Hahn's NBA Insider: Unlike LeBron, Kobe put early end to speculation

LOS ANGELES

This is where it began for Kobe Bryant and this is where it will end. The appeal of staying with one organization - one of the finest and most successful in the NBA - far outweighed any other option, especially the misguided notion that he would consider the Knicks.

Bryant signed his three-year, $84-million contract extension Friday, effectively removing himself as a potential free-agent candidate for this summer, because, he said, "I didn't want it to be a distraction."

"We got stuff that we need to do," he added, "and it's an unnecessary distraction."

Was this a nudge at LeBron James?

The Cavaliers star, who most likely will grab his second MVP trophy this season (one more than Kobe), still is trying to win his first championship (four fewer than Kobe).

And he's doing so while his future in Cleveland remains very much uncertain. Will he leave the Cavaliers after this season or won't he? It is a question James has allowed to hang for the course of almost two full seasons in a manner that you almost believe was part of a marketing strategy.

Come July, LeBron will have fans from two cities - not to mention the fate of two franchises - nervously awaiting his decision. Brilliant in many ways, isn't it? He will be the topic throughout the playoffs, especially if the Cavaliers face elimination at any point.

James last week on NBAtv offered yet another cryptic message about his future when he said his goal is "to bring an NBA championship here to Cleveland. And I won't stop until I get it."

Does that mean if the Cavs don't win a title this season - and despite their league-best 60-16 record, it says here the Orlando Magic still pose a threat in the East - LeBron will stay just to accomplish this goal? And does it also mean that if they do win it this year, he'll feel less guilty about leaving for New York?

Bryant's opt-out was always there, but it was only mildly discussed. And in the end, he said, "We just handled our business behind closed doors."

Was that another dig?

The NBA would love a Finals matchup between Kobe and LeBron. It would be good for ratings. And maybe it would be fun for Bryant to beat King James for his fifth NBA ring (one fewer than Michael Jordan) and then sit back and watch the fireworks in July.

Will Yao stay put?

Very little has been said about one potentially big addition - literally and figuratively - to this summer's free agency: Yao Ming. The 7-6 center said this past week that he will discuss with his advisers whether to join in the frenzy and opt out of his contract, which is scheduled to pay $17.7 million next season.

"I have to talk to my agent first before we start to decide where I need to go," Yao told Houston reporters. "If you ask my agent, he will say, 'I have to ask Yao and we will start discussing it.' "

Would the Rockets consider letting the 29-year-old injury-plagued big man go? He has missed the entire season with a fractured foot, which has led to concerns that he might not be able to return at full capacity. His age and size certainly are a concern when it comes to discussing a long-term extension.

Rookie of the year debate

Tyreke Evans has the potential and Stephen Curry has the numbers, but Brandon Jennings has the wins. The three unquestionably are the leading candidates for the NBA's coveted Rookie of the Year award, which Newsday has a vote on this season. The ballots are not due until the end of the season, and this one won't be easy.

Evans is the leading rookie scorer (20.2 points per game) but has appeared in 66 games for a team with 24 wins. Curry is averaging 16.5 points and 5.7 assists per game, but since the All-Star break, he's been the best of his class at 20.3 points per game and second in assists at 7.6.

Meanwhile, Jennings had a dynamic start to the season, which includes the 55-point performance against Golden State in November, but since then, his stats have tailed off. That, however, might be the result of playing on a team that has more talent around him. For instance, since the All-Star break, Curry (17.3) and Evans (15.9) are taking far more shots per game than Jennings (12.3). But they also are making more of them, as Curry is shooting 46.1 percent, Evans 46.1 and Jennings 35.5. Jennings' assists-to-turnover ratio (2.36) is superior to Evans (1.95), who is more of a two-guard, and Curry (1.89), who plays in an up-tempo system.

The knock on Jennings is that you can't attribute too much of the Bucks' success this season to him, especially with veteran Luke Ridnour playing so well as his backup. But we still believe that Jennings is a strong contender for the award.

Cuban's 10 x 50

The Mark Cuban / Dirk Nowitzki Era in Dallas eventually might result in a championship; in any case, the remarkable consistency the Mavericks have had during the past 10 years is quite an accomplishment.

Wednesday's win over the Grizzlies was the Mavs' 50th of the season, which clinched their 10th straight season with at least 50 wins. That has been done just four other times in NBA history, by the Spurs (2000-09), Lakers (1980-91) and Celtics (1959-68). The other three teams each won multiple titles during those eras, but the Mavericks have yet to win one and have made only one NBA Finals appearance (2006).

"I'd trade them all for one championship, but I can't do that," Nowitzki told Dallas reporters. "I think we got a good shot at it this year, so hopefully we can give it a good run."

Cuban, who bought the team as a troubled franchise in 2000 and has been one of the most visible and aggressively hands-on owners in the league, said via Twitter, "My first game as owner, NBA told me not to set fans' expectations too high. I didn't listen. 10 x 50 later, a lot of people deserve credit."

The Dolan family owns a controlling interest in the Knicks and is owner of MSG and Cablevision.

Cablevision owns Newsday.