Kobe won't take less to help the Lakers rebuild

[Snakehead]

I don't blame him. He's the greatest laker of all time, he shouldn't have to take less.

VERY debatable.  In my opinion no question he isn't.

[Galeto]

If a full achilles tear at the age of 34 takes the toll it should on the human body, Kobe's going to have no choice but to take a lot less next season.  Frankly it wouldn't surprise me if he's a shell of himself.  I know he's very skilled and has a great basketball IQ but his ability to play at "Kobe" level is still based on having the quickness to get by guys as well have the lift to get off his shot.  When he's looked sluggish physically, it's been ugly.  I'm talking about missing something like 18 shots in a row in one game two seasons ago. 

He's not being doubted because he's Kobe and surely everyone knows he's the greatest competitor of all-time, how could he not be with all the facial clenching he does during games and oh all the ailments he plays through, but achilles tears might be the hardest things to come back from.

[86MaxwellSmart]

The Lakers are RICH beyond belief--with that New TV deal they signed last season--and Kobe fills the stands for them...I hate him---but if anyone deserves the Dough---he does.

PLUS, anything that KEEPS the Lakers from winning another title---is alright with me---let him EAT UP all of their cap.

[paidthecost2betheboss]

He's got 5 rings.

In other news..

His stance towards an organization that has buried itself is his thing. I hate the Lakers but I don't hate Kobe. I like his passion to win. He knew Howard wasn't coming back so he took that final to remind Superman pt doh that he ain't got no rings.
I love that stuff.

Bill Russell is one of the best and he got more rings than fingers. Rings talk everything else walks.

Kobe can eat a huge pay cut and they still are not getting him a 6th ring so what's the point?

To show others that he's a team kinda guy? Look at our team over the past 2 months. I don't see anybody swallowing hard for the team or visa versa. This is a business lets all remember that. This is not your Dad's NBA...these guys are all friends and stuff.

[merkins]

Kobe can go for the gold, he's got his rings and a mediocre team.  However, I wouldnt dismiss this talk as just a negotiating ploy etc.

If he even demands 80% of his current salary in a future contract he is going to handicap that franchise and whistle off into the sunset on a .500 team.

It doesnt have to be this way.  Dirk Nowitski has class and has publicly stated hes willing to take a cut to build a winning team around him.  Things havent panned out so far but the FA classes in the next two years are more likely to yield Dallas a star to pair with Dirk than the Lakers getting Lebron or whatever nonsense has been spouted.

I think Howard bolting shocked that City as the #1 desirable place to play.  And Kobes reaction of basically 'F Dwight' and now saying pay me top dollar will hopefully sink the Lakers long term.

[Chris]

Did anyone watch the interview?  This was taken a bit out of context (although, not completely).

I really think, in the context of the interview, he answered the question pretty well.  He just said that he, like any businessman, will try to get as much as he can, and that he will go into the negotiations saying that he won't take a paycut...because that is how you negotiate.

[Roy H.]

Did anyone watch the interview?  This was taken a bit out of context (although, not completely).

I really think, in the context of the interview, he answered the question pretty well.  He just said that he, like any businessman, will try to get as much as he can, and that he will go into the negotiations saying that he won't take a paycut...because that is how you negotiate.

Yeah, but not every player at the end of his career approaches every negotiation as a business man.  By Kobe "trying to get as much as he can", he's directly impacting LA's ability to remain competitive.

[Boris Badenov]

Did anyone watch the interview?  This was taken a bit out of context (although, not completely).

I really think, in the context of the interview, he answered the question pretty well.  He just said that he, like any businessman, will try to get as much as he can, and that he will go into the negotiations saying that he won't take a paycut...because that is how you negotiate.

Yeah, but not every player at the end of his career approaches every negotiation as a business man.  By Kobe "trying to get as much as he can", he's directly impacting LA's ability to remain competitive.

It doesn't need to be the case that the negotiation stops there. This may be his way of trying to exert leverage. E.g., he can say at some point "OK, I will take a cut, but you guys need to give me more involvement in personnel decisions."

In Kobe's mind, that might actually increase LA's chances of remaining competitive.