ESPN is reporting that according to team insiders, Jerry West will rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers on July 1st as a "consultant." In a related story, Kobe Bryant has refuted a report by Ric Bucher that Bryant gave the organization an ultimatum, leading to West's return:
"I would love for him to be a part of this," Bryant said. "But it's not something where I demand he comes here. All I can do is offer my thoughts. I love being a Laker. I want to retire a Laker. I want to fix this thing, or at least help any way I can."
There are a lot of people, like Adam of The Hater Nation, who are of the opinion that Kobe calls the shots when it comes to front office decisions. They're the same people who mistakenly believe that Kobe ran Shaq out of town. Jerry Buss is the one who sent O'neal packing, for having a fat gut and an even fatter mouth. There's no doubt that Kobe is consulted when it comes to the direction of the organization, it just seems a little far-fetched that he is throwing down ultimatums. I think it's safe to assume that most organizations usually consult their franchise player before making a big move, especially if he is one of the league's best. For example, if you think that Randy Moss was signed by the Patriots without Tom Brady's blessing--you're out of your mind. Besides, it's not like bringing back Jerry West is an original concept. The rumor of his return started the very second that it was announced he was leaving Memphis, it has nothing to do with Kobe Bryant.
It's just too bad that West's duties won't include showing Mitch Kupchack the door. Most Lakers fans debate which is worse; Kupchak's knees, or his ability as a GM. Believe it or not, there are a few Kupchack apologists out there. They like to bring up the fact that other organizations aren't willing to deal with the Lakers. They remind us that half of the league's general managers are former players who were getting their asses handed to them by the 'Showtime' Lakers of the 80's. I'm not buying any of that garbage. It's not like the rest of the teams in the league were lining up to help out West and the Lakers back in the 80's and 90's. But somehow, West always managed to reload the team. Say what you want about the Van Exel/Vlade years, that team would have beaten the hell out of the 06-07 Lakers. Let's just hope that Mitch Kupchack keeps his mouth shut, and does exactly what Jerry West says. There's a very slim chance that West will have a real impact at this point, but it's definitely worth a shot. West is pushing 70 and has been unsuccessfully trying to retire for at least fifteen years, so his tenure as consigliere will be short. Hopefully he has one last trick up his sleeve.
Buss Picked Up On DUI Charges
In other Lakers/Jerry news, owner Jerry Buss was arrested by the CHP in Carlsbad on a DUI chage. According to officers, Buss was spotted cruising in his Benz on the wrong side of the road. It's alleged that he failed a road side sobriety test, and blew at least a .08 on the breathalyzer. But the best part of this story is the fact that Buss had a 23 year-old female passenger with him who was not arrested. God bless money. Money: the one and only reason on the planet that any woman under the age of 50 would be rolling around town with a sauced-up 74 year-old man. Rock on Jerry.**UPDATE**
Kobe Demands Trade
There's nothing like defending Kobe Bryant, only to have it come back to haunt you a day later. So much for all that 'wanting to retire a Laker' crap he was shoveling all over the AM dial here in So Cal on Tuesday.
6 comments:
I'm putting up a post on this. Kobe still calls the shots. He signed the day after Shaq was signed. He might not have pulled the trigger, but he certainly could have said, "I won't sign here if you trade Shaq." And that would have been the end of it. He also wanted Kwame Brown, at the expense of Caron Butler. Yeah, great move.
Kobe has said that he was asked about Caron Butler after the fact. Who knows? He's pretty shady right now, and I don't trust a word he says. I'm also pissed that he went public with this, putting a gun to the organization's head in front of the world, and the rest of the league. That should do wonders for what kind of value the Lakers receive in return for Kobe. He could've gone about this in a completely different way, gotten out of town, and come out looking good. No, he had to go the bitch route.
He's treating the Lakers front office like a Denver hotel worker.
Conrad made the best comment though, on your site.
I'm glad that Kobe is staying in LA. Who do you think he would've been traded for, IF they went thru with it?
I'd be happy with a top 4 draft pick, and a decent veteran.
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