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[Kane3387]

”A league source told the Daily News that the Lakers stars got into a heated exchange following a New Year’s Day loss to the 76ers, and Bryant went for a low blow – referencing and agreeing with Shaquille O’Neal’s criticisms of Howard being soft. Howard was restrained from going at his teammate, according to the source, and there have been rumblings from the center’s camp that he’s been unhappy with Bryant since earlier in the season. Three days after the altercation, following a disheartening loss to the Clippers, Howard complained about the lack of chemistry on the Lakers. It was a comment seemingly directed at Bryant, who is averaging a league-high 22 shots despite playing with three potential Hall of Famers. “Look at the difference between our team and (the Clippers),” Howard said. “They just play together. They share the ball. Everybody’s excited when something happens. “(Chemistry) is something we have to do to get better,” Howard told reporters in L.A. “We have to play like we like each other. Even if we don’t want to be friends off the court, whatever that may be, when we step in between the lines or we step in the locker room or the gym, we have to respect each other and what we bring to the table.”

Kobe can't HELP but clash with lead players he feels are underperforming. He couldn't co-exist with Shaq, constantly takes subtle shots at Pau, and now seems to be going after Dwight.

His obsession with chasing the ghost that is Michael Jordan has consumed him. He cares only for a sixth ring and his legacy. He will stop at nothing to make sure he is justifiably comparable to his Airness when his career is over.

It looks like in doing so he could push Howard right out the door. If things don't turn around soon I think the Lakers will seriously consider trading Howard before the deadline. I believe this because the West is tough and LA is sitting at 11th in the West. They basically have no shot at HCA in the first round and might miss the playoffs entirely. Howard will get all the blame if this happens b/c Kobe is invincible in LA.

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2013/01/07/sheridan-dwight-phil-jax-could-both-end-up-in-brooklyn/

[IndeedProceed]

Story's already been debunked. It was a verbal argument that's already over.

[Lucky17]

Normally, I wouldn't agree with Kobe.

But, who was it that managed to "restrain" Dwight? If it was Pau and Jordan Hill, that's one thing. If it was Steve Nash and Steve Blake, maybe Kobe has a point.

[Fafnir]

Debunked?

I don't know, denied certainly.

The idea that the Laker locker room could keep anything quiet doesn't strike me as likely so I don't believe it.

I'm sure they've had an awful lot of "verbal encounters" though. Kobe has to blame someone who isn't him for the defensive woes of this team.

[wdleehi]

Big shock.



Kobe can't get along with a star big man that many would say is the better player at this point.



The only star he has ever got along with (but complains about to the media) is the quiet, underrated Gasol. 

[IndeedProceed]

Debunked?

I don't know, denied certainly.

The idea that the Laker locker room could keep anything quiet doesn't strike me as likely so I don't believe it.

I'm sure they've had an awful lot of "verbal encounters" though. Kobe has to blame someone who isn't him for the defensive woes of this team.

Right, maybe I spoke too soon.

Its all a crap sandwich.

The New York Daily News broke the story, it was linked to by Chris Sheridan, and rebuffed by a columnist from RealGM, then picked up by ESPN.

That's like eating a gordito wraped around a KFC Double-Down.

[Lucky17]

That's like eating a gordito wraped around a KFC Double-Down.

Ay caramba!

[wdleehi]

This all playing out in my dream scenario.




Kobe/Howard lakers implode. 


Howard leaves the Lakers and go to the place that would hurt them the most, the Celtics.



Howard begins to play like the top big man in the league again. 

[Chris]

I am starting to get excited about the idea (that I made up) of the Lakers deciding to go all in with Howard, and trading Kobe to Brooklyn, where he can reunite with Phil.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

This all playing out in my dream scenario.




Kobe/Howard lakers implode. 


Howard leaves the Lakers and go to the place that would hurt them the most, the Celtics.



Howard begins to play like the top big man in the league again.

As long as he doesn't leave the team behind when things get sour, and do all that "loyalty" thing again, I'm on board.

[Kane3387]

The real point is that this team might actually miss the playoffs and literally implode before our eyes.

Their next three games are @Rockets, @Spurs, and OKC.  They could easily lose all 3 and be at 15-21 and potentially 13th in the West with only five games to play before mid-season literally hits.

If this team was to miss the playoffs, it would HAVE to be the most disappointing team in NBA history right?

Update: Both Howard and Gasol are out indefinitely. No way they win any of these next three games without the two bigs.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8821787/injured-los-angeles-lakers-dwight-howard-pau-gasol-indefinitely

[IndeedProceed]

Then, there's this:

[Snakehead]

Big smile on my face over here.

[Fafnir]

Big shock.



Kobe can't get along with a star big man that many would say is the better player at this point.



The only star he has ever got along with (but complains about to the media) is the quiet, underrated Gasol.

And he repeatedly and publically dumped on Gasol often enough.

[Snakehead]

Big shock.



Kobe can't get along with a star big man that many would say is the better player at this point.



The only star he has ever got along with (but complains about to the media) is the quiet, underrated Gasol.

And he repeatedly and publically dumped on Gasol often enough.

Yeah.  It's not like he hasn't taken shots Gasol just won't fire back.