LX

In what Universe is Kobe the best? He could be the best at filling seats. Have fun with that Lakers fans.

Kirby

The best was meant to be more of an echelon type of classification rather than he is the best player right now. Besides, he's still better than Harden at sg.
Edit: actually we'll have to see with the achilles.

TORaptor4Ever

Not sure that I buy this one.... I think that the line-up of players to play with Kobe gets shorter every year.

Ataf

Nd last year: 27.3 ppg, 6 apg, 5.6 rbg, 57 TS%. Yea, not worth max. What was I thinkin...

'trane

the risk is not in his past numbers or talent. the risk is in the injury he just sustained, in his age, and in the crippling impact of a contract that size to the financial flexibility of that roster.

Ataf

I can see that it's risky, it's part loyalty on Lakers betting one of the hardest workers in the NBA is gunna comeback to a high level. He might not be the same level as last year, but he was well passed a max player last year. I can still see him getting around 25 ppg through the duration of this contract... if not he'll contribute another way I'm sure.

Ataf

I'll respond to this more calm >.>

You can say that, I am a fan of his. I also would do the same for Melo, Lebron, or KD. Max players shouldn't get shit for receiving max. People make it sound like Wade just got this contract.
I get praising someone like Duncan for taking less money, he's a good guy. But why hate on someone for taking what's due?

'trane

for me, it shows how short-sighted he is. yes, more money now is good. but if he took less and allowed a great team to be built around his (possibly diminishing) talents, he would have a really good chance at a 6th 'chip, at scoring records, at ending the notion that he is selfish and that he's not a team guy, at showing his maturity, and at setting the stage for his legacy. that would go down in history, which is important, and might even set him up for making more cash in his post-playing days. i really think it is better for him and for his family if he goes out with that kind of final few years instead of jacking 40 shots a game with shit players all around him. he's proven he can be the main guy. wouldn't it be great it he took his last few seasons to prove he's a leader? wouldn't that take him to the next level in terms of all-time greats? shouldn't that matter intensely to a guy as competitive as kobe?

i'm going to have a blast hoping the lakers lose. i think a different approach might just have convinced me to hope for him for once. oh well.

fancylad

awesome contract. I love it.

jeffb

At his age and with his body breaking down little by little each year it's stupid. Not only that, if he wants another ring why doesn't he sacrifice a little and leave some money on the table? I think he'd be able to take 2yrs/35mil.....no? At his age he needs more talent around him then ever to win another ring. If he gets another ring it'll be the most difficult one he'll ever have to earn. And him taking that much money doesn't help his team accomplish that.......therefore imo he's not worth it.

tyguy94

Not to sound stupid but I thought the max was like 19 million?

Chiggmo

Ya its unhealthy to hate an NBA player. Coming from the guy that uses him as his picture lol. Just because you love the ball hogging ego-maniac doesn't mean I have to

Ataf

It's only short sighted if you only factor basketball. If you factor both life outside of bbal and his busieness life, it's not short sighted.... If anything it was a smart decision. I get the idea that he should take less money so another max player shoulda come in, that's true selflessness , but I don't see lack of selflessness as selfish. Just a max player getting max contract... nothing more or less.


I doubt Kobe thinks that the fact he signed a max means no more championship. He can still play at a high level, he just needs a good team... LAL will go over the tax with no problem, I'm sure of that. No doubt makes it more difficult, but that shouldn't mean he HAS to take less money. They can still be relevant, me and you might not see that coming true, but doesn't mean it can't happen.


It's risky decision no doubt to sign max for a player of his age. It always is for any old guy (especially with an injury), you're betting he'd still be a max player, but I believe Kobe is the safest bet for this contract in his situation as in he'll work hard... he wont be a waste of space. So you're saying he's not worth it cause he needs more help then before? Don't think anyone in the lakers are expecting him to preform bad, they're and kobe himself still expect to play at a highlevel. Nd if he can preform at a high level, he's worth his contract.

jeffb

If i'm a GM I don't pay him that money. Obviously it depends where the rest of the roster is.

Ataf

Sure, don't they still have a pretty decent cap space next season? Only difference is now they can't sign two more max players or something?

TORaptor4Ever

At this point they'd only have room for 1 max player (other than Kobe). And the rest of the roster would be Nash... and a bunch of $500K contracts. Wouldn't even get to keep Pau (or Hill who's going to be in line for a big raise).

Kobe and Melo (assuming here) would have to play like gods for them to do anything.

Ataf

Well not 500k I'm guessing 1 mill -4 mill also? If they get pau cheaper, they can still get a good team around him... I think lol

rapsmannn

I think kobe is getting what he deserves with this contract, nba should change the rule so you can over pay one player you deem franchise lifer without affecting the cap, player like kobe should get 30 mill,

new cap rule, if you have a player you deem as franchise lifer( a player who has been with the team for more than 10 years only), you can pay him 30 mill and only 15 mill goes against the cap

this would help players want to stay with there team long term, if chris Bosh stayed with the Raptors long term we could've paid him more money which would've kept him here

also guys who take pay cuts like Duncan and dirk won't have to which is only fair in my opinion, they've showed loyalty and have won with their teams, they should be rewarded