Lakers' offseason of big questions begins

On Tuesday, following another second-round
loss, this time in five games to Oklahoma City, the Lakers confirmed
that not only wouldn't Bryant talk to the media, but that his exit
meeting would come later in the week, possibly at a lunch with Kupchak
and coach Mike Brown.

Let the speculation begin.

If Lakers
fans are hoping to hear from their hero, they might have to wait until
the Olympic team begins its workouts — if he plays.

Is Bryant sick
of talking about the shortcomings of his teammates — especially Pau
Gasol and Andrew Bynum, both of whom he called out for what he felt was
their lack of effort? Does he fear that winning the sixth NBA title he
covets so passionately may never happen? With Bryant turning 34 in
August, and the Lakers as a whole getting older, is he poised to demand
that Kupchak make major moves, or if not, trade him to a team that can
win now?

The first one is a no-brainer — Kobe almost certainly
will try to change the direction of this team. Playing on creaky knees
and heading into his 17th season with a body that has a ton of
basketball mileage on it, he knows he has only a few more shots at
another ring. A promise by management to sate the ultra-competitive
Bryant's thirst for a better supporting cast might be the only way to
avoid an uncomfortable — and uncommunicative — summer.

We might
get an indication of Bryant's intentions when Kupchak and Brown address
the media following the final exit meeting on Wednesday. Tuesday's first
meeting was with Metta World Peace, who started his media session by
claiming that the Lakers are the best team in basketball. Really.

“The
best team in the NBA lost in five (games),” World Peace said. “The best
team in the NBA should be up 3-2 and playing (Wednesday). But the
better team took advantage of the moment, took advantage of their time.
They seized it, grabbed it and held on to it, so we have to find a way
to hold onto our moments.

“We had those guys beat — fairly easy.
Fairly easy we had those guys beat. But that's the difference in a team
that's been together and then added a Derek Fisher, versus a team that
hasn't been together (long).

“(Oklahoma City) was amazing. Pretty amazing.”

He also endorsed Brown to continue as coach, despite a number of run-ins between the two.

“Mike
didn't make turnovers at the end of the game,” he said. “Mike didn't
miss 3-point shots; I missed 3-point shots. Mike didn't come in out of
shape. You know, he (actually) did come in out of shape. Actually, he
is a fat a**,” he said, laughing. “But it was the players, not coach.”

Note to Metta: Calling your coach a fat a** — even jokingly — not a brilliant thing to do.

MWP
also talked about the possibility of the Lakers using their amnesty
provision to waive him and sweep the remaining $15 million on his
contract off the books.

“It's something you'd have to ask them,” World Peace said. “For me it's easy: The Lakers did a lot for me and I like it
here, but whatever's best for the Lakers — me not being here, if it's
best for the Lakers, it's good for me.

“The Lakers did nothing but
great things for me. I got a championship, which is something I always
wanted. It's not about me, it's what can make the team better.”

Ramon
Sessions, the other Laker who spoke Tuesday, said Kupchak and Brown let
it be known that they would like him to exercise his player option and
remain with the Lakers.

“It was 100 percent clear leaving the
meeting that they want me back,” Sessions reported, and said he'd also
like to stay with the team but hasn't made a firm decision about the
contract. He's due to make $4.55 million next season.

NOTES: Troy
Murphy, Jordan Hill, Devin Ebanks and Christian Eyenga also met with
management on Tuesday. Up on Wednesday: Andrew Bynum, Josh McRoberts,
Darius Morris, Pau Gasol, Matt Barnes, Steve Blake and Andrew Goudelock.
Then Kupchak and Brown face the media.