I thought it would be interesting to get your thoughts on Kobe deciding that the Knicks are too much if a circus to be bothered with waiving his no-trade clause for a trade to New York.
This is extraordinary: The best player in the NBA takes a look at the landscape at the Garden and says, "No, thanks. Too crazy for me."
This is the word coming out of the Kobe camp, as I wrote in today's paper. It won't be stunning if the Knicks aren't able to trade for Kobe. It was always a longshot from the beginning. But the fact that he is ready to thumb his nose at what used to be the most honored stage in basketball is, quite honestly, sickening.
It should sicken every Knick fan out there and make you reevaluate the direction of your franchise.
As has been the case since Bryant first requested a trade back in May, he holds all the power. He has a no-trade clause (the only player in the NBA with one) and an opt-out clause after the 2008-09 season. After Lakers owner Jerry Buss made it clear he's ready to say good-bye in an interview this week, it appears more likely than ever that Kobe will be traded.
The Bulls and Mavericks are the new 1 and 1a in the Kobe sweepstakes. The Knicks are not on the list, in part because Bryant believes there wouldn't be enough talent left after the trade. Mostly, though, the message that Kobe is sending out through intermediaries is that he believes the situation at the Garden is too chaotic.
The Knicks' only chance to get into the Kobe mix is for Isiah to turn on the charm and change his mind. Nobody is better equipped than Isiah to pull that off, but it certainly appears that the odds are stacked firmly against him.
Be back later with some practice notes ...
Comments (1)
as if Kobe or anyone really even considered the Knicks. lol this is comical. the Knicks have nothing to trade for Kobe, and are god awful. they could offer Half the team and the Lakers wouldn't take it. Why would they? who'd take a bunch of bad players for the best player in the world, when they could get good players from a respectable team?
It's pretty damn funny reading the press from NY and them actually trying to pass it off as if the Knicks were an option or would ever be an option because anyone with a brain who knows basketball knows the Knicks are garbage and can offer nothing so any mention of a trade with them is downright ludicrous. It's like saying the Charlotte Bobcats are in the mix for Kobe Bryant.
Anyone from NY who seriously tried to put out a story about Kobe maybe coming to the Knicks should be embarrassed and should just retire. Or maybe try stand-up