Kobe not the first Kobe

In the National Basketball League, there have been several examples of a top player demanding a trade at the height of his career. In fact, this is nothing new to the Lakers’ organization, which facilitated trades with both Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Chamberlain demanded a trade from San Francisco to Philadelphia, and he got it. Then when he was unhappy in Phily, he demanded to be traded to the Lakers and got his wish as well. Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Lakers for Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers and Junior Bridgman, when, at the time, Jabbar was the league’s leading scorer.

Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Oscar Robertson and Scottie Pippen were all traded when they were good because they were looking to leave and their teams let them go. Could Kobe Bryant be added to this list of babies who have gotten their way? History has shown that, however unlikely, it is entirely possible for a player as good as Bryant to force a move the owners wouldn’t have normally made.

Until we have something solid that says Kobe Bryant will be playing elsewhere, you can still get Los Angeles Lakers tickets at StubHub.com to see number 24.

Permalink - Posted in General on June 25, 2007 - Post a comment