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That's how Kobe respects his teammates. He did the same thing to Pau Gasol at the Olympics while Pau was still a Laker. That doesn't mean anything, or it means that he wants to play seriously with them. He is a competitive player, and he will destroy anyone if they play against him. Nah man, he surely didn't respect Lin, there is so much video evidence for that. The situation with PAU in the Olympics was so totally different, it's like you are comparing apples with oranges.
He went through Pau to set a statement, we are on the same Lakers team but this is a different game we are playing today, that was the message. He would also never say anything bad about Pau, just let his hard game do the talking.
There has been a very limited amount of teammates Kobe actually respected, you can count them down on 1 hand maybe.
Gasol is one of the players that he respects, and that's the truth, and maybe let's include his mentor, the GOAT Michael Jordan to that conversation as well. Aside from those 2, I don't think there's anybody... or maybe those Laker legends like Magic, Kareem and many more. Anyway, I will not be taking away the fact that Lin did something towards the league, and when I think of him, there are 2 things that comes to my mind.
1. That famous game-winning shot against the Raptors that made him famous "FOR 2 WEEKS", and the reason why "Linsanity" is born.
2. He will be known as the champion "who didn't play for it at all". I mean correct me, but he didn't play when he won the title when he's a Raptor. I know there are many role players that had the same experience, but he's the most popular.
Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook are threatening to sit out next season unless they get paid above the league minimum. I really don’t think Ben Simmons has room to negotiate salary. He’s honestly lucky to still be in the league. As far as Westbrook is concerned, this move will only hurt his legacy and he’s so rich already it really shouldn’t matter.
If it's Westbrook, it's understandable for him to be paid above minimum, but Simmons? Let him walk away, and play overseas LOL!!!I don't expect Simmons coming back anymore especially now that he's asking an "above the league minimum" salary. As for Westbrook though, I still believe that he can still be as explosive as he can be like what he showed last season when he's still on Denver. For me though, he's not worth $10M per year anymore. Respect for him still.