At this point, the status of the Lakers has become so soap opera-esque that you should be able to buy next season's hints and spoilers at the supermarket check-out line. And, with the conference finals going on with minimal-to-no fanfare, Kobe's insistance that Jerry West come back to Staples has been the only intriguing storyline of the week in basketball.
There are several things about this that bother me. First, Kobe was way out of line to demand anything. Not only is he insisting that West return to a decrepit and limping franchise (with an extraordinarily slim margin for error), he's forcing the 69-year-old (as of yesterday...happy Logo day!) into this anxiety-ridden situation. Honestly, the NBA has beaten up Jerry West like a hackey-sack. I wouldn't be surprised if he came back into full capacity and the damn job killed him.
Is there a worse way to treat the man who first believed in him, snatched him from Charlotte, and gave him a chance to thrive in the best environment possible, no matter how many three-pointers he airballed in that first round loss to Utah back in 97?
And you know what's worse? Jerry can't say no.
Kobe's statement was laced with more political content than a State of the Union address. (Especially a recent one.) Jerry has had a lifelong commitment to the Lakers, and friends throughout the franchise, and is associated league-wide as a Laker. To refuse Kobe's invitation would be to diss the Lakers on the highest level, to the point that Jerry's own reputation may take a hit. No way he can refuse.
But to accept would mean replacing his protegee, Mitch Kupchek, in such a way that would destroy his career. Mitch never asked to be rescued, and to replace him now (after three years of sub-par performances) would cement his term as GM to failure. And as Jerry is close with Mitch, there's no way he wants to do that.
Furthermore, he'd be leaving the Grizzlies on a sour note, with the worst record in the league and no past playoff success. That would mark his own tenure as their GM a failure as well, like an aborted experiment.
What a lousy position to put someone in. You can never go home again.
The plus side? I'm a Laker fan, and all remaining optomism in this franchise lies with Jerry West. Truly, he is a genius at the trade. I once heard that when he calls another GM, he dominates the conversation, presenting point-counterpoint arguments until they are defenseless and realize that to NOT give him what he wants would be their own mistake. THAT's why he's good for the NBA...both teams get better. Everybody wins.
How I would have loved to have him on my high school debate team.
So Jerry back at the helm for the Lakers, with numerous plus-side pieces to trade and an enormous bankroll is good for everybody. You think he'd let Baron, JKidd, or even KG get away from him? I'd put all my money on a blockbuster trade last season if he was around. (More attention for the league, more revenue...see how this goes?)
Hell, he might still make one happen.
Now, I have the highest level of respect for Jerry West. I actually grew up with his son, Ryan, in middle school, and understand the kindness and good nature that exists with Jerry's whole family. They are truly good people.
As a Laker fan, I want Jerry back ever so badly.
But as a fan of Jerry West, I am not quite so sure.
There are several things about this that bother me. First, Kobe was way out of line to demand anything. Not only is he insisting that West return to a decrepit and limping franchise (with an extraordinarily slim margin for error), he's forcing the 69-year-old (as of yesterday...happy Logo day!) into this anxiety-ridden situation. Honestly, the NBA has beaten up Jerry West like a hackey-sack. I wouldn't be surprised if he came back into full capacity and the damn job killed him.
Is there a worse way to treat the man who first believed in him, snatched him from Charlotte, and gave him a chance to thrive in the best environment possible, no matter how many three-pointers he airballed in that first round loss to Utah back in 97?
And you know what's worse? Jerry can't say no.
Kobe's statement was laced with more political content than a State of the Union address. (Especially a recent one.) Jerry has had a lifelong commitment to the Lakers, and friends throughout the franchise, and is associated league-wide as a Laker. To refuse Kobe's invitation would be to diss the Lakers on the highest level, to the point that Jerry's own reputation may take a hit. No way he can refuse.
But to accept would mean replacing his protegee, Mitch Kupchek, in such a way that would destroy his career. Mitch never asked to be rescued, and to replace him now (after three years of sub-par performances) would cement his term as GM to failure. And as Jerry is close with Mitch, there's no way he wants to do that.
Furthermore, he'd be leaving the Grizzlies on a sour note, with the worst record in the league and no past playoff success. That would mark his own tenure as their GM a failure as well, like an aborted experiment.
What a lousy position to put someone in. You can never go home again.
The plus side? I'm a Laker fan, and all remaining optomism in this franchise lies with Jerry West. Truly, he is a genius at the trade. I once heard that when he calls another GM, he dominates the conversation, presenting point-counterpoint arguments until they are defenseless and realize that to NOT give him what he wants would be their own mistake. THAT's why he's good for the NBA...both teams get better. Everybody wins.
How I would have loved to have him on my high school debate team.
So Jerry back at the helm for the Lakers, with numerous plus-side pieces to trade and an enormous bankroll is good for everybody. You think he'd let Baron, JKidd, or even KG get away from him? I'd put all my money on a blockbuster trade last season if he was around. (More attention for the league, more revenue...see how this goes?)
Hell, he might still make one happen.
Now, I have the highest level of respect for Jerry West. I actually grew up with his son, Ryan, in middle school, and understand the kindness and good nature that exists with Jerry's whole family. They are truly good people.
As a Laker fan, I want Jerry back ever so badly.
But as a fan of Jerry West, I am not quite so sure.
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