Kobe Wants Out

For the second time this month Kobe has announced that him and the Lakers may need to part ways. A few weeks ago when his comments were made public it just seemed like a superstar flexing his muscles attempting to influence franchise decisions in hopes of a better supporting cast. Now it seems a possible trade is more and more likely as Kobe reposted his farewell message on his blog (stickied with todays date on it):

Man, today is one of those surreal days for me and my family. When you love something as much as I love the Lakers its hard to even imagine thinking about being elsewhere. But, the ONE THING I will never sacrifice when it comes to basketball is WINNING. That is plain and simply what it’s all about. It’s in my DNA. It’s what pushes me to work as hard as I do. It’s my daily passion and pursuit.

The more I thought about the future, the more I became convinced that the Lakers and me just have two different visions for the future. The Lakers are pursuing a longer-term plan that is different from what Dr. Buss shared with me at the time I re-signed as a free agent. I have seen that plan unfold for the last three years and watched great trade opportunities come and go, and have seen free agents passed on. That has led to the Lakers not winning a playoff series. All of that was frustrating in itself, but then, this week to have someone “inside” the Laker organization try to blame me in the media for us not being a contender right now — that is what brought me to my current position today.

I want it to be clear that I still love, with all my heart, the Laker Legacy. From Mikan to West to Goodrich to Wilt to Kareem to Magic. That will never change. And the support my family and I have gotten from Lakers fans is undeniably the best. I will also always believe that.

But, now there is a new road ahead. I am gonna keep grindin and keep workin to get back to competing for Championships. Sometimes the trek up the mountain is tough. But, I know we’ll get there.

Strength and Honor,
Kobe

Source
KB24 News

Kobe Bryant is a superstar, he is one of the best athletes on the planet, and he is the guy who sells out seats at the Staples Center night in and night out no matter if the Lakers are winning or losing. He has overcome much his negative image after the off / in court drama back in 2003, and is still one of the most marketable faces in sports today. What are the Lakers willing to give up to keep Kobe? What can they get back if they decide to let him go? If you are interested in reading up some more information on the whole Kobe situation check out this great post over at Forum Blue & Gold running through all the possibilities that the Lakers will have to consider in the coming weeks.