Now, we're going to see how much power Kobe Bryant has left within the Los Angeles Lakers organization.
Bryant is clearly frustrated with the Los Angeles Lakers management. The questions are how frustrated and how much do the Lakers care? Enough for Bryant to walk away if he doesn't see the situation improving? Enough for the Lakers to allow Bryant to walk away?
Bryant went off on a rant Wednesday, directing the Lakers ownership to get their act together before next season. As the Lakers' chances of landing a top-tier free agent next season appear to dwindle with each loss this season, Bryant was asked whether he'd be willing to wait for 2015 to get a big-name free agent if the team can position itself for a better selection after next season.
"Oh, yeah, let's just play next year and let's just suck again. No. Absolutely not," he said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "It's my job to go out there on the court and perform, no excuses for it. Right? You've got to get things done.
"Same thing with the front office. The same expectations they have of me when I perform on the court, it's the same expectations I have for them up there."
Bryant directed team owners Jim and Jeanie Buss to figure out a direction for the organization and start to build there. He spoke for the first time about his frustration that the team didn't rehire Phil Jackson after firing Mike Brown five games into the 2012-13 season.
The Times reported that Bryant was beside himself over the fact that the Lakers are about to let the New York Knicks hire Jackson to become part of its management team without a pre-emptive strike.
"You know how I feel about Phil. I have so much admiration for him and respect and have a great relationship with him," he said. "Personally, it would be hard for me to understand that happening twice. It would be tough. I don't really get it."
NBA TV reported late Wednesday that Jackson officially joined the Knicks.
Earlier reports Wednesday indicated coach Mike D'Antoni would not return next season, but that may not be enough by itself to pacify Bryant. He signed a two-year, $48 million contract in November but is coming off a cracked bone in his left knee in December after blowing out his Achilles tendon in his right foot last April.
He won't return to the court this season.
If the Lakers aren't taking what he would consider corrective measures, he might then have to weigh whether the rigors of rehabilitation would be worth his time. It's doubtful that someone with as much pride as Bryant would demand a trade and accept not being the face of a franchise.
Retirement, however, is something that Bryant already has discussed, saying he knows he has a shelf life. It's a possibility the Lakers and their fans must contemplate if the organization doesn't have a plan to return to contention in 2014-15.
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