I have been a Lakers fan for a long time. I'm not old enough to have enjoyed the "Laker show” with Magic and his crew. I grew up with Nick Van Axel, Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell, Vlade Divac, Coach Del Harris, and Chick Hearns (legendary play-by-play announcer). I remember watching and rooting for these guys obsessively. Willing to argue with anyone on their behalf, no matter how wrong I was about them.
1996, in comes Kobe Bryant: "the answer" and "the truth." I supported Kobe throughout his career. So with the latest tirades--trashing the organization and his teammates—Kobe seemed to ratify all the claims that his detractors make about him. Kobe should have been more diplomatic about his approach. With that said, Kobe makes a good argument. Essentially, Kobe resigned with the Lakers under the said assumption that the team is going to be aggressive in rebuilding the team IMMEDIATLEY. Kobe recently found out that the Lakers front office told Phil Jackson that they were heading toward a long term rebuilding strategy; they said this around the same time they told Kobe a different story.
As a Lakers fan, I want Kobe to stay. As a basketball fan, I want Kobe to play for team that will allow him to play and compete at the highest level. Michael Jordan gave basketball fans plenty of incredible playoff memories and Kobe has the ability to do the same; so if the Lakers cannot offer him what he wants they ought to let me go. If Kobe is traded we can began rebuilding; this will allow the young players—like Andrew Bynaum—develop and in a few years we can go after marquee players like Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, or Dwayne Wade.
The diagnosis: the Lakers front office is a mess; The cure : Dr. Buss ought to get Jerry West back and give him full authority or make some serous moves to appease Kobe; the prognosis: West does not come back but the Lakers are going to try to appease Kobe.
