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This is idiotic. I'm a Lakers fand and I KNOW that this is a bunch of bullshit logic. This is a lame attmept to defend Kobe Bryant and the fact that "his" team has gone to shit. They went from a team that was a legit title contender to a team that will struggle to make the playoffs for the next three years because of his ego and politics.
Kobe made life hell for Phil. Kobe made life hell for Shaquille. Kobe made it clear through his comments that if Jerry Buss wanted him around, he'd have to get rid of those two. Buss did, which means he's just as much as fault for what happened to the Lakes as anyone, but lets stay with Kobe.
He alienated Karl Malone, which is a huge reason Malone didn't come back.
And as for this team this year, Kobe doesn't play well with Lamar and even his teammates have turned on him. The Atkins comments weren't the first things that have been said about him this year.
As for your imaginary world:
Half those veterans wouldn't have signed with the Heat if Shaq hadn't been there. Zo, Smith, Doleac, Laettner, Dooling; they all took less money to be on the Heat because having Shaq gives you a shot at a title. And guys like him. Remember, last year its Malone and Payton who said they went to the Lakers after Shaq asked them to.
The Clips: playoff team with Kobe. I agree.
Lakers: That money they paid Kobe would've gone to other free agents. Malone would've stayed. They could've kept Rush. Phil would've stayed.
Long term, I can see the logic in paying the younger player. And as a fan, I support the Lakers and really don't want to rehash what is being called "the worst trade in sports history." But everything that happened this year is a direct result of Kobe being a prima donna and Buss not having the guts to tell him to fuck off.
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