Was it worth breaking up the Lakers to keep Kobe Bryant? The 'Jerk'

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 23, 2004

KOBE is the player who didn't show up in the Finals (Karl Malone was on one leg). Kobe was the one on trial, unable to focus on his basketball responsibilities properly. He's immature, selfish and a jerk. They got rid of the good guys and kept the jerk. Lance Del GoebelManhattan, Ill.

Wrong solution

WORKING ON the chemistry, fixing the vibe, strengthening the love, building the mastermind alliance, "a group of people with one mind, working towards a common goal." That is the solution. Kobe alone won't cut it. The Lakers will struggle for a long time now. And Kobe rocks. That is the way it is. What a shame.

James Babcock

Sydney, Australia

All-time great

LAKERS OWNER Jerry Buss has realized the power of Michael Jordan in Kobe Bryant, who has accomplished more thus far in his career than Jordan and now has more experience. However, Jordan had less talent around him earlier in career, as Kobe has later in his. Knowing Kobe's abilities, should he create a Laker championship (or a possible second three-peat), he would cement his legacy more than another big man pushing and clanging his way to a ring.

Jonathan Bautista

Hayward

Different uniform

KOBE WILL be shooting baskets in a Colorado prison yard this time next year.

Greg Bullard

Hermosa Beach

One-on-five

KOBE CAN be a great player like MJ, but he is still only a crybaby in La-La land. He will never win a ring playing one-on-five. I never liked the Lakers, but now I can at least be a Shaq Daddy fan.

Donovan Dao

Saigon, Vietnam

On the bubble

SIGNING KOBE at the expense of losing your big center and the coach who led the team to three straight NBA titles is already hurting the Lakers -- and it will hurt more down the road. The big contract that Kobe signed ties up the Lakers so they can't get any more free-agent stars to help, and Kobe cannot carry this team alone. The Lakers will be lucky just to squeak into the playoffs for the next three to five years.

Dante Suguitan Jr.

Fremont

Lakers blew it

SIGNING KOBE to that $136 million contract will come back to haunt the Lakers. What if Kobe gets hurt or what about if the gets convicted of rape and sent to prison? Better hope for the best, Kobe, because even if you are acquitted, one injury is all it takes, and you could be through early -- and then the Lakers are out of luck and out $136 million.

Tommy Edwards

Fremont

No more SoCal

THE KOBE-LAKERS will not have the size anymore to stop Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Brad Miller, Yao Ming or the monstrous front line of the Nuggets. OK -- here we go again with another Laker question. You do realize there are sports teams in this area, right? Could we have some local consideration, please! Enough with the SoCal fawning.

Robin Swanson

Tracy

Why, why, why?

WHY WOULD you break up your team for a selfish, ball-hogging guard who only cares about himself? Kobe is talented, no doubt, but after seven years in the league, he hasn't learned much. Let's stop the Jordan comparisons right now. Kobe isn't even a team guy, let alone a leader. The real reason the Lakers sold out to keep him was because now everybody knows him, fans or not, because of his legal troubles, and like it or not, it's still all about the money. Kobe sells tickets, fills seats and attracts media attention, bottom line.

Phil Anderson

Oakland

Inevitable ending

AN INEVITABLE ending for a club gone astray. People seem confident in Bryant's

attorneys, failing to place the seriousness due on his future. Although a loss to us, Shaq has been blessed and will finally get the respect he deserves.

Sugar Franklin

Los Angeles

Build on Shaq

SHAQ IS by far the most dominant force in the NBA. It would have been much easier for the Lakers to build a team around Shaq, compared to building one around Kobe. By the way, why didn't the Warriors at least make an attempt to get Shaq? Why do they persist on lingering in the NBA's Third World?

Derek Black

Riverside

Send your comments (50-75 words) on the new Sports Spat to Turn2@angnewspapers.com . Include full name and city.

How you see itWas it worth breaking up the

Lakers to keep Kobe Bryant?

YES

25%

NO

75%