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Philippines, 20 Apr 2024 |
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NBA -- Kobe Bryant: Almost a Bull By Kelly Manalo PhilBoxing.com Wed, 22 Jan 2014  CHICAGO -- As I nestled on my seat at the United Center's press box on Martin Luther King Day, I thought of the NBA's "Dream Big" slogan and wondered how Chicago and Los Angeles once dreamed big and nearly traded Kobe Bryant to the Bulls. The Bulls and Lakers faced each other Monday night and I found it amazing that plenty of Lakers fans braved enemy lair and proudly wore Lakers' colors, especially jersey No.24. I remember a time in 2007 when the Lakers were struggling and Bryant was demanding a trade if the organization did nothing to help bring talent to Los Angeles. Chicago was a place Bryant desired. And why not? This is where perhaps the greatest of them all -- Michael Jordan -- built his legend. The mulled trade would have involved Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and Joakin Noakim being swapped for Kobe. It never happened and the rest, as they say, is history. Kobe has since won two more championships while the Bulls drafted Derrick Rose, who became an MVP while Deng and Noah blossomed into All-Stars. Now that I look back and think about it, my belief is that both franchises made the best choices for their respective teams at that time. Chicago may have not gotten Derrick Rose, who restored hope for Chicago basketball. The Lakers may not have won two more championships if Bryant were traded. Would Kobe have brought more titles to Chicago? We will never know. Both franchises are struggling now with the two superstars sitting out with injury. But if that trade were to have happened, Kobe would still be out today for the Bulls, and who knows where the Lakers would be if they had Deng and Noah. Kobe traveled to Chicago and spoke to the media. He looked upbeat and spoke for awhile, and when asked about his injuries, the 5 time NBA champion responded, ?There?s really nothing much you can do about it. It is what it is.? Two of the best franchises in the NBA have to deal with what they have, superstars that are hurt. Still, fans continue to show their pride and loyalty in these difficult times. (KM) Click here to view a list of other articles written by Kelly Manalo.  |
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