Black Mamba Drama

Take it from the LA Times, people, because they know better than you. From this point on, they're the only news source I'm listening to on the matter. Kobe isn't going anywhere this summer. Not before the draft, not after it. And as much of a hump as Jerry Buss is, he'll be doing the right thing by keeping Mamba in town. Kobe's bitter as all hell about it (and rightfully so), but he's not going to Chicago... yet. Check back in a year.

Meanwhile, I cannot say the thought of a Jermaine O'Neal for Bynum and Odom swap is very enticing. Not unless the Lakers had another deal in line to follow that up. Why? Because I see it largely as a wash with regards to the Lakers. If they are to "compete" as Kobe desires, they'll need a player of Odom's caliber in a tertiary roll. Otherwise, a two-man show of Mamba and Jermaine doesn't have nearly the impact or the veteran supporting cast that the Shaq/Kobe teams did. Bynum, Walton, and a first round pick to Indiana for the big guy? Now we're talking.