Kobe in a Mavericks Uniform? It’s Worth Consideration
By Randy Galloway, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas
Oct. 19–Picture this:
The Mavs flying across half court, with J.J. Barea the fast-break triggerman.
His wingman to the left, that’s Dirk. And to the right?
That’s Kobe.
J.J. scoots past Nash. J.J. looks left, where Marion has Dirk shadowed. But then J.J. sees Kobe fly by Raja. Kobe ditches Bell.
J.J. with the alley-oop — it’s an earthquake slam by Kobe. Crowd goes wild.
What is wrong with this picture?
Can I mention first that Barea, the pint-sized young point guard, has basically never played a significant minute for the Mavericks. But in this fantasy league, he’s now your starter at the point.
And while J.J., Dirk and Kobe are mentioned, the identity of the other two Mavs on the floor is an unknown.
But Kobe as a Maverick?
Kobe being Kobe, and all the B.S. he brings, would that be a good thing for this team, all negatives considered?
Is it even a possibility that Kobe will be a Maverick, like soon?
Heck, yes. It is a possibility, which probably means less than 50 percent, and at the moment, the details are rather murky. But this we know: Kobe is forcing the Lakers’ hand. He is pushing for a trade.
The LA owner, Jerry Buss, is trying to wrap his hair around this Lakers’ mess. Because of a strong no-trade clause in the contract, Kobe has the hammer. He can basically dictate the terms of the deal, and can also walk on the Lakers in two years.
ESPN.com is reporting Kobe has the Mavericks at No. 1 on his desired relocation.
Despite what the company line might currently be, the Mavericks are very interested, and will pursue the possibility with much vigor. If there’s a deal to be done, then this team needs to get it done.
Granted, some of you will notice a flip-flop in this column space. There have been many years of documented Kobe hate. Speaking of rats, he can be the largest rodent of all.
But …
It’s the same thing as over the summer when Kevin Garnett was available. The Mavs took their best shot at him, which was giving up everything except Dirk, but the Timberwolves weren’t interested in the package.
Suddenly, it’s Kobe who is now a possibility.
It’s the truth when the Mavs’ company line continues to be “We love our team.”
But anyone who saw the evidence of early May, or in June of last year, cannot dismiss a drastic overhaul if an immense talent could be coming this way.
Garnett was that. So is Kobe.
That’s my flip-flop explanation on Bryant. He’s too good to pass up.
But what do the Mavs give up?
Logic says it would take everything except Dirk. That means Josh Howard and Devin Harris, for sure, probably Jason Terry, and also other pieces.
Would the Lakers do that for Kobe?
Remember, Kobe can force Buss to do things he might not normally do because of the contract.
There will be yelps of protest locally over, No. 1, Kobe even being here, and No. 2, gutting the team. On the first point, I might have agreed not long ago, but …
Then I remember early May, and June a year ago.
I’d take a foundation of Kobe and Dirk, two superstars, and activate Avery Johnson to play point guard.
Then again, what about this kind of deal:
Trade Dirk for Kobe head up, and keep the rest of the Mavs’ roster?
Does that make the Mavs that much better?
And a major reason Kobe wants to come here certainly involves Dirk. Kobe is constantly hissing and moaning about the lack of another big-time guy on the Lakers, although his role in running off Shaq is certainly an ongoing debate.
Kobe’s presence would allow Dirk to perform without “The Man” pressure he’s never been comfortable with.
Plus, Kobe has that “killer” in him that Avery finds lacking on a roster of nice guys.
Me, I’d start with the Kobe and Dirk combo, and then happily seek other needed pieces.
Can it happen? Can Kobe end up here?
It’s the kind of monster deal that actually takes the basketball people out of the process for the most part. That is never a good thing, but in this case, Mark Cuban and Buss will be the major players because of the massive amount of money involved.
I can’t see Cuban backing off, and Buss has limited options.
Kobe to the Mavs is a possibility that has a chance to become reality.
I said “a chance.”
Go ahead, Mr. Cuban, and take that chance.
Randy Galloway’s Galloway & Co. can be heard weekdays 3-6 p.m. on ESPN/103.3 FM.
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rgalloway@star-telegram.com Randy Galloway, 817-390-7760
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