said, "'You know what, Kobe? Let's try to figure this thing out."' If Kobe finds content with the Lakers once again, Laker fans may remember this moment as the time when Phil saved the Lakers. This soap opera will continue for sure and Angelenos will watch every moment. But, Kobe has taken a gamble in that if this drags out and he is perceived as the villain, Laker fans will turn on him and demand he be traded.

All quotes in this entry are from John Nadel's AP article on this story. Here's the link to the full article: "Bryant requests trade, then backs off"

Launch of My Blog & Kobe Demands a Trade

The big headline today is Kobe Bryant demanding a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers, and with the demand, the soap opera continues. Kobe has the talent, that is unmistakable, but it has always been his attitude that has plagued him over the years. From demanding Shaq be traded and getting the max contract possible from the Lakers to demanding Jerry West come back, Kobe has always wanted his way. Though he has been more of a team player in recent years than previously, his drive to get his way has trumped other people, whether it be Shaq or Jerry Buss, the Laker owner. Up to this point in his career, what Kobe wanted, he received. Now, his desire to leave the Lakers and contend for a title elsewhere will leave fans feeling blue. This situation that Kobe put himself into is one that may define him further. If he gets traded, will he find the happiness he doesn’t feel right now in Los Angeles? If he wins a title elsewhere, what happens if his team doesn’t win the title the year after? Or the year after that? Kobe will once again be in the same situation, but a different team. Teams being rumored to have interest include Houston, Boston, New York, Chicago, and Phoenix. If I were Kobe, the rumored McGrady-for-Bryant swap doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me. If Kobe stays put in LA, will he accept his role or be disgruntled and push and push for a trade until fans demand one as well? Will he embrace the concept of a team and embrace the team-first style of the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons? Unfortunately, I wouldn’t count on that.