Here is the transcript from the Stephen A Smith radio show with Kobe:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=kobetranscript
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KB: Well, you know, it's tough because, I mean, you know, when you're with an organization for 11 years, you've been a fan of theirs growing up, you just love everything about the organization in terms of, you know, the players and the history, you know, the fans, the city. You know, to go through something like this is extremely difficult, you know, finding out about Shaq's situation, them promising me one thing in terms of wanting to rebuild right now, and telling Phil Jackson another thing. You know, it's rough, man.
But, you know, I just don't see how you can, you know, rebuild that trust. You know, I just don't know how you can move forward in that type of situation.
SAS: Well, if you don't know how you can move forward that that situation, you're still under contract with them, are you saying right here on this show that you you want to be traded?
KB: Yeah, I would like to be traded, yeah.
SAS: There's no ifs, ands or buts about it?
KB: No.
SAS: It's not a situation, I know before you reportedly said that you would like them to get Jerry West back. Are you saying now emphatically, regardless of what they done, you want out of Los Angeles?
KB: Yeah, I would like to be traded. And as tough as it is to say that, as tough as it is to come to that conclusion, you know, there's no other -- there's no other -- there's no other alternative, you know. They obviously want to move in a different direction in terms of, you know, rebuilding. I wish they would have told me that, you know, prior to me re-signing with the team. They obviously want to move in a different direction.
SAS: But they want to keep you though, Kobe. They want to move in a different direction, but they don't want to do it without you.
KB: You know, you got to be up front about that, man. Three years ago when I was resigning, they should have, you know, told me that they wanted to rebuild. Would have affected my decision. Don't tell me one thing and do another.
SAS: Is there anything that the Los Angeles Lakers could do to make you change your mind and decide that you do not want to be traded?
KB: No.
SAS: Nothing?
KB: No.
SAS: What about their notion that you're locked in for at least the next two years before you can actually opt out, and there's really nothing you can do about that? What do you say in response to people who say you're not going anywhere; you will stay in Los Angeles and you will be playing for the Los Angeles Lakers next season?
KB: You know what, I just want them to do the right thing. Do the right thing, man. They know what they did. You know what I mean? They know the situation that they painted. You know what I mean? Do the right thing, man. Do the right thing. You know you was trying to rebuild. You told me something different. I re-signed because of what you promised me. You know the blame that you've cast upon me. You know that stuff. They know that stuff. So, you know, just step up, do the right thing.
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He sounds pretty fed up with the Lakers organization. I didnt know it was this bad. Even after apologizing later that day and saying he didn't want to be traded, it'll be hard to reverse what he said on the show. The proud Lakers organization would look like **** to continue catering to this guy's demands.
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