FanPost

KOBE: Save Lakers Trade Yourself


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via www.nysun.com


To Save the Lakers, Kobe Bryant should Trade Kobe to the Knicks

KOBE.

"That one word is about the only thing left that can restore some pride, some excitement, and some genuine competitiveness to the basketball franchise formerly known as the New York Knicks."

John Hollinger’s opening sentence from his 2007 story "To Save the Knicks, Trade for Kobe Bryant" shows the impact one NBA superstar can have on a broken team.

http://www.nysun.com/sports/to-save-the-knicks-trade-for-kobe-bryant/64680/

In 2007 Dr. Jerry Buss hinted that the Lakers may trade their franchise superstar if the right deal came along. But "Dr. Buss is not the one holding the cards. Bryant owns a rare asset in the NBA world — his contract contains a no-trade clause."

The exciting potential of a Kobe trade in 2007 came down to one man. Kobe.

The possibility of a Kobe trade to New York seven years and two championships later comes down to that same man. Kobe.

Kobe held the cards then and he holds the cards now. His no trade clause prevents the Lakers from dangling him as trade bait the way Pau was cast on the open market.

WHY KOBE DOES THIS DEAL

The trade itself is simple. Trade Kobe’s big contract and big talent for Amare’s big contract, fading talent and some young pieces such as Cleanthony Early and Iman Shumpert.

Kobe respects Carmelo. When he guarded him in the Western Conference Finals Kobe said "it was like wrestling with a Grizzly Bear."

Competing in the playoffs is why Kobe woke up this morning. It’s why he wakes up every morning. In New York he can compete in the playoffs, showing Eastern conference teams offensive looks from gold medal runs with Carmelo.

Kobe broke the MSG "house record" in 2009 with 61. A record which stood for five years until Carmelo topped it this year with 62.

Kobe might have a shot to reset the record if he gets the same number of home games at the Garden in the next two years as Melo. This kind of obsessive motivation drives superstars. In "God Loves Cleveland" Bill Simmons writes how Larry Bird used to take the court and threaten to break the "house record" at road games.

Kobe does this deal for two reasons. First, Kobe wants to win basketball games. And second, MSG is starting to feel like Kobe’s home away from home.

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via lakernation.com

THE LAKERS WILL NOT WIN MANY BASKETBALL GAMES THIS SEASON

The West is stacked.

Maybe the West is as strong as it has ever been, but when you are at the bottom of the West looking up it’s scary. The Pelicans are deep and healthy. Sacramento is a weird all-star pickup team. The Jazz are young and talented. Minnesota looks good with Love or Wiggins. The Suns run and gun offense added another gun. The Nuggets pace with Afflalo will be hard to run with. Wait. What happened to all the bottom-feeder teams in the West?

The East is decent.

Bulls defense added an offense. Cavs added the King. The Knicks will be one of nine teams scrapping for the next six spots with Indiana, Miami, Toronto, Washington, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Milwaukee will make a run with Magic Giannson at point.

Kobe Bryant is a basketball genius. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of these teams better than any analyst, coach or GM. He knows what this year’s Lakers are capable of better than they know themselves.

NEW YORK KNICKS ARE NOW LAKERS EAST

Max Kellerman, the savant visionary who first gave voice to the Kobe for Amare and assets plan, has also dubbed the Knicks as "Lakers East".

Practices with Fisher running drills alongside Kobe while Phil meditates on the concept of self, is gonna look, feel and sound a lot like the Lakers that made three finals runs in three years.

Dolan has taken care of the housekeeping needed to build a solid organization, answering Hollinger’s 2007 plea, Dolan brought in competent management. Not just competent management, but Phil "13 Rings" Jackson.

Kobe will consider pulling the trigger on this deal because he wants to win and with Phil, Derrick and Carmelo he can.

HOW THIS HELPS THE KNICKS

Imagine replacing JR Smith with Kobe Bryant.

Also, New York gets three coaches for the price of one. Phil Jackson knows some stuff about the triangle. Kobe Bryant was the triangle for 19 years, running it with Fisher. Kobe can teach the triangle using abstract metaphors in English, Italian and Spanish, which is still easier than trying to teach them to Metta.

Visualize the impact of putting one clutch offensive superstar next to another clutch offensive superstar. The other team’s best defender can only check one of them.

Imagine down the stretch in the Eastern Conference Finals game seven Knicks down by one and Jose Calderon is bringing the ball up the court.

Bargnani in camped in the corner with Kevin Love on him. Dalembert is playing footsy with Varejao on the block. Kobe shouts something in Italian to Bargnani then yells something at Calderon in Spanish. Then Carmelo cuts from the baseline to the elbow.

LeBron can only guard one of them. Wiggins is watching from his couch in St. Paul, which leaves Mike Miller or Dion Waiters covering the other.

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via www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com

KOBE IS ALREADY THE KING OF LA

Laker fans love Kobe Bryant. His single-minded focus and work ethic in a sprawling metropolis of sunshine, spotlights and distractions are living proof of the success born from determination and the unyielding will to win.

When Kobe finishes this contract he can always return to LA.

And he can do it in style. He can drive his Lambo up from Coto De Caza and park on the bench. Relax as Rondo, Swaggy, KD, Randle and Marc Gasol build up a lead. Then he can enjoy sliding into the Ray Allen role, coming off the bench and draining corner threes.

Don’t you want Kobe as the guy taking a last second shot in an elimination game? The guy with ice water in his veins. The guy with more heartbreak last second shots than anyone ever.

KOBE TRADE KOBE

AND SAVE THE LAKERS FROM THEMSELVES

The Lakers need to start rebuilding. They need to start with the man in mirror.

Rome wasn’t rebuilt in a day.

This will only cost one season Lakers fans. One season of Linsanity, Swagsanity, and the golden years of the Nash to Stoudamire pick and roll.

One season of minutes for Randle, Swaggy, Clarkson and Early getting more run.

Think of the satisfaction of going into next summer with a top five draft pick. Young talent that got to stretch their legs, and the cap space to make serious offers to bring in an all-star PG in Rondo or Dragic and and an all-star center in Marc Gasol or Brook Lopez.

Lakers faithful. We have two years to build this team into a better landing spot for KD than DC. The Wizards have pieces that fit Durant’s game.

We need to start building a new home for Kevin. We need to build it the same way you build anything. Piece by piece.