True, i suppose when looking at salaries i look at what they are worth on the court, ie helping the team win, but you are right other commercial aspects would likely come into it.
I still say i wouldnt have paid him more than $15 mil, would have rather let him walk and rebuild now, or test his loyalty ie will he take $15 mil (remember we are talking rediculous money here $15 mil is more than anyone would ever need in a life time and more than most will ever make), but thats me i spose, i dont blame Kobe for accepting it, i would too in his shoes, but do think the Lakers over paid and it will hurt them, i doubt they will be able to build a contender with that contract on the books.
I do like your picking up Melo then 2 guys like Holiday and Ibaka types in a couple of years, that would give them a nice team, see thats what i would have tired to do now, i would have offered Kobe 15 mil, if he stays or walks, than use the $9 mil saved and extra space to sign the best they can ie Melo and a guy like Ibaka and Holiday this offseason than over 3 years, but not sure how possible that would be even with Kobe at $15 mil instead of $24.
I guess to put it simply, LeBron, the best player, is getting paid what around $15-20 mil? and the Heat have managed to build a pretty deep team around him and would be in luxury tax, so if your paying Kobe more than that, how can you build a team deep enough to compete with the Heat? I just dont see it, and then you take into account the LeBron is a fair bit better than Kobe these days, so how can the Lakers contend, with a lesser star and less depth on the roster, to me thats why its a bad deal. Also why i would never pay anyone more than the best player, currently LeBron, you are better off not having over paid stars imo. As you cant build a team that can compete with them if you over pay guys, to me thats what its all about, building towards titles/competing with the best team.
Having said that, this contract isnt Amare bad so wont totally cripple the LAkers, just hurts them as far as building a contender in the next couple of years, im fairly curtain they wont be a top 2-4 team in the next couple of years, during this contract. I predict they will be 6th-12th in the West the next 2 years, not all Kobes fault, but this contract doesnt help.
Very true about Kobe working on his hard and i also dont doubt his passion and drive and he is loyal to a point, but when i think of ultimate team player/loyal superstar i think of a guy like Duncan, and i think Duncans attitude has helped his team have more sustained success than Kobes Lakers, its not just injuries that have hurt the Lakers over the past 5 years, not all Kobes fault either, i guess im of the opinion if he had a more Duncan-like attitude and took less role/money as he gets older the Lakers as a whole team would be better off.
I have never been a fan of Kobes attitude, well especially since the Kobe v Shaq and Phil stuff, i was firmly on the side of Shaq and Phil and would have done the opposite to what the Lakers did to resolve it, but never doubted he is a great player, best sg since Jordan (Wade is a close 2nd imo). I just think like this, at that time Phil wanted Kobe traded, he was so sick of his shit, he was also on Shaqs side, would any team/coach ever want to trade LeBron or Duncan?, i say no, and that shows how bad Kobes attitude must of been as he is fairly close to guys like Duncan and LeBron as far as talent goes so to want to trade him he must be a MASSIVE pain in the butt.
Of the games i saw of the Lakers v Detroit finals, Kobe wasnt moving the ball as he should, just jacking up stupid shots half the time and really showing poor on court attitude, not playing the team game at all, i remember shouting at the TV and i think you will find guys like Phil, Payton, Malone were also very frustrated with him. I very much blame Kobe for that series loss, i am firmly of the belief if he had a more Duncan like attitude they would have easily won the series.