32 replies to this topic

[magicbalala245]

With 29 regular-season games remaining and the playoffs still in sight, Kobe Bryant is more determined than ever to prove he and the Lakers can become the force they thought they were.

Whether center Dwight Howard is a part of that attempted revival doesn’t matter to Bryant, sources familiar with Bryant’s thinking told FOX Sports Ohio.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has strongly nixed the notion that Howard could be moved prior to Thursday’s trading deadline. But if Kupchak changes his mind, he’d have Bryant’s full support, according to sources. Howard alone can hardly be blamed, and Bryant even admires how Howard has played through back and shoulder pain.

But sources say Bryant also wonders if Howard has the right approach, mental toughness and overall willingness to help the Lakers flourish in what has become their most important stretch.

Bryant is not alone in his concern, sources say. Nash, Pau Gasol and several others also seem fairly uneasy about Howard’s commitment to the cause.

According to sources, a number of Lakers have their doubts about whether Howard takes the game seriously and “wants it” enough for the challenges the team now faces.

However, sources say Kupchak has indeed taken several calls centered on Howard. So far, according to sources, Kupchak has quickly shot down any pitches.

[West Coast]

Media is REALLY trying to pile it on.

[bfc1125roy]

Pau Gasol should not be concerned about other people's mental toughness right now, just saying.

[Michaelyumm]

[expletive] sam amico honestly Kobe never said this, he said "it doesn't matter"

[Projekt]

Fox Sports Ohio breaking a Lakers story ahead of ESPNLA or LA Times. This MUST be true!

[Japago]

I wouldn't be surprised. But, Kobe doesn't have the same kind of power anymore now that he's near retirement.

To be honest, I think Dwight can force Kobe out if that's what he really wants.

[magicbalala245]

Media is REALLY trying to pile it on.

Kobe did say the other day he can careless if they trade Dwight or Not.

I don’t know what they’re going to do. At this point, it doesn’t matter, What matters to us is what we do on Wednesday, and go from there. That’s the most important thing, and that’s my message to the team. We can’t worry about the future, we can’t worry about the past. We have to focus on the present, Honestly I really don’t know what the heck is going on with that. and I can’t afford to. It’s a fine line for a player like myself to get involved in that situation, because now you become distracted of what exactly you need to do as a leader with the team you have assembled, So instead of wasting my energy thinking about what they might do or what might happen, I have to focus on the pieces that we have and how to reach every single one of them individually to bring out the best in them. If I don’t obsess about that, we can’t get nowhere.

Not exactly what you think Kobe would say especially comparing last year All Star Weekend when it was reported him and Bynum were getting close and bonding with each other.

[Massacre]

Lol.

Who are these sources? Who actually knows this info other than the players and coaches in the locker room?

What is this source that knows Kobe is questioning Howard's mental toughness? Would Kobe really tell somebody that? And if he did, would that somebody really take it straight to the media?

This is all BS.

Edited by Massacre, February 18, 2013 - 10:36 PM.

[Ham]

Media overhype lmfao

[Japago]

Keep in mind Kobe was ok when we thought Pau was traded and when Bynum was too.

It really doesn't mean anything. At this point, I think he just stays out of those things all together.

[Miggs]

Dont blame Kobe. If kobe had any respect for dwight, i doubt he still has any. Dwight's lucky kobe didnt punch his ars like MJ use to do in practices with his teammates.

[Lakers4Life]

Where is the obligatory "multiple sources" Broussard photo hahaha... This is the biggest BS I have seen all year. Media can really be [expletive]ed sometimes

[Majesty]

Media is REALLY trying to pile it on.

Yeah, sort of seems like the writer just switched out "in my opinion" to "the Lakers" and "I believe that" into "sources believe that."

Its such BS. Kobe has said on more than one occasion that he knows how badly Dwight loves to win and It's their common ground.

[West Coast]

In my opinion, I wouldn't be surprised if sources were saying this stuff BUT I really feel as if those sources come from teams that would love to see Dwight go their team or to simply leave the Lakers.

[Majesty]

Kobe did say the other day he can careless if they trade Dwight or Not.

[url=http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2013/02/18/sheridan-bryant-ambivalent-on-howards-future-with-lakers/] [/font][/color]

Not exactly what you think Kobe would say especially comparing last year All Star Weekend when it was reported him and Bynum were getting close and bonding with each other.

Actually that looked mnore like Kobe saying he could careless what the media says and doesn't focus on any stories because all it'd serve to do is divert his attention off what's really important, his tean's next game so to set an example as he's the leader he doesn't get distracted by it and doesn't entertain the questions from the media whether the stories are true or false because he doesn't want to but ultimately because his team can't afford to have 'him' of all peopole unfocused and worried about what stories the 'media' prints.

It was actually an awesome perspecrive and answer.

How u turned that into "I don't care if dwight is traded" is beyond me..

[steven v]

"Ship his ass out! Part Deux"

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

I wouldn't mind it at all either if it's actually a GOOD trade. That's a huge if because I don't see any team giving much for a guy who is a shell of himself and would probably walk from whatever team he ends up with.

[Rad]

lol at all this "he said, she said" nonsense. Media must be completely bored.

[TKainZero]

Ship is ass out

I wish we never traded for him
Be happy we got Clark

Cut our loses

At this point I wish we resigned sessions and never traded for Nash


You know the nba would rig it for the lakers to get the number one pick if we made the lottery

Trade Howard for the best we can get, he is walking this offseason

[LakersGAFan]

Its journalism. Just because they use the term "sources say" doesn't mean there isn't a credible source. It could mean that if the journalist identifies the source by name, the source loses his/her job and the journalist no longer has a reliable contact for inside information.
Or it could be complete lies like some of you are hoping. But if you've even worked in a newsroom you'd know confidentiality of who feeds you news is more important than the news. Its called job security.