I kind of healf saw the interview, and to me Kobe didn't look too good in it. When he got asked a tough question, he just kind of shifted and avoided it. I know that's something that all athletes would tend to do, but it didn't do him any favors. He just seemed to eager to push himself as just another guy who wants to work with his teammates and fly under the radar, even though what happened in Colorado and his torn relationships with O'neal and Malone tell a much different story.
I also enjoyed how he said, "I wanted to play for the Clippers." His entire take on his free agency seemed to be, "well, it wasn't my first choice, but I ended up with the Lakers, and I'm not in the position to complain about it."
Oh man, that game on Christmas is going to be sweet. The whole reason why Kobe is doing this is because he doesn't want to die on national TV. If Shaq swats him in the post, there's a damn good chance that about half the crowd would stand and cheer. He's hoping for a preemptive strike against O'Neal so he can say "hey, I tried to make amends, but Shaq is just an asshole. See guys, I was right all along." But this is the best quote from the article: "Bryant also says he feels 'like I'm under a microscope, but there's nothing I can do about it.'" Really? I wonder why that is.
"What you don't understand, you can make mean anything." -Palahniuk
I didn't catch the PTI interview but I did see the one on NBA Shootaround and one thing I noticed is how his speech has changed recently. I can't explain it other then he sounds more urban then he did in the past. I give credit for Steven A. Smith and John Saunders for actually asking tough questions something you don't see everyday from the media.
It didn't take long for Shaquille O'Neal to comment on Kobe Bryant's interview on Wednesday and his desire to make up with the former Lakers center.
"I don't have to make a point," O'Neal said. "I'm George Bush. I'm the president. I built that arena, so I don't have to make a point. I think it'll take us out of what we're trying to do for me to go in there and try to make points."
O'Neal said everyone who he was closely associated with on the Lakers is no longer with the team, which he doesn't consider a coincidence.
"Listen, everybody that had something to do with me has been fired or traded or cut," O'Neal said. "My boy Rick Fox was cut, and he's out there doing bad movies."
Shaq and the Heat visit the Lakers on Christmas Day.
O'Neal said Bryant should be more concerned about Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
"Because of all the stuff that went on, people probably think we hate each other," O'Neal said of Bryant. "I'm not the one that he has to worry about. He has the worry about The Flash [Wade]." ==============================
Originally posted by The Diesel"Listen, everybody that had something to do with me has been fired or traded or cut," O'Neal said. "My boy Rick Fox was cut, and he's out there doing bad movies."
Originally posted by The Diesel"Listen, everybody that had something to do with me has been fired or traded or cut," O'Neal said. "My boy Rick Fox was cut, and he's out there doing bad movies."
Um, Shaq? Pot-Kettle-Black?
Fox probably has a much more credible acting career thanks to his roles on Oz, anyway.
Originally posted by Bill Simmons I want Kobe to embrace the dark side. I want him to become a heel.
....
Well, this is what Kobe needs to do. The babyface gimmick isn't working. If this were wrestling, announcers would carry on like Kobe was a good guy ... only we'd hear the boos in the background and know it was just a matter of time before he turned. Kobe would intentionally miss a free throw against the Heat and then slam a metal chair over Jack Nicholson's head as the Lakers announcer screamed "Noooooo! Nooooooo!" And that would be that.
......
I'm telling you, he needs to pull a Hollywood Hogan. After all that's happened, Kobe will never be totally cheered again. So why not go the other way? Wouldn't you rather be a memorable villain than a phony hero? Kobe should admit that he screwed the Clips over last summer, that he orchestrated Shaq's trade and Phil's departure, that he threw Malone under the bus for sport. Before home games, he should stand on the scorer's table and flip off fans. Maybe he could even hire a no-good manager with a cane. Embrace the dark side, Kobe. You're already there. You just can't admit it yet.
Thread ahead: Zach Randolph back on the trading block, apparently Next thread: Kobe as a heel Previous thread: Knicks/Raptors Blockbuster Trade Proposed
wade wade wade wade wade wade wade wade They'd be happy with LeBron or Bosh, but they badly want Wade, and everything falls apart if it's not one of those three.
Thread rated: 4.61
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