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發表於 2007-6-20 09:45:41
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LOS ANGELES -- Intentional or not, Kobe Bryant seems to bedoing everything he can to pressure the Los Angeles Lakers intotrading him.
So far, it doesn't appear to be working.
The latest twist in the Bryant saga involves an amateur video ofthe nine-time All-Star denouncing general manager Mitch Kupchak andteammate Andrew Bynum.
Lakers spokesman John Black said the team was contacted aboutthe video before Bryant first requested to be traded on May 30.
"It doesn't change our stance at all," Black said a day aftersaying essentially the same thing -- that the team has no plans totrade the two-time defending NBA scoring champion.
"These people called us about a month ago, they told us theywanted to sell it, we told them we had no interest in buying it,"Black said. "That's the end of the story. There's been no furthercontact between them and us."
Kupchak declined further comment, saying, "I think enough hasbeen said."
A spokesman for the men trying to peddle the video to mediaoutlets told the New York Times they were talking with Bryant whenone decided to take a photograph and some video, but they didn'tbelieve Bryant was aware they were filming.
According to the Times, the video lasts 24 seconds -- aninteresting coincidence since Bryant wears No. 24 and his personalweb site is www.kb24.com.
The men did offer to sell the video to ESPN, but the network declined.
The Lakers passed up a possible opportunity to acquire starguard Jason Kidd from the New Jersey Nets at the trade deadline inFebruary because they didn't want to part with the 19-year-oldBynum -- a 7-footer taken with the 10th overall pick in the drafttwo years ago.
"Are you kidding me?" Bryant says in the video before usingseveral profanities in adding that the Lakers should "ship out"Bynum.
Bryant also spoke in negative tones about Kupchak. Bryant calledthe Lakers' front office "a mess" in a radio interview the daybefore first making public his desire to be traded.
The Times said the video's owners turned down an offer from aLakers fan to buy it and keep it private. Instead, the newspapersaid, they plan to make it public by the end of the week providedenough money can be raised through Web donations, then charge $1.99through their Web site.
Lakers owner Jerry Buss spoke with Bryant by telephone a dayafter the trade request and issued a statement saying: "We willcontinue to pursue every avenue possible to improve our team with[Bryant] as the cornerstone."
Owner and player met face-to-face last Friday in Barcelona, andwhile Black declined to reveal details, the Los Angeles Times andRiverside Press-Enterprise quoted sources as saying Bryant stillwanted out.
On the day he made his initial trade request, Bryant backed offsomewhat after speaking with Lakers coach Phil Jackson, althoughthat turned out to be a temporary stance.
Jackson told the Los Angeles Times he believes Bryant willremain with the team.
"He's made a decision that he feels justified to hold -- onethat I've questioned -- that he has reasons to leave the Lakers,"Jackson wrote in an e-mail published Tuesday. "However, it's myunshakable feeling that Kobe will be a Laker next October -- whentraining camp opens."
The 61-year-old Jackson has one year left on his $30 million,three-year contract. Kupchak said he has had talks with Jacksonregarding an extension since the season ended.
"It was discussed again, it's really up to Phil," Kupchaksaid. "We'd like to extend his existing arrangement."
Jackson spent three hours in the office Tuesday, a week aftersurgery on his left hip. He had right hip replacement surgery lastOctober.
"I think he'll be fine," Kupchak said. "It's unusual to havetwo, that's a little bit of a concern. He should be in much bettershape this year than a year ago."
Bryant has a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he wouldhave a say in where he goes should the Lakers ultimately make sucha decision.
Several messages left for Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, haven'tbeen returned. Pelinka told ESPN.com late last week that hisclient's position "remains unchanged. Kobe would like to bemoved."
Bryant, who turns 29 in August, has four years remaining on hiscontract worth $88.6 million, although he can terminate the deal intwo years.
而家唔換, DRAFT之後湖人要換走KB24 只會蝕得更多, 下季季中除非又有好強橫既PROSPECT 入左NBA DRAFT, 如果唔係, 湖人手頭上既籌碼只會越黎越少, 兩年後, KB24 自行中斷合約果陣真係得個喊字  |
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發表於 2007-6-18 19:18:43
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