The Lakers can't trade Kobe because there is no way for them to get equal value. Do you think they got equal value for Shaq? After trading Caron Butler and cutting Brian Grant, they ended up with Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown. Of course, this topic has a bit of "where's the beef" to it, as no specific trade is widely reported imminent; however, it seems to me that there is always some kind of frenzy around Kobe Bryant in the past few years. Surely some of this has to do with the LA media, but at this point it's hard for me to believe that Kobe doesn't play a significant role in the constant barrage of non-basketball-related issues. His ridiculous feud with Karl Malone; the fallout from Phil Jackson's book; his rape trial; his dalliance with the Clippers that played a part in the Shaq trade; and now public trade requests. At the same time, his basketball abilities are simply remarkable. Kobe is so popular for a good reason - he is an absolutely fantastic player. My assumption would be that the level of talent that Kobe possesses outweighs the press-driven annoyances that surround him, but I can also see why the Lakers might feel otherwise. So I think it's an ongoing issue that, if nothing else, makes for a good debate. It's worth noting, as well, that Kobe has a lot of miles on the odometer. Since he joined the NBA at such a young age, he has already logged 11 full seasons and 784 games. Of course, superior athletes often far exceed the career length of an average player - but are there many players with similar games to Kobe's who played more than 14-15 high-quality seasons? I don't have the statistical knowhow to say one way or another, but somehow I doubt it.
but are there many players with similar games to Kobe's who played more than 14-15 high-quality seasons? I don't have the statistical knowhow to say one way or another, but somehow I doubt it. Michael Jordan?
