FanHouse JerryWest

Mitch Kupchak's acquisition of 7-footer Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and two first-round draft picks -- a trade West said he was not involved in, contradicting the rumors and conspiracy theories that have buzzed around the Internet -- was a good one, he believes.

Talking to West, Davis talked tough, said he was going to let the Warriors know he was unhappy. Davis expected that West, who had his contract squabbles as a player, would lend a sympathetic ear. He did not.

West told Davis he would look bad, alienate everyone, ruin his image. ... He told Davis, "The most important thing is that you're in a good place, playing for a coach who lets you play your game, uninhibited. You're in a perfect position with the Warriors. Be positive. Just go up there, shut up and play."

"The degree of excitement with Kobe Bryant is like going to an action movie instead of seeing a great film. Kevin Garnett would be in a great film and Kobe Bryant would be the action-hero figure. He's going to supply the jumps off the tops of bridges, dunks, going through 10 people, driving to make a layup. Kevin Garnett is just going to be the steady, steady, steady guy there every night. But I think from an all-around standpoint, Kobe is the best."

An exceptionally well-connected league insider once told me the story of how Brian Cardinal got his mid-level. Seems Memphis owner Michael Heisley, frustrated by general manager Jerry West's lack of activity, walked into West's office one day and asked why he hadn't signed anyone yet. So an exasperated West picked up his phone, called Cardinal's agent and offered the mid-level on the spot. Then he turned to Heisley and said something along the lines of "There, you happy now?"

There are a few thoughts that have run through my mind since Kobe Bryant announced that he would like to be traded. The one that's really sticking with me is the thought that Kobe Bryant has become a public relations mastermind. I think the years of Kobe being butchered by the media has taught him how to manipulate the media in his favor.

Yesterday, Kobe went on a public relations rampage, trying to turn the tide in his favor. And from the current buzz around the internets, I think his ploy is actually working.

In one day, Kobe has demonized the entire Lakers organization. He worked his magic to paint the Lakers front office staff as lying, incompetent bunch (there's a very good possibility that they are indeed all of those things). He stated that the L.A. Times Article which quoted a Lakers insider as saying that he was the reason Shaq was traded is what set him off. But maybe, just maybe, that was the perfect opportunity for Kobe to get what he really wanted.

So what does Kobe want?
In my opinion, he just wants to play for a contending team. I think he only sees two ways to get that: Either by the Lakers hiring Jerry West (the only person he actually trusts to build a contending team right away) or via a trade to a contender (In my eyes, the Bulls are the only team he'll be willing to be dealt to. And I wouldn't be surprised if Kobe's agent, Rob Pelinka are already working together to make that happen).

And what should the Lakers do?
In my eyes there are only two steps available to the Lakers:

1) Call Kobe and his agent in for a meeting immediately. Scratch that, drive down to Kobe's Newport Beach home and meet with him immediately. See if there is anyway to rectify the situation. They didn't do that with Shaq, and they are still paying for it today. I'm sure the only way to convince Kobe to stay is through hiring Jerry West. If Dr. Buss wants to keep Kobe, he has no choice but to do that. I don't know what it would take to make it happen. But whatever it is, they need to do it NOW.

2) If after their meeting they conclude that there is no way to fix the rift, they need to find the best deal possible for Kobe. Don't worry about sending him to another conference. Just get the best damn deal you can get. The only problem is that Kobe has to be in agreement with wherever they decide to send him because of his no trade clause. Not a nice situation for the Lakers to be in.

One last thought: If Kobe is traded what happens to Phil Jackson end up? Because you know he's not going to want to coach this team without Kobe.

Previously at Fanhouse:
Kobe Bryant Demands Trade
Kobe Goes Off on the Laker Front Office
Kobe: Bring Back Jerry West or Trade Me

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