N/H Kobe blows his Achilles...

When I saw him go down and grab his ankle I knew what happened. I tore my left Achilles back in '06 and it was a beast. I think we have seen Kobe's last game... The Lakers will (for the foreseeable future) be a consensus lottery team.

Looked bad but i see him back mid-late next year

Honestly i went from absolutely hating Kobe Bryant about 6 years ago to him being my favorite player in the league. He's an alltime great player probably the closest well ever see to Michael Jordan ever, so this is really sad. I hope he comes back quickly and fully recovered. Would love for him to play 5 more years.

This is why u don't play him 48 mpg. Dantoni is so flipping dumb.

He was given too heavy of a load to carry. You never wish this on a player and I hope to see him back healthy whenever that may be.

This has always been a knock on D'antoni. He rides his players into the ground by playing them too long. During Linsanify, he joked that they were gonna ride Lin like Secretariot and did until he busted his knee, and then the same with Amare in PHX

I watched the interview. Dude looked so sad. I felt bad for him. More passion for the game than maybe anyone ever. That interview was sad to watchz

Annoying as it has been, it adds new color to the Gordon limitation discussion and Davis' minute limit that was (clearly) in place for most of the season (recently admitted).

Kobe wanted to play 40+ minutes to prove he could carry this team into the playoffs. He almost did and I think the Lakers will get in mostly because of what he did. I don't think they get in if it wasn't for what he did. I'm not a fan of Kobe so I won't miss him in the playoffs, but it was admirably what he did this last month of the season even if it meant a quick first round exit.

I also started out hating Kobe and am now a pretty big fan of his. His will to win is disgusting. I think if anyone can come back from this injury, it's him, because he simply will not quit. I think the blame for this is partly D'Antoni, but also partly Kobe, because it wasn't like Kobe was telling him, "Mike, bench me, I can't play." Kobe wanted to play, and he felt the entire team's success rested on his shoulders. And it did.

I feel terrible that this happened to such a foundation of the game. I obviously don't feel too bad for the Lakers (sorry Chad :)) but I do feel awful for Kobe.

I cried. Kobe please don't go!!

But Im sure he will return. He will NOT let his career end like this.

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

I cried. Kobe please don't go!!

But Im sure he will return. He will NOT let his career end like this.

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The guy a champ like Mariano Rivera he wont exit like this

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Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

When I saw him go down and grab his ankle I knew what happened. I tore my left Achilles back in '06 and it was a beast. I think we have seen Kobe's last game... The Lakers will (for the foreseeable future) be a consensus lottery team.

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Don't know about all that they resign Dwight they will at least be as good as Orlando the years he was there but they need a new coach obviously . Dantoni can't work with this roster. But that is probably not an option right now.

Ehhh. I want injury for no one. I appreciate his talent, drive, and passion. But I hate Kobe sooo much. Won't be surprised if he still averages 8 free throws a game as a dnp

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Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

Don't know about all that they resign Dwight they will at least be as good as Orlando the years he was there but they need a new coach obviously . Dantoni can't work with this roster. But that is probably not an option right now.

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They weren't as good as Orlando with Kobe lol. Orlando was built around Dwight like Cleveland was built around Lebron. People always use how the team did without them as a measurable of how good a player was, but I don't really think it works like that. If you have 4 guys to spread the floor for a Howard or LeBron, then take away that main piece, it's not a fair measurable on how great the player is overall, but more of a measurable on how important that player was to that playing style if that makes sense.

The Lakers have exactly one player on the books now that is on there after next season: Nash.

Clearly, moves this season will affect that, but that means they HAVE to think long term, like they did with Odom. Dude is useless, and he looked great for them. At any rate, the change in ownership, the snuffing of their star, and the tax rules may make for some tough choices.

I have some fears about where he could end up if the Lakers make the hard choice.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

They weren't as good as Orlando with Kobe lol. Orlando was built around Dwight like Cleveland was built around Lebron. People always use how the team did without them as a measurable of how good a player was, but I don't really think it works like that. If you have 4 guys to spread the floor for a Howard or LeBron, then take away that main piece, it's not a fair measurable on how great the player is overall, but more of a measurable on how important that player was to that playing style if that makes sense.

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Too right. Did not read.

I too am worried where he could end up. Fear number one - Houston

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

They weren't as good as Orlando with Kobe lol. Orlando was built around Dwight like Cleveland was built around Lebron. People always use how the team did without them as a measurable of how good a player was, but I don't really think it works like that. If you have 4 guys to spread the floor for a Howard or LeBron, then take away that main piece, it's not a fair measurable on how great the player is overall, but more of a measurable on how important that player was to that playing style if that makes sense.

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I know I'm suggesting they build this team around Dwight if they resign him. That was always the plan anyway so it just starts early. If lakers don't have anything else they have shooters and with Dwight like you said the more spacers the better.

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Originally Posted by goat gorilla

I too am worried where he could end up. Fear number one - Houston

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Me: San Antonio.

I'm so sad for Kobe, that's a tough hit. I hope he recovers soon and comes back again like always has done.
He's always been playing through pain and adversities.

Is it for sure that he's done for the rest of the season?

Oh yeah. You can't walk off an Achilles tear. You actually can't walk at all.

the story of kobe bryant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWLJZw9Ws-g

Wow. D is gonna go down in history as killing Kobe's career. Hand him the noose.

I saw mcnamaras tweet about the Lakers possibly amestying kobe... i seriously had to a nice laugh because anyone who thinks the lakers would ever amnesty kobe is out of their minds.... it doesnt matter if it is the wise financial move or it makes "common sense"... Kobe is the lakers and kobe could care less if the move helps the lakers out financially, kobe will not allow himself to be discredited by getting amnestied. He has too much pride and too large of an ego to ever have the word amnesty next to his name and he has too much sway within the organization for anyone in the organization to do anything about it.

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Originally Posted by hornetstime247

I saw mcnamaras tweet about the Lakers possibly amestying kobe... i seriously had to a nice laugh because anyone who thinks the lakers would ever amnesty kobe is out of their minds.... it doesnt matter if it is the wise financial move or it makes "common sense"... Kobe is the lakers and kobe could care less if the move helps the lakers out financially, kobe will not allow himself to be discredited by getting amnestied. He has too much pride and too large of an ego to ever have the word amnesty next to his name and he has too much sway within the organization for anyone in the organization to do anything about it.

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Back when Dr. Buss was running things, I'd agree with you, but his son is a total wild card. He is really behind the scenes, and he doesn't seem to have the relationship with Kobe that his dad did. Steven A. Smith was talking about it this morning on ESPN, and he said he wouldn't be surprised at all because of how behind the scenes Jim Buss is.

Something to think about is how close Kobe got to Davis during the Olympics... Kobe can play SF too, just so you guys know.

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

Back when Dr. Buss was running things, I'd agree with you, but his son is a total wild card. He is really behind the scenes, and he doesn't seem to have the relationship with Kobe that his dad did. Steven A. Smith was talking about it this morning on ESPN, and he said he wouldn't be surprised at all because of how behind the scenes Jim Buss is.

Something to think about is how close Kobe got to Davis during the Olympics... Kobe can play SF too, just so you guys know.

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And point guard apparently but this is a tough injury for a player Kobe age to come back from. Dominique got it late in his career and he was never the same.

If they amnesty Kobe, it'll be to save 90 million this year and resign him in 2014.

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Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

And point guard apparently but this is a tough injury for a player Kobe age to come back from. Dominique got it late in his career and he was never the same.

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Kobe's game is nothing like Dominique's.

Kobe and Lebron will team up in 2014.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

If they amnesty Kobe, it'll be to save 90 million this year and resign him in 2014.

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Agreed with the bolded, disagree with the 2nd part. I don't see Kobe returning if they amnesty him. He has too much pride.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Kobe's game is nothing like Dominique's.

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Agreed. I think the best move would be for Kobe to take a #2 role and play the SF. He can still post up most SFs in the league, and it would take a lot of pressure off him playing next to guys like Davis and Gordon. I'm not saying he's coming here if LA amnesties him, but I can see how it could happen in terms of fit.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Kobe's game is nothing like Dominique's.

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I'm aware of that but that's the thing I think it would harder for a guard to come back because you rely so much on quickness and explosiveness. I'm not saying Kobe can't do it but I'm just saying he may not ever be the same.

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

Agreed with the bolded, disagree with the 2nd part. I don't see Kobe returning if they amnesty him. He has too much pride.



Agreed. I think the best move would be for Kobe to take a #2 role and play the SF. He can still post up most SFs in the league, and it would take a lot of pressure off him playing next to guys like Davis and Gordon. I'm not saying he's coming here if LA amnesties him, but I can see how it could happen in terms of fit.

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How would Kobe getting paid while injured and being called amnestied hurt his pride?

The issue would be that the Lakers would have to sign Kobe using cap room afterwards, and they may not have enough.

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Originally Posted by 42

How would Kobe getting paid while injured and being called amnestied hurt his pride?

The issue would be that the Lakers would have to sign Kobe using cap room afterwards, and they may not have enough.

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Me, personally, I'd go back to the Lakers no problem because it's a business move for them, and I'd understand that. But Kobe is the ultimate competitor. In reality, he has earned the Lakers WAY more than $30 million, so in his mind, he should collect. If they want to cut him to save money and bring him back on a cheaper deal, I just don't see Kobe being okay with that. It's not just about the money. It's about the principle.

That's all speculation on my part just based on my perception of Kobe's personality from what I see on TV.

He will collect the same. Amnesty does not affect the player's pocketbook. It affect the cap space and tax bill.

They could only bring him back after the current deal expires anyway (expires after next season), and they have to negotiate that regardless. Not having his Bird Rights could affect those negotiations.

ETA:

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q67

The waiving team continues to pay the remainder of the player's salary -- any portion that is not paid by the claiming team1. For example, the New York Knicks amnestied Chauncey Billups in 2011 with one year remaining on his contract for $14.2 million. The Los Angeles Clippers submitted the only bid, for $2,000,032. The Clippers paid Billups the amount of their bid, with the Knicks responsible for the remaining $12,199,968. This system (plus the rules for minimum bids, as described below) helps ensure that the waiving team doesn't have to pay the player more than they would have paid had they waived their player without amnesty.

Just a snippet. There is more at the link.

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Originally Posted by 42

He will collect the same. Amnesty does not affect the player's pocketbook. It affect the cap space and tax bill.

They could only bring him back after the current deal expires anyway (expires after next season), and they have to negotiate that regardless. Not having his Bird Rights could affect those negotiations.

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Right, that's my point. It's not just about the money. It's about the principle of being cut. If they amnesty him, couldn't any other team under the cap claim him? So if they did amnesty him, he'd be playing for another team anyway.

No way Kobe get's amnestied. A team like us would pay him the max just to put fans in the seats LA can't amnesty him and retain him. It won't happen they'll just have to show the money.

Also they want to prove a point to future stars. It's all about making themselves a marketable franchise.

Yes he could play for another team next year if they amnesty him, but he's out for likely 9 months. They would not get a lot of Kobe on their team, and I doubt he comes back from Achilles at 35 playing lights out. I could envision, Kobe not playing at all next year and making his last run/farewell season in 2014-2015.

If the Lakers are smart they amnesty Kobe.

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Originally Posted by BeeBall Reasons

No way Kobe get's amnestied. A team like us would pay him the max just to put fans in the seats LA can't amnesty him and retain him. It won't happen they'll just have to show the money.

Also they want to prove a point to future stars. It's all about making themselves a marketable franchise.

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A team like us would not pay him the max. Especially when you won't be playing again until January in 2014.

90M?

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Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

90M?

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30 million plus repeater tax. Think they said it comes up at around 90 next year.

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Originally Posted by 42

How would Kobe getting paid while injured and being called amnestied hurt his pride?

The issue would be that the Lakers would have to sign Kobe using cap room afterwards, and they may not have enough.

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They only have nash signed in 2014. Theoretically they sign Dwight an have enough for Kobe still. This is all theoretical.

Also nolaslim. I'm assuming they'd talk to Kobe beforehand about it. He still makes 30 for being amnestied sits out the year and rehabs and comes back. Don't think it'll be a pride thing.

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

Right, that's my point. It's not just about the money. It's about the principle of being cut. If they amnesty him, couldn't any other team under the cap claim him? So if they did amnesty him, he'd be playing for another team anyway.

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Who would pay a dime to him when he could very well miss all of next season?

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-is-11-months/

This is about football, but it says the actual time to return to action is 11 months.

http://www.med.umich.edu/ortho/patie...LES-TENDON.pdf

This indicates a minimum of 6 months to even get back into playing.

What is allowed medically after surgery and when:

http://www.massgeneral.org/ortho/ser...20protocol.pdf

They are reporting 6-9 months, which means he could play next season, but is that worth the cost to the Lakers? At some point they need to change focus, and Kobe won't be Kobe on the court ever again, at least consistently.

The bringing him back will be tough without his Bird Rights, but the Lakers have some tough choices ahead of them.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

They only have nash signed in 2014. Theoretically they sign Dwight an have enough for Kobe still. This is all theoretical.

Also nolaslim. I'm assuming they'd talk to Kobe beforehand about it. He still makes 30 for being amnestied sits out the year and rehabs and comes back. Don't think it'll be a pride thing.

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They have to fill out the roster, too. It all depends on how they play this year and how much Kobe wants. And where the cap is set.

Nash and Dwight will chew up $30m+. If Kobe gets at least $10m, then they need to fill out the roster this year taking under $20m in salary to any other players going forward. If they have a draft pick that season, they have to deal with that cap hold as well.

It's not an easy puzzle, and it gets harder if Kobe (and other GM's) thinks he's worth $15m, $20m, $30m.

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Originally Posted by 42

They have to fill out the roster, too. It all depends on how they play this year and how much Kobe wants. And where the cap is set.

Nash and Dwight will chew up $30m+. If Kobe gets at least $10m, then they need to fill out the roster this year taking under $20m in salary to any other players going forward. If they have a draft pick that season, they have to deal with that cap hold as well.

It's not an easy puzzle, and it gets harder if Kobe (and other GM's) thinks he's worth $15m, $20m, $30m.

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That's true. They can go the Dallas route next year and just sign everyone to 1 year deals as well. Even after amnestying Kobe though, it's not like they'll be under the cap next year unless they rid themselves of gasol and take back nothing basically. Honestly looking at it, I'm not sure Dwight will want to wait 2 years to be a contender again.

It will be interesting to monitor. For Kobe, I don't think it would be that big of a stretch for him to be reasoned with to save the franchise 40-60 million in lux tax (not sure the actual figure) and still let him get paid 30 for rehabbing.

Don't take what I say literally. but some team will float at least the vet min his way even if he doesn't play at all. It's about marketing. Simply having Kobe on the roster is huge. I know it makes no sense from a basketball standpoint but they can legally acquire him after he is amnestied. Kobe isn't going to play for another team ever. That doesn't mean you can't have him on the roster and sell his jersey. It's weird to think about but I could see a team like us doing it, building the Pelicans hype regardless.

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Originally Posted by BeeBall Reasons

Don't take what I say literally. but some team will float at least the vet min his way even if he doesn't play at all. It's about marketing. Simply having Kobe on the roster is huge. I know it makes no sense from a basketball standpoint but they can legally acquire him after he is amnestied. Kobe isn't going to play for another team ever. That doesn't mean you can't have him on the roster and sell his jersey. It's weird to think about but I could see a team like us doing it, building the Pelicans hype regardless.

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This team is the furthest from that consideration. I can see a stupid organization doing something like that, but I like to think we have a FO focused on winning. Not selling jerseys. That's for the marketers and we have AD to market.

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Originally Posted by BeeBall Reasons

Don't take what I say literally. but some team will float at least the vet min his way even if he doesn't play at all. It's about marketing. Simply having Kobe on the roster is huge. I know it makes no sense from a basketball standpoint but they can legally acquire him after he is amnestied. Kobe isn't going to play for another team ever. That doesn't mean you can't have him on the roster and sell his jersey. It's weird to think about but I could see a team like us doing it, building the Pelicans hype regardless.

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Jersey sales are shared. The Hornets, Bucks, and Lakers get the same for every Kobe jersey sold.

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Originally Posted by 42

Who would pay a dime to him when he could very well miss all of next season?

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-is-11-months/

This is about football, but it says the actual time to return to action is 11 months.

http://www.med.umich.edu/ortho/patie...LES-TENDON.pdf

This indicates a minimum of 6 months to even get back into playing.

What is allowed medically after surgery and when:

http://www.massgeneral.org/ortho/ser...20protocol.pdf

They are reporting 6-9 months, which means he could play next season, but is that worth the cost to the Lakers? At some point they need to change focus, and Kobe won't be Kobe on the court ever again, at least consistently.

The bringing him back will be tough without his Bird Rights, but the Lakers have some tough choices ahead of them.

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I think we'd pay him just to mentor guys like Davis and Rivers. They could see his work habbits, rehabbing, studying film, how he approaches his day, along with his nutrition. That stuff is invaluable. I'd pay him $10 million just for that, and then come off season, we either re-sign him, or we have $10 million coming off the books. If we make the playoffs, then we have Kobe freaking Bryant on our side.

The Bird Rights is a great point. If they amnesty him, they lose it, so they literally can't re-sign him unless they are WAY under the cap. After Howard's deal, I don't see it happening.

I don't think that is something the Pelicans can afford since you have to sign amnesty guys with cap space, and they may have long term plans for that.

Plus, these guys have some say over where they go even in the amnesty process.