Here's a little something to keep you Laker fans up at night
uwftke26
Posts: 3,002
Call of the wild
Can Jerry West convince Kobe to be star of the Grizzlies?
Posted: Tuesday April 30, 2002 7:05 PM
Marty Burns
CNNSI
So Jerry West is a Memphis Grizzly?
Forget Michael Jordan playing for the Wizards. This is more like the Pope taking over at Graceland. But as Bucks GM Ernie Grunfeld told the Memphis Commercial-Appeal: "Jerry West loves a challenge."
And, make no mistake, this is going to be quite a challenge. The Grizzlies have gone 23-59 the past two seasons and have taken up seemingly permanent residence in the basement of the tough Western Conference. Sure they have some fine young pieces in Rookie of the Year Pau Gasol, Shane Battier, Jason Williams, Michael Dickerson and Stromile Swift, but few believe they're anywhere close to being a serious contender.
The Grizzlies still need a proven superstar, a leader, a guy who can grab all these young kids and show them how to play like champions. In short, they need a guy like Kobe Bryant.
Ahem.
Did somebody say Jerry West?
As in, Jerry West, noted mentor and confidant of the young Lakers superstar? The same Jerry West whom Bryant reportedly calls when things are going bad and he needs advice?
We're not saying Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is giving West that reported $5 million-per-year king's ransom to recruit Bryant, but the idea should at least make for some spirited speculation on Beale Street.
After all, Bryant could be a free agent in 2004. Might the young superstar, bored with winning titles and sharing the spotlight with Shaq in L.A., decide he needs a challenge of his own? If so, wouldn't he likely first dial up West, the man who took a chance on him as a high school phenom by trading veteran center Vlade Divac to the Hornets for his draft rights in '96?
Don't think West hasn't thought of it. Among his biggest assets as a team architect is his vision. He patiently courted Shaq for years before the big center became a free agent in 1996, while making a flurry of moves to clear the necessary cap space needed to sign him.
West, more than anybody, knows how great the 23-year-old Bryant can become. He knows about his competitiveness and desire to be the best in the game. He also knows Bryant is a lone wolf who wouldn't think twice about abandoning L.A. if necessary to reach his goals.
Whether West ever succeeds in pulling off such a coup, it's a good move for the Grizzlies. West is, by all accounts, a revered figure in the NBA. He has a proven eye for talent and the prestige to attract free agents. He also should aid greatly in the development of volatile point guard Jason Williams, a fellow West Virginia native with whom he is said to share a good relationship.
Suddenly there's hope for one of the league's sorriest teams. And if West could someday add Kobe to the menu, the Grizz would really be sizzling.
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
Can Jerry West convince Kobe to be star of the Grizzlies?
Posted: Tuesday April 30, 2002 7:05 PM
Marty Burns
CNNSI
So Jerry West is a Memphis Grizzly?
Forget Michael Jordan playing for the Wizards. This is more like the Pope taking over at Graceland. But as Bucks GM Ernie Grunfeld told the Memphis Commercial-Appeal: "Jerry West loves a challenge."
And, make no mistake, this is going to be quite a challenge. The Grizzlies have gone 23-59 the past two seasons and have taken up seemingly permanent residence in the basement of the tough Western Conference. Sure they have some fine young pieces in Rookie of the Year Pau Gasol, Shane Battier, Jason Williams, Michael Dickerson and Stromile Swift, but few believe they're anywhere close to being a serious contender.
The Grizzlies still need a proven superstar, a leader, a guy who can grab all these young kids and show them how to play like champions. In short, they need a guy like Kobe Bryant.
Ahem.
Did somebody say Jerry West?
As in, Jerry West, noted mentor and confidant of the young Lakers superstar? The same Jerry West whom Bryant reportedly calls when things are going bad and he needs advice?
We're not saying Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is giving West that reported $5 million-per-year king's ransom to recruit Bryant, but the idea should at least make for some spirited speculation on Beale Street.
After all, Bryant could be a free agent in 2004. Might the young superstar, bored with winning titles and sharing the spotlight with Shaq in L.A., decide he needs a challenge of his own? If so, wouldn't he likely first dial up West, the man who took a chance on him as a high school phenom by trading veteran center Vlade Divac to the Hornets for his draft rights in '96?
Don't think West hasn't thought of it. Among his biggest assets as a team architect is his vision. He patiently courted Shaq for years before the big center became a free agent in 1996, while making a flurry of moves to clear the necessary cap space needed to sign him.
West, more than anybody, knows how great the 23-year-old Bryant can become. He knows about his competitiveness and desire to be the best in the game. He also knows Bryant is a lone wolf who wouldn't think twice about abandoning L.A. if necessary to reach his goals.
Whether West ever succeeds in pulling off such a coup, it's a good move for the Grizzlies. West is, by all accounts, a revered figure in the NBA. He has a proven eye for talent and the prestige to attract free agents. He also should aid greatly in the development of volatile point guard Jason Williams, a fellow West Virginia native with whom he is said to share a good relationship.
Suddenly there's hope for one of the league's sorriest teams. And if West could someday add Kobe to the menu, the Grizz would really be sizzling.
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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Comments
Why are you even one bit happy kobe would leave in the first place? Man shaq fans have no respect for what kobe does for l.a
FACE IT
KOBE JERSEYS ALL OVA THE PLACE IN THE STAPLES CENTER!!!!!!!
p.s. i hope mr clutch doesnt trigger a any dumb trades like he did w/ van exel and ej..
Looking for: Raiders game used and au, Magglio Ordonez,Jerry Porter,Tim Brown ,Lakers Devean George,Kobe
And if anyone thinks Kobe wouldn't bolt LA in a second, check back in 3 years when Memphis is the up and coming team and the Lakjers run is over when jackson and Shaq leave. LOL then we'll see how mnay lakjer fans remain, you see everyone with their new screen names like "gogrizzo8" "kobedagrizzly" and my favorite "gasoldaman2004." LOL
and uwf.. it's Lakers, L A K E R S , not lakjers..
just wanted to let your basketballintellect know.. *g*
Personal Collection
I thought kobe sucked according to alot of people on this board.
KoBe 4 MvP
But, no, Kobe isn't going anywhere. He's still got a lot more titles to win and more rings to cover his fingers. Hell, after a while, he'll be putting them on his toes. hehe
Kobe Bryant = best overall player in the game today...nuff said...
When Jackson and O'neill leave if Kobe's all alone he won't win championships. He is a great player, but where would the dynasty be without Shaq or Phil? There wouldn't be one, and Kobe would have no reason to play for the Lakers.
"FACE IT
KOBE JERSEYS ALL OVA THE PLACE IN THE STAPLES CENTER!!!!!!! "
What's your point, any popular player on ANY team has alot of jerseys. Of course if I went to a LA game and I were a big fan I would prolly wear a LA jersey, too.
One of the reasons he might bounce to Memphis is because it is a young and talent filled team. He knows if he went there in 2004 that the Grizzlies would be a dynasty. Think about these 6:
Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Shane Battier, Jason Williams, Michael Dickerson and Stromile Swift
That would prolly be one of the strongest 6 in the NBA. All young guys with no gereatric cases.
I don't think he will do it, but if he does, everyone who's saying "Laker fan for life" would change to "Grizz fan for life" overnight.
<< <i>I don't think he will do it, but if he does, everyone who's saying "Laker fan for life" would change to "Grizz fan for life" overnight. >>
Not me. I've been a Laker fan ever since I could remember. I was a Laker fan when Kareem and Magic and James Worthy were running the show. I've always been a Lakers fan, and like I've said before, I've been a Kobe fan from the very beginning as well. The Lakers would STILL be my team because I'm a true Laker fan, but Kobe Bryant would STILL be my favorite player no matter if he played for the Nuggets. It wouldn't matter to me...I'll always be a Kobe fan, AND a Laker fan, because 1) I grew up watching the Lakers and I will die with them as my favorite team and 2) I will always be a Kobe fan and he'll always be my favorite player regardless of the team he plays for.
By the way, Kobe Bryant named to All-NBA first team today...
<< <i>Can Kobe or Shaq win a title without each other? I dunno, prolly not. If you really think Kobe could carry the Lakers through the bone tough west your stupid. When Shaq leaves, there is no dynasty. When Kobe leaves, there is no dynasty. Were you talking about the Grizzlies 5? Getting alot of youth in and when they pull down a superstar(for example: Kobe, Tmac, Garnett, or VC) they will win titles. >>
Um... Chris Webber (if you remember) said that he wasn't gonna be in Sacto anylong than he had to... fact is no one else could pay him, same COULD happen w/ Kobe OR Shaq... if the Lakers wanna win they'd keep Shaq, who even in ya'lls own post state, is the MOST DOMINANT player in the L
Jeff
jbugs, on the other hand, is a total scumbag who has no place to talk about anyone. hey jbugs, you should come join TR....oh wait I forgot we domn't want your sorry a**