Oct.30 at 9:49 am

T Bone says:
man i cant wait for these games to start counting….we have been waiting too long for this night!

Oct.30 at 9:51 am

The Best Yet says:
first!

Oct.30 at 9:52 am

white hot eboy says:
I think this comment section will be split between the 24 lovers saying Barkley’s a fu*king idiot and the rest of the world who know Charles is right on point with his criticism. My vote, for this particular circumstance, Barkley’s on point. But I still think 24 puts up about 50 tonight as an FU to Phil, Buss and everyone else in the Lakers brass group.

Oct.30 at 9:52 am

Bryan says:
Barkley is the best in the biz when it comes to talking about basketball.Well that whole crew is..Especially when compared to those assh*les over at espn.

Oct.30 at 9:56 am

The Best Yet says:
Kobe’s a softy. CB34 is paid to talk trash bout any and everybody. Kobe calling him up to voice his displacement with CB34’s comment of him being “selfish” was lame.
Long live Sir Charles.

Oct.30 at 9:57 am

T Bone says:
charles is just too funny, even if he is completely wrong, you gotta love him!

Oct.30 at 9:58 am

Captain America says:
Kobe is due for a good as= chewing. He is being childish. KG played hard under difficult circumstances, but he did whine about this and that. Both behaviors are self defeating and bad for the league.

Oct.30 at 10:02 am

The Best Yet says:
WHE: your right, it might pan out that way.
As brutal as Sir Charles can be with his criticism, he’s always honest. Kobe, on the other hand might just do that 50pt per night thing.

Oct.30 at 10:04 am

Bryan says:
For once I’m gonna defend Kobe..the guy shows up night in and night out and works harder than anybody and he is rewarded with a bunch of f*cking nobodies who can’t catch a pass (Kwame), is stiff as a robot (Chris Mihm) or can’t shave yet(Bynum). The only other decent NBA caliber player on the roster is Lamar Odom, I would be pissed off too.Especially if they really did tell him they were working to improve and they’re obviously not living up to it.He got put on the back burner for years whenever Shaq missed time on the injured list with his occasional bouts with health and it has to be frustrating to be the best player in the league and at one time the best team in the league and get sh*tted on. Sure he makes X amount of money but I don’t think anyone has ever accused Kobe of caring about money more than winning.Give the guy a f*cking break.He dogged it in preseason? In practice? get.the.f*ck.outta.here. It doesn’t matter.If Kobe coasts through half a season like Vince Carter then we have something to talk about , until then leave him the f*ck alone.Because he’s gonna bring it every night and die trying to win , which is more than can be said for 85% of their roster.

Oct.30 at 10:06 am

white hot eboy says:
Shia, were you the “Leave Britney Alone” woMAN? I’m saying, you should make one of those videos up for 24 and post that sh*t on Youtube. You might get a reality show out of the deal.

Oct.30 at 10:07 am

Bryan says:
Nah , I have enough fans..

Oct.30 at 10:12 am

The Best Yet says:
Cpt America: i couldnt agree less. KG did nothing more than show what a true team player is. years of crappy supporting casts, televised crying. dude cried for God’s sake just wanting to win. Kobe cried cuz he had to apologize for gettin caught with the nastiest female in all of NW America. You cant compare the two.

Oct.30 at 10:19 am

white hot eboy says:
Shia, back to basketball. Put yourself in the Lakers position. You have a crappy team, except for 24. Your president of basketball ops. can’t make a good deal even if Howie Mandel was in the office. And your star player has over and over and over criticized the team and his teammates and then backpeddles at every turn to try and keep up that fake-ass sweet as pie 24 persona. So when he starts dogging it in practices, preseason games and shows his lack of desire to try and work himself into top for, what other options do onlookers have but to throw criticism at him. For all his Jordan posturing, he should know that one of MJ’s hallmarks was to never make himself look less than his best in any game/practice forum. And MJ’s criticism’s of the team always stayed directed at fat Jerry Krause, and never publicly about his teamates (well except for the Cartwright move and the signing of Dennis Hopson, but he waited until Hopson was gone to put his displeasure out in public)

Oct.30 at 10:21 am

The Best Yet says:
Kobe is the same b!tch he was in HS when he’d sabotage games and make them look good in the end by going off. he aint about winning, he’s about his damn self. When you chase the most dominant player out of town and forget to realize that everone else was getting old of course you’ll get sh!tted on. Let the sh!t go on for all I care.

Oct.30 at 10:22 am

Chris O says:
Can we get some video of this on the site tomorrow for people (Canadians) who don’t have TNT?

Oct.30 at 10:24 am

mutoni says:
chris o, it’s being shown on raptors tv.

Oct.30 at 10:25 am

Bryan says:
I like Barkley don’t get me wrong and I like Kobe but I’m not on his nuts like everyone else.I just think he gets a raw deal sometimes.

Oct.30 at 10:30 am

white hot eboy says:
Normally, Shai when you are viewed as the best at something, you also get the most critcism because that much more is expected of you. I think the fact that he has to share the status of game’s greatest with guys like Lebron, TD, Nash, etc. drives him crazy. If he was still playoff destroyer, that might go away and his place at the top might be his alone, but with the continued greatness of these other guys, 24 is no olnger the single greatest player in the game, he is one the greatest. He just may be the best fundamental and most dynamic scorer, bar none, but teamate and leader are two titles he still struggles with.

Oct.30 at 10:32 am

Bryan says:
You’re on crack if you think the man isn’t about winning.

Oct.30 at 10:37 am

white hot eboy says:
Where did I say he wasn’t about winning? I just think he’s not about winning with the Lakers anymore. Because he knows that’s a losing proposition. But he will play at a high-level every game.

Oct.30 at 10:39 am

Bryan says:
And if the front office doesn’t want to piss off their “star” who they supposedly love, they should do something to keep him happy.I played on some sh*tty teams in high school early on and we recruited athletes so it made me angry to see other people not playing up to expectations and that’s only high school so I can’t imagine what it’s like in the pros.He just can’t win..He passes a lot and they lose it’s why didn’t he take over..he shoots a lot and they lose and it’s he should get his teamates more involved.Well sh*t man I got tired of driving to the basket and kicking it to people to watch jumper after jumper chip the paint off the rims so how must Kobe feel?Yeah he deserves the brunt of the criticism for being a bad leader..but you can’t lead people incapable of following your lead.The players on the lakers cannot keep up with his ability.Most of them don’t belong on the same floor as Kobe and these are the people the front office surrounded him with? And he’s supposed to what? Cash his check and shut the f*ck up? I don’t think so man..that’s bogus.

Oct.30 at 10:39 am

Bryan says:
Not you Eboy, the best yet said he’s not about winning.

Oct.30 at 10:43 am

The Best Yet says:
dude, u are so warped. Kobe aint about winning, on his own, anymore. he aint a leader or is he or has he ever been a team player. For those reasons he’ll never be lig MVP. unless they pity him.

Oct.30 at 10:47 am

Bryan says:
You’re a f*cking idiot..Do you even play basketball? or do you just read the rumor page somewhere and come here and pass off said rumors as facts?You don’t know anything about Kobe and obviously know little about basketball in general.He is the most intense athlete out there.Maybe you would prefer a “leader” like Dirk because all the magazines said he was MVP last year. F*ck off.

Oct.30 at 10:50 am

white hot eboy says:
Yeah, Shia, you know what, he should shut the f*ck up and take his check home. There’s not that many players in the league, let alone NBA history that have had the type of career 24’s had. Now that he doesn’t have the players in place to expand his championship legend, he is losing his grip on his “game’s greatest” title as well. He needs to realize that most great players, don’t realize champions dreams until the later portion of their careers. But because he was part of one of the NBA’s legendary teams, with one of the game’s greatest all-time coaches and one of it’s all-time greatest players, I don’t think he truly appreciated just how special he had it. And now as the lean years in LA take hold, he realizes day by day that the team will not get back to those glory days without significant change, and moving him just might be the easist way out for all parties involved.

Oct.30 at 10:51 am

Cheryl says:
Play out the contract and move the f*ck on. ‘Nuff said.

Oct.30 at 10:52 am

The Best Yet says:
Kobe’s time with LA is done. He needs to move on Bryan. After the dynasty years its been all about rebuilding. Kobe cannot seriously think of winning when the third man on the squad is Kwame Brown. All good things come to an end. Kobe needs to move on as KG did.

Oct.30 at 10:55 am

Captain America says:
Best Yet: Who asked ya? What do you know? KG was as moody as a pms dame. He whined about losing Sprewell (been outta b-ball since) and Cassell (off the bench player). Give him a couple years with the C’s without a ring, and the real KG will surface. As I’ve said, KG played his ass off while Kobe is his potential trade value shrink due to bad attitude. Let’s all say this together, “KG is a fine baller, he does not walk on water”. nuf said

Oct.30 at 10:55 am

Jared says:
couldn’t agree more with eboy…kob should just play, it’s his profession. His job entails going to practice, playing preseason games, being whatever his coach wants him to be. What if Lang didn’t wanna write an article cause he didn’t like the rest of the SLAM writing staff? Or what if you didn’t want to go to work because you didn’t love where you work or what you do? This man makes too much money to cry about his job to the public and be so disgruntled. He has talent, it’s not like he’s saving lives…stop being a primadona and play the game…love of the game, where is it Kobe? Yeah losing is frustrating, any competitor knows and understands that, but you play for the love of the sport, not just to win. Bryan how much money you get paid to play hs ball? You play cause you love it, and if it’s your profession then there is no excuse to dog it…Kob isn’t the first, or the only, but he’s the most high profiled to be doing this. If he wants out, go about it behind the scenes, as a professional.

Oct.30 at 10:56 am

The Best Yet says:
when is his contract up?

Oct.30 at 10:56 am

Bryan says:
I’m not saying he shouldn’t move on..I’m saying he should be allowed to voice his displeasure with management without getting killed for it.I was in charge at my last job and a lot of times they gave me terrible employees and expected me to make wine from water.And there was no way I just kept my mouth shut, I went straight to my bosses and told them they got what they paid for and not to gripe at me if they give me sh*t to work with..It’s a bad analogy but it gets the point across he doesn’t have to just be silent especially if the Lakers brass didn’t live up to their end of the bargain.He has every right to be mad and every right to say he is mad.

Oct.30 at 10:59 am

Rasheedionics says:
Eboy you’re absolutely right about him struggling with being a teammate and a leader. I just don’t think it’s in him. And Shia, I hate to break it to you but to be considered all-time great you do have to be more than just a prolific scorer. You have to make players around you better. Yes I know, he’s supporting cast is not great but they’re still NBA players. This is not bunch of playground kids he’s playing with. They’re all NBA caliber players which means they all have some type of skills. Was MJ supporting cast that much better besides Scottie who was exposed as an average player once he played without Jordan… Another point, Kobe had a chance to go to Clippers or Bulls when he was free agent couple of years ago for slighly less amount. He decided to take the most money and stay with Lakers. If he’s all about winning why the hell did he made that choice. He must’ve know that it’s going take Lakers few year to become a contender again. He can’t be that naive, can he?

Oct.30 at 11:02 am

Rasheedionics says:
Yea, he has a right to be mad, he just doesnt need to take it to the media. All this complaining and whining is ending up making him look bad at the end of the day.

Oct.30 at 11:02 am

Myles Brown says:
*Doing best not to jump in and regulate*

Oct.30 at 11:03 am

white hot eboy says:
Yeah, but Shai, there’s a way to do things, and true leader doesn’t stand in a shopping center parking lot, talking about the state of team affairs with some random fans and criticising his teamates. You just don’t do it. And then don’t act surprised when you don’t get help from that same team, because he all know by the Shaq situation that the Lakers will deal you regardless of what they get in return to make their point. So 24 fu*ked himself in that situation.

Oct.30 at 11:03 am

white hot eboy says:
Myles, just do it. It’s been way too long. And we’ve all been on good behavior.

Oct.30 at 11:06 am

Bryan says:
Yes Jordans supporting cast was much better Sheed. I’ll take Pippen over Odom..He was an average 35 year old after Jordan but the 2 years he played without him after he first retired he was an MVP candidate..and I hate Scottie Pippen more than any player that’s every played so it kills me even type this. Plus Kucoc was better than the 3rd best player on the Lakers and I’ll take Longley over Mihm and Kwame combined.And he sucked.He took the money because A: he wanted to remain loyal to the team that took a chance on him and made him the player he is today and B: he trusted the owner and GM to make them competitve right away.If we fault him for anything it should be for being foolish enough to believe in Mitch Kupchek(sp).

Oct.30 at 11:07 am

Myles Brown says:
Im reading right now, but Ill be back. Besides, Bryan is holdin it down right now. Except for that Pip hate.

Oct.30 at 11:08 am

The Best Yet says:
do i play basketball? yes i do, would mop for floor with u if my ankles were healthy. i call it like i see it Bryan. Yes, Kobe is intense and all that good stuff. but he’s the biggest b!tch ever. He need to realize success dont come 1,2,3. not because they had 4 goes at it means that it’ll always be so. just as it is with any team. you got 15 seconds to shine in sports. when that time is done, its done. Just as the Suns sucked a few years ago, it’s now their 15 seconds.
get a hug dude.

Oct.30 at 11:12 am

white hot eboy says:
The Best Yet must be looking for an injured reserve role on the SLAMonline basketball team. We almost have a full squad now. I would like to see Shia used as the proverbial mop too.

Oct.30 at 11:13 am

Captain America says:
It would be better for Kobe to move on. Pulling a trade of this magnitude at this stage of the season is highly unlikely.

Oct.30 at 11:16 am

Captain America says:
Kobe needs to think of his endorsements (Nike), etc. vis-a-vis his bad attitude. No body buys stuff endorsed by a sulking star.

Oct.30 at 11:19 am

RV says:
i thought he was “rewarded” with millions and millions of dollars……i agree he plays hard and doesn’t get the help, but he’s getting paid very well to do his part and if he signed the dotted line then he needs to deal with it for the length of the contract and then leave. His contract didn’t include a team upgrade as far as i know so he should have been more careful negotiating it.

Oct.30 at 11:22 am

white hot eboy says:
Bodie should be alive and kicking at this point of the day. We need him and Myles to come through to get Lakers fans point of views.

Oct.30 at 11:22 am

Bryan says:
No one would mop anything with me b*tches.

Oct.30 at 11:24 am

The Best Yet says:
I’ll take it WHE. haha. Oh, the hatred toward my all-time favorite aint cool. I aint even gonna touch on your 3 points.

Oct.30 at 11:26 am

white hot eboy says:
Yeah, Shia, just because Pip killed Charles Smith’s chances at being a NY hero not once but twice, doesn’t mean you should carry that hate 15 years later.

Oct.30 at 11:26 am

Bryan says:
Obviously Kobe is still marketable if he’s starting in the all star game every year.If that many people hate him he wouldn’t get voted in year after year.It is a popularity contest after all.You don’t know what you’re talking about the best yet.I’m not even gonna pay any attention to anything to you say everything is “Kobe is a big b*tch” but you have no basis for that except that his team sucks and he said so.F*ck all this true professional garbage , he was professional through 3 bad seasons now and now it’s time to speak up and say “what the f*ck is going on here guys , where is the help you PROMISED me?” that’s all he is doing , albeit less tactfully.

Oct.30 at 11:29 am

Bryan says:
How the f*ck can you stick up for Pippen but hate on Kobe? No one cried more than Pippen.Yeah I’m hating on him..But whatever respect due because he was a good player but I wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire..he’s a scumbag and the original NBA crybaby.

Oct.30 at 11:31 am

The Best Yet says:
Sheed, I feel you on that

Oct.30 at 11:34 am

backboard says:
The best yet, du bist doch aus ´schlaaaand, richtig?

Oct.30 at 11:36 am

Jared says:
Pip was a sh!t Bryan, but how come youre sticking up for Kobe so hard? You don’t see the least beat of negativity towards what he’s done? He’s a great ball player, and he probably does get more personality criticism than he deserves, but you’re approaching it like he’s got a sad story and deserves better? Why does he deserve better? Not to say that Shaq staying would have guaranteed success, but he pretty much forced Shaq away, the guy who brought not just Kobe, but Los Angeles three championships, the most dominant player since MJ, it’s tought to rebound from that, and the Lakers have had some talented guys there, just none of them have worked. Kob tok the money with the lakers when there was talk he’d leave if the clips offered more. I just wanna know why you’re so supportive of him. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it, just where are you coming from?

Oct.30 at 11:39 am

Jared says:
why does he have the right to dog it? because he gave them so much for so long and was under appreciated? He was never and never has been underappreciated. He’s kobe…he’s not a secret.

Oct.30 at 11:46 am

The Best Yet says:
No Backboard, ik woon in Nederland. sorry.

Oct.30 at 11:53 am

jbn74sb says:
Phil said it best last night.
If the Lakers are going to do something, do it sooner rather than later. Either trade him, or come out and say you’re not going to trade him.
My interest in the Lakers hasn’t been this low since the early 90’s, post Magic’s HIV announcement.
There is not a feasible trade out there that meets the 2 needs for the Lakers: picking up talent, and keeping people in the seats.
To me, Kobe hasn’t said or done anything too bad since May/ June, aside from play like a distracted 11 year old.
Nearly all of the controversy that has arisen in the last few months has been the result of either the organization saying things and/or the fervor of the media to move the story along.
However, Kobe started the whole mess, and could end it by saying that he is sorry, retract his trade demand, profess his loyalty to the team, and then shut it and show it on the court. But he has chosen not to.
Basically, to everyone involved, sh-t or get off the pot.

Oct.30 at 11:56 am

Bryan says:
I’m just sticking up for him cause I’m tired of the hate all the time.He gets it so much worse than anybody but I think he deserves more leeway for being the best player in the league.

Oct.30 at 11:59 am

white hot eboy says:
The Gil move could be a nice option for the Lakers.

Oct.30 at 12:01 pm

Myles Brown says:
I said that months ago. They should’ve given up Kobe to whoever. Sucked for a year, got a high draft pick and thrown all the money in the world to Gil. I bet he’d take it.

Oct.30 at 12:04 pm

Myles Brown says:
And I tried to submit a much longer comment that wouldn’t work. Guess it’s time for a post.

Oct.30 at 12:04 pm

white hot eboy says:
Looking forward to it, Myles.

Oct.30 at 12:04 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
I’ll say this: Charles Barkley is a terrific entertainer, and probably the best (and most forthright) analyst in any sport. That said, you’re gonna tell me that Charles Barkley put team first every time he stepped out on that floor? F*ck outta here. Anyone remember Houston? I hope Kobe goes right back at him. Who’s the one with the rings?

Oct.30 at 12:05 pm

jbn74sb says:
I don’t think much of Gil the basketball player, but the rumor that has been discussed is the best option I’ve seen thus far. Now the question is would Kobe accept such a trade.

Oct.30 at 12:06 pm

Rasheedionics says:
Like eboy said, when you’re the best, the more is expected of you. You don’t get more leeway. Whatever the reason, he knowingly sign with the team that had terrible supporting cast. What did he expect. Rebuild in 2 years. How is that even realistic in NBA? It almost never happens. He can’t be that naive.

Oct.30 at 12:06 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
And Bodie summed up the whole damn NBA summer with that comment. Lakers, Cavs, David Stern, whoever. DO SOMETHING ALREADY. Everybody just sittin’ around, waitin’ for something to happen. ENOUGH.

Oct.30 at 12:07 pm

jbn74sb says:
Agreed Russ. Even with his faults, Kobe has never cheated his own potential, while Barkley never fully realized his.

Oct.30 at 12:09 pm

Reggie Evans says:
No, KG would never do what Kobe did. He would just tell his friends on the team not to play defense correctly.

Oct.30 at 12:11 pm

white hot eboy says:
True about Barkley, but it didn’t help that he ended his career about 40 lbs more than when he began. Kobe with Butler and Jamison is a lot more scary than with Agent Zero.

Oct.30 at 12:13 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
And whose fault was that, eboy? I don’t think Charles was ever force-fed. The only shape he ever reported in was round. Dude made Antoine Walker look like Scottie Pippen circa 1996.

Oct.30 at 12:15 pm

jbn74sb says:
eboy - I thought Barkley began his career heavy, got in shape at some point, and then put it back on. But that’s the point - he may have tried during the games, but didn’t have the drive or work ethic to handle his during the offseason, or even the off nights. Damn lush…
And you are 100% correct about Kobe, Butler, and Jamison. Funny thing is, and you’re all going to kill me for this, Wizards could use Kwame too, since they are so meager up front. He’d instantly be their best post defender. Kobe and Kwame for Gil, Nick Young, and Blatche.

Oct.30 at 12:17 pm

white hot eboy says:
I’m not sticking up for Barkley the player, I just agreed with his take on 24’s situation. And if Kwame is a better post defender than Etan Thomas, I will stop watching basketball today, Bodie.

Oct.30 at 12:19 pm

The Best Yet says:
what planet do u live on Bryan? when your the best, there is no such thing as leeway. you either get all the praise or the brunt of the stick.
I dont like Kobe, never did, but he is the best baller in today’s game. but he isnt a leader and doesnt make those around him better. no true MVP ever scores 81pts in today’s game. And Kobe has been doing this the last couple off-seasons, not just this year. Isnt possible, dude selfish, plain and simple. This aint Ko-be-A, its the NBA. He need to stop thinking he’s bigger than the game.a nyhow. I have to leave this discussion cuz my phone battery is dying and I have to go give a bball practice. So not only could I mop the floor with you Bryan, but I could bench you just the same.
To all, have a pleasant and productive day and Bryan, get that hour of rest you lacking.

Oct.30 at 12:19 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
Uh, I’d rather have the guy that didn’t just have open heart surgery. With all respect to Etan–and I hope he makes a full recovery and rejoins the League as soon as possible–Kobe is looking for who can help him win RIGHT NOW.

Oct.30 at 12:20 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
“No true MVP ever scores 81 points in today’s game.” Uh, well, only one player has ever scored 81 points in today’s game, and he didn’t win MVP, so I guess you’re right. Bravo. Carry on.

Oct.30 at 12:21 pm

jbn74sb says:
eboy - Kwame gets killed, and rightly so, because he can’t catch. But he is huge, very athletic for his size, and a good on-ball post defender. Etan Thomas is a less offensively inclined Turiaf.

Oct.30 at 12:22 pm

Bryan says:
Ah go f*ck yourself.

Oct.30 at 12:24 pm

white hot eboy says:
I know Etan’s offensive game is equal to your Bodie, but I do know he’s hard-nosed and rebounds well, too. And yeah, Russ, because of the surgery that’s the better move now, but I think I’d still rather have a wait and see next season Etan, than a potentially horrible reconnect with Kwame. Wait…..what about Haywood, he blocks shots periodically.

Oct.30 at 12:28 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
Haywood and Etan get along like Barkley and Kobe.

Oct.30 at 12:30 pm

white hot eboy says:
HaHaHa. Holly’s hahahaha’s are rubbing off on me.

Oct.30 at 12:40 pm

Bryan says:
I think the Kobe for Arenas deal is pretty good for Washington.

Oct.30 at 12:41 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
Gee, really?

Oct.30 at 12:47 pm

stoned_raider says:
Kobe has 3 rings in a row, so tell me again how he doesnt know how to be a team player. Kobe did what he had to do to get those championships, and he played both ends of the floor, unlike fat ass shaq

Oct.30 at 12:50 pm

Bryan says:
ass.

Oct.30 at 12:52 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
Come on, dude. You had to expect that. If you can give up a one-dimensional scorer (albeit an exceptionally good one) for the best all-around player in the game, you’re probably getting the better end of the deal.

Oct.30 at 12:58 pm

stoned_raider says:
All you guys act like sheep, you guys can’t think for youselves? especially eboy, you guys need to stop being influnced by what the media says. All kobe wants to do is win, and he knows how to win. Only 3 teams have ever won 3 championships in a row, and Lakers are the last to do that, and if i remember correctly Kobe was on that team, and again if im not mistaken, had a lot to do with that amazing run. So how is he not a leader. If kobe was the selfish, non leader everyone says he was, how did they get three in a row? Kobe did what he had to do to play with shaq and get those rings.

Oct.30 at 1:00 pm

Bryan says:
I don’t think gil is one dimensional , he’s not as good all around as Kobe by any means but he does a little.But it works for LA too, Kobe is a malcontent at the moment and Gil is like universally loved right now.I think it’s the best trade that’s been talked about since this whole thing started.

Oct.30 at 1:05 pm

Myles Brown says:
There is no stat for love. Play some effin’ defense.

Oct.30 at 1:07 pm

Bryan says:
I’ll say this..Kobe might for 100 if the plays against the Lakers. umm “play wit it”?

Oct.30 at 1:16 pm

Bryan says:
It doesn’t work when I say it.

Oct.30 at 1:32 pm

namik says:
This exact same thing happened last year after the playoffs. Barkely said saomething, Kobe ripped him a new one and then he was on Kobe’s d*** all night. I can bet you Barkley will say the exact same stuff that has been said all summer and try to make it appear as if he just thought of it, which he probably did. Did people really call him the best analyst? The most entertaining sure, but the best??? And Kobe should go to Washington. It’ll be easier to live up to Jordan’s legacy there than with the Bulls.

Oct.30 at 1:34 pm

Tarzan Cooper says:
kobe is ok. whatever.

Oct.30 at 1:34 pm

Bryan says:
What the f*ck did everyone go to lunch?

Oct.30 at 1:47 pm

Reggie Evans says:
yes

Oct.30 at 1:49 pm

Hisham says:
Shia LaBryan, your emotional display dazzles me! you absolutely rocked this audition: the part is yours

Oct.30 at 1:50 pm

Bryan says:
hahaha

Oct.30 at 2:08 pm

Co Co says:
First of all, the going through the motions during preseason doesnt mean a damn thing. If he’s just going through the motions in February, then people should worry. Second, I may be in the minority, but I’m glad Kobe decided to demand the team get better now. Why should he wait until his best years are behind him in the name of loyalty? There’s no loyalty in the NBA. He wants a chance to win and he knows just like most of us know that Kwame and the crew are not quite capable of getting him a ring.

Oct.30 at 2:12 pm

Bryan says:
Too late no one is left on this thread…they’re all Kobe’d out.

Oct.30 at 2:12 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
What she said.

Oct.30 at 2:25 pm

jawn says:
Co Co for president. jeah!

Oct.30 at 2:27 pm

jbn74sb says:
CoCo (and Russ) - I basically agree with your take.
However, the main issue is how Kobe has gone about it.
Making the comments he did in May/June is understandable, considering the frustration, but still stupid and naive.
But now he appears to be playing some sort of victim card, and refuses to say anything of any meaning.
Either demand a trade or profess your loyalty.
His response to the media firestorm, that he created (and others have stoked), is naive at best.

Oct.30 at 2:30 pm

white hot eboy says:
Bodie’s maturity has to be linked to his new employment undertaking. I can’t believe how much sense that just made.

Oct.30 at 2:36 pm

Co Co says:
I think shortly after Kobe made those comments he realized that it would be in his best interest to shut the hell up because he can’t win with the media and most fans. No one cares about the feelings of an athlete making millions of dollars to play a game he used to play for free. There’s just not a lot of sympathy from the masses. I think he really does want to leave and he really does want to stay. It makes perfect sense to me.

Oct.30 at 2:37 pm

Tarzan Cooper says:
i think this has kinda happened because kobe has been given everything he wants basketballwise since high school. things turn a lil sour, and he wants new toys NOW! he has been spoiled since he picked up a ball. kg grinded that axe for 12 long, hard years. kobe has had a couple years of non-championship level hoops(partly his fault) and he wants out, because its all about what he deserves as a player. he didnt appreciate shaq letting him ride to those rings(if you think shaq wasnt the man on those teams, you are a fu(king idiot.) shaq still would have won with paul pierce, vince, tmac, etc. you think kobe would have won with just any really good big man? it took shaq to try to keep kobe in his place, but kobe wanted to be the man, now he realized it isnt all its cracked up to be(all he had to to was ask tmac or paul). now he wants to be on a great team again, NOW!, because he has grown tired of being the man. and he will pout until he gets his way

Oct.30 at 2:42 pm

jbn74sb says:
eboy - I am a Lakers fan first. And while all sides are at fault here, moving Kobe is the only way to permanently kill the story and get the focus back on the team and the court.
My interest level in the season is such that I don’t even know where the game is tonight, and don’t have any desire to look it up. If it’s in LA, I honestly hope he gets boo’d, and then plays a sh-tty game.

Oct.30 at 2:45 pm

Co Co says:
I really don’t want to make this about Shaq, but everyone you named is a top player in the league. Could Shaq win a ring without a great number 2 by his side to take over late in games when they won’t throw him the ball cause he can’t hit free throws or when he’s on the bench in foul trouble? It works both ways. Shaq has always had a top 5 guard in the league on his side. You can’t discount that.

Oct.30 at 2:46 pm

jbn74sb says:
And he’s still been swept out of the playoffs 6 times. Or is it 7?

Oct.30 at 2:54 pm

white hot eboy says:
Co Co, bad form on your part. From Bodie, it’s no surprise.

Oct.30 at 2:59 pm

jbn74sb says:
I’m just stating facts, eboy. I am an equal opportunity a-hole.

Oct.30 at 3:00 pm

Bryan says:
I still say Kobe drops 100 on the Lakers his first game back in LA if they trade him.

Oct.30 at 3:02 pm

Co Co says:
Come on Eboy, I was just making a point that Shaq and all of his greatness has always had a great player to carry the load when he couldn’t. Let me see him win a ring with say a Smush Parker as his number 2 guy and I’ll totally change my opinion. Totally.

Oct.30 at 3:09 pm

jbn74sb says:
Smush has always been a number 2.

Oct.30 at 3:46 pm

Tarzan Cooper says:
the difference is, shaq knows he needs help to win. he also knows that in order to win you need to give him the damn ball throughout the game. kobe wanted to be the man, now he realized he cant win like that and he is complaining that he doesnt have any help. kobe wants it both ways and it just doesnt work like that.

Oct.30 at 3:53 pm

Co Co says:
Kobe knows he needs help and he knows the Lakers can’t give it to him, so now he wants to bounce. There’s nothing wrong with that. He’s at the point where its not too late and he wants to make a move before it becomes too late.

Oct.30 at 3:55 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
I don’t think Kobe wants it both ways at all. He’s not asking to be traded to a team with LeBron or Duncan where he could be a second option. He absolutely wants to get the damn ball throughout the game. Kobe just wants better talent around him–like a center who’s old enough to drive, a power forward who can catch, a small forward who can stay healthy, and a point guard who exists. I don’t think he’s being all that unreasonable.

Oct.30 at 3:56 pm

white hot eboy says:
Uhm, Co Co that may have worked when Shaq was in his prime but he is way past that point and doing it on his own today is just not fair.

Oct.30 at 4:09 pm

Co Co says:
Eboy, even if Shaq were 25 aint no way in hell he’s winning a ring with a Smush Parker or someone comparable to him as the second best player on the team. Shaq needs a star just as much as any star he’s played with needed him.

Oct.30 at 4:26 pm

Tarzan Cooper says:
coco, youre almost right. i wouldnt say shaq(in his prime) needs them just as much as they need him. i think you could put prime shaq on the current hawks and they would be title contenders. would you put joe johnson on the same level as kobe, wade, and penny? i love joe johnson, but he is not on that level. if you put the other oneal(jermaine) on the lakers, would they be title contenders? no. of course, shaq needs other good players to win, everyone in the history of the game needs good teammates in order to win. kobe had the biggest help ever, but he didnt want him, kobe wanted to be no.1, now he is, and he doesnt like it. sure he likes having the ball all the time and shooting whenever he likes, but he doesnt like the result of that:losing. so he does want it both ways.

Oct.30 at 4:35 pm

white hot eboy says:
Bodie normally takes it both ways, too.

Oct.30 at 4:41 pm

jbn74sb says:
takes = gives.
I drive to the hole no matter which one is open, and force my way through traffic to create an opening when it appears to be blocked.
In other words, I am a fan of Jim Morrison.

Oct.30 at 4:51 pm

white hot eboy says:
Nice, Mr. Crass.

Oct.30 at 5:01 pm

Tarzan Cooper says:
classic bodie

Oct.30 at 11:28 pm

The Spin says:
I love all the love this article gets by putting Barkley and Kobe’s name on the same page. How can hate either of these guys? www.clutch3.com

Oct.31 at 12:45 am

Logan says:
what pisses me off is that Phil calls out Kobe for not giving a 100% in a preseason game…this is the same guy who felt it was OK for Shaq to show up to training camp overweight and lumber through the whole season (forget preseason). That was fine by him. Hypocrite!
Kobe is going to stay in LA, win the scoring title and hope that some free agent signs up at the end of the season….

Oct.31 at 5:18 am

Holly MacKenzie says:
I love that sweater vest! And it makes me sad to see Kobe talking about wearing 24 for the rest of his career, how he has matured, etc. Also, the booing at Staples.. gahhh a piece of my soul got burned with that. There is no fixing this mess that has been made. The game tonight was the perfect reflection of Kobe and his career right now. Close, oh-so-close, but not good enough. Kobe is the most talented player in this L. but he is not going to do it alone. For that reason he wants out, I get that. But, the way this whole charade has played out, I’m having a hard time accepting it, as a Lakers fan.

Oct.31 at 5:21 am

Holly MacKenzie says:
and tarzan, I agree with Russ. Kobe wants to be the man, but he wants to be the man on a roster of talented players. Felt good to see Fish back out there though. Nostalgia is growing….I miss the good ol days.

Oct.31 at 12:09 pm

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