Sike. Super classy and thoughtful blog from MVPau.

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Last Tuesday I talked to the press at the Toyota Center. Nothing really surprising in that. It’s standard protocol when the season comes to an end. Players always comment on the past year. It may not have been particularly significant event. But then again, it may be. I’ve finished my contract and I’ll be a free agent in the next few days and it’s not clear whether I’ll sign for the Lakers again.

It may be that the press conference was my last official act with the franchise. I’ve been in similar situations for the last two years, with one foot inside and the other outside. I’m not quite sure where I am at the moment. The good thing is that I’m now the master of my own destiny. It’s me that makes the choices, and that’s a good situation to be in.

Re-signing for the Lakers is a possibility, but I’m not sure whether to say it’s a remote one. If there’s anything or anyone who could make me stay it’s Kobe Bryant. I’d stay for him, but there’d have to be significant changes. I’ve said it many times: I want to be in a team that has a solid chance to win another tournament and where I can be an important factor in the game.

Money is not important

Money isn’t important to me. I have other priorities. A contract lasting several seasons, the make-up of the team that signs me: I’ll need to think long and hard. I won’t just go to the franchise that offers me the biggest salary, I know that.

I would have liked to finish the season on the court, but my vertigo problems made that impossible. I just have to accept it. I’m feeling much better, but not enough to play basketball just yet. I feel like my vacation will help me to make a full recovery and to get ready for the World Cup in Spain. If Orenga calls me I’ll be there. It’s a tournament we’re all looking forward to. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.

It hasn’t been the best season for the Lakers, for many reasons. Our poor health was the main enemy. In all, we missed 319 games due to injuries. There’s never been anything like it, since records began in 1980. None of us escaped. Kobe, Steve Nash were out. In the end, I managed to play 60 games, but almost all our players were sidelined at some point in the season.

I can’t remember anything like it.

It’s been very difficult for the coaches too. They’ve had to be really patient to handle all these injuries. And they deserve credit for that. But it has obviously damaged the team and we can’t hide it. We’re all responsible for it. Like Kobe said, it’s been “a shit season”.

I’ve never concealed the fact that D’Antoni’s style doesn’t suit my game. Everybody knows this. I don’t know if my decision will be swayed by whether Mike stays or leaves. Obviously, the coach is a very important factor for any team.

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17x NBA Champions