Ok, so there’s some noise that’s going on with KB and the Lakers. I think I should summarize the relevant events.

1. Shaq wants max extension money ($80mill over 3 yrs.), doesn’t get it, demands trade, to which Buss obliges.
2. Shaq gets traded.
3. Phil Jackson is told that the team is cutting costs and won’t be paying him what he’d demand. He “retires.”
4. Kobe Bryant is a free agent and is told that the team is not going to go into a full rebuilding mode. In other words, they’re not cutting costs. They want to win now. He re-signs with the Lakers.
5. Lakers make several mediocre moves as well as keeping an eye on the future by picking Bynum.
6. Shaq says he’ll sign an extension for less than what he demanded from the Lakers (this I did not like, cuz he’d still be a Laker if he had taken less money to begin with).
7. Shaq wins his 4th (and last!) ring.
8. Lakers lose 3 straight first-round playoff series.
9. KB’s mad at that.
10. KB reads Mark Heisler’s LaTimes article saying that a “Lakers insider” says that KB kicked Shaq out.
11. KB asks Phil what the Lakers told Phil during his exit interview back in ‘04 (see #3 for Phil’s response).
12. This makes KB mad because he realizes someone’s lying and that someone from within the organization is spreading a false rumor (I bet this guy is like the mailboy who’s looking to make a quick buck).
13. KB demands trade.
14. Shaq agrees with KB and doesn’t think that KB kicked Shaq out.
15. KB still demands trade but softens up after having a pep talk w/ PJ. PJ tells him that things will be fine.
16. San Antonio just got to the NBA finals and no one cares. The Lakers story is a thousand times more exciting than the idea of a Spurs/Pistons Finals.

This is all pretty crazy stuff. My take on this is that what KB is saying does make the actions of the last 3-4 years make sense (if that’s possible). He feels betrayed and he should. The Lakers organization should be scolded. Shame on you! Now, let’s kiss and makeup, fire the retarded Jim Buss, and win a championship.

However, when you find out your team lied straight to your face and your career was on the line, it’s hard to keep that to yourself. My guess is that KB has no intention of leaving and he’s trying to make absolutely clear that we need to win now. I agree. I mean, what is the point of having him there? I’d rather be in rebuilding mode without him than with him. Too many expectations with him there. If he’s on the team, you don’t just sit around and think about the future while KB passes his prime.

I just read Heisler’s article after his original one.  He’s a disgrace.  It’s obvious that he hates KB.  All his article is is a personal diatribe and no journalism.