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You don't trade Superman! Not for anyone, really. But especially not for Odom, Butler, Grant and a #1 sure to be in the twenties. Why are the Lakers so insistent on hitching their wagon to a man who disrespected them and basketball so much during the Finals? Is there anyone out there who can logically explain this to me?

You say Kobe is the younger superstar, and therefore the better option to plan the future around? I say Kobe is a spoiled, pampered superstar who might have a future in the pen! This man's play and attitude so disgusted Phil Jackson during the series against the Pistons, and for that matter all year that the Zen Master was actually happy not to be coming back. Have you seen Phil's crib on the beach? Have you seen Dr Buss' daughter!?!?! Besides, at least Shaq was under contract, because as of this writing, Kobe is still a free agent.

You say Shaq is overweight and on the downside of his career? I say Shaq is probably, as I write this, busting his butt to lose the extra lbs (why do you think Riles wanted the meeting-to be sure Shaq was ready to ball again fools) as a poster of Dr Buss and Kobe hangs in front of his treadmill. Which brings me to my final point.

You say Shaq is satisfied and satiated with all his success? I say not anymore people. Shaq is pissed! Shaq wants vengeance! Shaq is ready to go to the wall for Dwyane (the next big thing) Wade!

The Lakers will rue the day they chose Kobe over Shaq. After only one day you see the effect of the Big Fella. The Heat matter all of a sudden. The Lakers? They're battling the CLIPPERS for the rights to their best player! That right there says everything you need to know about Kobe. And about how wrong the decision to trade Shaq was.

Ray Mernagh lives in Pittsburgh and writes for both Basketball Times and eastern Basketball. He also publishes the website hoopfactor.com.