Malone's status to play in LA ruled out

[Full Surface]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1940902

Malone basically feels betrayed that Bryant doesn't want him in LA. He stood up for him against his rape allegations and wanted to establish a relationship. This is going to open up his opportunity to play in another team.

I think Miami and San Antonio are good choices for Malone. I'm coming to the conclusion Bryant is the most arrogant player in the NBA.

[paradizecityz]

he should rejoin with Shaq

[Eugene]

I think this is more of a misunderstanding between the two parties.

Kobe, when asked, said what he felt he had to say. He was being loyal to his new teammates--basically, they're trying to win in LA right now with the personnel currently have, and it's not fair to worry about Malone coming back and taking somebody's spot. I know that sounds somewhat cold-hearted, but you can't also wait on someone who's been injured and was uncertain of playing at all while you have guys right there who's giving the effort.

Malone, in my opinion, has good reason to be upset. He took a huge pay cut and basically committed his career, shaky knee and all, to the Lakers who may or may not even make the playoffs this year. He showed a great deal of loyalty, and he may feel betrayed.

I still think he overreacted though. He couldn't have expect Kobe to wait on his return all season. And I don't really think Kobe was saying all this to be mean spirited.

Of course, the generic and appropriate answer would have beens something like: "Yes, I hope Karl's recovery is going very well and that he returns to us very soon, but our guys are giving great effort right now. We'll be an even stronger team when he [Malone] comes back."

God forbid Kobe should have an opinion.

Regardless, we're making a too big a deal out of this. All this happened too quickly (within a day or two), and I think everyone's just reacting out of gut-instincts. Maybe when everything calms down and Kobe has a chance to explain himself, and Malone a chance to listen, maybe he will reconsider.

All the best,

Eugene

[Robby]

Okay Eugene, how do you explain this little blurb:

Manley said remarks made by Bryant on Monday, coupled with what the agent called “recent personal attacks made in private,” led Malone to his decision.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6673839/

[Matthew]

God forbid Kobe should have an opinion.

But if shaq makes a comment about Kobe and says he should wait and work his way back into form, he's just a fat prick who is a bully and pushes people around... Malone deserves more respect than this, and not just from a basketball standpoint. He stuck up for kobe and kobe stabs him in the back...

[Ataraxia]

and I thought Melo's ego was bad

hmm if I were the Mailman I wont even consider the Lakers cause no way they gonna have a shot at the title THIS season.

Miami, San Antonio and Dallas would be the best options if he wants to grab a ring before he retires.

[NNpF]

Nobody should be talking like that about Malone, he is a legend, and he hasn't done anything to deserve these kinds of "personal attacks".

I think Malone should go to Miami, of the three Miami is the only place he could start or even get good minutes for that matter.

[John-John Joe]

Osama Bean Bryant the most evil force in the National Basketball Association.

[8-Hype]

Bryant is the most arrogant player in the NBA

Exactly, but the best as well.

[Riot]

Kobe isn't even top 3, so there goes that agrument.

[John-John Joe]

Kobe isn't even top 3, so there goes that agrument.

Name your top three Big R, here's mine:

1. Tim Duncan
2. Kevin Garnett
3. Kobe Bryant

This season Kobe moved up from the four spot and bumped Shaquille down a notch, just my opinion.

[Riot]

1. Kevin Garnett
-------
2. Tim Duncan
3. Shaquille O'Neal

[8-Hype]

That's not my favorite, but the best:

1. Kobe Bryant
2. Dwyane Wade
3. Tim Duncan

[Riot]

did you put Wade as the #2 best player in the league?

I'd take Pierce over Wade.

Not to mention KG, Shaq, Dirk, Tmac, LEBRON and others.

[Ataraxia]

That's not my favorite, but the best:

1. Kobe Bryant
2. Dwyane Wade
3. Tim Duncan

Wow u sure got alotta love for Wade !


On Current Form
1. Kevin Garnett
2. Tim Duncan
3. Dirk Nowitzki

[John-John Joe]

That's not my favorite, but the best:

1. Kobe Bryant
2. Dwyane Wade
3. Tim Duncan

Wade over Timothy the Great, KG, Shaq Daddy, and Dirk?

[Fresh8]

This is just sad... cant Kobe keep his mouth shut?

I understand how both parties would be feelin right now but the Lakers traded away Kareem Rush to make space for Malone (I think EDIT, my bad i just found out they signed mr bobbit!) so nooones gonna get cut from the team! I understand what Kobe is saying but... maybe it wasnt necessary to say wat he said.

I dont understand... why is Kobe saying that Malone won't return this season... thats not very nice.

And I agree with Malone that he got backstabbed... but if he thinks about it kobe isnt the voice of the Lakers GM for this matter (maybe for oithers lol) and maybe he should talk to Mitch K bout it all... And maybe if Kobe appologizes then we'll see Karl back next year.

Otherwise he should go to the Spurs because they can win it all this seaosn!

My Top 3:

1. KG
2. TD
3. Tie KB8 and Dirk

[Donatello]

garnett
duncan
lebron

[J@3]

1: Garnett
2: Kobe
3: LeBron

I don't really rate Duncan these days... I'd put him at 5th or something.

[MaD_hAND1e]

I think Payton was betrayed more. He took a paycut to have a chance at winning a championship, but he was used as trade bait.

[.]

I have mixed feelings about this thing.

Ofcourse Kobe has been a idiot by saying this to the public. Its okay to think about it that way, but he should have kept it to himself and not mention it to the media cause obviously Malone would be upset by those comments, I would be to.

BUT, I also understand why Kobe said that. There are players on the Lakers team that work their asses off to get some playing time right now, while Malone has been recovering in silence without even knowing if he will come back for sure.

But this is just a sad thing, they really seemed to get along very well last year, and now this shit happens. I dont know what kind off "recent personal attacks in private" Kobe made towards Malone, so I cant really judge anything about that. But this will hurt his damaged image even more.

I was looking foward to see Malone coming back to play for the Lakers, but I guess its not happening unless this thing is a big joke...which I highly doubt.

1. Kevin Garnett
-------
2. Tim Duncan
3. Shaquille O'Neal

Tim Duncan > Kevin Garnett
Kobe Bryant > Shaquille ONeal

[Jackal]

I had figured Malone wouldn't return to LA. What for? He could've just as well gone back to Utah then if he was planning to be "loyal".

Anywho's, since everyone's doing it, let's do it.

1) Tim Duncan
2) Kevin Garnett
3) Shaquille O'Neal

Big men win championships.

Bryant>O'Neal

Skill wise, yes. Importance wise, nopes.

[Matthew]

BUT, I also understand why Kobe said that. There are players on the Lakers team that work their asses off to get some playing time right now, while Malone has been recovering in silence without even knowing if he will come back for sure.

I dont think it's kobes place to say it though. It should have been handled properly. Kobe's had a history of going to the media about teamates... and I dont think this will hurt the lakers that much, it will probably hurt kobes perception by the fans (like he cares )

Tim Duncan > Kevin Garnett
Kobe Bryant > Shaquille ONeal

I disagree to both. I'd take KG right now over timmy. Tim is a great, great player. But he just disappears at times. I know he isnt selfish, and distributes the ball well, but theres times when a superstar has to take over. Tim doesnt do this as much as kg imo.

Shaq and Kobe are tied imo. This is really the year where we will get an idea of who is better. Right now, it's just too early to tell.

Big men win championships.

Unless if their names are Isiah and Michael

[8-Hype]

Wade over Timothy the Great, KG, Shaq Daddy, and Dirk?

Well, there are too much players to put them in a 3-man-list. But remembering what Wade did in the past two weeks, makes me say "ugh, he deserves it".

[Riot]

What has Wade done? KG's 32-14-5 nights don't impress you? Duncan's 28-15-4 and 2blks don't impress you? Dirk's 27ppg,11rpg don't impress you?