Nov
1
Kobe Bryant Trade Rumors Shot Down by Sharpshooter Bulls General Manager John Paxson
by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
Not only did John Paxson end the Kobe Bryant trade speculation this afternoon and the distractions that it had caused for his Chicago young team, the Bulls General Manager made a very interesting statement.
In describing why the trade talks were off, at least for the meantime, Paxson essentially said that he could not make a deal in which he would have to go to team owner Jerry Reinsdorf and say that it would not have made the Bulls better.
In other words, Paxson was conveying that the Lakers were wanting way too much for Bryant, who also has the power to veto any trade, and that such a trade would have decimated the team’s amazing collection of young talent.
Even if Chicago had hypothetically acquired Bryant, the most talented player in the game, straight up for Ben Gordon without having to get rid of a Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah, the Bulls would not have been a better team. Chicago would have been a more talented team but not a better one; this distinction needs to be made.
With Bryant, the Bulls would finally have the go-to scorer that the team so desires. With that said, Bryant is not a team player. He’s a Kobe guy. His addition wouldn’t have improved the team’s chemistry. Chicago would have looked more appealing to those so-called experts who think that adding a superstar like Kobe will automatically lead to the NBA Finals. However, on the court, the Bulls would have lost the very substance that has made them one of the most exciting teams in the league for the last four seasons.
While you need talent to succeed, it can also be overrated, especially when held hostage by an egomaniac like Kobe. Chemistry is always underrated, and this young Bulls team has it with Gordon, Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Andres Nocioni, Ben Wallace and Head Coach Scott Skiles. The Bulls play the game the right way with the team as is; Kobe plays the game the wrong way, for himself, despite all of his claims that he wants to win.
Even in defeat last night, the Bulls were inspiring in fighting back from a double-digit deficit. Even after scoring 45 points against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night, Bryant was nauseating with his 52 combined shots, complaining to the officials and unwillingness to get his teammates involved.
John Paxson, you’ve done a great job with the Bulls and made the right decision today. Now forget about Kobe forever and stop low-balling and being so strong-armed with Deng and Gordon, who are worthy of more money than the franchise has allegedly been willing to pony up.
You’re not dealing with Eddy Curry anymore; Gordon and Deng helped turn this franchise around, and can be the cornerstones for this franchise for the rest of the decade!
And this is coming from a huge Paxson supporter!
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Kobe Bryant Trade Rumors Shot Down by Sharpshooter Bulls General Manager John Paxson
