Kobe, No Means No

Since he entered the league I haven’t liked Kobe Bryant. I’m not entirely sure why. Possibly because I don’t really like the number 8, possibly because he’s named after a kind of steak, possibly because his afro kind of weirded me out. I’m not positive why, but I’ve been a Kobe hater for about 10 years.

Until this year, when I actually started to like Kobe a bit. Outside of the Suns, he was the best basketball to watch all season, especially that stretch where he hit 40 in like 5 of 7 games. He was like watching Nick LoGalbo play NBA Live, but with way less growling. Anyways, for the first time since he’s been in the NBA, I was ok with Kobe Bryant.

But now he’s threatening to ruin my life. I can’t imagine the thought of him on the Bulls. Sure I’d actually purchase a basketball jersey again, but he’d destroy the team. In order to obtain him, the Bulls would have to give up at least one of Deng/Gordon/Hinrich (likely 2), this year’s 9th pick, probably Ty Thomas, and some other filler, effectively gutting the roster. I don’t want that.

I don’t want to go to the Eastern Conference finals and watch LeBron and the Jameses versus the Chicago Kobes. I don’t want to never win a title while throwing away everything that Paxson has built the last few years. I don’t want to actually support Kobe Bryant instead of just admiring him. I don’t want a Wizznutzz audiobook about the Bulls (well, the first one was amazing, so that might be ok).

The Bulls are mentioned in every BIG TRADE rumor there is, and there’s a reason for that. They have contracts they can move, they have good young players, and they have picks. Not surprisingly, these are also pieces that help you build a championship team. Sure, maybe the Bulls can get Kobe or KG now and have a little bit better shot of making the Finals for the next two years, but then what? Then you’re left with a team that doesn’t have picks, doesn’t have young talent, and doesn’t have a plan. Or as I like to call it, the Cleveland Cavaliers. No thank you.