From Sam Smith, found on Chicagosports.com, brought to you by Stevan for you viewing/reading pleasure:
Bryant a Bull? It's intriguing
So just how much of a risk taker and poker player is John Paxson? There may—and may is the operative word—be an ace out there this season to fill out a royal flush or perhaps cause the Bulls' future to go bust.
It's Kobe Bryant. And the question is whether the risk is worth it.
The prevailing wisdom in the NBA this season is if Bryant gets through his trial and the NBA season, he will accept the Lakers' four-year, $74 million extension.
No team can match that in free agency, and no team after this season will be far enough under the salary cap to make Bryant a substantial offer. Plus, no matter the outcome of Bryant's trial, he'll doubtless lose some endorsements and have hefty legal bills that could continue if a civil trial takes place. So the assumption has been Bryant will accept the Lakers' maximum offer.
But Bryant raised serious questions about that last week when he said, despite everything swirling around him, that he'd exercise his right to opt out of his contract after this season.
Said Bryant: "In sports, everything comes to an end."
Including Bryant's stay with the Lakers?
Shaquille O'Neal and Bryant have been sniping at one another since training camp began, O'Neal suggesting Bryant remains a selfish player by already shooting too much when he returned to play. O'Neal also has made a point of saying the team was complete without Bryant and supposedly has attempted to turn new teammates Karl Malone and Gary Payton against Bryant with off-day invitations to them without Bryant. Meanwhile, Bryant has been telling associates he doesn't plan to play with O'Neal after this season and wants his own team to lead. However, that is the same kind of rhetoric the two shared in 2001 before winning a second title.
Bryant long has talked about the Lakers becoming his team. That may be in question now, with O'Neal seeking a contract extension through 2009. Indeed, the Lakers may have to choose between O'Neal and Bryant. It's quite possible where all this is heading is a Bryant trade demand or Bryant's postseason free agency.
Leaving as a free agent would mean signing for a three-year salary exception of about $16 million a year before Bryant could get a $100 million deal. But few players are more stubborn than Bryant.
Would the Lakers play contract chicken with him and let him walk? Or would the Lakers get chicken and consider a trade? Some around the NBA feel if Payton proves effective, the Lakers could afford to deal Bryant.
Which is where the Bulls and everyone else comes in. It's a huge risk because Bryant still could be convicted in court. Or Bryant still could opt out after the season if he doesn't like the team he's traded to. But he also is probably the greatest individual talent in the NBA and best since Michael Jordan. That kind of talent, as Chicagoans found out, can make a team.
Would it be worth a chance to offer Tyson Chandler? The Lakers certainly could use a young big man who can support O'Neal with rebounding and shot-blocking, which seems to be the role Chandler will play as a pro. The Bulls would have to throw in another player to match contracts, perhaps Jalen Rose. Or give the Lakers two solid players with short-term contracts, like Scottie Pippen and Donyell Marshall. For the Lakers, it's a short-term fix that would end their distraction and give them the kind of deep, veteran team coach Phil Jackson prefers. It's a big risk for the Bulls that could gut the team if Bryant doesn't want to stay. Or cannot. Or it could make the future.
For Bryant, what makes the most sense if he leaves Los Angeles is a major market like Chicago, where he can regain his endorsement power and be competitive immediately with teammates like Eddy Curry and Jamal Crawford. However, Bryant is known to like the idea of playing in Madison Square Garden, and at 25 he could go to the Knicks, average 35 points a season for a few years while they lose and then have the Knicks far enough under the salary cap that they could add talent to support Bryant. That's what happened with Jordan, who didn't win his first championship until he was 28. Bryant already has three and could have a fourth this season.
Bryant's future may be the biggest issue in the NBA this season for a lot of reasons.
Doc is out: The Magic's kingdom is under siege. Darrell Armstrong was all smiles after hitting a game-winning three-pointer last week to beat Orlando.
"I wanted to show (coach) Doc Rivers that I can still play this game," said Armstrong, who is now with the Hornets. Armstrong blames Rivers for running him out of Orlando as Rivers did with Horace Grant last season.
After being criticized, the usually accommodating Rivers stopped speaking to reporters before games. It also was revealed that the Magic gave several teams permission this summer to talk with Rivers about becoming their coach.The Magic ended the preseason with a franchise-worst 1-7 record.
Food for thought: It doesn't appear Antoine Walker and Danny Ainge will be dining together soon. Explaining the trade of All-Star Walker for role player Raef LaFrentz, the Celtics' GM said: "I talked to every team in the league, and, believe me, there are people out there who, even if he averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and shot 50 percent from the floor, would not want him on their team. Antoine had a grasp on our franchise. If Antoine is Michael Jordan, it's OK to have a grasp. But I didn't perceive Antoine's grasp on us as a positive thing." Dallas philosopher-coach Don Nelson saw it differently: "That's the beauty of life. I look at Antoine Walker and I see great things. Danny Ainge looks at him and sees warts. And I was probably the same way with Raef."
Taxing situation: Former NBA player Willie Anderson, who played most of his nine-year career with the Spurs, lost almost all the $1.75 million he received on his 10-year deferred contract to the IRS and three women who filed child-support claims. The IRS and the three women reached an agreement in September on how to split the $175,000 the Spurs are supposed to pay Anderson each January for nine years. During court hearings in 2000, it was revealed Anderson fathered at least nine children by seven women.
Fighting back: Former Illini star Frank Williams has improved his shot after a horrendous rookie season with the Knicks. He hit 6-of-17 three-pointers in the preseason and is averaging 5.5 points in about 22 minutes per game. Though he has outplayed backup point guard Howard Eisley, coach Don Chaney is said to believe Williams remains too inconsistent.
"I'm not going to say 100 percent that he's going to put me in the rotation, but I'm very confident in the way I'm playing," Williams said.
Slam dunks: Wizards rookie Jarvis Hayes, whom the Bulls strongly considered, is drawing raves and will start opening night Wednesday at the United Center. ... Looks like the Bulls lucked out on free agent Ira Newble, whom they were considering. He hasn't played for the Cavaliers in the preseason and continues to experience knee problems. ... Notre Dame's Monty Williams, whose career was threatened early by heart problems, may have to retire because of recurring knee problems. He's with the 76ers.
The quote: Jazz coach Jerry Sloan on Antoine Walker, who attempted only 58 fewer threes than Sloan's Utah team last season. "He shot 582? And the coach is still living?"
...and if you managed to read the whole article you'll also find that Willie Anderson is challenging Shawn Kemp's "Bastard title" by having 9 kids with 7 women. Nice!!
is that supposed to be funny? 
