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"