In the recent weeks most people have been discussing the blockbuster trades that have been shaking up the Western Conference.
Most writers are focused on how the new pieces will fit into each team’s puzzle but in reality, the biggest trade of the season was the one that never happened.
This past offseason there were tons of reports circulating around Kobe Bryant’s wish to be traded. Kobe voiced that he was unhappy with the way the organization had acted and that they had not done what was necessary to build a championship caliber team around him.
He was right.
Perhaps in frustration Kobe belittled his young center, Andrew Bynum, saying that he was not going to be good enough to help him win an NBA title. Most media people attacked Kobe for making these comments about a teammate, but that was the comment that changed the Lakers coming into this season.
When Bynum heard the remark made by Kobe, he said that it motivated him to work extremely hard during the offseason and to do his best to show Kobe that he belonged. With some help from Kareem Abdul Jabbar, his hard work paid off as he has emerged as one of the top young centers in the league.
What is there to take from all of this?
The signs of a leader.
There are times when players need to be comforted and pampered, but there are other times when they need a wake-up call or a jumpstart to help fulfill their potential.
There was never any question about Bynum’s talent. Just a few years ago, in a game between the Lakers and the Heat, Bynum made his presence felt in just a mere 30 seconds of play. Facing off against Shaq, Bynum proceeded to slam dunk over him and block him on the subsequent play. After that, Shaq introduced his forearm to Bynum’s chin.
Even as a rookie, Bynum showed he had tenacity and grit, muscle and speed, and tons of potential oozing out of him. Bynum was only 18 at the time, a mere boy in a big man’s body. He was playing with Kobe Bryant, one of the best to ever play, and the fear of failing him was clearly a factor in his development as well.
This season the whole demeanor of the Lakers has completely changed.
Kobe has shown that he not only expects, but trusts that his teammates will make plays. Many analysts look at the statistics and see that Kobe’s shots per game have dropped from 27 to 23 to 20 in the last three years, but statistics cannot even begin to tell how Kobe’s game has changed.
Some argue that he is more mature, but it really only shows how badly he wants to win.
21 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Dallin Page about 1 year ago
I agree that the not trading of Bynum was Huge. I applaud Mitch Kupchak on that, as well as not buckling to Kobe's trade request.
I am still a little questionable on how the situation will work when Bynum return's though. They will have a huge line-up with his return, and they will lose a lot of speed. I think this will cause them to struggle with teams like Denver and Golden State, but hey, if it works, I think they will be in prime position to contend for a championship
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jesse jj about 1 year ago
great article.I think lakers are a great team and kobe is playing like a true leader and should win the mvp
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
No need to read the entire article. KOBE is the man and as far as the twin tower affect, Bynum will probably run with the second unit when he returns. Can you imagine a second unit of Farmer, Sasha, Ronny, Luke and Bynum.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
great article
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Jeffrey Kee about 1 year ago
great article
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
lakers championship 2008 kobe finals mvp
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Great article!
Check this out as well: http://www.respectkobe.com/?p=17
KOBE 4 MVP!!
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Marshall Aren about 1 year ago
Giving Kobe credit for Bynum's development is ridiculous as well as an insult to Andrew. Andrew already had the work ethic, personal trainer and workouts with Kareem before Kobe went off on his self-centered rant. Kobe's trade demand and parking lot rant were all about him...not his team... and he has shown that he is perfectly willing to throw his teamates and organization under the bus if he doesn't get what he wants when he wants it. I knew I'd see idiotic articles like this as soon as the Lakers started playing well, but now doesn't change then....I'm a lifelong Laker fan and I think Kobe is probably the best player on the court today. I also think Kobe is acting like a leader now that things are going his way. Unfortunately, we're judged by how we act when things aren't going our way and Kobe failed the character test miserably.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Giving Kobe credit for Bynum's development is ridiculous as well as an insult to Andrew. Andrew already had the work ethic, personal trainer and workouts with Kareem before Kobe went off on his self-centered rant. Kobe's trade demand and parking lot rant were all about him...not his team... and he has shown that he is perfectly willing to throw his teamates and organization under the bus if he doesn't get what he wants when he wants it. I knew I'd see idiotic articles like this as soon as the Lakers started playing well, but now doesn't change then....I'm a lifelong Laker fan and I think Kobe is probably the best player on the court today. I also think Kobe is acting like a leader now that things are going his way. Unfortunately, we're judged by how we act when things aren't going our way and Kobe failed the character test miserably.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Giving Kobe credit for Bynum's development is ridiculous as well as an insult to Andrew. Andrew already had the work ethic, personal trainer and workouts with Kareem before Kobe went off on his self-centered rant. Kobe's trade demand and parking lot rant were all about him...not his team... and he has shown that he is perfectly willing to throw his teamates and organization under the bus if he doesn't get what he wants when he wants it. I knew I'd see idiotic articles like this as soon as the Lakers started playing well, but now doesn't change then....I'm a lifelong Laker fan and I think Kobe is probably the best player on the court today. I also think Kobe is acting like a leader now that things are going his way. Unfortunately, we're judged by how we act when things aren't going our way and Kobe failed the character test miserably.
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Marshall Aren about 1 year ago
Giving Kobe credit for Bynum's development is ridiculous as well as an insult to Andrew. Andrew already had the work ethic, personal trainer and workouts with Kareem before Kobe went off on his self-centered rant. Kobe's trade demand and parking lot rant were all about him...not his team... and he has shown that he is perfectly willing to throw his teamates and organization under the bus if he doesn't get what he wants when he wants it. I knew I'd see idiotic articles like this as soon as the Lakers started playing well, but now doesn't change then....I'm a lifelong Laker fan and I think Kobe is probably the best player on the court today. I also think Kobe is acting like a leader now that things are going his way. Unfortunately, we're judged by how we act when things aren't going our way and Kobe failed the character test miserably.
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Paul Sung about 1 year ago
Bynum's work ethic was never good before this offseason. It could've been because of his age, but for whatever reason, he seemed to "coast" through with his natural abilities. I remember reading articles about him walking around the Lakers facilities having no care in the world, sneaking away from his coaches for a snack, and many other reasons to believe that this kid was going to be a bust. I believe that not only Kobe's rant "to ship his ass out of here" but all the trade speculation that was already there, for Kidd, Garnett, JOneal, etc...really motivated him to work hard and prove to the Lakers that he is a keeper. And also, growing up and maturing a bit was a big part of it too. I agree that the way Kobe handled this situation during the offseason wasn't done very well, especially for his image, but it did have its effect on the Lakers organization. It motivated the players to work harder and play better, and it also pressured the management to make changes. Although in the offseason, not much was done, except for signing Derek Fisher, but in my opinion it did prompt Mitch Kupchack to pull the deals during the season to maintain the level of superior play that the Lakers have been demonstrating and even to get better. That's why the trades for Ariza and most importantly Gasol happened. Kobe has the knack to ruin his image and build it back up again. He was the perfect poster child for the NBA early in his career with no blemishes, until the Colorado incident. Then he built his image back up again, and the public trade request was detrimental to his image again, but once again, his building that image back up. It's because of his determination and hard work and skill that shows on the court and his passion to win. Everyone recognizes this and eventually appreciates what Kobe Bryant brings to the game.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
marshall??
wanting to win and wanting the correct pieces to win is normal ..he is playing in a tough league and his heart pumps basketball ..its his life ..he WANTS TO WIN ...he was promised early on that he would be given the pieces ...who knew Andrew would develop into what he has? Kobe was upset over the unkept promises ...Jason Kidd ? Baron Davis ?(with a pay cut) Ron Artest? were all turned down and he was upset ...walk in his shoes ...you would feel the same way
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Wanting to win does not justify lack of character and bad behavior....Wanting to win makes Kobe the great player he is, but that doesn't change the fact that he's a classless jerk who threw his teamates and organization under the bus.....Demanding a trade had nothing to do with making his team better, just trying to make HIS life better....That's pretty much the definition of a jerk. Fortunately for him, the Lakers were smartt enough to ignore him and just go about their business....quite well I might add.....
And for the record, we have no idea what Kobe was or wasn't "promised" other than millions of dollars to be a professional.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Paul....
I'm not talking about Kobe's image, I'm talking about his character.....I supported Kobe through Colorado, the Shaq feud and all the other bs shots that have been taken at him over the years. I supported Kobe when he gave his post-playoff press conference saying he needed more help and I supported him when he said basically the same thing in the L.A. Times a couple of days later. Where I stopped supporting him was when he demanded a trade and dissed his teamates and I think anyone who wasn't disgusted by that is a Kobe fan, not a Laker fan. You do a disservice to the other guys on this team when you give Kobe credit for their hard work and improvement. That's kind of like giving the guy that beat you up and stole your wallet credit for making your character stronger....And to give Kobe credit for Bynum's development is the most offensive of all.....You are either born with that kind of drive or you're not and Andrew, like Kobe and Farmar clearly has it. Kobe is one of the best, if not the best players on the court today, but his turning on his "family" when things weren't going his way and his refusal to admit he was wrong tell us volumes about his character....or lack of it.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Kobe is a nasty individual. True he has ups on the court but let's not forget his teammates in the past have mostly hated him, in high school he would not try so he could win the game in 4Q and be the hero. Let us not forget he is so arrogant he raped a girl and bought off his wife with a diamond ring.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Kobe is a saint.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Lebron ain't Michael Jordan!
Kobe owns Lebron. Lebron fears Kobe.
Lebron will not surpass MJ and Lebron will not surpass Kobe.
Kobe is 29 years old, yet he still dominates Lebron in every aspect of the game!
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Everyone forgot that jason kidd beat his wife till she had to go the hospital, dont bring up the "rape" thing if he raped her he would have been found guilty, grow up, kobe has, watch his play his attitude over the past year, he is over all the BS that is spurred from assholes like ^ up a couple posts. Kobe is by far the best player (made public at least) on the planet right now, don't compare michael jordan and kobe bryant, it is like comparing tiger woods and michael shumacher, both more dominate in their sports than either mj or kb, but different all around. The average nba player is so much better than in the past, HELL smush parker might have started for the bulls when jordan was around!
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andrew thompson about 1 year ago
I completely agree with everything you said. Kobe is my favorite player, and I love to see him score, but I'm loving his passing skills now. I think Kobe's getting MVP and the Lakers are winning the chapionship.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Lebron ain't Michael Jordan!
Kobe owns Lebron. Lebron fears Kobe.
Lebron will not surpass MJ and Lebron will not surpass Kobe.
Kobe is 29 years old, yet he still dominates Lebron in every single time!
LEBRON JAMES SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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