Kobe Bryant is Against the Lakers Youth Movement

The politically correct Kobe Bryant has officially gone out of the window. For the past three seasons, Bryant has had nothing but positive things to say about the Lakers youth movement. Throughout that time, you could easily find quotes from Bryant talking about how the Lakers rebuilding effort was "a process" and that fans and media types would have to be "patient" with the youthful Lakers. But after two straight first round exits, Kobe Bryant has started to change his tone a bit. Here's what he had to tell the L.A. Times following his exit interview with Phil Jackson and Mitch Kupchak:

"I just told [Kupchak] this summer's about getting us to an elite level, doing whatever it takes to make it happen," Bryant said. "This is a competitive city. We're used to winning titles, not just winning games and being in the first round. We want to win championships. Now's the time.

"That's one of the things when I re-signed here, they promised they would build a contender and build a contender now. I don't want to have to wait any more than I already have."

Kobe's right. The Lakers have to be more aggressive than they have been. Other than picking Andrew Bynum with the 10th pick in the 2005 draft, the Lakers haven't really made any successful moves. And you can't both rebuild and try to win a championship at the same time. You have to choose one or the other. If you're going to keep a 29 year old Kobe Bryant as your focal point, you shouldn't be trying to develop Andrew Bynum. With Bynum's trade value as high as it is, the Lakers should get creative and try to bring some people in there that can help KB24 right away. I mean, if the Lakers were able to be as successful as they were, with that roster, and with the injuries they had to overcome, imagine how successful they would have been with another All-Star type player next Bryant. It's time to show us what you got, Mitch.