The "Kobe Bryant Era" officially came to a close this evening in a humiliating home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.*
(who seemed quite resolute/satisfied to be the ones nailing the coffin closed)
The winning clip that must now occur for the Lakers to make the Playoffs is so outlandish that it cannot be discussed intelligently.
There is no possible scenario where Kobe is playing in a playoff game after this season. The Lakers are 4 out of last place in the Western Conference. They will be a lottery pick, and their wonderful draft option is going straight to the Suns from the Nash trade. (and plenty more)
Kupchak did not bother making a great issue of protecting the pick (why would he bother when they were going to win the NBA Championship?)
• Howard will leave (a 110% certainty)
• Nash will be 40 (another certainty)
• and no serious caliber player will sign with them knowing that his career ppg stats are going to be guillotined by Kobe's blind desperation to surpass Jordan on the All-Time Scoring list.
As bad as they are now, they will only get worse as the season goes, and will be dead last next season.
How might Kobe once again realistically reach the playoffs in any capacity?
In closing, I would like to tip my hat to all the seers, who foresaw this inevitable outcome, from the very first time the trades were confirmed. Speaking for myself, i knew it would unfold mosty as it has.There are others that called it correctly from the outset, it was so plain to see.
Well done, Gents. Cheers*
ps> i suppose Kobe could see the NBA playoffs again.. but he would have to be sitting with Jack (oops, i mean Billy– at the Staples Center)
ps2>> the Lakers will expose the All-Star Games most flawed system of allowing fans to determine the roster.*
How can the West All-Stars start TWO players from a team that may be 1-2 games from very last place in the Conference?!
It is an All-Star Game, not a popularity contest.*
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