FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Once apon a time, the biggest sports story in America happened on May 30, 2007, when Kobe Bryant told Stephen A. Smith that he wanted to be traded from the Lakers and there was nothing they could do to change his mind. For the next week, followed about 100 interviews with analyst who did everything from, pick Kobe Bryant next destination, to saying the trade would never happen, to calling Kobe Bryant selfish, to belittling the Lakers for possibly botching having 2 of the 20 best players of all-time and turning into a team barely competing for the Playoffs. Messege Boards blew up from Lakers fans, from the angry ("if he wants to leave, let him") to the dissapointed (Why Kobe Why) to the Downright Ignorant ( "The Lakers could get better if they get Deng and Gordan"). Since then the storm died down since Kobe somewhat laid off and decided to focus on olympics. Of course Dogfighting, Evil Referees, and some thing called the NFL took over and it seemed to be all quiet on the western front...for now.

With preseason beginning in 3 weeks for the Lakers, Their has not been confirmation on wheather or not Kobe Bryant is 100% interested in staying with the lake-show. His main concern was trying to get help for the Lakers which so far that Lakers haved tried by getting Derek Fisher...umm...and thats about it.  Not that thier is anything wrong with Derek Fisher, I just don't think that is what Kobe was talking about.

With no new help around I guess I'm wondering will Kobe stick it out for one more season. Last season the Lakers were a 42-win although they suffered threw a bunch of injuries. If they get Mihm, Odom, and Radmonivic at full strength, added on with a verteran point guard who can score when needed, you possibly have a team that can get to 50 wins. Nice. But in a conference that produced five 50+ win teams last season, thats not going to cut it. At least not by Kobe standards. Kobe Bryant said before he wants to win another championship and with this current squad he knows, like the rest of the world, thats is not going to happen.

That of course leads to the obvious question is will Kobe Bryant stick it out when things get tough. The Lakers first 11 of 16 games include playoff teams from the previous season. If you add on Boston, they are looking at 12 tough games to start the season, with 5 of those tough games coming on the road. What happens if the Lakers start off under .500 during those games? Will Kobe be willing to stay around and fix it or will be on Stephen A. Smith Radio show once again?

The whole saga comes down to the Front Office. Yes, the same front office that traded Shaq for LO, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant. Yes, that same front office that turned Caron Butler into Kwame Brown. Yes, that same front office that wouldn't trade Andrew Bynum for Jason Kidd. Now that front office has a choice. A) Try to get a big change for their superstar, or B) Don't trade thier superstar or make any big changes. Basically do the same thing they have been doing for the past 2 seasonor finnally C) Trade their superstar getting what they can for him.

A) Would be the best case scenerio. With Garnett gone and the Kidd done seemingly dead, it seems the only option for the Lakers would be a 28 year old power forward who plays about 40 minutes away. Of course that option can only exist if the Lakers give up Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum, something the Lakers are not interested in doing. Looking around the NBA, I'm not sure what better player they could get than Jermaine O'Neal but we'll see. JO can't be too happy with the way things are going in Indy and the Lakers have to this is a guy who can help the Lakers become good immediately. But they have other Options

Like option B. They could just say "you know what Kobe, We are not going to jump just because you want us too. We find this team fine just the way it is." Possibility but would that keep Kobe in LA? If not it would come down the last option.

Option C. The possible worst case scenerio. Look they is no way on the face of the planet anyone can convince me that trading Kobe Bryant would work out for the Lakers. Unless you get a guy by the last names James or Wade, you can't get equal value for someone like Kobe. Trading him would end any hope at a playoff run and begin the OJ Mayo/Eric Gordon Sweepstakes in L.A. It would give another team the Best player in the NBA, and possibly a run at a title. According to Truth and Rumors, Jerry Buss said they have no intent on trading Kobe Bryant at all. A good sign in itself. But still what if Kobe Demands it? What if Kobe God Forbid, Pulls a Vince Carter.

NBA season is still 35 days 6 hours, 31 minutes, and 5 seconds away so they still is a lot of time for things to change. Maybe the Lakers can come out the game swinging. Maybe Kobe won't demand a trade at all. Maybe the Lakers have a deal working somewhere.

With Basketball season right around the corner, I'm wondering maybe, just maybe, Laker fans should be a little worried.