After yesterdays crazy media frenzy over Kobe’s well executed radio interview blast, Laker owner Jerry Buss gave Kobe a call and touched base about the issues at hand.

In a press release he made available this morning, he stated…..“I talked with Kobe this morning and assured him that I share his frustration and, more importantly, I assured him that we will continue to pursue every avenue possible to improve our team with him as the cornerstone. I told him that we will keep him apprised of our progress and we agreed that we will talk again in the very near future.”

The main reason why Kobe was so angry is because of the miscommunication. Imagine being one of the key components of a multi-hundred million dollar corporation, and not knowing what the hell is going on. Being in the dark and taking the criticism from national media saying that almost everything is your fault, but still having to go out every night and do your job in front of them all.

THAT CAN WEAR SOMEONE DOWN TO THE POINT THAT THEY WOULD LIKE A CHANGE(Trade) IN SCENERY.

I think Kobe used the platform that was available to him very intelligently, whether it was intentional or based on pure emotion.
Starting with:

• a demand for change at the exit interview press conference
• a request for a general manager (Jerry West) that proved he can BUILD a contender and WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS
• an early morning ESPN interview requesting a trade with Stephen A. Smith
• a midday ESPN interview with Dan Patrick
• an afternoon interview on Loose Cannons AM570, addressing the same issues, but making sense of the situation

All to have somebody just give him a phone call and COMMUNICATE to him what is going on in the organizations future, and to address that they will be doing everything they can to build a contending team in the near future, directly.

I think that was worth it. Because he had no other choice.

Kobe said in all of the interviews, “I just want the truth.” Hopefully this time Jerry Buss can handle telling him the truth that the organization will….. “pursue every avenue possible to improve [the] team with him as the cornerstone.”

Kobe was on am570 sport radio a couple hours after the shocking Stephen A. Smith espn interview.

Kobe still communicated the ways he felt betrayed and lied to by the Lakers organization, but he also said that he doesn’t want to be anywhere else but in Los Angeles. Kobe sounded a lot better, saying that he talked to head coach Phil Jackson.

Coach told him to calm down and see what the Lakers organization will do after the last few days communications by Kobe through the media.

Kobe simply said he wants a phone call, and was fickle about the a press release the organization released hours after Kobe’s espn interview with Stephen A. Smith.

Listen to the podcast, tell me your thoughts…

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

EL SEGUNDO – In response to inquiries regarding Kobe Bryant’s comments in the media today requesting a trade, Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss has issued the following statement:

“We are aware of the media reports. However, Kobe has not told us directly that he wants to be traded. We have made it very clear that we are building our team around Kobe and that we intend for him to be a Laker his entire career. We will speak directly to Kobe and until we do that, we will not comment publicly about this.”

Kobe really bared all on Stephen A. Smith ESPN podcast.

He shared with Smith on the promises made to him on the departure of Shaq that they would begin rebuilding a championship contender. Kobe said the main reason he resigned to the team was due to Laker owner Jerry Buss promising him to build a winning team in the near future at the end of the 2004 season.

He reiterated that also a Laker insider was saying to the media that Kobe was the reason for Shaqs departure was very upsetting to him coming from the organization, and that he was well aware of who this ‘insider’ was.

The main reasons for demanding a trade were that, he feels lied to by the Laker’s organization and feels that their is major unlikelihood of building a championship contending team in the near future.

When asked if he wanted to be traded, Kobe replied, ‘Yes, I want to be traded, and there is nothing they can do….I just want them to do the right thing.’

podcast will be up soon……..

Kobe really sheds light in this interview on AM570 about some of the stuff that has been going on in the past week with his comments on espn about demanding a change in General Manager a la Jerry Wests return.

His comments really took over headlines beyond the current NBA playoffs because of the seed planted within online articles saying that ‘Kobe demanded a Trade.” This radio interview opens some eyes on what happened in the past throughout the Shaq trade and Kobe’s decision to stay a Laker.

Kobe vents on ‘trust issues’ with the team due to a Laker insider saying Kobe forced out Shaq, as well as the conversation from a phone call Phil and Kobe talking to each other about Phil’s last year in 2004.

When asked “is this repairable Kobe?” He answers, “I don’t know”

Listen and let me know what you all think….

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Lakers owner Jerry Buss was arrested Tuesday morning in Carlsbad, CA for suspicion of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He potentialy could face two misdemeanor charger from the incident.

The police report says, Buss failed a sobriety test @ 12:50 am with a blood alcohol level of 0.08%, which is above the legal limit.

23-year old Jeannana M. Flores was accompaning Dr. Buss in his mercedes, she was not arrested.

Well we know this will be getting some attention with the recent Kobe comment coverage in the national media.

According to the AOL Sports Blog, Kobe Bryant is a lot more frustrated with Laker management than he seemed in the recent press conference comments. Stephen A. Smith has been quoted saying,

“I’ve spoke to several people in the league, believe it or not Kobe does have an abundance of friends in this league contrary to popular belief and they all said to me, you know what, he is completely disgusted and you can’t even measure the level of hostility he’s feeling towards the Lakers organization right now.

[...]

He has absolutely no problem leaving if the Los Angeles Lakers, specifically owner Jerry Buss doesn’t get his act together. Do not be surprised at all if this stuff continues if Kobe Bryant some time around next year is asking to be traded.”

I think it makes total sense and it shows a lot of maturity from Kobe. He calls out folks that can make a difference in the organization. There is more pressure than ever on Mitch Kupchak this off-season to make something happen, because the media will have a field day if it doesn’t…Thanks to Kobe.

In a LA Times article, Jeannie Buss was on Fred Roggins morning show on am570 and was asked about her brothers recent comments about Phil on the Loose Cannons afternoon show on the same station

Jim’s commented on Phil’s calling out of players work ethic for motivational in the media especially during the playoffs. Jim Buss said that is not his style, but the LA Times forgot to mention the Jim also said in the same interview, ‘…..that you have to remember that Phil has won 9 championships, and I will not argue with him with his philosophy because he obviously knows what he is doing even though I do not agree with it.’

In the interview, Jeannie said that her brother and her have not talked about it yet and “It’s a tough situation because I date the coach and so that brings some different dynamics into the relationship.”

Phil, Jeannie and Jim met in a meeting on Tuesday, “I’m very protective of Phil,” Jeanie said. “I know how hard he works, and I know how dedicated he is to this team and the Buss family.”

Hopefully this bullshit drama will end soon and we will get a team together that can play some decent ball on a consistent level.

Jim Cleamons talks about the NBA playoffs, the Lakers, and the possibility of getting a head coaching job!!

This is a great interview, and he covers all of the bases and really convinces me that he can make a really good head coach in the NBA.

Heres the podcast…….

Jim Cleamons on AM570

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Laker assistant coaches Kurt Rambis, Jim Cleamons, and Brian Shaw are all in the process of interviewing for a NBA head coaching position.

The main teams interested are the Seattle Supersonics, Sacramento Kings, and Indiana Pacers. All teams that have fired their existing coaches from the last season.

Kurt Rambis a nine year assistant with Laker’s is probably first on all teams list as a probable candidate, being considered for the top spot at Seattle and Sacramento. The King’s ended Eric Musselman’s one year stint.

Brian Shaw is being interviewed by the Indiana Pacers who recently fired Rick Carlisle.

Jim Cleamons is being considered for the Seattle coaching vacancy, which was left by Bob Hill after having a 35-51 season.