Lakers Rumors: Kobe Bryant Trade Speculation Is Nothing New

In an interview with Yahoo!'s Marc Spears, Kobe Bryant was asked about the speculation that he wanted to be traded. Bryant responded, “I don’t know where that comes from. I don’t have any feeling about [leaving] whatsoever.”

I get that he doesn't have any feeling about leaving whatsoever. That's fine. I'm not going to say he's lying, or that he's just being political or anything like that. 

However, let's be realistic. Don't have any idea where that comes from. Really? Not the slightest clue Kobe? Admittedly, Stephen A. Smith has about a 20 percent chance of being right in terms of anything basketball related, so there was reason for skepticism considering the source. 

The whole incredulity things seems a bit disingenuous. 

Might it have something to do with a history of demanding trades or threatening to leave every time things weren't going the way you wanted to them to go. 

Without going into all the ins and outs, there's no question that Kobe played off the threat of going to the Clippers in the days of Shaquille O'Neal. 

Then, prior to the acquisition of Pau Gasol, tired of playing with Smush "Smushed" Parker and the like, Kobe grew dissatisfied with the team he'd forced through his previous demands. Now wanting out, he demanded a trade. 

Once the Lakers made the trade for Gasol, Bryant settled down. 

This isn't a judgment of Bryant's actions, it's a repetition of the history. Let's be fair. It worked to the tune of two more championships. 

Having said that, it's hardly a shock that given his history, people would get to the conclusion that Bryant is going to start asking for trades when problems start popping up. If Kobe doesn't understand where that comes form, maybe he should take a look at his past.