New York City is a place unlike any other.
Globally, it has cache as one of the coolest, slickest, and most exciting place in the world.
I work in the city, and I know people who live in Manhattan...and it is everything it’s cracked up to be.
Regardless of all the coolness NYC has to offer, it will not lure in Kobe Bryant, as a recent Sports Illustrated article suggested.
The argument for Bryant to come to the Knicks is as follows: Bryant enjoyed playing for Mike D'Antoni in the Olympics, and Phil Jackson may retire soon. Plus, Bryant has not yet worked out a contract extension with the Lakers, leaving him a window to come to New York for a big payday.
Which leads us to the obligatory: it’s New York City! Madison Square Garden! Big market! Lots of media and attention!
I love living here and I love this city, but that’s not nearly enough to draw in Bryant. Not by a long shot.
Let’s think about this logically.
If Phil Jackson retires after this season, the Lakers aren’t going to replace him with a lemon as a coach. They’ll get somebody great, because coaching for the L.A. Lakers is a desirable job for great coaches.
Bryant opted out of the clause that would have allowed him to renegotiate a new deal roughly a year ago because he wanted to stay with the Lakers.
As for all the intangibles that New York City offers, they don’t exceed what Los Angeles can offer.
Madison Square Garden may garner a lot of respect in the basketball world, but in the same respect, the Staples Center is not the Verizon Center (home of the Washington Wizards.)
The Staples Center has history, as well as the glitz and glam of Hollywood—including lighti...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
