Kobe Bryant’s aging body, dipped performance and high salary have somewhat handcuffed the Lakers the past few seasons. We all see it, and perhaps, Kobe does as well. But, it’s one thing to realize this is the case, and it’s another thing entirely to say that out loud. That’s more or less what Mitch Kupchak said about Bryant.
We cannot move on as a team until Kobe leaves,” Kupchak said. “Part of that to me is painful because I’ve been here 20 years with Kobe.
“This is a year that’s dedicated to Kobe and his farewell. From my point of view, it gives me complete clarity. … We know what our [salary] cap situation is going to be like…. “We feel in the last two years that we’ve gotten at least five attractive young players,” said Kupchak, listing Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, Larry Nance Jr. and Anthony Brown.”
Kobe is not be blamed for him being overpaid a few years ago. He didn’t threaten anyone to receive that. But the Lakers did themselves no favors in that regard. And these comments on put Kupchak on the hook for turning this team into a contender now.
H/T: LA Times
