awwwwwwwwwwwwww kobe

Kobe: Trade me.

(changing radio station)

Kobe: Well... don't trade me, I love it here, but try harder to get good guys around me.

(changing radio station again)

Kobe: [sniff] This is messed up... [sniff] they lied to me.... [sniff] I love the Lakers and always have. I didn't even want Shaq to leave. Please just let me stay (and pay me) (and get some new guys).

LA Radio Hots: DON'T LEAVE!!! WE LOVE YOU!!! [fellatio]

And that sums up the day here.

------+-----+_----___---

So what do we make of this? Kobe has been villified and worhiped here, alternatingly. I thought they were harsh on him sometimes, but mostly they've been ass kissers. And today it seems like they're on that kick.

Yeah, the Lakers front office is a mess and their moves post-Jerry West have been shaky. But I refuse to believe that Kobe had no input, even if it was just implied, in Shaq leaving. They had to know it would satisfy him on some level. He's throwing Jerry Buss under a real buss (sorry). People from the Lakers are doing it to him. Everyone is hating on each other.

I'd like to see Kobe moved back East, just for the balance. He could lift Chicago back to the finals (but so could Pau Gasol). I don't see how the Knicks can put a package together, no matter what you think the NBA will do to keep him in a big market. The Lakers can address several needs by trading him for younger guys at multiple spots.

But I'm guessing they won't, and since public opinion here seems to be all on his side, they'll give in and make a deal for a big man, apologize to him, let him have everything, and lose in the playoffs again. They'll probably cave and beg West to come back, which would actually be a good thing, since they need some decision making ability there. Whether they actually listen to him or just use him as a figurehead is another story.

Whatever.... the NBA needed some more drama than the playoffs are currently providing and they have it now. I think this is all a big show and that the Lakers felt... underexposed? Now we're talking about them.

Thanks, Kobe. Feel better now?