Kobe Bryant’s Comments Shouldn’t Upset Los Angeles Lakers Fans
By Kevin Holland
@KevinforSports
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Prior to Friday night’s 140-106 blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Kobe Bryant made several comments regarding NBA players taking “hometown discounts,” saying:
“It’s the popular thing to do. The player takes less, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I think it’s a big coup for the owners to put players in situations where public perception puts pressure on them to take less money. Because if you don’t, then you get criticized for it.”
And Bryant has been criticized for it, ever since he signed his two-year, $48 million dollar extension with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
But he shouldn’t be criticized. Not even a little bit.
Let’s take a look at what may have happened if Bryant did take a hometown discount, much like Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki did when he signed this summer for $25 million over three years. Let’s say that Bryant signed a similar deal to Nowitzki’s, allowing the Lakers to go out and sign one or two other stars. It’s safe to assume the Lakers wouldn’t have been able to sign LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony. Their paths were already destined to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, respectively.
TextVisual
The Lakers are left with choosing from this summer’s second tier of free agents, like Chris Bosh, Lance Stevenson, or Isiah Thomas. Teaming any of these players with Bryant would not make the Lakers a playoff team, let alone a championship contender. The Lakers would not be good or great, nor horrible or bad. They would be something far worse: mediocre. That is the last thing the Lakers want to be this season, especially when you have a top-five pick hanging in the balance.
Instead, Bryant accepted the huge contract that was offered to him. The Lakers surround him with below-average players on one-year contracts, allowing the team to continue to lose at a pace consistent with other lottery-bound teams. They maintain their financial flexibility, with the hope of combining a top-notch free agent with Bryant, a fully-healed Julius Randle and this season’s top-five pick. Meanwhile, fans are content to watch their fading star hoist up 30 shots a night and witness the occasional miracle bucket, knowing that brighter days are ahead for Laker Nation.
That’s been the Lakers plan all along, and it’s a solid one at that. Bryant just happens to get paid handsomely.
Kevin Holland is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinforSports or “like” him on Facebook.
Dwyane Wade Shouldn't Lead Heat In Scoring
Everyone said Dwyane Wade was on his last legs, but the veteran currently leads the Miami Heat in scoring, even ahead of Chris Bosh. However, the Heat star should not be the high scorer. Read More
Whitesde Could Become Heat's Starting Center
The Miami Heat need to reevaluate their starting center position, and Hassan Whiteside is clearly the best option going forward. See why here. Read More
Examining Why Pistons Should Give Monroe Max Deal
Why must the Detroit Pistons offer Greg Monroe the max this offseason if they want to hang on to him? Find out here. Read More
Jackson Takes Blame For Knicks' Disastrous Season
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson is right to take blame for the team's disastrous season. Read More
Spencer Hawes Remains Clippers' X-Factor
Spencer Hawes has certainly disappointed so far in his short time with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he remains their X-factor in regards to their success the rest of the season, and in the playoffs. Read More
Time To Shake Up The Heat Roster
The latest Miami Heat dilemma centers around if Pat Riley’s next move will be the right move. Read More
Wizards Seraphin Shows His Solidarity for Paris 12
Political messages in sports can often backfire, but recent t-shirts worn by NBA players hit the right chords with fans, including Washington Wizards F Kevin Seraphin. Read More
Warriors Glad They Kept Klay Thompson
The Golden State Warriors seriously considered including Klay Thompson in a trade for Kevin Love this summer, but Thompson has shown that the Warriors made a wise decision. Read More
Lakers Should Sign Ed Davis Quickly
Ed Davis is showing the Los Angeles Lakers his worth. He's been a consistent player this season for Los Angeles. The Lakers should not let Davis hit free agency next season. Read More
Wizards, Wall Expose Bulls' Shortcomings
It's far from over for the Chicago Bulls, but Friday's undressing by the Washington Wizards prove the Bulls' frontcourt is severely lacking. Read More
Better Starts Will Help the Detroit Pistons
After going down by 23, the Detroit Pistons fought back and nearly completed an incredible comeback, but a stronger start would have won them the game -- an issue that needs to be fixed. Read More
5 Reasons Why Love Should Start All-Star Game
If you are looking for reasons why Kevin Love should be an NBA All-Star starter, then look no further than the weak Eastern Conference. Read More