Post by The X-Factor on Nov 30, 2006 0:06:49 GMT -5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
"When a living legend says..."
by Francis Milanes
When a living legend says he wants you out, that the both of you can not co-exist, it doesn't matter if this living legend has only been with the team for a few weeks, what he says goes. This was the case with Michael Jordan, whom after last night's close win 122 to 121 over the Houston Rockets, on a last second buzzer beater by Jordan himself, went to Coach and General Manager Chris Martinez and said he couldn't take anymore of Kobe Bryant's constant lack of ability to pass the ball and be un-selfish. So Kobe, who was the number two overall pick in the newly formed BBS expansion draft, was the odd-man out. How could Martinez say no to a living legend? Say no to a man who Martinez brought in for the sole purpose of winning a championship this year? He couldn't and that's why Kobe had to go.
New Orleans fans were stunned to hear the news. They were already reeling from a few weeks ago when coach Martinez somehow was able to get Mr. Air Jordan for a couple of future picks, but this time they weren't stunned with joy... they were stunned with anger. How could they trade away a franchise player like Kobe, who's only 20 years old, a fan favorite, and is a highleet reel waiting to happen? A player who most teams would die for. New Orleans fans musn't have read the entire headline. Once the fans sit back and take the trade for what it is they will realize the new face of the franchise that they have landed. He's a 7'0 man who can shoot from the outside, can score inside, can play the 3 or 4, and has as just a great future ahead of him as Kobe does. Did I mention he's only 20 years old as well? Tack on an added 2003 1st that the Los Angeles Lakers sent over in a draft that some scouts are calling possibly the best draft class in years, and you've got yourselves another excellent trade made by Martinez.
So now for Dirk's sake, let's hope that when Jordan calls for the ball in crunch time, he gets it to him no matter what, or maybe, just maybe, Jordan may be calling for his head too.
"When a living legend says..."
by Francis Milanes
When a living legend says he wants you out, that the both of you can not co-exist, it doesn't matter if this living legend has only been with the team for a few weeks, what he says goes. This was the case with Michael Jordan, whom after last night's close win 122 to 121 over the Houston Rockets, on a last second buzzer beater by Jordan himself, went to Coach and General Manager Chris Martinez and said he couldn't take anymore of Kobe Bryant's constant lack of ability to pass the ball and be un-selfish. So Kobe, who was the number two overall pick in the newly formed BBS expansion draft, was the odd-man out. How could Martinez say no to a living legend? Say no to a man who Martinez brought in for the sole purpose of winning a championship this year? He couldn't and that's why Kobe had to go.
New Orleans fans were stunned to hear the news. They were already reeling from a few weeks ago when coach Martinez somehow was able to get Mr. Air Jordan for a couple of future picks, but this time they weren't stunned with joy... they were stunned with anger. How could they trade away a franchise player like Kobe, who's only 20 years old, a fan favorite, and is a highleet reel waiting to happen? A player who most teams would die for. New Orleans fans musn't have read the entire headline. Once the fans sit back and take the trade for what it is they will realize the new face of the franchise that they have landed. He's a 7'0 man who can shoot from the outside, can score inside, can play the 3 or 4, and has as just a great future ahead of him as Kobe does. Did I mention he's only 20 years old as well? Tack on an added 2003 1st that the Los Angeles Lakers sent over in a draft that some scouts are calling possibly the best draft class in years, and you've got yourselves another excellent trade made by Martinez.
So now for Dirk's sake, let's hope that when Jordan calls for the ball in crunch time, he gets it to him no matter what, or maybe, just maybe, Jordan may be calling for his head too.