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Kobe Will Always Be A Laker

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“I bleed purple and gold”. The phrase is something countless fans have uttered throughout history to prove their allegiance to the once mighty Los Angeles Lakers.  With the slow start this year, the Lakers are 0-4 and searching for their first victory of the season.  Of course, with the lackluster performances thus far, trade rumors are heating up with Kobe Bryant at the center of it all. In a recent interview with Yahoo! Sports, Bryant put to rest the chatter and eased the concerns of Laker Nation.

“I hear the chatter of Kobe should ask out and he should go and play for a contender in this latter stage of his career,” Bryant told Yahoo Sports. “But that’s not what I do. I’m extremely loyal to the Lakers.”

“I believe in fighting through the tough times as well as enjoying the good times. It’s my responsibility to get us to be the best that we can be. It’s important that we approach that on a day-to-day basis.”

Bryant clearly is in pursuit of his sixth championship, but that seems more difficult now than ever before in his career.  However, Bryant is not prepared to pack his bags and take the plane to a contender. Instead, he is prepared to stay put to try and put the Lakers back on track.

“I’ve enjoyed a great amount of success here. You can’t just enjoy the successful times and then run away from the bad ones. No, I don’t even think about [departing]. I’m a Laker.”

At this point in his career, Bryant is focused on winning with the Lakers, and not jumping ship at the first sign of rough seas.  Not to say that this season is merely in rough waters, it’s more than likely headed into a full blown hurricane that won’t leave much to be salvaged from the wreckage. However, this only proves Bryant’s loyalty to his squad that took a “chance” on him in 1996.

In a season that looked fairly promising back in early October, Steve Nash has since been ruled out for the season due to recurring back issues, as well as the highly touted rookie Julius Randle, who suffered a season ending leg injury in the opener versus Houston.  With Randle out until next season, and Nash not likely to play another NBA game, the Lakers will have to look to other guys to step up and fill their shoes.

“We can’t get discouraged by it,” Bryant said. “It’s a very long season. You just have to stay the course. Keep on looking to improve, keep on looking to get better and things will eventually break.”

Lakers fans everywhere are hoping something breaks for them this season, anything to provide a glimmer of hope for the future.  One thing is certain, Bryant will be a part of the Lakers no matter what happens.  Not only has he said he is staying with the purple and gold, but his contract makes him difficult to move without getting considerable compensation in return.  Rumors have flown around saying no one would want Bryant at this stage of his career, and that is nonsense.  That has never been the issue. The question of whether he is thinking about taking off, which has already been established by Bryant to be a definite NO.

Bryant has enjoyed a strong start to the season, effectively muzzling any detractors that said he would never be the same again post injuries.  Averaging 24 PPG, Bryant is showing he still has what makes him who he is.  Sure, he has lost some athleticism, vertical, and foot speed on defense but that comes with age, and as fine wine gets better with age, so does Bryant. Vino.

It was not too long ago that Bryant was demanding a trade from Los Angeles back in 2007, but things are different this time around.

“We offered Pau an incredible deal. I saw them put the work in. It’s much different than in 2007 when I felt like they were just sitting on their hands. This is not that case. They were going after it and being aggressive. I will fight for that till the end. They tried, tried and tried and it didn’t work out. I stand behind them 110 percent. I bleed purple and gold.”

Bryant’s loyalty is with Los Angeles, and there is not any evidence to dispute that.  With this season in doubt for a playoff push, the Lakers and their fans must look to the future and stay optimistic, knowing things will eventually get better.

“You have to understand there is nothing you can do with what’s transpired,” Bryant said. “You have to move on to tomorrow. Right? You have to. Kicking and screaming is not going to do anything.

“Lakers fans know it’s a process. Things can turn pretty quickly. We’ve seen it there before. If there is anything we’re relying on, we’re relying on our history, what we’ve been able to accomplish and how quickly we are able to turn things around.”

The Lakers’ first-round pick in 2015 is top-five protected meaning the Lakers keep it if they finish in the top five of next year’s draft, otherwise it will end up with Phoenix via the Nash trade two seasons ago.  Barring a surprising turnaround, it looks like a possibility the pick stays in Los Angeles and the Lakers have that to look forward to.  But what I think is most important, is the fact that we are all witnessing the twilight of a legend’s career, and watching one of the best players to ever play the game finish strong.  Cherish it Laker fans, there will never be another Kobe Bean Bryant in the NBA.

The post Kobe Will Always Be A Laker appeared first on Laker Nation.


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