Jackson isnt feeling Kobe's level of Commitment

[BIG SB]

ttp://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3083800

Amidst the daily trade discussions swirling around Kobe Bryant and the Lakers this preseason, coach Phil Jackson is upset at his star player's level of commitment.

"Obviously he hasn't thrown his heart and soul into performing on the floor," Jackson told reporters after practice Saturday. "That hurts me a little bit. … He was going to work at this thing and [would] put his full being into this. Right now, he's having a hard time doing that."


Clearly Bryant disagreed with his coach's assessment.

"That [should be] the least of his concerns or anybody's concerns," Bryant said. "You don't have to worry about that. … I'm ready to play. Period. You don't have to worry about me."

Sources have told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan that the Lakers and Chicago Bulls have been having daily discussions about Bryant trade possibilities for at least the past week, with Bryant's no-trade clause throwing a unique wrench into the situation, according to sources.

The Lakers are asking for a package built around Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah, which is more than Chicago is willing to surrender. Also, Bryant would not want to play in Chicago if the Bulls surrendered all four of those players, believing there would not be enough talent left to compete for a championship, and he would veto that trade even if the Bulls and Lakers were both in favor of it.

Jackson also spoke to reporters about how the Lakers, as a team, were dealing with the saga around their superstar player.

"I think they are a little bit confused," Jackson said. "I think they are enjoying their time together right now … But I think there's a certain sense of how does this all fit all together, which is natural because they haven't seen a situation like this before."

The Lakers open their season at home on Tuesday against the Houston Rockets.

In May, Bryant was critical of the Lakers' front office for failing to build a championship contender and asked for a trade during an interview with ESPN Radio. He initially seemed to back off that in a different interview later that day.

Bryant then avoided speaking about the Lakers until the beginning of training camp Oct. 1, when he talked more positively, saying he was looking forward to the season.

Lakers owner Jerry Buss told reporters during training camp in Hawaii that he has explored the feasibility of satisfying Bryant's trade wish and will continue to do so.

Bryant has four years, worth $88.6 million, left on his contract, but can terminate the deal in two years, leaving $47.8 million on the table.

[7even]

I think they will wait until all players are tradeable, some niggas can't be traded until the midth of December or some shit

[js83]

How can any superstar be commited when the rest of the roster is so shitty...if Kobe plays well in the season, he's probably just doing it for himself...to shut all the critics up...he don't give a fuck about this team...

I just hope this FO makes some trades, like getting JO or something...

[7even]

^im sure Kobe will do something extreme. Either on that 10-shots-a-game or 50-shots-a-game shit.. or maybe he'll Vince Carter the first few weeks of the season... either way, it's gonna be entertaining, can't wait

[GangstaBoogy]

That should be the least of everyones worries. Kobe may not be excited about suiting up in his purple & gold uniform, but he's so unbelievably competitive that when he gets on the court, he's gonna go hard and he's gonna force us to win. Believe that.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Some people are just dumb..Kobe is going to compete and try to win, like he's ALWAYS done...PeACe

[Bay Area Jat]

That should be the least of everyones worries. Kobe may not be excited about suiting up in his purple & gold uniform, but he's so unbelievably competitive that when he gets on the court, he's gonna go hard and he's gonna force us to win. Believe that.

i agree +1

[BIG SB]

lol thats how kobe was lookin when jackson said if they make the trade they should do it sooner then later.  He had that look like he wanted to cry. 

Hopefully they don't trade him but if they do we better get a good deal in return.

[Fuck Your Existence]

Fuckin Phil....thats dirty shit to question Kobe like that imo

[Antonio_]

That should be the least of everyones worries. Kobe may not be excited about suiting up in his purple & gold uniform, but he's so unbelievably competitive that when he gets on the court, he's gonna go hard and he's gonna force us to win. Believe that.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Fuckin Phil....thats dirty shit to question Kobe like that imo

Don't trip...Phil is just on the mind-game shit...PeACe

[Vegasmac25]

Kobe is probably the most scrutinize player i have ever seen.The media sure knows how to fuck with people and peoples career.

[7even]

^im sure Kobe will do something extreme. Either on that 10-shots-a-game or 50-shots-a-game shit.. or maybe he'll Vince Carter the first few weeks of the season... either way, it's gonna be entertaining, can't wait

Looks like it's gonna be this one... was the by far most likely one to begin with... 32 shots and 27 FTs is plain sick... what I wonder, though, how come he's so bad from the charity stripe? Bet he was in no mental position to practice FTs this off-season...

[Fuck Your Existence]

^im sure Kobe will do something extreme. Either on that 10-shots-a-game or 50-shots-a-game shit.. or maybe he'll Vince Carter the first few weeks of the season... either way, it's gonna be entertaining, can't wait

what I wonder, though, how come he's so bad from the charity stripe?

they say his wrist injury is fuckin up his FT's...he was fuckin shit up everywhere else though...

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

^im sure Kobe will do something extreme. Either on that 10-shots-a-game or 50-shots-a-game shit.. or maybe he'll Vince Carter the first few weeks of the season... either way, it's gonna be entertaining, can't wait

Looks like it's gonna be this one... was the by far most likely one to begin with... 32 shots and 27 FTs is plain sick... what I wonder, though, how come he's so bad from the charity stripe? Bet he was in no mental position to practice FTs this off-season...

Ummm, he had a sprained wrist...LOL. Did you watch the game? Either way, Kobe played his role and almost won the game for us, so quit tryna trip on him...PeACe