The Kobe Conundrum
The Knicks have had their eye on Kobe Bryant for a while now, but they weren't expecting to make a play for him until after the 2008-09 season, when he has his opt-out. It is at that time the Knicks were setting themselves up to finally have the salary cap freedom to go after Bryant (or D-Wade or LeBron, etc.).
But things suddenly changed yesterday when Kobe said this afternoon on Stephen A. Smith's show on ESPN Radio that he wanted to be traded from the Lakers.
Immediately you think -- New York. Perfect place for him to go. Good for the NBA. Gives the Knicks instant title-contender status going into next season. He and Eddy Curry, who is most often compared to Shaq, would be a terrific 1-2 punch.
But wait....reality glasses time again.
What exactly do the Knicks have that would remotely interest the Lakers? Sure, there are only a few teams out there who can afford a Kobe Bryant, but there are even less teams who have value to trade to make a good deal for LA.
Seriously, Stephon Marbury and Channing Frye ain't getting it done.
Not when you have Miami, who would have to think real hard about the idea of sending injury-prone Dwyane Wade to LA to reunite Kobe and Shaq.
Not when you have Dallas, where the media there has already suggested the idea of dealing MVP Dirk Nowitzki for Kobe.
Not when you have Chicago, where Kobe would be the Second Coming of Jordan and the Bulls could offer Ben Gordon and perhaps Luol Deng.
Not when you have Houston, who might consider moving Tracy McGrady and give Kobe a coveted big man in Yao Ming.
Even Portland has Zach Randolph.
Even Seattle has Ray Allen and the No. 2 pick.
Sorry Knicks fans. If you want Kobe, I think you're going to still have to wait until 2008-09.
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Comments (17)
Yea, its a shame. But seriously Alan, I haven't gotten anyone to answer this question. Do Isiah and dolan really plan to not acquire anymore long contracts and get under the cap after the 08-09 season? It didn't seem like it last year when they got Jeffries for no reason. But is it actually in there thought process? Or just wishful thinking on our part?
Kobe has a no trade clause, so he can force a trade somewhere. If he was smart and wanted to rule the nba world while exponentially becoming richer he would come to NY. Im tired of players talking about how special the garden is instead of trying to play there. Average stars are elevated to super dooper stardom in NY. Someone like Kobe or Lebron would literally become immortals. Lets face it Kobe wants to be the man in the spotlight and there is no greater spotlight. Im not denying that the best situation for both teams is Chicago but NY would be the best for Kobe.
I hope they continue to not add extra payroll and set themselves up for 2009. Remember I was just looking at the books Alan Houston, Jerome Williams, and Shandon Anderson's contract are off the books this year with Marbury and Francis to some off in 2009 if they stay on course they will have TONS of cap room to sign Kobe if they want. Now he will be getting a bit older so why bother...Id wait for the young players that were recently drafted to be free agents eh hem King James will opt out in 2009 too...Just throwing out there...Keep draft picks and keep building...hopefully I'll see a championship in my lifetime.
Alan,
This is a lazy post by you with no thought behind it. The Kobe for Dwayne Wade scenario is asinine. And the rest make little sense except for the Chicago trade. Next time don't post just to get something out there, we expect more from you.
Thanks for the comment, MikeM. Don't know if it's lazy or if you should consider I'm working the predraft camp here in Orlando and took a quick moment to put up a blog. I don't think the D-Wade scenario is that ridiculous at all. Dallas writers have said Dirk-for-Kobe should happen. You have to give up something to get something of that caliber, MikeM.
Jc Cuevas, you are dead-on about 2009. And Al, I hear you about players who love playing in NY but it's always as a visitor.
I guess it's all moot now. Kobe has backpedaled after the Zenmaster caught him on his cell after the Stephen A. Smith chat.
What a day. I'll post again tonight about the actual predraft camp stuff! Off to the night session!
Actually, this was not a lazy blog at all. Alan was the first to post the Kobe news, and he's out working the pre-draft camp.
Funny all the dust Kobe kicked up though, and then within an hour said "never mind."
Besides, the Knicks never had the assets to trade for him, and they really should be concentrating on building through the draft, add a strong defending role player at the PF slot, and stay the course until they are under the cap. Then they'd be players for serious stars.
Kobe, stop talking
Whats Up Alan! Congrats on working the Knicks. I remember playing ball with you in college. You droped 35 or so in a win against sullivan in the playoffs. Nice game. I gave you a few passes in that one. I'm hoping that the knicks sit tight for another year, get a lottery pick, drop some salaries and sign a superstar or two. Now is not the time for patchwork, not when your only a year away from really rebuilding right. Hopefully Dolan and Isiah will see it that way too.
Since the Knicks can't have "King James" they need to go after the next best superstar dunkadleic-swingman in the NBA, and that's Kobe Bryant. The East already has D-Wade and LeBron if you add #24 then the East will have the 3 biggest stars in league. Kobe in New York would be bigger than A-Rod in Pinstripes. If the Knicks can get Kobe it would be smart to make that trade. It would be the biggest spark to New York since the days of Reggie Jackson. I can hear the Garden Crowd yelling KO-BE, KO-BE, KO-BE.
Man listen we are new yorkers the mecca bla bla bla !! We are never ever gona win a title or get james or kobe we are known 4spending money stupidly..
Everybody we spend millions on always gets hurt rite after they sign the damn contract????
Think people the man who ran the NBA (stern) used to run the knicks>>>& what did he do the same as everyone else b4 him & after him not a damn thing no jordan no shaq t-mac/vc/kg/ai/or ray allen{geezus}need I say more !!!
Don't get me wrong this is hate-tred 4 the organization as a whole 4yrs we been getting the doo-doo end of the stick & Im like a old house wife tierd of beeing sik & tierd!!Damn golden state made the finals yall come on !! U can keep the all fancy names 4nyc b.ball Just give me some damn bragging rites 4real do u feel me?? Hell I'm still waiting on the kg deal to fall through??? Been in the making what 4yrs now we just hopeless...!.....
Look at what we getting in the 07 draft nada=nuffin.
Now take a look at what we've been getting the last
uuuuuuuummmmmmmmmm damn got 2go all the way back to Ewing??? U feel me now??!!!!!!!
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