dom

I don't think the Blazers want to make that deal. The blazers wanted VC for Van Excel staright up is what I've heard.

Thats how far Carter stock has dropped.

fdl

if thats the case then i'd rather have him stay and sit on the bench, for no other reason than spite.

dabuda

wow

v.carter = v.exel

i would have never thought ...

goose25

Oh how the mighty have fallen....I have a bag full of pennies that i'll trade for VC, will that get it done?

vkewalra

Straying from the current VC topic, I invite anybody with a fantasy basketball team to laugh at/pity me since I have/had Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, and Steven Jackson on my team.

dom

Its not that bad. You only lost a combined 120 games or so.

jlukja

Anyone see the NBA schedule for Christmas Day?

Detroit vs. Indiana
Miami vs. Lakers

Talk about must see TV.

dabuda

yes, definitely looking forward to it...too bad oneal and artest wont be playing

sipark

What's the big deal about holiday NBA games?
Games are on TV all the time..

But, those are some compelling games to watch if you're still NBA fans..

jlukja

Shaq vs. Kobe and a rematch of the brawl. The sponsors are gonna be raking it in.

dom

Shaq vs Kobe should be great. The totally fake and forced kobe, Shaq pre game hug shold be interesting.

Junkster

It's a X-Mas present from the NBA...

Too bad many O'Neal and Jackson will miss those games... probably gonna be a one-sided affair...

Now, the Miami LA... that's gonna be hella fun.

Junkster, who wonders if Artest can even come to the arena

corbs

Actually this is what's being reported in Portland:

from Oregonlive-Blazer's blog

dom

He doesn't do much of anything do what's the diff.

dabuda

havent seen him do a dunk for awhile so oh well

SG81

iTrader: (1)

Carter's getting threats

he's sooo soft

dom

BTW - he's dunked 6 times since he's said that. (2 nice ones as well) He also claimed he was joking.

DEI99662

Please tell me that he going to be traded soon.

sipark

Well, umm....
"He is going to be traded soon."

Happy?

iamhomin

Enough about Carter, let's talk about the Seattle Supersonics!

dom

Speaking of Seattle, they were one of the teams rumored to be interested in Carter. Allen wanted out so that deal one for one made sense. No way Seattle makes that deal now with the way they're playing. Definently the surprise of the NBA thus far.

DEI99662

Funny...

DEI99662

"AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Indiana Pacers players will be charged for fighting with fans during the Nov. 19 brawl at the end of a game against the Detroit Pistons, Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca told The Detroit News."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1935140

DEI99662

"To replace the most successful coach in their history, the Memphis Grizzlies are making two hires.

Mike Fratello, as expected, will be installed Thursday as the successor to Hubie Brown ... but with the surprising addition of Eric Musselman as Fratello's top assistant, league sources told ESPN.com on Wednesday."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1936077

teg_to_bike

Da Bulls beat the Lakers!!!

teg, who thinks any team that loses to the Bulls should automatically be eliminated from playoff consideration.

jlukja

Heat: 11-7
Lakers: 10-7

Looks like the Heat isn't yet the Beast of the East they were expecting to be. Shaq isn't even the best player on his team.

Egos, egos.

goose25

That's true but Shaq is still recovering from his hamstring injury and will definitely pick up his game. There's not much chance for the Lakers to improve, even with Kobe at the top of his game.

TSX 'R' US

Muahahaha...Bulls pwn3d the Fakers...

dabuda

yeah, the lakers remind me of the 76ers...they have ONE superstar scoring tons of points but still their win percentage is still around .500%

goose25

Another day, another Kobe Bryant story. His ego is definitely out of control "my teammates are here everyday giving me 110%"
What a certifiable jackass

Bye Bye Mailman, we don't need you

Another player being run off by Bryant

dabuda

can you post the text for the stories? dont want to register fo latimes.com

DEI99662

DEI99662

"LOS ANGELES -- Karl Malone has apparently ruled out a return to the Los Angeles Lakers because of comments made by Kobe Bryant in a radio interview, Malone's agent said Tuesday.

"Karl is furious," agent Dwight Manley told The Associated Press. "He felt very disrespected and betrayed after personally being the first to stand up for Kobe over the last year throughout his rape charge and all he went through."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1940902

iamhomin

Sad. Kobe has crossed the line..

TSX 'R' US

Kobe always wanted to be a one man team...

DEI99662

If he keeps opening his mouth, he will be.

dabuda

this definitely wasn't the first time and i'm sure it wont be the last

kobe is the new breed of talented but egotistical & selfish players

goose25

Bryant Gets Irate Mail
• Malone says he won't return to Lakers because of remarks made publicly and privately by star player. 'I want to be there but he doesn't want me there.'

Bryant's Laker Legacy Becoming a Shove Story
December 8, 2004
In Land of Egos, Malone's Is the Latest to Be Bruised
December 8, 2004


By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer

Karl Malone, the second-leading scorer in NBA history, will not play for the Lakers if he decides to play again because he is infuriated by comments made publicly and privately to him by Kobe Bryant.

Malone had been favoring a return to the Lakers, but that was before Bryant's comments Monday in a radio interview that his Newport Beach neighbor would retire.

Bryant also said it was tough for teammates "to be looking over their shoulder, wondering if [Malone]'s going to come back and then everybody is going to disappear."

Despite playing only one season for the Lakers, Malone, 41, said Tuesday he had developed strong feelings for the organization and its fan base, but insisted he would never again play for the Lakers. He also turned down a consulting job that was offered to him in October by Laker owner Jerry Buss.

"As much love as I have for the organization and for its fans, when your star player doesn't want you there, I take hints easily," Malone told The Times. "I want to be there but he doesn't want me there.

"It's not about the Lakers, I love the Lakers. It's about your main guy saying he doesn't want me. I'm a big enough man to understand that, so I'm going to get on with my life, and I've got a great life."

Malone had maintained an interest in the franchise while recovering from off-season knee surgery. He had appeared at a training-camp practice and an exhibition game. More recently, he sat courtside for the Lakers' Nov. 23 game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

But Malone's agent, Dwight Manley, said the 14-time All-Star could not get past Bryant's comments to XTRA. Bryant also said that "it's not really fair to hold [Malone's situation] over the guys' heads that are here…. They are here giving me 110%…. I mean, you can't sit up here and speculate for the remainder of the season whether or not he is going to come back."

Said Manley: "Karl is furious and irate and said this is unacceptable, coupled with some personal comments Kobe made to Karl recently in private that have eliminated the Lakers from his choice, which is counter to what the owner, general manager and several stars on the team have been hoping for, as well as some of the fans. It's pretty obvious with what happened with Phil [Jackson], Shaq [O'Neal] and now Karl, there's a pattern of tearing people down. This was a clear statement."

Manley declined to disclose details of the private conversation between Bryant and Malone.

Manley and Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak had dinner on Friday before the Lakers' game against Golden State, and progress had been made in discussing Malone's future with the team, Manley said.

"This is a pretty emotional, traumatic thing," he said. "We were really working toward doing a deal with the Lakers that was really moving in an off-court capacity and potential on-court capacity. All those discussions have stopped at Karl's direction."

Earlier Tuesday, before Malone spoke to The Times, the Lakers released a written statement from Kupchak.

"We are aware of the comments made today by Dwight Manley, and hope that they do not accurately reflect Karl Malone's feelings about returning to the Lakers," Kupchak said. "If so, it is unfortunate that he would make such a decision based on the reason given. Kobe Bryant's interview [Monday] on Mychal Thompson's radio show merely reflected his personal opinion that Karl would probably not return to play this season. Kobe did not at any time state that Karl was not returning, nor was Kobe speaking on behalf of the Lakers' management or organization."

Upon learning The Times had reached Malone, the Lakers declined to comment further.

Manley said the Bryant-Malone relationship "no longer exists" despite the fact they live six blocks from each other in a gated Newport Beach community.

Manley also said Malone had fully recovered from off-season surgery on his right knee and would decide next month whether to return to the NBA or retire. The leading candidate to sign Malone, if he chooses to play, is the San Antonio Spurs, who have the best record in the Western Conference.

The Lakers had courted Malone often since the day he declined to pick up a one-year option on his contract for this season. Malone acted as a liaison last season for Bryant and O'Neal, providing a voice of reason in the locker room and contributing 13.2 points and 8.7 rebounds.

Almost five months ago, Malone supported Bryant when he signed a seven-year, $136.4-million contract to stay with the Lakers.

"I'm so proud of Kobe," Malone said at the time. "The way this kid worked his butt off, he deserves it. He's proven himself. There's not a lot of guys who deserve the money they're making in this league. He's one who does."

When Malone arrived at Laker practice during training camp, he and Bryant embraced, and Bryant pretended to spar with Malone's son, Karl Jr. Malone, who has remained in peak shape, felt the bulked-up Bryant's biceps and they shared a private laugh.



(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Deal Breaker

Comments from the Karl Malone fallout:

• Malone: "As much love as I have for the organization and for its fans, when your star player doesn't want you there, I take hints easily."
• Dwight Manley, Malone's agent: "This is a pretty emotional, traumatic thing. We were really working toward doing a deal with the Lakers … "
• Mitch Kupchak: " … It is unfortunate that [Karl Malone] would make such a decision based on the reason given. Kobe Bryant's interview [Monday] on Mychal Thompson's radio show merely reflected his personal opinion that Karl would probably not return to play this season."

goose25

Bryant's Laker Legacy Becoming a Shove Story


Bill Plaschke

Karl Malone answered the phone at his Arkansas ranch with a sigh.

It was late, he was tired, and he could explain.

Earlier Tuesday, he had read a transcription of Kobe Bryant's statements that essentially likened Malone's redwood of a comeback attempt to an irksome splinter.

Malone was so upset, he worked a stair climbing machine for an hour.

"At level 14," he said. "I mean, I was blindsided."

And now it is the Lakers who have been sucker-punched, losing their most credible locker room presence and strongest inside force for a most familiar reason.

Karl Malone says he will not be returning to the Lakers because of Kobe Bryant.

For those keeping score at home, the kid just won the alienation triple crown

"The bottom line is, Kobe Bryant doesn't want me to play for him, and it's his team," Malone said. "You've got to be wanted, and he doesn't want me there."

On the surface, Bryant's radio comments do not seem to warrant such strong reaction. But don't be fooled. This is about more than that.

Bryant's words represented only a final shove, with Malone speaking as if Bryant had been pushing him out the door for weeks.

"When I see that situation there, I would love to play with those young kids, are you kidding me?" Malone said. "But when your main player doesn't want you, I don't have time for all that."

There has been talk of how, unlike some teams that have phoned Malone every day, Bryant rarely spoke to Malone during his rehabilitation from knee surgery, even though they live only blocks apart.

When they did speak recently, according to agent Dwight Manley, their conversations were not pleasant.

Malone, an old-fashioned sort who refused to publicly criticize Bryant, is clearly not thrilled that Bryant speaks as if he is the team's player-coach, talking about his teammates "giving me 110%."

Also a sensitive sort, Malone undoubtedly wonders why Bryant has not publicly supported him the way Malone was often the only player who publicly supported Bryant amid the sexual assault allegations.

Their issues culminated, according to Malone, when he was read Bryant's statements on the "Loose Cannons" show on XTRA radio.

"He doesn't want me here, he made that known today, he told me through the press," Malone said.

Among other things, Bryant said of Malone, "I don't think he's coming back."

Malone says he feels great and could return soon, with the leading candidate now reportedly being the San Antonio Spurs.

Bryant also said of Malone's comeback, "It's not really fair to hold it over the guys' heads that are here…. It's kind of tough for them to be looking over their shoulder, wondering if he's going to come back."

Bryant sounds as if Malone were holding out instead of working out. He acts as if waiting for Malone wasn't worth the effort.

The truth is, when Malone is ready, Bryant should agree to carry him to Staples Center on his back, because Malone's presence is — or was — the only way these Lakers have a chance to make any noise in the playoffs.

"No disrespect to anyone, but this wasn't an equipment guy saying this," Malone said. "This was the player who you gave your franchise to. I can read between the lines."

The Lakers were quick to separate themselves from Bryant's comments, highly unusual for a family organization that unconditionally supports its players, but good for them.

"Kobe did not at any time state that Karl was not returning, nor was Kobe speaking on behalf of the Lakers management or organization," the statement read.

Too late. Too bad. In this instance, Malone is going to be as intractable as he is under the basket.

While some Bryant backers will be quick to call Malone a baby, anyone who hung around the Lakers last year knows that he was one of the few who was decidedly not a baby.

He ignored every little pain. He willingly faced every question. He publicly backed every teammate.

It was his first year on the team, but he was already its leader, and even owner Jerry Buss believes the Lakers would have won the championship if he didn't finish the season with an injury.

And about Bryant's feud with Shaquille O'Neal? Malone was the only one who didn't take sides, and still won't.

"I look at the whole scenario, and the whole thing could have been done differently, by everybody," he said.

He will, however, say one thing about the fallout.

"I don't want to throw daggers at anyone, but I would have quit my job before I traded Shaquille O'Neal," he said. "I would have been unemployed before I would trade him, and that's all I'll say."

When O'Neal left, it took him more than a week to officially thank the Laker fans.

Malone did it Tuesday without even being asked.

"I don't care about the money I made there, it was nothing compared to what the Laker fans gave me every time I walked off that court," he said. "I love them. I appreciate them. And I want every one of them to know it."

A third future Hall of Famer, a third farewell, these goodbyes getting as old as Kobe Bryant's act.

iamhomin

Enough about Kobe.

We've juiced out all interesting comments that could be made on either him or Vince.

We should talk about Orlando, and how T-Mac probably feels pissed.