Free agency recruitment tours have become a staple of the NBA offseason for the league’s most coveted superstars. LeBron James’ 2010 “Decision” helped usher in a new era for modern players searching for the best situation as they transition into the next stage of their careers, with prospective teams clamoring to woo high-profile targets with extravagant sales pitches.
The media circus that accompanies it, however, isn’t something that sits particularly well with a certain subset of old-school players. If they had their way, some would forego the whole spectacle entirely, opting instead to rely solely on their franchise’s reputation as the primary incentive to sign on the dotted line.
That is particularly true when your organization is among the most successful in NBA history, which is why Kobe Bryant doesn’t think the Lakers should have debase themselves in order to lure guys like LeBron James, Paul George, etc. to come to Los Angeles. In his mind, they should be the ones begging to join the team.
Via ESPN:
“You know, the thing about this franchise is that you shouldn’t need recruiting to come in it,” Bryant said. “It takes a special person to want to play for this franchise, and take the pressure that comes along with playing for this franchise. The pressure of following Magic [Johnson]’s footsteps, myself and the dynasty that we’ve had, it takes a special person to do that.
“And if I need to convince you come here, to carry that legacy forward, then you ain’t the one to be it.”
We wouldn’t expect anything less from Kobe, whose hyper-competitive myopia was always the driving force behind all of his decision-making. But it also ignores the fundamental ways in the which the power dynamics between players and teams have shifted so dramatically over the years.
The NBA has tried numerous initiatives to dis-incentivize players from leaving their incumbent teams, but the players have proven consistently that they prioritize having control over their own destinies, and a big part of that includes examining the best offers from a variety of teams regardless of their historic prowess or current stature.
Despite how Kobe feels, you can bet Magic and the rest of the Lakers brass are already working overtime to recruit several superstar free agents when they become available on July 1.
(ESPN)
