The truth about Kobe

The NY sports machine is using Kobe's inevitable departure as just another reason to dump on Isiah. Not only is this unfair, it's a red-herring.

Here's the truth about the Kobe situation as I see it.

Unless Chicago believes that Kobe is as good as MJ then they aren't trading their youth for a guy who couldn't carry the Lakers past round one. In other words, Chicago has invested far too much time to break up a talented team that has no use for Kobe. Chicago can already get into the playoffs and shine.

And Kobe is no Michael Jordan. And Chicago is a notoriously thrifty franchise. They aren't running a team to showcase Kobe any time soon because if it is not a sure thing in LA, it could deteriorate the franchise in Chicago.

Now, what Kobe is is a good role superstar player. In other words a very, very expensive vet who brings good things to the table as long as you have a guy like, say, Randolph patrolling the paint. Ben Wallace on the other hand, was a refreshing over-achiever who is on the back-slide of his career. Would Kobe be happy on a perennially struggling team gutted of the young talent that makes them exciting? He's already on one.

Furthermore, Buss can get a great deal in NY - we know it and he knows it.

That fact that Isiah isn't talking is a two-fold discretion. First, why tip your hand to begin with? There's no bidding war going on for Kobe. It is Buss who will try to up the ante, not the GM's offering a deal.

But Isiah, is also confident enough to know the Knicks are at a tipping point - they are brimming with hungry talent that is ready to explode upon the scene. Kobe would just make them radioactive. So why discuss trade possibilities with guys who are preparing to go all the way with you? That would be demoralizing.

The idea that Kobe wouldn't want the cover that the Dolan, Isiah soap-opera offers is silly. Kobe would look like a choirboy in NY - exactly what he needs to refresh his image and diminishing career prospects.

Finally, Isiah's silence is loudly telling us a deal may be in the works.

Curry or Randolph, Crawford, and a handful of youngsters could get the deal done easily. LA won't get Lee but they might get a Chandler or Balkman and LA may pry Mardy Collins away.

Don't blather saying that kind of deal isn't enticing. If Frazier thinks so highly of Collins you know Phil Jackson is no fool - a Knicks trade offers an instant rebuild of the Lakers AND gives Phil Jackson a Knicks West team to stick around for.

The Knicks may get stuck with Odom or Kwame along the way and the Knicks will look a lot more like a veteran team. Allan Houston would be sure to stick and LA would have to take back a Jerome James to compensate any bad contracts coming this way.

IMO, (and I'm not wishing it), Kobe is closer to being a Knick than a Bull for better or worse. And Dolan, for all his faults is the Joker in any KOBE deal - Knicks can afford it, they're crazy enough to do it, and in NY Kobe can do it his way.

Book it.