Kobe won't take less to help the Lakers rebuild

[Roy H.]

Here's Kobe's -- i.e., the "ultimate winner's" -- response to the question of whether he'll voluntarily take a significant pay cut to help the Lakers next season:

“I’m not taking any at all – that’s the negotiation that you have to have.” Kobe Bryant told Lakers Nation in an exclusive interview at his Kobe Basketball Academy on Wednesday. “For me to sit here and say, ‘Oh yeah, I’m just going to take a huge pay cut. Nah, I’m going to try to get as much as I possibly can.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/kobe-bryant-does-not-want-pay-cut-help-125531553.html

[Fafnir]

A part of me understands him not wanting to pledge to take less money a year before future negotiations.

But yeah Kobe has always been about the status of being a winner, not actual winning. Being a ball hog who shoots all the time and not playing defense doesn't help your team win.

There is a reason he voted against the new CBA when he realized it wouldn't allow him to make Jordan/Shaq money until he was 35 (he finally did it!).

[BudweiserCeltic]

Meh, this is such a non-issue...

[Interceptor]

He's no fool. You don't publicly concede ground before you even start negotiations. Let the Buss family make the argument to him in 2014.

[TheBig5]

He's no fool. You don't publicly concede ground before you even start negotiations. Let the Buss family make the argument to him in 2014.

Exactly, nothing wrong with what he said.

[Moranis]

and this is why Dwight isn't there anymore.

[Donoghus]

From an individual standpoint, what Kobe's saying makes sense.  He's heading into his last contract (most likely).  Maximize what you can.

From a public perception and winning standpoint, it looks bad.  But, then again, you're talking about Kobe.

I hope he does take the Lakers to the cleaners.  Pretty much ensures them more mediocrity for the next few years.

[Roy H.]

I hope he does take the Lakers to the cleaners.  Pretty much ensures them more mediocrity for the next few years.

Oh, no doubt.

Kobe will have a choice:  he can attempt to draw free agents to his team, in an attempt to win a ring.  Or, he can make it all about Kobe, maximizing his earnings.

I think it's fantastic that Kobe is all about himself, even as his career winds down.

[Fafnir]

and this is why Dwight isn't there anymore.

Even before they can recruit FAs they have to figure out his salary don't they? I mean his cap hold is going to be about 32 million.


Yeah. I honestly think Kobe is going to leave the Lakers after they strike out on the big fish in FA.

[Who]

Kobe is going to screw the Lakers over if he signs a big contract.

LAL should move on from Kobe next summer. Can't build a top team around him unless Kobe takes a massive paycut.

[Fafnir]

Kobe is going to screw the Lakers over if he signs a big contract.

LAL should move on from Kobe next summer. Can't build a top team around him unless Kobe takes a massive paycut.

I think in the end if the Lakers get some quality FAs to come along he'll resign at around TD/KGs number. Probably a bit more but who knows, 8-12 per year for 3 years something like that.

[Snakehead]

WHAT A COMPETITOR!!!

How many big men need to flee the team before the narrative changes?  Even Pau (who seems very nice and respectful) speaks up about playing with Kobe.

But I'll just have to listen to it forever, I'm resigned to that.

[cons]

Yeah. That's pretty selfish.
Thank god we have people like Kobe around making the world a better place one paycheck at a time.

[SHAQATTACK]

Its ego all the way.

TO take less  EQUALS in his mind/says ..... I'm not the man anymore...Kobe will NEVER admit he is done .   Time to quit dude.

Kobe is the NBA # 1 ALPHA dog ( in his mind)  forever   ...AMEN

He is old , injured with a issue that will leave him like it has so many athletes with the same issue  .......  he is human  , no better than any great player in any sport before ...he has some hard lessons to learn for an old guy.

pretty much WASHED up ...is the truth

When he see's how bad he will be ...he'll retire   

I repeated a 1000X Dwight wouldn't be happy in LA with KOBE having to be the ALPHA dog every single second .    The team was big enough for both of them , I knew it all along

[slamdunk]

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