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08:32 AM ET 09.03 | Steve Nash or Kobe Bryant? [In 2004], Kobe was a free agent and debating leaving the Lakers (so Jerry Buss shipped Shaq out to Miami). Steve Nash and Jason Kidd were free agents as well. Amar'e Stoudemire was the up and coming star in Phoenix, and management came to him asking what he wanted, Stoudemire told Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. "The question ownership asked to me was, 'Who do I want -- Jason Kidd, Steve Nash or Kobe Bryant?' I said Steve. Over Kobe. At the time, Kobe had a reputation for being selfish and Steve was the ultimate point guard."

Steve Nash , Getty Images

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September 3, 2010 08:47 AM ET

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Yes, because THAT'S why Kobe stayed in LA.

Hoffa The Great

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September 3, 2010 08:48 AM ET

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Kobe stayed in LA once he forced the Lakers to trade Shaq after Shaq wanted to pound Kobe for being a snitch !

MiAMiStuD - ThE…

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September 3, 2010 08:52 AM ET

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says a lot about the suns...asking a virutal teenager for advice on how to spend your millions...

bizballer

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September 3, 2010 09:00 AM ET

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How exactly were the suns going to get Kobe?

Lostwill

Natick , MA

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September 3, 2010 09:01 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:48 AM ET 09.03 by MiAMiStuD - ThE JoUrNeY BeGiNs

Kobe stayed in LA once he forced the Lakers to trade Shaq after Shaq wanted to pound Kobe for being a snitch !

They may have been saying one thing to Amare and another to Steve. Hypothetically, let's say this story is real, I think he made the right decision. If you were starting a team who would you pick Kobe or Steve? Fantasy draft time. As much as I hate to admit it. You've got to choose Kobe. I mean with Kobe on your team, you could have Derick Fisher as a point guard and still win a championship.

maxwellinformed

Big D, TX

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September 3, 2010 09:08 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:01 AM ET 09.03 by maxwellinformed

They may have been saying one thing to Amare and another to Steve. Hypothetically, let's say this story is real, I think he made the right decision. If you were starting a team who would you pick Kobe or Steve? Fantasy draft time. As much as I hate to admit it. You've got to choose Kobe. I mean with Kobe on your team, you could have Derick Fisher as a point guard and still win a championship.

I meant to say he did NOT make right decision, in this hypothetical scenario. Even Steve Nash would pick Kobe.

maxwellinformed

Big D, TX

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September 3, 2010 09:08 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:52 AM ET 09.03 by bizballer

says a lot about the suns...asking a virutal teenager for advice on how to spend your millions...

a teenager who is no longer there...i think they would of been better off with Kobe !

MiAMiStuD - ThE…

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September 3, 2010 09:09 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:01 AM ET 09.03 by maxwellinformed

They may have been saying one thing to Amare and another to Steve. Hypothetically, let's say this story is real, I think he made the right decision. If you were starting a team who would you pick Kobe or Steve? Fantasy draft time. As much as I hate to admit it. You've got to choose Kobe. I mean with Kobe on your team, you could have Derick Fisher as a point guard and still win a championship.

i agree !

iam not a Lakers fan but @ the same time i recognize that Kobe is the best player in the NBA right now !

MiAMiStuD - ThE…

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September 3, 2010 09:20 AM ET

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Why are we talking about WHAT IF back in 2004 ????

... Nova

~ Brown Deer ~, WI

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September 3, 2010 09:31 AM ET

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i guess from now til October we can expect more of the same !

MiAMiStuD - ThE…

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September 3, 2010 09:36 AM ET

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QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 09:35 AM ET 09.03 by Swauny Jones

Kobe was ready to walk that season and was intrigued by playing for D'Antoni.... I think Stoudemire was worried with how little he'd touch the ball with Kobe jacking up 35 shots a game...

Ahh... that makes sense. Oh well its all history now. I'm sure Kobe has no regrets Nash was chosen over him.

Lostwill

Natick , MA

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September 3, 2010 09:45 AM ET

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Who cares? Stoudemire is nothing by a highlight reel who doesn't rebound or play defense. Kobe is still winning titles while the Suns still can't win the big one and Stoudemire will figure out the only reason he had any success is he had Nash to get him the ball. Have fun in NY.

Joe Croce

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September 3, 2010 09:47 AM ET

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The Clippers had a better shot, Bro.

I Love LA

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September 3, 2010 09:53 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:01 AM ET 09.03 by maxwellinformed

They may have been saying one thing to Amare and another to Steve. Hypothetically, let's say this story is real, I think he made the right decision. If you were starting a team who would you pick Kobe or Steve? Fantasy draft time. As much as I hate to admit it. You've got to choose Kobe. I mean with Kobe on your team, you could have Derick Fisher as a point guard and still win a championship.

You add Kobe, Gasol, Artest, Odom, and Bynum to the team and you could win a championship with Daffy Duck as your point guard.

Heywood Jeblowme

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September 3, 2010 10:05 AM ET

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QUOTE(#20):

Originally posted 09:53 AM ET 09.03 by Heywood Jeblowme

You add Kobe, Gasol, Artest, Odom, and Bynum to the team and you could win a championship with Daffy Duck as your point guard.

I don't know, I think Daffy has a bad temper, he could mess up the team chemistry. SMH, is it basketball season yet?

maxwellinformed

Big D, TX

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September 3, 2010 10:08 AM ET

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QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 09:45 AM ET 09.03 by Joe Croce

Who cares? Stoudemire is nothing by a highlight reel who doesn't rebound or play defense. Kobe is still winning titles while the Suns still can't win the big one and Stoudemire will figure out the only reason he had any success is he had Nash to get him the ball. Have fun in NY.

Yeah, it's amazing how much it helps to have one of the best assist guys in the game tossing you the ball. It's going to be quite a tough drop for him in NY.