LUMPI-44

Howard Beck of the Los Angeles Daily News:

The Los Angeles Daily News is reporting that league sources believe that Kobe Bryant will leave the Lakers at the end of the season when he will opt out of the final year of his contract.

Four league sources, three of which are inside the Lakers organization, are telling the Daily News that Bryant is spreading the word to teammates, coaches, and others that he is out the door.

"He is absolutely going to leave. Everybody knows it," a league source who has regular contact with Lakers officials told the Daily News.

On Wednesday night in Houston, Bryant categorically and angrily denied that, telling the Daily News, "That's bull. It's not fair. They're way off-base."

Possibile options for Bryant this summer include the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, and Atlanta Hawks
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Oly the SUNS AND SPURS have a real shot at him...and taking into account that sunsare young he wouls chose them..

but do phoenix want him?????

Johnson play amasingly..waht do you think!!!

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IT IS ONLY A GAME

Ben

So, are you saying that you prefer having Joe Johnson to having Kobe, a top 3 SG?

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Previously known as Battlestar.
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PhatDaddy3100

I say both. JJ can play PG

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Arclite

I'd want both of them. They're both excellent play makers and ball handlers, Phoenix could easily get away with starting them as a backcourt.

1 Penny

Clippers has a good chance for a trade. But are they willing to trade their players to risk going for Kobe, who may go to jail.


Suns has a real strong chance imo... Joe Johnson can play PG, SG and SF. If we can keep Marion, we might have the closest resemblance to MJ and Pippen.

Amare can also extend his repertoire to center and power forward... Suns do have a bright future.

Petey

That really would be something.

But didn't the Lakers call off giving Jackson an extension? Perhaps they will get a coach that is fair to both Kobe and Shaq, and then he would reconsider staying?

Regardless, if you get Kobe, you could even trade either Marion or Joe Johnson for a pg?

-Petey

KennethTo

Personally if Kobe "did" go to the Suns

I wouldn't trade anyone. I think Barbosa is a great player. All of the players on the Suns compliment Kobe very well. All very athletic players, he'd fit very well w/ the squad the have now.

They'd be instant contenders, not the favorites just yet, but definately contenders.

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http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

Fav players: Kobe Byrant, Jarrett Jack, Raymond Felton, Grant Hill, Leandro Barbosa, Corey Brewer, Javaris Crittenton, Yi Jianlian, Derrick Rose

Phil Jackson: "Bowen is a tenacious defender and will occasionally stick his leg underneath a player when he's up in the air."

MightyReds2020

Here's what I think:

If the Suns did get Kobe next summer, expect a lot of young, unproven players get shipped out for veterans.

In this case, I think only Amare and, to lesser extent, Marion are safe. Kobe won't sign with the Suns without a guaranteed that the organization will do anything to become an instant contender, which means a no-no to the Lampes or the Barbosos of the world.

For example, the Suns could do a sign-n-trade for Erick Dampier. In this case, Dampier will get more money, Warriors get youth, and Suns got a legitmate C. Or what about a trade for someone like Jason Terry, who is an Arizona favorite (I think?) and can play both guard positions or even come off the bench?

There are millions of possibilities, but let's get Kobe first.

HKF

I think the Suns would be best served by keeping Joe Johnson and getting Kobe. They would have one of the most athletic, talented line-up 1-4 of any team in the NBA.

PG/SG - Joe Johnson
PG/SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Shawn Marion
PF - Amare Stoudemire
C - David Harrison (First Round Pick????)

Bench: Vujanic, Barbosa, Lampe, Zarko, Jacobsen, Voskuhl, White

I really think the Suns need to draft a Center now. David Harrison 7'0 260 lbs would be perfect for them as he can run up and down the court pretty well also. The Suns are looking a little bright this year.

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My favorite NBA players: Deron Williams * Kobe Bryant * Carmelo Anthony * Ben Gordon * Joe Johnson * Kevin Martin * Tim Duncan * Kyle Lowry * Thad Young * Amare Stoudemire * Dwight Howard * Josh Smith * Brandon Roy * LaMarcus Aldridge * Rudy Gay * Al Horford * Brandan Wright * Craig Smith * Renaldo Balkman * Wilson Chandler

2008-09 Favorite Rookies: Jerryd Bayless (POR), Roy Hibbert (IND), Greg Oden (POR), Chris Douglas-Roberts (NJN), Joe Alexander (MIL), Patrick Ewing, Jr. (NYK)

College Basketball: "Where 7-Foot Bigs Foul Out Happen"

Amareca

We will only have a top3-5 pick this year. No David Harrison.

HKF

Pavel, Perovic, Harrison or Dampier. Who cares just someone who can adequately play the post.

Harrison is going to play his way into a top 10 pick in his workouts IMO.

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My favorite NBA players: Deron Williams * Kobe Bryant * Carmelo Anthony * Ben Gordon * Joe Johnson * Kevin Martin * Tim Duncan * Kyle Lowry * Thad Young * Amare Stoudemire * Dwight Howard * Josh Smith * Brandon Roy * LaMarcus Aldridge * Rudy Gay * Al Horford * Brandan Wright * Craig Smith * Renaldo Balkman * Wilson Chandler

2008-09 Favorite Rookies: Jerryd Bayless (POR), Roy Hibbert (IND), Greg Oden (POR), Chris Douglas-Roberts (NJN), Joe Alexander (MIL), Patrick Ewing, Jr. (NYK)

College Basketball: "Where 7-Foot Bigs Foul Out Happen"

RebelSun

Just saw this after my Harrison thread in the Draft section, I think you're right man. He is a beast.

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Teezy's GM Draft:
Lineup: Chris Paul/Manu Ginobili/Loul Deng/Dirk Nowitzki/Pau Gasol
Bench: Shaun Livingston/Gerald Green/Marvin Williams/Al Jefferson/Sam Dalembert

Chasemeifucan

Here we go boys:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns...oivin0223.html

http://eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=17594

Arclite

Mostly media jargon, to be sure, but interesting reads anyways.. one source says that Phoenix will have 11 million next year, the other says 8 million.. Either way if we want to go after him it will ultimately come down to being able to move Jahidi and/or Eisley.

But, anything that can be done to get Kobe here should be done. If you have a chance to get one of the five best players in the game, you pursue it with all you've got. I don't think there's someone I'd want to see in Phoenix more than Kobe (yes, that includes KG and TD), but I'm not going to set myself up for disappointment. I just hope Phoenix gives their all in trying to get him here.

#1SUNFAN

Jerry loves Kobe and would do pretty much everything it takes to get him here. I could see us moving our #1 pick this year with Eisley and white if we were sure to get Kobe.