KOBE TALK (Your one-stop shop for everything Kobe!)

[Boyk]

Kobe is a valuable player, a vital part of the Lakers team, no doubt about it. But I'd say Shaq is the most valuable player on the Lakers' roster. That's simply my opinion though, you are free to disagree with it and I respect that fact.

I'm just going by that old way of thinking, that a player who isn't the MVP on his own team shouldn't be named the league's MVP.

True Andrew, very true.
He may not be the Most Valuable Player on the Lakers. Buts he is the best player on the Lakers.
some may disagree with that, but you cant deny Kobes skill.

[Jackal]

Wouldnt the best player, be the most valuable to the team?

[vinz]

Shaq is the best player on the team. not kobe. kobe just takes more shots than shaq. that's what makes him LOOK more valuable.

kobe is valuable. but shaq is more valuable.

re: mvp race: it should be shaq (dominance) vs. KG (consistency).

[Fresh8]

I see the Most Valuable Player as the guy that is more a team player...and does a good job doing everything for their team...terefore stats arent as important...

sure- Kobe may have more skill but Shaq provides the interior defense and the inside scoring....he scores, pulls down boards, blocks and passes.

If the Lakers were to lose Shaq, they wouldnt function well- If Kobe's gone...all they would lose is his scoring ability...other guys can fill in Kobe's absense easier than Shaq's!

Of course this is my opinion...

[Boyk]

If the Lakers were to lose Shaq, they wouldnt function well- If Kobe's gone...all they would lose is his scoring ability...other guys can fill in Kobe's absense easier than Shaq's

All they'll lose is scoring??
what about the passing,rebounding,defense,CRUNCHTIME,will to win,leadership.

need i say more??
sorry but Kobe brings a heck of a lot more than bloody scoring.
the only thing he dont do constantly in the stat sheet is block shots, but what shooting guard does?

[scubilete]

Shaq is the best player on the Lakers team. Lakers with Shaq & without Kobe are better than Lakers with Kobe & without Shaq.

Kobe's skills?, lol. Kareem Rush can do as good as Kobe if he gets the opportunity.

what about... ,will to win,leadership.

the funny part of that quote is that it does sound like Kobe has all of them but for some reason I see Shaq has them all better. The worst leadership shown in a player is to believe he can do it alone (aka T-mac/Kobe). Will to win?, everyone does have that, I haven't seen a guy who has will to lose.

Regarding MVP, KG all the way, I wouldn't even consider Shaq getting it.

[Steve04]

Kobe's skills?, lol. Kareem Rush can do as good as Kobe if he gets the opportunity.

Okies..I can handle everything else you said, but when you go and throw out something as rediculous as this it discredits your own post because it shows you have no idea what the hell you're talking about. Rush is a good player, but that's about it. He can shoot..what else can he do? Kobe is one of the best on the ball defenders in the league, Is one of the best 2 G's in the league. And you're telling me Kareem Rush is too? That's BS. Rush may have potential, and I agree he has potential, but I don't see him having anywhere near Kobe's potential..maybe he can be another Michael Redd..but saying he can do anything Kobe can do right now if he were starting is just plain silly and takes away from your credibility.

[scubilete]

but when you go and throw out something as rediculous as this it discredits your own post because it shows you have no idea what the hell you're talking about.

It sounds like you know what the hell you're talking about without having any knowledge of players developing.

Rush is a good player, but that's about it. He can shoot..what else can he do?

Right, it does sound like that player who was playing behind Eddie Jones few years back in the Lakers team, if you have any idea what the hell you're talking about, you should be able to notice it.

Kobe is one of the best on the ball defenders in the league, Is one of the best 2 G's in the league. And you're telling me Kareem Rush is too? That's BS.

Now here's the BS, you are the only one coming full of it, did I ever say Rush is one of the best 2 G's in the league? come and reply to a specific post instead of coming talking crap like this. I did say if Rush gets the opportunity he can do as good as Kobe, just like years ago when Kobe got his opportunity to do as good as Eddie Jones.

Rush may have potential, and I agree he has potential, but I don't see him having anywhere near Kobe's potential

You agree he has potential, but never near Kobe's potential?, show me a post from 8 years ago where you thought Kobe had potential to be as good as Eddie Jones or even better to be compared to MJ.

but saying he can do anything Kobe can do right now if he were starting is just plain silly and takes away from your credibility.

bla bla bla, it did sound silly as well to think anyone could jump as high as MJ until everyone saw Vince Carter and you're coming telling me that to think players develop & that there will be players better than those we are watching is "plain silly & takes away from my credibility", what's your "credibility"? that nobody can get better & nobody develops his game like those players have?, that's just plain stupid

[Ruff Ryder]

scubilete, you never said anything about potential and development in your first post.

Kobe's skills?, lol. Kareem Rush can do as good as Kobe if he gets the opportunity.

Thats all you said. You said if he gets the opportunity. Not if he develops and progresses. He has got the opportunity a few times and has had 1 big game. 30 points, and I dont think Shaq played that game. If it was Kobe, he'd proabbly have 30+ or even 40+.

[Jackal]

Any person who uses common sense, would be able to derrive from that statment what Steve meant.

Given the opportunity (he could develop).

[EGarrett]

I see it's getting snippy. Remember, do NOT flame or attack each other.

[Steve04]

It sounds like you know what the hell you're talking about without having any knowledge of players developing.

I won't respond to this as it is just an insult and not a valid counterpoint to my arguement.

Right, it does sound like that player who was playing behind Eddie Jones few years back in the Lakers team, if you have any idea what the hell you're talking about, you should be able to notice it.

Maybe, Maybe not..I recall Kobe having a lot more recognizable potential than Rush right now. I do happen to think I have some idea in hell what I'm talking about. I said Rush is a good player, and he can shoot. None of this was falsity and I was refferring to his talent as of now, not his potential.

Now here's the BS, you are the only one coming full of it, did I ever say Rush is one of the best 2 G's in the league? come and reply to a specific post instead of coming talking crap like this. I did say if Rush gets the opportunity he can do as good as Kobe, just like years ago when Kobe got his opportunity to do as good as Eddie Jones.

Yes, if you say Kareem Rush can do anything Kobe can do if only he was starting then you are saying that Rush is one of the best 2 G's in the league, just that nobody knows it just because he is sitting on the bench. And you're changing your words a bit aren't you? Now you're saying he can develop into a player just as good as Kobe, which I disagree with, instead of he is as good as Kobe right now. Perhaps you wouldn't mind presenting a sound logical arguement as to why you believe Rush has Kobe's potential? Because you're the first person I've come across who feels this way.

Rush wasn't even the best player at Missouri when he was there, and now you're telling me he has potential to make the Lakers forget about Kobe Bryant completely?

You agree he has potential, but never near Kobe's potential?, show me a post from 8 years ago where you thought Kobe had potential to be as good as Eddie Jones or even better to be compared to MJ.

Whether or not I thought Kobe had potential to be a great one is irrelevant in this conversation. You stated that you think Kareem Rush has potential to be a superstar if given the time and oppurtunity to develop. I have yet to hear sound reasoning to back up your statements, and until I do then I can't really take you seriously. Just because Kareem Rush is a good shooter who doesn't get playing time does not mean he's comparable to a Kobe Bryant 8 years ago backing up Eddie Jones. I don't see that comparison and I'd love for you to show me where you see the similarity in their situations.

bla bla bla, it did sound silly as well to think anyone could jump as high as MJ until everyone saw Vince Carter and you're coming telling me that to think players develop & that there will be players better than those we are watching is "plain silly & takes away from my credibility", what's your "credibility"? that nobody can get better & nobody develops his game like those players have?, that's just plain stupid

Actually, I don't know about you..but it didn't seem silly to me that anyone could jump as high as MJ or higher. The way the game was going and is going we are seeing bigger, stronger and more explosive players. Secondly, comparing someone's jumping ability to their potential for greatness is not a very good comparison if you wish to win an arguement. I did not say it was silly to think there will be players that are better than the ones that are playing now. You mentioned a specific player that you thought would be better and that is what I said was silly. You've yet to show me any reasoning for why you think Kareem Rush could be another Kobe bryant in disguise other than the fact that Rush is sitting on the bench behind a starting 2 guard like Kobe was 8 years ago. That's not very logical or sound reasoning. I guess whomever the backup C for the Lakers who's not getting enough playing time could just be the next Shaq! too bad Shaq is hogging all the playing time right?

[Fresh8]

Wat I was tryin to say...if the Lakers lose Shaq...it'd be harder to replace him than Kobe!

[Andrew]

Wouldnt the best player, be the most valuable to the team?

Yes and no. I think it's fair to say that Kobe is the more talented of the two, as his ballhandling skills are superior, he has greater range on his jumpshot, he can create for himself and he can rebound well for a guard. As far as skills and talent are concerned, I'd say he's the best player on the Lakers' roster.

However, Shaq's physical presence and his dominance make him the most valuable player. He may not be able to do all the things that Kobe can, but he can do a few things that Kobe can't and he draws so much attention that it opens up opportunities for the rest of the team. The league's great defenders may be able to slow Kobe up from time to time, but very seldom can Shaq be shut down when he's healthy and on top of his game. Strategies that are effective against a smaller player like Bryant will not work against a player of Shaq's size.

Kobe may be the most talented player on the roster, but Shaq remains the most valuable.

[.]

It sounds like you know what the hell you're talking about without having any knowledge of players developing.

I won't respond to this as it is just an insult and not a valid counterpoint to my arguement.

Right, it does sound like that player who was playing behind Eddie Jones few years back in the Lakers team, if you have any idea what the hell you're talking about, you should be able to notice it.

Maybe, Maybe not..I recall Kobe having a lot more recognizable potential than Rush right now. I do happen to think I have some idea in hell what I'm talking about. I said Rush is a good player, and he can shoot. None of this was falsity and I was refferring to his talent as of now, not his potential.

Now here's the BS, you are the only one coming full of it, did I ever say Rush is one of the best 2 G's in the league? come and reply to a specific post instead of coming talking crap like this. I did say if Rush gets the opportunity he can do as good as Kobe, just like years ago when Kobe got his opportunity to do as good as Eddie Jones.

Yes, if you say Kareem Rush can do anything Kobe can do if only he was starting then you are saying that Rush is one of the best 2 G's in the league, just that nobody knows it just because he is sitting on the bench. And you're changing your words a bit aren't you? Now you're saying he can develop into a player just as good as Kobe, which I disagree with, instead of he is as good as Kobe right now. Perhaps you wouldn't mind presenting a sound logical arguement as to why you believe Rush has Kobe's potential? Because you're the first person I've come across who feels this way.

Rush wasn't even the best player at Missouri when he was there, and now you're telling me he has potential to make the Lakers forget about Kobe Bryant completely?

You agree he has potential, but never near Kobe's potential?, show me a post from 8 years ago where you thought Kobe had potential to be as good as Eddie Jones or even better to be compared to MJ.

Whether or not I thought Kobe had potential to be a great one is irrelevant in this conversation. You stated that you think Kareem Rush has potential to be a superstar if given the time and oppurtunity to develop. I have yet to hear sound reasoning to back up your statements, and until I do then I can't really take you seriously. Just because Kareem Rush is a good shooter who doesn't get playing time does not mean he's comparable to a Kobe Bryant 8 years ago backing up Eddie Jones. I don't see that comparison and I'd love for you to show me where you see the similarity in their situations.

bla bla bla, it did sound silly as well to think anyone could jump as high as MJ until everyone saw Vince Carter and you're coming telling me that to think players develop & that there will be players better than those we are watching is "plain silly & takes away from my credibility", what's your "credibility"? that nobody can get better & nobody develops his game like those players have?, that's just plain stupid

Actually, I don't know about you..but it didn't seem silly to me that anyone could jump as high as MJ or higher. The way the game was going and is going we are seeing bigger, stronger and more explosive players. Secondly, comparing someone's jumping ability to their potential for greatness is not a very good comparison if you wish to win an arguement. I did not say it was silly to think there will be players that are better than the ones that are playing now. You mentioned a specific player that you thought would be better and that is what I said was silly. You've yet to show me any reasoning for why you think Kareem Rush could be another Kobe bryant in disguise other than the fact that Rush is sitting on the bench behind a starting 2 guard like Kobe was 8 years ago. That's not very logical or sound reasoning. I guess whomever the backup C for the Lakers who's not getting enough playing time could just be the next Shaq! too bad Shaq is hogging all the playing time right?

Damn right..........and scubilete....you are just basicly saying that every young SG out in the league who is getting limited playing time, might just get as good as Kobe is at this point. Kobe was compared to Michael Jordan even before he enterd the NBA, while I dont remember people talking like that about Kareem Rush. Anyway, yeah...its possible that a player comes out and becomes a top something player in the league just like Kobe did a couple of years before, but I just dont see the potential in him just as Kobe had when he was younger.

[scubilete]

And you're changing your words a bit aren't you? Now you're saying he can develop into a player just as good as Kobe

I'm not changing any word a bit, if you come and reply to a post without reading that's not my problem. did I change words?

Kobe's skills?, lol. Kareem Rush can do as good as Kobe if he gets the opportunity.

I did say if Rush gets the opportunity he can do as good as Kobe, just like years ago when Kobe got his opportunity to do as good as Eddie Jones.

See, I didn't change my words, basic english entitles me to use if at the start of a supposition or in the middle. I keep saying anyone getting opportunities can get better. Also doing as good as Kobe will take time just like it took Kobe time to do as good as Eddie Jones, so I didn't even mention he would do it right away but if he gets the chance or opportunity.

Now you're saying he can develop into a player just as good as Kobe, which I disagree with, instead of he is as good as Kobe right now.

See? I don't even know who are you replying to, cause I never mention he is as good as Kobe right now, I said he can do as good as Kobe given the opportunity, Kobe didn't do as good as Eddie right away, it took him 2 years without counting the year he was playing below 17 mins.

Perhaps you wouldn't mind presenting a sound logical arguement as to why you believe Rush has Kobe's potential? Because you're the first person I've come across who feels this way.

a logical argument as to why I believe Rush has Kobe's potential? Well, I really tried to make you bring proofs where you thought Kobe had MJ's potential 8 years ago, however you didn't. That's just the same thing, Kobe came to this league like Kareem Rush, great choice, however they weren't 1st picks, they weren't 2nd picks, in Kobe case: he was a 13th pick and then traded, so he wasn't expected to be a "Michael Jordan" like Ko8e4mvp thinks. Whoever who is expected to be a "MJ" would be chosen 1st overall, look at LeBron.

Rush wasn't even the best player at Missouri when he was there, and now you're telling me he has potential to make the Lakers forget about Kobe Bryant completely?

I can mention over a 100 players who were not the best players of their universities and became better than those you could name they were better in college. Also, remember this is just Rush' 2nd year, not 9th.

Whether or not I thought Kobe had potential to be a great one is irrelevant in this conversation.

lol. It's not irrelevant, cause it shows me you can't predict the future and also that you didn't think Kobe would be this great just like now you don't think Rush can become a superstar.

You stated that you think Kareem Rush has potential to be a superstar if given the time and oppurtunity to develop. I have yet to hear sound reasoning to back up your statements, and until I do then I can't really take you seriously.

Go look at Ben Wallace and then tell me who drafted him, who thought he had potential or at least he could be a good player. I'm backing up my statements showing you players work on their game & develop to become great, if you don't take that seriously then I just can think you ignore facts.

Just because Kareem Rush is a good shooter who doesn't get playing time does not mean he's comparable to a Kobe Bryant 8 years ago backing up Eddie Jones. I don't see that comparison and I'd love for you to show me where you see the similarity in their situations.

Kobe Bryant came to the league when Eddie Jones was at his best (with the Lakers), just like Rush. Kobe Bryant had to sit playing limited time behind Eddie Jones, just like Rush. Comparison with their stats when they've played comparable minutes

Kobe---------------------Rush
Min: 15.5 ---------------- 17.3
FG%: .417 -------------- .441
3pt: .375 ---------------- .356
FT%: .819 -------------- .600
Rebs: 1.90 ------------- 1.40
Ast: 1.3 ------------------ 0.8
Stls: .69 ------------------ .46
Blsk: .32 ----------------- .28
PPG: 7.6 ------------------ 6.5

If Rush were a good FTs shooter, he would get over 8 pts, he doesn't even have to work on his 3pt shoot to go over Kobe, assists? is not that big difference as you can see, steals not huge, blocks not a big thing. I had to do this for you to open your eyes and notice he can be a superstar if he gets the chance Kobe got,

but it didn't seem silly to me that anyone could jump as high as MJ or higher. The way the game was going and is going we are seeing bigger, stronger and more explosive players.

However, doesn't sound like you believe someone could get as good as Kobe in your 1st post. Especially when a player in a comparable time does almost the same Kobe was doing when he was not getting the chance.

That's not very logical or sound reasoning.

You're wrong, that's the most logical point to make & it does sound reasoning, at least if you process the data.

I guess whomever the backup C for the Lakers who's not getting enough playing time could just be the next Shaq! too bad Shaq is hogging all the playing time right?

Actually, seeing a player getting the numbers Shaq was getting in the same playing time he was raising, myself saying that player can do as good as Shaq if given the chance and you're telling me that's not logical, I really feel sorry for you but I don't know what you call being logical then.

you are just basicly saying that every young SG out in the league who is getting limited playing time, might just get as good as Kobe is at this point.

I already compared the stats of those players when they were getting basically the same amount of time, while being raising stars plus while being in the same situation.

Kobe was compared to Michael Jordan even before he enterd the NBA, while I dont remember people talking like that about Kareem Rush.

True, nobody compared Rush with anyone, however it's strange someone "compared to MJ even before he entered the NBA" as you said was drafted after 10 picks, teams skip players compared to MJ that often? booooo, you're wrong.

Anyway, yeah...its possible that a player comes out and becomes a top something player in the league just like Kobe did a couple of years before, but I just dont see the potential in him just as Kobe had when he was younger.

Now I can understand your point and that's more respectful than saying "it's been ridiculous and disacredits whatever you said, all that is BS, and you have no idea what the hell you're talking about", so on like wiz did.

I'm a Lakers fan, not a Kobe fan. I do follow the Lakers with or without Kobe.

[Steve04]

So let me clear this up..

1. You're saying any SG in the league could be the next Kobe, which is possible, but the logic you are using is not plausible. You can't really use stats to compare players who haven't really played that much in the NBA yet, you have to look at their talent and upside.

2. You think Kareem Rush is a superstar in the making. He only needs playing time to develop. Besides stats from early in both of their careers, you haven't proven anything. I can go and find similiar stats from a whole bunch of other players and come to the same conclusion using that method of reasoning. The fact is, I've not heard any NBA GM or scout comment on Kareem Rush having the potential to be a bonafied superstar as Kobe is right now. Could they, and I, be wrong? Absolutely, but I highly doubt it. Rush can be another Michael Redd if he's committed, but I don't see that either.

a logical argument as to why I believe Rush has Kobe's potential? Well, I really tried to make you bring proofs where you thought Kobe had MJ's potential 8 years ago, however you didn't. That's just the same thing, Kobe came to this league like Kareem Rush, great choice, however they weren't 1st picks, they weren't 2nd picks, in Kobe case: he was a 13th pick and then traded, so he wasn't expected to be a "Michael Jordan" like Ko8e4mvp thinks. Whoever who is expected to be a "MJ" would be chosen 1st overall, look at LeBron

Well, I don't know about you, but I remember differently. As I remember it, people were comparing him to a MJ and such when he was drafted. He just needed time. If you're going to use the arguement that players can be great just because they were picked lower I can go the other way as well. But I think we both know that isn't a fool proof way of coming to any realistic conclusions on the matter. And if someone is expected to be an MJ, why was MJ drafted #2?
And for the last time, whether or not I thought Kobe had MJ's potential 8 years ago is irrelevant. FYI I did think Kobe would be pretty good, solely based on his sheer talent. I daresay Kobe had more raw talent when he was a Rookie than Kareem Rush does now. But you're set on seeing the same thing in Rush that you see in Kobe so now I'm going to be half rooting for Kobe to go elsewhere in the offseason just to prove you wrong.

I'm still waiting for someone else besides yourself to back up your arguements, but maybe you're the only one who thinks Rush could be a superstar if given the time to develop. Who knows..4,5,3 years down the road I could be wrong, and then you get to tell me to eat crow.

lol. It's not irrelevant, cause it shows me you can't predict the future and also that you didn't think Kobe would be this great just like now you don't think Rush can become a superstar.

Yep, you got me..I can't predict the future..I'm really upset about that, you know? Maybe if I could predict the future I'd be famous right now..Maybe if I could predict the future I'd go and bet big money on every sport since I just know who would win and what player would turn into what. I'm glad you can though.

I agree players can work to be superstars, and I even can go as far as to say he has a slim slim chance to be a superstar. I just don't see it happening with the current team he's on and I just don't see it in him. Maybe I'm mistaken. I know 8 years ago Kobe had a lot more fire, passion and he wanted to start even though all star Eddie Jones was in front of him. Although I'm sure Rush wants to start, he hasn't made anything of the times when he did. Except for maybe one game.

However, doesn't sound like you believe someone could get as good as Kobe in your 1st post. Especially when a player in a comparable time does almost the same Kobe was doing when he was not getting the chance.

I think you're reading too much into my posts, I said I didn't think Kareem Rush could be as good as Kobe. Nor did I think, or do I think that just because someones a backup SG with comparable stats to Kobe in Kobe's rookie year, that they can be as good as Kobe.

Actually, seeing a player getting the numbers Shaq was getting in the same playing time he was raising, myself saying that player can do as good as Shaq if given the chance and you're telling me that's not logical, I really feel sorry for you but I don't know what you call being logical then.

Newsflash:A lot of people have talent. A lot of people have potential. Only a few people have greatness. Sure, some player could probably be as good as Shaq who's backing up somebody right now..but I don't think its correct to say any player. You do have to have talent as well as drive to be someone as good as Shaq you know. Shaq's got more game than just his big body.

[.]

I already compared the stats of those players when they were getting basically the same amount of time, while being raising stars plus while being in the same situation

Just because the stats were about the same, that doesnt mean that Kareem Rush will be just as good as Kobe is right now.

Also, you posted Kobes Rookie numbers, and Kareems second year numbers. I think a rookie has it harder then a second year player because he has to adjust himself to the game and learn the game on the NBA level, while Rush already had that fase

True, nobody compared Rush with anyone, however it's strange someone "compared to MJ even before he entered the NBA" as you said was drafted after 10 picks, teams skip players compared to MJ that often?

Lol, its still a big risk to draft a High School player, specially when the previous straight out of Highschool players were all big men, while if I remember correctly, Kobe was the smallest HS´er ever drafted that time

booooo, you're wrong.

Childish

I'm a Lakers fan, not a Kobe fan. I do follow the Lakers with or without Kobe.

I was a Laker fan before Kobe came, and will be one when he leaves....Im not saying all of this just because Im a fan of him, I myself dont see Rush become the player with Kobes skills

[scubilete]

You can't really use stats to compare players who haven't really played that much in the NBA yet, you have to look at their talent and upside.

lol, so I have to look at their talent?, lol. Please try not to mention Felipe Lopez/Harold Miner when you look at their talent.

2. You think Kareem Rush is a superstar in the making.

Again you're talking crap, did I say he's a superstar? NO. So what's the point of acting stupid, you can instead take facts that they played comparable while being in the same situation.

If you're going to use the arguement that players can be great just because they were picked lower I can go the other way as well.

Well, if a player in the draft is comparable to MJ and is skipped by other 12 players, I just would consider those 12 were considered better than MJ. I would love to see a player coming to the league whose game is been compared with MJ/Chamberlain/Magic and not being drafted in the first 10 picks.

Kobe was never being compared with MJ until he developed his game. Kobe came to the league as a phenom who was able to handle one-on-one professional players from Italy, he came as a great HS player and if he was ever compared to MJ was nothing but MJs school days, not as a professional. And everyone knows MJ was not the best HS player ever.

And if someone is expected to be an MJ, why was MJ drafted #2?

Now that's a funny quote, mistake but not common from a (probably MJ) fan

And for the last time, whether or not I thought Kobe had MJ's potential 8 years ago is irrelevant.

For the last time, it isn't. You don't know who can become a great player, who can become better, you just think players get to the court and they never develop. Right now you don't think any player can do as good as Kobe, why it isn't irrelevant the statement: few years ago you didn't think Ben Wallace could play in the all-stars, few years ago you didn't imagine Nick Van Exel would ever play in an all-stars. Those are players who come to this league like a nobody, and develop their game whenever they get the chance, trying to say someone else can't it's simple ignorance.

I'm still waiting for someone else besides yourself to back up your arguements, but maybe you're the only one who thinks Rush could be a superstar if given the time to develop.

Nobody has to back up my arguments, I'm not that kind of people who would just say what they think if someone else is behind their back, if you're like that, now I understand you, lol.

Who knows..4,5,3 years down the road I could be wrong, and then you get to tell me to eat crow.

Not really, it would be great just like years back when you thought nobody could ever play like MJ, now that you see Kobe & T-mac are just saying same thing you were before, lol.

Maybe if I could predict the future I'd be famous right now..Maybe if I could predict the future I'd go and bet big money on every sport since I just know who would win and what player would turn into what. I'm glad you can though.

You've been saying you believe there will be better players but not without being called out as superstars whenever they get to the league, which means talent. That's why I've mentioned 2 and I can mention over 20 players who you never thought they were going to be all-stars. Over 20 players who you thought they didn't have any talent and they got better than many who were supposed to be all-stars. I can mention guys you think they wouldn't be as good as they are right now. You for real are just contradicting yourself everytime you post, lol.

You do have to have talent as well as drive to be someone as good as Shaq you know. Shaq's got more game than just his big body.

The fact of the stats is: if a player gets to do just as much as any great player did in the same situations (benched, young, etc), they can become just as good as that same player if given the same opportunity. If Kobe can steal 2 balls in 40 mins, what makes you think Rush can't? Talent? so how do you measure the talent?

Players with talent are too many, however you always get a surprise from a player you never thought that had any. Sure Kobe had talent, but you never thought he could get that great, he worked on his game, he came to this league just like Jermaine. Look at Jermaine, if he would have stayed in Portland, nobody would be mentioning him as a superstar, he had talent but not chances. Did anyone ever think Jermaine was going to be great?, probably but only if he was going to get the chance, while he was being benched nobody in their 5 senses was going to think that.

Sure Kwame has/had talent but nobody thought he was going to play that shitty. You have to be open to the situations, you can say a particular player can't become better but it's not common from a person with knowledge about this game where players have done it so often. Players work hard and become better especially when they've been told they had no talent.

Now, do you think Rush can become a great player? Nope, just cause he is benched but wait... also he can't work on his game like other players have done it, right?, so Rush should just retire, I mean he's handicapped, other players can get better but never Rush, lol. Whatever...

Sure not always you get to say a next MJ is playing but denying someone can become better or play as good as others if they get the opportunity it's simply ignorance.

I was a Laker fan before Kobe came, and will be one when he leaves....Im not saying all of this just because Im a fan of him, I myself dont see Rush become the player with Kobes skills

No you will not, you're a Kobe fan not a Lakers fan, wherever Kobe goes, you will follow that team, ask that to the MJ fans formerly Bulls then Wiz fans.

[.]

No you will not, you're a Kobe fan not a Lakers fan, wherever Kobe goes, you will follow that team, ask that to the MJ fans formerly Bulls then Wiz fans.

OMG, thats got to be 1 of the funniest things I have ever heard on this messageboard, even funnier then all of Heidi´s posts.

Listen boy, you dont know me, you will never know me....what the hell is your comment based on by saying I will be the fan of Kobes team?
The Lakers brought me into basketball not Kobe, my first games were Lakers games back in 94 when Kobe still was a High School player.

Maybe you will hop off the bandwagon when all the glory is gone, which you probably will lol, but you will never ever see me doing that

Well, if a player in the draft is comparable to MJ and is skipped by other 12 players, I just would consider those 12 were considered better than MJ. I would love to see a player coming to the league whose game is been compared with MJ/Chamberlain/Magic and not being drafted in the first 10 picks.

Like I said, its a risk to draft a High School player, specially 1 on that position a few years back. You never know if he might become the player he was in High School in the NBA, or ending up being a complete bust

[scubilete]

Listen boy, you dont know me, you will never know me....

boy?, lol. Now that's funny. Listen sissyboy/girl whatever you are, I've been a Lakers fan since 87, that's right, just 2-3 years after you were born, so whenever you think you're talking to a bangwagoner think it twice, s*cker...

what the hell is your comment based on by saying I will be the fan of Kobes team? The Lakers brought me into basketball not Kobe, my first games were Lakers games back in 94 when Kobe still was a High School player

A Kobe fan would follow Kobe everywhere, if Kobe gets to some other team and he faces the Lakers, no Kobe fan will want the Lakers humiliating Kobe when they face, that's how you will feel no matter if you're a girl or a "boy"

[.]

Listen boy, you dont know me, you will never know me....what the hell is your comment based on by saying I will be the fan of Kobes team?
The Lakers brought me into basketball not Kobe, my first games were Lakers games back in 94 when Kobe still was a High School player.

boy?, lol. Now that's funny. Listen little boy/girl whatever you are, I've been a Lakers fan since 87, that's right, just years after you were born, so whenever you think you're talking to a bangwagon think it twice, s*cker...

LOL, I was already born boy

You think twice before saying I will be fan of the team that Kobe joins,

s*cker...

Listen sissyboy/girl

Lol, someone feels offended I guess

[scubilete]

LOL, I was already born boy

Yeah sissy, probably you were but not old enough,

Lol, someone feels offended I guess

Well, sometimes you follow the guidelines, sometimes you don't. I did so far until you didn't, if you can call me boy which makes me younger I can call you sissy which makes you feel better than what you are, lol.

[Steve04]

Forget it man. You're just twisting my words and turning them into stuff I didn't say. I left these forums for a reason, and that was because it's impossible to debate anything with people like you. Later, peace out. Kareem Rush is the next superstar if he just works on his game. There's a Shaq 2 behind Shaq if he just works on his game. Oh yeah, I totally said that I thought there would never be another MJ. I totally said that I thought nobody could be as good as kobe.

Before you read that, take some sarcasm pills. I'm out of here.

[.]

LOL, I was already born boy

Yeah sissy, probably you were but not old enough,

Maybe not, but still Im no bandwagon fan.

Why are you so offended btw? calling me names

Im out of this conversation with you, cause this leads into a locked thread, and I dont want to argue anyone who wants the last word.

bye