[jjgold]

In an interview with The New York Times Magazine in December, Klinsmann questioned why a team like the Lakers would give the 35-year-old Bryant a two-year, $48.5 million extension when his best days on the basketball court are behind him.
"This always happens in America," Klinsmann, a native of Germany, said in the interview. "Kobe Bryant, for example -- why does he get a two-year contract extension for $50 million? Because of what he is going to do in the next two years for the Lakers? Of course not. Of course not. He gets it because of what he has done before. It makes no sense. Why do you pay for what has already happened?"

[daneblazer]

[ChalkyDog]

You sign Kobe to $50 mil over the next two years, because his jersey sales in East Asia alone cover his contract.

You also do so happily because of what he has given you prior.

[amolg24]

Its a business in the end...if it wasn't worth it they wouldn't make the deal.

[easyliving]

You sign Kobe to $50 mil over the next two years, because his jersey sales in East Asia alone cover his contract.

You also do so happily because of what he has given you prior.

that plus you don't mind being mediocre for a couple years and starting the rebuilding process early in a Western Conference that is loaded with talent.

[jjgold]

I agree with Klinsman

Guy should be a GM in America especially baseball

[thechaoz]

This is what Baalke is doing in SF(49ers), hence our epic turn around ..Doesn't pay for what you DID,but what you'll do

[crustyme]

he cut donovan so what does he know.

kobe was the best player when he blew out his achillies. getting a year off is a blessing in disguise since he had played the most amount of games since 2007.

anyways no one said anything when bulls gave jordan $63 mil in his final 2 seasons.

[DR225]

This is what Baalke is doing in SF(49ers), hence our epic turn around ..Doesn't pay for what you DID,but what you'll do

This isn't a problem in football because the contracts aren't guaranteed like the nba, mlb and nhl.

[easyliving]

anyways no one said anything when bulls gave jordan $63 mil in his final 2 seasons.

Jordan retired at 35, Kobe gonna be 36 when the season starts no comparison their. I don't think anyone is questioning whether Kobe can still perform their is no doubt that he can still make shots when needed, its just a matter of whether he can stay healthy and play 2 more full seasons.

[jjgold]

Owner ned to understand you do not need old washed up guys anymore in any sport to win baseball being number 1

Lakers have ZERO shot to do anything..Kobe is old and too slow,,does not work in NBA

Young guys will chew him alive..look how Mills and the other young guard on Spurs leaked on Wade..kept stealing ball from him

[BennyBigNuts]

They gave that flaming Aids boy Magic like 35 million for one year too, didn't they?

[violivei12]

Klinsman was right regarding the fact that Kobe is not worth 48 mil ON the basketball court. His talent is (including his ability to stay healthy and number of minutes) is not worth as much as he got. But in terms of sales and number of butts Kobe will put in the seats, he is probably worth that amount to the organization. Unfortunately no matter how much he brings in his salary still counts against the salary cap. So it makes sense in relation to Landon Donavan because he is not worried about making money for the US team he is strictly focused on winning.

[DR225]

nah, they didn't make that kind of money back then. Magic's contact was one of the best ever, he signed a 25 year, 25 million dollar contract a year or two (something like that) into his career.

[BennyBigNuts]

nah, they didn't make that kind of money back then. Magic's contact was one of the best ever, he signed a 25 year, 25 million dollar contract a year or two (something like that) into his career.

Yeah, I had to look it up.
They gave aids boy 14.6 mill to come back for one year, which was insane money at that time.
some of the stats in this article are sick.
Ryne Sandberg was highest paid MLB player at the time.
The Cleveland Indians payroll was 8 million. lol.

http://articles.latimes.com/1992-10-..._magic-johnson

[7secondsOrLess]

flaming aids boy lmaoo

[Vaughany]

Same as with david beckham...its for commercial side

[farmhouse1]

Hahahaha Kobe was NOT the best player when he blew out his Achilles hahaha wtf are you smoking???

he cut donovan so what does he know.

kobe was the best player when he blew out his achillies. getting a year off is a blessing in disguise since he had played the most amount of games since 2007.

anyways no one said anything when bulls gave jordan $63 mil in his final 2 seasons.

[farmhouse1]

You're a dumbass kid. The reason they do it is because 1 they can easily afford it. 2 it's a business and they wanna look good for future prospects. Think about it kid. If young players see how well the lakers organization takes care of their players don't you think it'll make it a much more attractive place to go play. It's done for future business purposes.

Owner ned to understand you do not need old washed up guys anymore in any sport to win baseball being number 1

Lakers have ZERO shot to do anything..Kobe is old and too slow,,does not work in NBA

Young guys will chew him alive..look how Mills and the other young guard on Spurs leaked on Wade..kept stealing ball from him