Start Spreading the News: Kobe, Not Lebron, Could Be a Knick Next Year

With all the talk of LeBron James leaving the Cavs next season, little attention has been paid to the other free agency saga going on between Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

While the Laker have offered Bryant the maximum money possible (a three-year extension worth $86 to $91 million), Bryant has yet to sign on the dotted line. He's currently under contract until July 2011, but can opt out after this season and leave the Lakers with a glaring hole at shooting guard and an even bigger hole in the hearts of Laker fans everywhere.

I know what a lot of you are thinking: Why would he do that? How could Bryant turn his back on a team this good? On a team that he just won a title with? That stood by him during his Colorado trial? That chose him over Shaq in the summer of 2004? That could easily pay him more money than any other team in the NBA?

The answer is not a simple one, but true Laker fans and followers of Bryant's career know deep down that anything is possible when it comes to the Black Mamba. Let's not forget that we're talking about one of the most egotistical players in NBA history.

This is the same guy who launched four consecutive airballs at the end of a decisive game in his first playoff appearance with the Lakers (when he was still a bench player). The same guy who demanded the Lakers trade Bynum, and when they didn't, demanded that he get traded and then tried to dictate the terms of that trade. The same guy who once stopped playing offense during a game to prove a point to his teammates and the media.

This is not to say that Kobe isn't a talented player. I'll be the first to admit that he's one of the top players in the league right now. That he not only deserves the maximum money the Lakers are offering him, but probably even a stake in the franchise and a statue in front of the Staples Center.

But this isn't about a question of his talent, it's a question of his character. Kobe believes in no one more than he believes in himself. This is what strikes fear into the hearts of his opponents and also, the hearts of most Laker fans.

The New York Knicks may seem like the worst possible destination for a player of Kobe's caliber, but that's exactly why it's the perfect situation for him. What better way to prove that he's the greatest player in history than to bring championship glory back to the lowly Knicks franchise?

Kobe's love affair with New York, Madison Square Garden and Spike Lee has already been established. His respect for Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni was only strengthened during last year's Olympics in China. D'Antoni was Bryant's favorite player growing up as a kid in Italy. He even chose to wear the No. 8 early in his career because it was D'Antoni's old jersey number with Olimpia Milano.

Now I recognize that this could all be a moot point if the Lakers are able to win another title this year. Kobe Bryant may be crazy, but he isn't stupid. The chance to win three rings in a row, possibly more, would do more for his ego than the opportunity to single-handedly turn around a franchise.

But if they don't win the title this year, then all bets are off and my prediction may very well become a reality—Kobe Bryant, not LeBron James, will be in a Knicks uniform this time next season.

And Laker fans will be left with the following frightening PA announcement at the start of their games: "And starting at shooting guard, from Slovenia, No. 18... Saaashaaa Vujacic!"

Link: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2893 ... -next-year

This guy is an idiot this isn't even worth reading.

Lol. Should have known: Bleacher Report

haha are bleacher reports that idiotic

that was for the guy who wrote the article, right...?

Actually, although this is far fetched, something like this could happen -- especially if the Lakers have LeBron sewed up in case Kobe walks. This would simply be the Mega Prime Time version of the Ariza scenario. And don't think for a minute Dr. Buss would not take LeBron, and his eight year age advantage, over Kobe were an even-up swap arranged.

Now, guys and girls, don't jump down my throat for thinking the unthinkable. No, there is not a chance we will hear, "And starting at shooting guard, from Slovenia, No. 18... Saaashaaa Vujacic!" Not as long as Dr. Buss and Mitch run the show.


I completely agree with this post. I have seen strange things happen in the nba. If LeBron will not sign with the Cav's, and Kobe is playing hard ball with the Lakers, it would not surprise me if a trade would come, just like when Ariza was playing the field, Mitch jumped up and signed Artest.
I don't think it will happen, but you never know.

But even Wilt, Kareem and Shaq were traded.

No doubt, it would be shocking; but there is a chance, however remote, that you could be hearing, "And starting at shooting guard, from Cleveland, Ohio, No. 6... LeBron James!!!!!!"

Stranger things have happened in sports.

Actually, although this is far fetched, something like this could happen -- especially if the Lakers have LeBron sewed up in case Kobe walks. This would simply be the Mega Prime Time version of the Ariza scenario. And don't think for a minute Dr. Buss would not take LeBron, and his eight year age advantage, over Kobe were an even-up swap arranged.

Now, guys and girls, don't jump down my throat for thinking the unthinkable. No, there is not a chance we will hear, "And starting at shooting guard, from Slovenia, No. 18... Saaashaaa Vujacic!" Not as long as Dr. Buss and Mitch run the show.

But even Wilt, Kareem and Shaq were traded.

No doubt, it would be shocking; but there is a chance, however remote, that you could be hearing, "And starting at shooting guard, from Cleveland, Ohio, No. 6... LeBron James!!!!!!"

Stranger things have happened in sports.

Kobe's current contract doesn't end until 2011. LeBron's ends in 2010. So I don't think this is a situation where they can have LeBron sewed up in case Kobe walks. You risk losing both. And you can't trade one for the other, unless you do it during this season. And why would you want to do that, and lose a shot at another championship. Makes no sense.

now I see what Relive and LSD were talking about with BleacherReport...i thought everyone was discrediting them for all the Kobe hating articles, but this is sad. The fact that anyone thinks Kobe has a chance of leaving LA, well thats past krazy and insane and whatever.

You would never here that, because lebron is not a shooting guard. lol