20 1 1 The Lakers reached a tripartite deal to get all-star point guard chris paul, but at the last minute, it was rejected by then-NBA President david stern.
At that time, matt barnes was playing for the Lakers. He recalled talking to Paul on the phone and telling him that he would like Los Angeles very much.
Although he didn't go to the Lakers to join hands with Kobe, Paul and Kobe played many alliances in the All-Star Game. "When I played the All-Star Game with Kobe, we always said,' We won't lose.' "Paul said.
Paul also cited the example of the 2009 NBA All-Star Game. Phil Jackson, then the coach of the Western All-Star Game, asked the western troops to play hard and even use defense on the defensive end.
"In that game, LeBron and Dwain Wade were very angry. They thought,' Do you use defense in the All-Star Game?' "Paul recalled.