The essence of the NBA is a business league, so whether it is from the side of the team or the players, the word "loyalty" is inevitably somewhat ironic. After all, everything is just a business. But it is precisely because of this that the story of one person and one city is even more precious. And the story of Kobe Bryant and the Lakers naturally leaves a strong mark on the four words of one person and one city.
Since being put on the Lakers' baseball cap on draft night in 1996, Bryant has never worn another team's jersey in his career. His "mamba spirit" still inspires countless people today. In Kobe's curtain call, the Lakers' famous player and the greatest point guard in NBA history, "Magic" Johnson, bluntly said that Kobe Bryant is the greatest player in the history of the Lakers!
However, behind this beautiful story, it is inevitable that there will be some small twists and turns. Bryant almost left the Lakers twice! What's the story behind this?
In the summer of 2004, the Lakers who lost the Finals were about to fall apart, especially the contradiction between Kobe Bryant and O'Neal seemed irreconcilable. Bryant also began to think about whether to choose the Los Angeles Clippers next door. Long before the draft, Bryant had tried out for the Clippers, which can be said to have a long history. Unlike the star-studded Lakers, the Clippers' team history is enough to describe the word "sad urge". And if Kobe Bryant can do a vision in the Clippers, the historical position is self-evident.
Clippers owner Jenny Bass also said in an episode that Bryant is indeed infinitely close to the Clippers. Kobe Bryant once appeared before the game wearing a Clippers color match. Lakers star Jerry West also admitted in an interview that Kobe Bryant wanted to sign with the Clippers in 2004, but West, who was the Lakers' management at the time, persuaded Kobe. Interestingly, Bryant dedicated his entire career to the Lakers, while West joined the Clippers in 2017.
In 2007, Bryant was 29 years old. Since the breakup of the Lakers F4, Kobe Bryant has been struggling to support the weak team alone. Despite Bryant's frequent pressure to strengthen the team, the management still did not move. So Kobe Bryant chose to apply for a trade. Bryant, who wields the veto of the deal, makes the Chicago Bulls his designated home.
Although the two teams eventually reached an agreement, because the bulls paid too much chips, Kobe Bryant also knew that the Bulls who were struggling to get him would not be too competitive. The deal failed. Bryant stayed with the Lakers. And the Lakers also completed a robbery deal - using water cargo Kwame Brown as the main chip in exchange for star player Paul Gasol. And the Lakers have since gone on the road to rejuvenation.