Kobe Bryant isn't Going Anywhere

That's right. Kobe Bryant is not going anywhere. While Jerry Buss made ego driven comments about his superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant is staying in Los Angeles.

The main reason -- dollars and cents. That is really what Jerry Buss cares more about than his Los Angeles Lakes and Staples Center properties is money.

Kobe Bryant is good for business, his jersey is always in the top selling list, even if it is not always at the #1 spot.

Kobe Bryant fills the Staples Center seats. Even if the Lakers are not ready to return to NBA glory nad bring home a championship, having Kobe Bryant on the team insures that the seats are filled every night. You have no idea when Kobe might by 81 points up on the board.

Television revenues are high with Kobe. Without him, less people watch the games meaning less money in Jerry's pocket.

People, and especially Mark Stein at ESPN should stop spewing this junk through the media. It is not going to happen. We all know that Stein has been Kobe's "outlet" to the media, but the article he wrote a couple of days ago is just about a copy and paste from last summer when the Kobe tape and trade demands came out.

If this was not enough -- I just bought my Los Angeles Lakers ticekts for the year. If Kobe is not there, then I am not sure I want to go. For that reason especially, Kobe will still be here.

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Kobe Update: Are We Getting Garnett?

Wow, news moves really quickly. Early on, according to the Los Angeles times, it looked like there was a strong possibility that the we in Lakerland might get Kevin Garnett to pair up with Kobe and end this possible madness here in LA.

The owners of the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves have begun talks for a trade that would involve sending Kevin Garnett to the Lakers, league sources said today.

The talks turned into discussions about a four-way deal among the Lakers, Minnesota, Indiana and Boston, in which the Lakers would have gotten Garnett. However, the deal broke down, reportedly because the Celtics didn't like what they would have gotten, ending the four-way negotiations.

However, this joy was short lived because it looks like the deal has since fallen apart -- shame on you Boston.

If a proposed trade were made, Lakers Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and an additional player would come to Minnesota in return for Garnett, according to the Los Angeles Times.

That deal could offer the Wolves a young center with potential in Bynum, and Odom, a solid player to bridge the present and the future. Trading Garnett away would thrust the Wolves into full-scale rebuilding, and those assets could help accelerate that process.

But there might be more work left to make the trade. Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale wants young players and high draft picks and isn't thrilled with the Lakers' offer of Odom and Bynum in addition to another player to make the trade work under the NBA's salary rules, the Times reported.

Apparently, Boston was not getting enough in the four team trade that would have involved Jermaine Oneal, Kevin Garnett, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum. The great news, is that Kobe seems to be out of the trade picture for now.

Hopefully we get our man in Kevin Garnett and can look forward to a great season next year!

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Kobe Update: Los Angeles Times Gets on Their Box

The Los Angeles times came out with an article today that the Lakers have no intention of trading Kobe -- because the cannot get fair value. As if this is some bold statement.....however, the article does make some interesting accusations exposing Kobe Bryan and ESPN's Ric Bucher.

Bryant is now being discreet, he thinks. He has dropped out of sight and is now demanding the Lakers' surrender through ESPN's Ric Bucher, one of the few confidants who have lasted throughout his career.....

.....Bucher can't quote Bryant directly, an old habit. Kobe, who had a bunker mentality as an 18-year-old Golden Child, would tell me what was on his mind, as opposed to the pablum he gave out, but didn't like going on the record......

.....Nevertheless, the message is loud, clear and broadcast daily on ESPN's many platforms.

Which in a way, makes Kobe just as bad as the Lakers "insider" that blamed his lack of leadership on the failures of the Los Angeles Lakers organization in the playoffs the last three years.

However, in a somewhat late but redeeming value -- the mention the Lakers will make a play for Kevin Garnett which would make me happy. The offer could look like Lamar Odom and Andruw Bynum getting shipped to Minnesota, which Minnesota might like since Amare is off the tables in Phoenix.

In the end, the reality is that by Kobe going public with his demand he dimished his own value effectively preventing a trade. Will his legacy be tarnished as well? Only time will tell.

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Kobe Update: Local Media Updates Us

Not more than minutes since I wrote the article about how I would love to see Kevin Garnett join Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles that I came across a few other articles talking about the subject. I often ignore the majority of articles outside of Los Angeles as the bias against the Lakers and especially Kobe Bryant is profound. Unfortunately, so bad that it often impacts the quality of journalism. None the less, some interesting things out there.

For instance, the article that resonates most with me from HoopsWorld.com called "What Happened?"

The Lakers passed on many opportunities to improve but none with the impact of landing the Big Ticket.

Garnett has that home in Malibu. He's looked great next to Bryant on All-Star teams. He's an intense competitor who only played beside a true closer once in his career (a healthy Sam Cassell).....

In the end, the realist sits down and marvels "What happened to my Lakers?"

And that's exactly where I am at right now. What is going on with my Los Angeles Lakers? Didn't they start off the season on a tear until injuries devoided them of any opportunities to make real progress? Didn't I see Kobe drop 65 at Staples raining 3's like they were from Heaven?

And now, apparently Kobe Bryant and Mitch Kupchak are on speaking terms. (Sarcasm) I mean, Mitch has been a wonderful GM, bringing players like Jason Kidd, Ron Artest and.....oh wait. Still, the Los Angeles Times reports:

Kupchak declined to provide any specifics of their conversation, which took place a day after Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett reportedly vetoed a trade to Boston.

Unfortunately, the true reality is that Mitch does not have any fact to provide. Overall, I have to say -- big whoop-tee-doo -- I could care less if Mitch and Kobe speak. What I want to happen is Mitch either leave in favor of Jerry West or make a deal and keep Kobe. Bottom line.

Then the Press-Enterprise is reporting that Kobe fans are still remaining loyal to him.

The love affair Lakers fans have with Bryant appears to be unwavering, even in the wake of his recent rants, of his casting aspersions on the entire organization and of his back-and-forth demands to be traded and then rescinding those demands.

Honestly now, who else is there? I mean, if Kobe is gone, aren't we back to the post-Magic Johnson era of Lakers basketball? We all know how that looked until Shaq showed up. That does not mean we stop being fans, but do we really want to be Boston Celtics bad? Yes, our desire to keep Kobe is unwavering. He's the 2nd player EVER to drop 81 points in a game -- and gosh darn it is he exciting to watch in person.

What's your take? I am sure there is more to come on this front!

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