Kobe Bryant furious at the Lamar Odom – Dallas Mavericks trade: NBA News
Unlike old days, franchises do not take their star players on board while making trades of huge proportions.
Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard complained of that on Sunday, a day which also saw Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant vent out his frustration at the trade of long time teammate and friend, Lamar Odom.
"I don't like it," said Bryant in a press meet after training. "To be honest with you, I don't like it."
Odom first appeared in the trade loop last week when the Lakers tried to rope in New Orleans Hornets ace point guard Chris Paul. In what was a three way deal also involving the Houston Rockets, the Lakers would have given Spanish power forward Pau Gasol to Houston and Odom to the Hornets, with Rockets big Luis Scola, guards Kevin Martin and Goran Drajic, and a 2012 first-round pick going to the Hornets as well.
The deal however dealt a big blow when David Stern, the NBA commissioner, who is technically in charge of the Hornets did not vet after some small market franchises raised valid objections. If the deal had gone through, the Lakers, in addition to getting Paul, would have cleared a major portion of their salary cap space and that would have allowed them to bid for Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic centre.
Odom, who won the ‘Sixth Man of the Year’ award last season, was left devastated by the developments and publically spoke of his disappointment at the treatment of the franchise, he had served for seven years.
Kobe had not spoken on the issue till Sunday, but when he did, the Black Mamba had some strong words for his bosses;
"You're talking about the Sixth Man of the Year last year," Bryant said. "He played lights out. I don't understand the criticism of reality shows and this, that and the other. I don't get it. I don't understand that. He had his best season last season, clearly wasn't a distraction and he played his a*s off. I don't get where that comes from."
When reminded that his long time team mate will now be in Dallas Mavericks, the team that swept the Lakers in last season’s Western Conference Semifinals, Kobe became bitter;
"Now I'm getting pissed off," he said.
The Lakers are now trying to get their hands on Dwight Howard; however if they fail to do so, they will be in hot waters.
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