The Kobe thread (Formerly Kobe to be traded by Oct 30)

[Soul]

I guess Pax said the deal is dead.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=68887

 

The local beat writers are running with that. All he said was that nothing was happening "for now."

 

In fact, I think the Trib article even left that part out.

 

 

This is just Pax's way of trying to quell some of the speculation/rumors. I guarantee that talks are ongoing.

 

LA wants to rid themselves of this problem. The entire front office is unanimous in that.

 

Obviously, just like Bernsie said, some real info got out. That's what Pax is peeved about. If it were really fiction, he wouldn't care. How many rumors aren't there out there that are totally false and never get commented on? Something true was leaked and obviously they weren't happy about it. That's why Pax came out and said what he did. I also think it's a little bit of playing hardball with LA through the media.

 

I don't believe for one second that negotiations are dead.

 

"The reality is, everybody knows we were having talks with the Lakers," Paxson said at the Berto Center. "But there's not a deal done, there's not going to be a deal done."

 

He's not just saying it's done for now. He's saying it's done, period. I don't know all about the politics, but that's a direct quote from the guy.

 

I think it's over. And I'm glad Pax is saying this. I'll guarantee our players had it in their minds the whole time this was happening. That's no way to have to play a game, no matter how professional you are supposed to be.

[SouthSideRyan]

If only somebody could've seen Aldridge as a better pick than Thomas before the draft...

 

I did. I wanted Aldridge in the worst way possible.

 

Yeah, I was just being a jerk because I rabidly endorsed Aldridge while being mildly anti-Thomas from the time the tourney ended through the draft. I'm sure some people from the Draft thread can vouch for my madness.

 

Mark_R was a huge Aldridge guy too, right?

 

I believe he was. The consensus seemed to favor Thomas or Roy.

[rawaction]

I wanted Roy, which would have made a trade for a big man that much easier. I wanted Aldridge 2nd most. I'm not disappointed with Tyrus though. More disappointed in his lack of PT.

[David]

I guess Pax said the deal is dead.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=68887

 

The local beat writers are running with that. All he said was that nothing was happening "for now."

 

In fact, I think the Trib article even left that part out.

 

 

This is just Pax's way of trying to quell some of the speculation/rumors. I guarantee that talks are ongoing.

 

LA wants to rid themselves of this problem. The entire front office is unanimous in that.

 

Obviously, just like Bernsie said, some real info got out. That's what Pax is peeved about. If it were really fiction, he wouldn't care. How many rumors aren't there out there that are totally false and never get commented on? Something true was leaked and obviously they weren't happy about it. That's why Pax came out and said what he did. I also think it's a little bit of playing hardball with LA through the media.

 

I don't believe for one second that negotiations are dead.

 

"The reality is, everybody knows we were having talks with the Lakers," Paxson said at the Berto Center. "But there's not a deal done, there's not going to be a deal done."

 

He's not just saying it's done for now. He's saying it's done, period. I don't know all about the politics, but that's a direct quote from the guy.

 

I think it's over. And I'm glad Pax is saying this. I'll guarantee our players had it in their minds the whole time this was happening. That's no way to have to play a game, no matter how professional you are supposed to be.

 

And I'm telling you the quote is incomplete.

 

I heard what he said. He said, "for now, at least," at the end of it.

[Andy]

People think the owner should throw out money like its nothing. But that's not the reality in our business.

 

"In this case, if you've got to give up so much to get one player, that's something I'm not going to do."

 

Translation for Bulls fans = We are content with making the playoffs and losing in the 2nd round again, so deal with it.

The team as constructed is good enough to win the East. That has more to do with the East than the Bulls, but it's true.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

People think the owner should throw out money like its nothing. But that's not the reality in our business.

 

"In this case, if you've got to give up so much to get one player, that's something I'm not going to do."

 

Translation for Bulls fans = We are content with making the playoffs and losing in the 2nd round again, so deal with it.

The team as constructed is good enough to win the East. That has more to do with the East than the Bulls, but it's true.

 

What did the Bulls do this offseason to make themselfs signficanlty better? What did teams do in the East to make themselves worse? If anything the East only got stronger this offseason.

[MidoreX]

Especially Boston... provided their ego's don't clash.

[Flames24Rulz]

People think the owner should throw out money like its nothing. But that's not the reality in our business.

 

"In this case, if you've got to give up so much to get one player, that's something I'm not going to do."

 

Translation for Bulls fans = We are content with making the playoffs and losing in the 2nd round again, so deal with it.

The team as constructed is good enough to win the East. That has more to do with the East than the Bulls, but it's true.

 

No it's not. Everyone's giving Cleveland crap for not improving. We did not improve much either. Joe Smith? Joakim Noah? That's not the difference of winning another playoff series.

 

We can't beat New Jersey. They'd sweep us in a best of 7. Pierce, Allen, and Garnett would get to the line 60 times against us. We can't beat Boston. And Detroit manhandled us in our series against them last year. We're the 4th best team in the East as it stands.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

No it's not. Everyone's giving Cleveland crap for not improving. We did not improve much either. Joe Smith? Joakim Noah? That's not the difference of winning another playoff series.

 

We can't beat New Jersey. They'd sweep us in a best of 7. Pierce, Allen, and Garnett would get to the line 60 times against us. We can't beat Boston. And Detroit manhandled us in our series against them last year. We're the 4th best team in the East as it stands.

 

That post is spot on. (though not really sold on Boston).

[Hairyducked Idiot]

People think the owner should throw out money like its nothing. But that's not the reality in our business.

 

"In this case, if you've got to give up so much to get one player, that's something I'm not going to do."

 

Translation for Bulls fans = We are content with making the playoffs and losing in the 2nd round again, so deal with it.

The team as constructed is good enough to win the East. That has more to do with the East than the Bulls, but it's true.

 

No it's not. Everyone's giving Cleveland crap for not improving. We did not improve much either. Joe Smith? Joakim Noah? That's not the difference of winning another playoff series.

 

We can't beat New Jersey. They'd sweep us in a best of 7. Pierce, Allen, and Garnett would get to the line 60 times against us. We can't beat Boston. And Detroit manhandled us in our series against them last year. We're the 4th best team in the East as it stands.

 

I think Miami and Toronto would give us a solid 7-game series as well. We'd be favored, but no prohibitively.

 

I wonder how long until Bulls fans realize the team is in the worst possibel spot you can be in the NBA. A lot of pretty good young players + no superstars = playoffs losses = no lottery picks = no chance of superstars = virtually no chance at title.

 

Detroit was a fluke. Virtually every other title in the last few decades has been won by one of the top 5 or 10 players in the league at the time.

[Guest]

I wanted Roy, which would have made a trade for a big man that much easier. I wanted Aldridge 2nd most. I'm not disappointed with Tyrus though. More disappointed in his lack of PT.

 

Yeah, I was 1) Roy, 2) Aldridge and 3) Thomas. If the Bulls got Roy, I wanted to trade BG for a big.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

On the pre-game for the Detroit-Miami game on TNT, the guys were discussing this.

 

Apparently, Kobe is vetoing any deal that has Deng going to LA. The Lakers apparently won't do the deal without getting Deng, hence a stalemate.

 

The guys on the set basically said, unless Kobe agrees to revoke his no-trade clause and relinquish control over the process, he likely isn't going to be moved.

 

Barkley said it best when he said (paraphrased) he keeps saying he wants to be traded, but if you want to be traded then give up the no-trade clause. If you have a no-trade clause, you won't give up, you must not really want to be traded.

[Mark_R]

I didn't mind Tyrus, but I was hoping for either Aldridge or drafting Roy and trading Ben (I remember being all about Channing Frye that summer :D) for a young big man. Aldridge would be nice here at this point, but it's way early to be casting angst towards Pax for taking Tyrus. As he matures, he will become a really good player. Barring a blockbuster deal, I believe it will be in Chicago.

[RynoRules]

Paxson isn't telling the truth. I just saw the video - he had a half-smirk on his face, something that he never does. He's full of it; he's just trying to manage the distraction since it seems like everyone on the 15 man roster has been mentioned in one rumor or another.

 

I am getting frustrated with Pax. I appreciate that he is detail-oriented and professional, but I get the feeling he lacks vision in general. He's been acquiring all these nice pieces for years but refuses to part with any of them to improve the team.

[CuseCubFan69]

I've heard that Koby wants to sign with Duke.

[RynoRules]

I've heard that Koby wants to sign with Duke.

 

Who's "Koby"? :wink:

 

I guess he could - he hasn't used up his college eligibility. (double :wink:)

[nilodnayr]

I guess Pax said the deal is dead.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=68887

 

The local beat writers are running with that. All he said was that nothing was happening "for now."

 

In fact, I think the Trib article even left that part out.

 

 

This is just Pax's way of trying to quell some of the speculation/rumors. I guarantee that talks are ongoing.

 

LA wants to rid themselves of this problem. The entire front office is unanimous in that.

 

Obviously, just like Bernsie said, some real info got out. That's what Pax is peeved about. If it were really fiction, he wouldn't care. How many rumors aren't there out there that are totally false and never get commented on? Something true was leaked and obviously they weren't happy about it. That's why Pax came out and said what he did. I also think it's a little bit of playing hardball with LA through the media.

 

I don't believe for one second that negotiations are dead.

 

"The reality is, everybody knows we were having talks with the Lakers," Paxson said at the Berto Center. "But there's not a deal done, there's not going to be a deal done."

 

He's not just saying it's done for now. He's saying it's done, period. I don't know all about the politics, but that's a direct quote from the guy.

 

I think it's over. And I'm glad Pax is saying this. I'll guarantee our players had it in their minds the whole time this was happening. That's no way to have to play a game, no matter how professional you are supposed to be.

 

And I'm telling you the quote is incomplete.

 

I heard what he said. He said, "for now, at least," at the end of it.

 

I saw a replay of the quote lastnight and they continued on and he said (paraphrasing) "it was a fabrication of the media", not "for now, at least". Must have been a different quote than you saw, but the first two sentences were nearly identical and the continuation made it pretty clear.

 

I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm sure he said something to the affect of those two sentences dozens of time through the interview and other quotes. I'm just adding that this is another piece of info.

[Soul]

Paxson isn't telling the truth. I just saw the video - he had a half-smirk on his face, something that he never does. He's full of it; he's just trying to manage the distraction since it seems like everyone on the 15 man roster has been mentioned in one rumor or another.

 

I am getting frustrated with Pax. I appreciate that he is detail-oriented and professional, but I get the feeling he lacks vision in general. He's been acquiring all these nice pieces for years but refuses to part with any of them to improve the team.

 

Really? I'm not frustrated with Pax at all. Giving up all our players for Kobe would be a bad idea. Unless we can somehow get Kobe without giving up our team, we're going to wind up with a worse ballclub than we have right now.

 

I'm glad Pax isn't giving in to this.

[nilodnayr]

Paxson isn't telling the truth. I just saw the video - he had a half-smirk on his face, something that he never does. He's full of it; he's just trying to manage the distraction since it seems like everyone on the 15 man roster has been mentioned in one rumor or another.

 

I am getting frustrated with Pax. I appreciate that he is detail-oriented and professional, but I get the feeling he lacks vision in general. He's been acquiring all these nice pieces for years but refuses to part with any of them to improve the team.

 

Really? I'm not frustrated with Pax at all. Giving up all our players for Kobe would be a bad idea. Unless we can somehow get Kobe without giving up our team, we're going to wind up with a worse ballclub than we have right now.

 

I'm glad Pax isn't giving in to this.

 

I think any deal not involving Deng, would probably be a pretty good deal. I loved the rumor deal with Ben Wallace, hes such a waste of money. Unfortunately, we really don't have anyone to replace him (although I've heard Gray is doing well).

[David]

I know it's Rozner, but...

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=69313

 

 

The ball firmly in his court, Bulls GM John Paxson fired it back at Kobe Bryant and the Lakers on Thursday afternoon.

 

Paxson admitted that he's interested in Bryant and has been talking to the Lakers, but also said he couldn't find the parameters for a deal -- today.

 

Paxson didn't say he couldn't or wouldn't trade for Kobe Bryant tonight, tomorrow or next week. He merely said he couldn't do it at the moment.

 

Other than that, nothing has changed from 24 or 48 hours ago, and don't believe for a second that this deal is dead.

 

The Bulls still want Kobe Bryant and he still wants them, but John Paxson has made it clear that he will let this deal die a slow and painful death if reason isn't brought to the table.

 

The next move is theirs

[nilodnayr]

Thanks for that...I think from all the info available, Paxon was peeved that some stuff got leaked to the media, and some of the media rumors were false (leading him to call them a fabrication). Yet at the same time, the deal isn't dead. Paxon is doing exactly what he should do. He has all the leverage, he doesn't need to budge. The bulls team is fine as is. If the Lakers want to get rid of Kobe and Kobe wants to go to a team with Deng and will veto anything else, the only thing the Lakers can do is budge or stick with Kobe, which it appears they don't want to do. Something with Gordon and Thomas makes the most sense.

[Soul]

It appears like it is a classic stalemate then. Unless the Lakers are willing to accept less than full value in return, it's not gonna happen with the Bulls. I don't know if any other team would be able to, I hear no -- but who really knows?

 

I'm just glad Pax isn't willing to part with all his pieces just for one piece. That would accomplish nothing, would probably make us a worse team not better, and would likely lead to an unhappy Kobe anyway, which would put us in the same nightmarish position the Lakers are in right now.

[UMFan83]

I wanted Roy, which would have made a trade for a big man that much easier. I wanted Aldridge 2nd most. I'm not disappointed with Tyrus though. More disappointed in his lack of PT.

 

Yeah, I was 1) Roy, 2) Aldridge and 3) Thomas. If the Bulls got Roy, I wanted to trade BG for a big.

 

His lack of PT is directly related to his inconsistent play and (as was the case on Wednesday) his foul trouble. I think Tyrus has a lot of potential, but I haven't seen anything from him offensively that would suggest that he is going to be a very good player.

 

Who knows though, compare him and Shawn Kemp's first years in the league:

 

                MIN   FG%  FT%  3P%  RPG  BPG  APG  SPG  PPG
Shawn Kemp       13.8  48%  74%  17%  4.3  0.9  0.3  0.6  6.5 
Tyrus Thomas     13.4  48%  61%  00%  3.7  1.1  0.6  0.6  5.2

[David]

It appears like it is a classic stalemate then. Unless the Lakers are willing to accept less than full value in return, it's not gonna happen with the Bulls. I don't know if any other team would be able to, I hear no -- but who really knows?

 

I'm just glad Pax isn't willing to part with all his pieces just for one piece. That would accomplish nothing, would probably make us a worse team not better, and would likely lead to an unhappy Kobe anyway, which would put us in the same nightmarish position the Lakers are in right now.

 

The Lakers are dead set on trading Kobe. Everyone from Buss on down to PJ is now convinced that he needs to be moved. They will ultimately give in, IMO.

[CuseCubFan69]

I've heard that Koby wants to sign with Duke.

 

Who's "Koby"? :wink:

 

I guess he could - he hasn't used up his college eligibility. (double :wink:)

 

Whoops....Koby Bryent?

 

He always wanted to play for Coach K so I thought it would be a perfect place.