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Around SBN: 2011 In Extreme Home Runs

Kobe to Knicks talks sprouting up again...

From Chris Sheridan over at ESPN.com:

"New York: If Chicago is one of the logical places for Bryant to end up, that raises the question of which team could make a competing offer. That's where Knicks coach and president Isiah Thomas would come in.

I've known Isiah a long time, so trust me when I tell you he would go to the end of the earth and do whatever it takes to get a deal like this done. He wants his legacy to be something special in New York, and Kobe Bryant could help assure that. Furthermore, Bryant has previously expressed interest in lighting up Gotham.

As a trade partner, what the Knicks lack in quality, they have in quantity. In terms of volume, Isiah could overwhelm almost any other offer out there, starting with combo guard Jamal Crawford, rebounding machine David Lee, Knicks starting power forward Channing Frye, a pair of unprotected No. 1 picks (let's say 2008 and 2010) and sundry throw-ins, including Nate Robinson, Randolph Morris, Renaldo Balkman, et al.

Crawford can score 20 points a night, and he'll go prolific for you at least twice a month. Lee is a double-double man, and the most popular player on the Knicks, an energy guy who will easily play in the league for 10 more years if he stays healthy. He's far from a bum, and the same goes for Frye, who could start for the Lakers for the next seven seasons.

No, there's no superstar in here, but it's a lot of lumber. And if you're rebuilding, you need a cache of young talent. Lee, Frye and Robinson are still on their rookie contracts. Crawford has a reasonable long-term deal ($7.9 next season, with a contract that ends after he makes $10.08 million in 2010-11). The Lakers would actually have cap space, lots of it, after Lamar Odom's contract ends in the summer of '09.

Nothing, however, will happen unless Kobe forces Buss' hand. That hasn't happened yet, and it still might not happen if the Lakers can make a major deal to put some new talent around Kobe and placate him. Certainly we've all heard about the possibility of Jermaine O'Neal and/or other players joining Bryant in L.A.

But if that doesn't happen, I wouldn't be surprised if Kobe pipes up publicly again, this time demanding -- not requesting -- a trade."

That's some high praise for some on those list (Frye = a 7-year starter?  Did Dolan write that?), still an interesting thought.

I really don't know how I feel about it.  I've never been a big Kobe fan but anyone would be stupid to deny his talent.  I still think he's the best player in the NBA not named Tim Duncan (boring as TD is).

Thoughts?

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As much as I love Kobe...
I don't want him. At all. I want career guys here in in New York, and I'd actually prefer David Lee or Jamal Crawford to Kobe Bryant right now. No matter how long Kobe plays here (if ever), he will never really be a Knick. I suppose I'm crazy to be turned off by that, but it's the truth.
Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on Jun 12, 2007 5:37 PM EDT reply actions  

Not crazy, but not sane either
As I've stated already, it would depend on who to give.
Crawford, Robinson, Frye? Pull the trigger, now. Don't hesitate.

Francis and the above? Even better. Fire at will.

Package plus Lee? Whoa there, drive slow baby... First of all, I don't like 4-plus-for-1 swaps (for the record I actually count Francis as a negative) and I even more dislike the idea of giving away Lee, who, in combination with Balkman, could be the bench of the Knicks, period. Energy guys, changing momentum, getting everything and everyone going.
The other ones... interchangeable parts... a dime a dozen in my opinion. And giving up JC for Kobe is like trading my Volkswagen Golf straight up for a BMW M3. Any minute.

So, what would I need to give Lee away... Let's see... How about reversing the thing about the draft picks? 'Cause the Lakers ain't going anywhere in the West right now, so, let's take those high first rounders of the next 2-3 years and I could soften my stance...

But, and I did say that as well already: I don't see that happening... and I sure as hell hope, that Isiah Thomas doesn't let himself be robbed.

Cya Wraith

by wraith on Jun 12, 2007 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Reason #982302 why I could never be a GM
I just read that comment and asked whether or not I would trade Jamal Crawford for Kobe Bryant straight up and....I don't think I would. Seriously. I got issues.
Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on Jun 12, 2007 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

thats some blind love my friend
its like saying you wouldn't trade your girlfriend for jessica alba.
Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!

by Anthony Masons Haircut on Jun 13, 2007 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

along the lines of
those undying words:

"yeah, she simply got that great great character."

Cya Wraith

by wraith on Jun 13, 2007 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions  

Jessica Alba...
If she was just rebounding from of a breakup after 10 years, and would probably leave you relatively soon, and you had to pay her a lot.

Actually...I'd still do that. Not a good comparison.

Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on Jun 13, 2007 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

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