Kobe has flat out shown he would not be happy with a legacy that left him not winning a championship without Shaq.

Due in part to Kobe’s young age when he entered the NBA, Kobe has a chance to do some damage to NBA record books that would be very hard for anyone not named LeBron to top, especially given that the NBA doesn’t take kids straight out of high school anymore.

Jordan continues to pull in millions with his Nike endorsement, long after he retired from playing. Kobe, if he can leave a greater legacy than he now has, will stand to gane back after retirement anything he left on the table by not fleeing to Europe.

I don’t think Kobe will play in Europe. But I’m still surprised that he would entertain the offer given his age and the team he has in LA.

Maybe I’m old school and I’ve romanticized the players of yesteryear, but I can’t fathom MJ or Magic entertaining an offer overseas.

I always got the impression that they were playing against the history books as much as their opponents.

Think about how you would answer if a reporter stuck a mic in your face and asked if you’d move to Italy for $50 million.

If a reporter asked me if I’d move to Italy for $50 million, I’d say yes. However, when we look at things seriously, we probably wouldn’t.

I don’t really think this is newsworthy.

Yeah, I read that article. It was a very good read.

I agree with Kobe. A gold medal is a greater accomplishment than an NBA championship.

What do you think Dusty?

“So what,” he sniffed. “So what. If they can’t understand that, they don’t know what they’re talking about. It’s that simple. You’re playing for your country. There’s nobody in L.A. that wants to win more than me. If they want to take that as disrespectful, that’s silly. Everybody knows in L.A. that I’m the most competitive person – ever. Nobody wants to win a championship for the Lakers more than I do. Nobody. But playing for your country is something entirely different.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/basketball/news?slug=aw-kobeteamusa080908&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Well, I’m glad someone was able to find some amusement in this development. I’m not pleased that any of the NBA’s players are considering a move to Europe.

“of course i’m right”

and moments later this posted…….usually i just type LOL and my laughter is internal. i really had to pick myself up from the floor this time.

KOBE!! doesn’t care about his legacy, only his image.

KOBE!! doesn’t care about the lakers, or their fans, he only cares about money.

laker nation is like millions of battered housewives who love the abuse.

enjoy.

Good to see you laughing out loud. It’s important to point out that no one has signed with a European team yet. But I was disappointed to see a few of those names above — Kobe Bryant — obviously included.

What do you think Dusty? Do you think players of yesteryear would have bolted to Europe for the chance to earn more money?

what a shocker.

out of all those high profile names in the arizona republic article, which player is the only one to state he is happy in his current local?

LOL!!

KOBE!!