Can Kobe Spell A-I-R?

[Damien War]

We both agree he isn't using his full potential, but I don't see a reason to trade him for a 10 and 10 defensive guy(nobody comes to mind that would be traded so he'd probably would be lacking in one of the categories) and cripple our offensive production even more. Caron's talented, but he can't shoot, and I don't see him as what you want as your second option for a team trying to go deep in the playoffs. A trade I wouldn't mind seeing is Caron and Deavan George for Artest and some scrub to make it work while Ron is still suspended and the organization is still iffy about keeping him. But that's just wishful thinking... Bird ain't that stupid and Jerry ain't that smart or he would have made the Heat throw in D-Wade.... Jerry, you dumb son of a bitch.......

[Sauru]

lakers will be worlds better if kobe learns how to make his teammates better. and i dont wanna hear any crap about thats not his job its the coaches and so forth. a star player, and not just any star but a guy compared to the likes of jordan, has to not only be able to step up at the right times but also might step back and let his teammates control the game. the greatest all make those around them better just by believeing in them. i mean how great must a guy like john paxon feel when a man like michael jordan tells him to be ready for the game winner.

[Damien War]

He hasn't learned it, but you can't deny Dude's trying.

[t-mac&15]

sit man u gotta make more of these articles i love these it seems like an insider article at espn. anyways gotta agree with your article. i believe kobe doesn't have any BIG career defining moments but he's had some in the regular season. i believe that he is still improving and if he ever figures out to trust his teamates, he could become the best player in the league but he can't challenge jordan, not even lebron can. lebron is more of a magic johnson type of player rather than jordan. lebron in my thoughts will end up in the level of magic johnson but neither of those players will challenge michael

[Damien War]

i believe kobe doesn't have any BIG career defining moments but he's had some in the regular season.

Playoffs, okay...Game 4 of the 2000 Finals @ Indiana. Kobe's first game back from an ankle injury he got in the first qtr of Game 2. he hobbled to 28 points and 8 in overtime after Shaq had fouled out and got us the W. The greatest playoff run in the history of basketball in '01 when we went 15-1, something the 72-10 Bulls didn't even do. But the moment that lingers in every Laker fans mind the most should come to you by me just saying "Kobe... to Shaq!!!" Game 7 4th quarter comeback from 16 down to beat the Blazers. All those were defining to me. Maybe I don't understand what you're judging on. But I still can't see how anybody could think he hasn't had absolutely any defining moments though.

[patrixxx73]

i dont like kobe bryant, never have. just something about him ANNOYS THE HELL OUT OF ME!

i think LeBron is, and will be better then kobe.

hes a more fair comparison the MJ.

Sad to say... But... I Agree with you!!!

[threatlockz]

i dont like kobe bryant, never have. just something about him ANNOYS THE HELL OUT OF ME!

i think LeBron is, and will be better then kobe.

hes a more fair comparison the MJ.

i'm with you on that. one way or the other Kobe seems overconfident about himself, i dunno, he just feels like that to me. I can't deny he's a greata player, posted awesome numbers, but I just don't like the player, can't help it.

[Colin]

Playoffs, okay...Game 4 of the 2000 Finals @ Indiana. Kobe's first game back from an ankle injury he got in the first qtr of Game 2. he hobbled to 28 points and 8 in overtime after Shaq had fouled out and got us the W. The greatest playoff run in the history of basketball in '01 when we went 15-1, something the 72-10 Bulls didn't even do. But the moment that lingers in every Laker fans mind the most should come to you by me just saying "Kobe... to Shaq!!!" Game 7 4th quarter comeback from 16 down to beat the Blazers. All those were defining to me. Maybe I don't understand what you're judging on. But I still can't see how anybody could think he hasn't had absolutely any defining moments though.

That was a bigger moment for Shaq then it was for Kobe. Everyone remembers Shaq's arms at his side and running back down the court with that goofy expression.

[Ataraxia]

BRILLIANT ARTICLE .......but Im actually not a huge fan of either......MJ is great no doubt though....and Kobe well I dunno I use to like him....the only Laker I liked when Shaq was around but now hes just become dull and I turn off Laker games most of the time(partially cause of him)......

hes a top player, I think he no doubt will become one of the greats of the NBA....but surpassing the tag of Mr.Basketball aka Michael Jordan is something I see only LeBron James somewhat challenging....

[Damien War]

That was a bigger moment for Shaq then it was for Kobe. Everyone remembers Shaq's arms at his side and running back down the court with that goofy expression.

I can see how you see it that way. 2000 was the year of The Big Aristotle, The Big Stock Exchange, The Big Barischnicof, The Big Correctomundo,or whatever the hell he was calling hisself that week...But I think about the timing of that assist. Me, I can remember how in the seasons before that Kobe was really getting it from analyst for being selfish and immature. But here we are, at the most critical time, favored to win it all, but fighting for our survival (i'm getting so serious )anyway, he gets into the lane everybody in the building and at home thinking he's gonna jack it, the entire Blazer defense collaspes on him and he throws the oop. That's what made the whole moment so special for me.

BTW we were down by 15 not 16

[Chris_23]

Another of those somewhat biased articles, but nevertheless a good and interesting read. For Kobes part though, as the comparison as such never has been nor ever will be at such a height where Michael, Larry and Earvin sit (Man I love not using the Magic name, it annoys the hell out of so many But damn I like his game ).

However there is another thing that Im worried about. Ive talked long about how age is not the factor, experience is. There have been few players who start at such a young age, and then "go to their prime" when 26. Usually the prime is already that year and the previous years. More like the prime comes from the experience and years in the league, most players enter their prime after five to six seasons, some earlier and fade faster, others later. Michaels prime was the last thre titles, not really the first threepeat. Many may argue, but as a player and leader he was more complete at that age.

With Kobe it hurts me to think that his prime will never go further than they have with Shaq. But as it does hurt me, at the same time I think that he has too much to prove.

But if you remember right, Michael became the best because of criticism and failures. Kobe has had his fair share through the years, and if he can grab hold of that, he may bring the title to Lakers yet.

Its a tough call really. Comparison to the greats in the history isnt fair, definetly not yet. It doesnt just go for Kobe. Same is true for even Shaq, Duncan, Iverson and Lebron. Id list Vince here, but his prime remains to be seen hopefully.

Nevertheless I think for the sake of interesting articles, dig deeper into the players, and dig into the issues that are more interesting to read. Something that hasnt been covered or discussed before. Something along the lines of NBA special documentaries.

Nevertheless, two thumbs up.

[Fresh8]

I'll strive to improve... of course i dont have any access to ESPN... i need to rely on reading normally biased accounts of the NBA...

[Sauru]

i believe kobe doesn't have any BIG career defining moments but he's had some in the regular season.

Playoffs, okay...Game 4 of the 2000 Finals @ Indiana. Kobe's first game back from an ankle injury he got in the first qtr of Game 2. he hobbled to 28 points and 8 in overtime after Shaq had fouled out and got us the W. The greatest playoff run in the history of basketball in '01 when we went 15-1, something the 72-10 Bulls didn't even do. But the moment that lingers in every Laker fans mind the most should come to you by me just saying "Kobe... to Shaq!!!" Game 7 4th quarter comeback from 16 down to beat the Blazers. All those were defining to me. Maybe I don't understand what you're judging on. But I still can't see how anybody could think he hasn't had absolutely any defining moments though.

i personally cant call that comeback game against portland a defineing moment. i believed then and still believe now that the damn refs just handed that game to the lakers. i know for a fact all you laker fans out there, and probably alot of non laker fans, will disagree and maybe even flame me but i remember watching that game. i remember the air fouls the called on portland at the end and i also remeber the mugging the portland players got that had no calls. it was the worst called game i have ever seen in my life.

[Damien War]

I understand that. I feel there ought to be a debate about Jordan's Final shot as a Bull were he throws Byron Russell on his ass. But I know you consider that a defining moment. Shaq has always gotten the un-fucking-believable calls and Kobe's solid at getting to the line himself. Shaq and Kobe only got to the line a combined four times(yeah, just watched it) which really isn't that excessive and Robert Horry didn't take his 2 trips until the Blazers had started intentional fouling, but still the fact remains the refs wouldn't have been able to even put us in the game if Portland would have just made some shots.

[senhorxxx]

i believe kobe doesn't have any BIG career defining moments but he's had some in the regular season.

Playoffs, okay...Game 4 of the 2000 Finals @ Indiana. Kobe's first game back from an ankle injury he got in the first qtr of Game 2. he hobbled to 28 points and 8 in overtime after Shaq had fouled out and got us the W. The greatest playoff run in the history of basketball in '01 when we went 15-1, something the 72-10 Bulls didn't even do. But the moment that lingers in every Laker fans mind the most should come to you by me just saying "Kobe... to Shaq!!!" Game 7 4th quarter comeback from 16 down to beat the Blazers. All those were defining to me. Maybe I don't understand what you're judging on. But I still can't see how anybody could think he hasn't had absolutely any defining moments though.

i personally cant call that comeback game against portland a defineing moment. i believed then and still believe now that the damn refs just handed that game to the lakers. i know for a fact all you laker fans out there, and probably alot of non laker fans, will disagree and maybe even flame me but i remember watching that game. i remember the air fouls the called on portland at the end and i also remeber the mugging the portland players got that had no calls. it was the worst called game i have ever seen in my life.

I agree 1000% .

[Drex]

it was the worst called game i have ever seen in my life.

What about the WCF against the Kings? (Can¡t remember the game)

Shaq has always gotten the un-fucking-believable calls

Most of the Superstars in the League gets questionable calls, but Shaq...some refs doesn't know how to call fouls when he's playing. He also gets the un-fucking-believable hacks in the arms, players in his back, etc. Don't go biased there.

[Sauru]

that kings game was pretty damn bad i agree but i would have to rate it behind the portland one. as far as portland not hitting thier shots, you are right, i cant argue that. i will however add that if you have played basketball(i assume alot of us here have) then you know when a few really bad calls go against you it is very very very easy for your team to fall apart. this goes for all sports not just bball. now its obvious that i have never liked kobe but when that guy gets momentem on his side he is damn dangerous. the lakers as a whole were deadly when things were going thier way.

about the jordan shot. i do believe it was a foul but it was a seriously weak one. its not like he launched him aside or anything, he just gave him a little push and his own weight carried him down. also there is not a ref in the world who would have called that foul seeing as it was believed to be his last shot in the nba ever.

[Drex]

Agree with the last part. It wasn't THAT big of a push, Reggie made a bigger one against the Bulls and nobody said shit

[senhorxxx]

Agree with the last part. It wasn't THAT big of a push, Reggie made a bigger one against the Bulls and nobody said shit

I agree 100000%.

[Damien War]

Quote:
Shaq has always gotten the un-fucking-believable calls

Most of the Superstars in the League gets questionable calls, but Shaq...some refs doesn't know how to call fouls when he's playing. He also gets the un-fucking-believable hacks in the arms, players in his back, etc. Don't go biased there.

Exactly. I meant that both ways.

You're all entitled to your opinions, but I just watched the game not three days ago, and it wasn't "The Worst Called Game Ever Seen". It wasn't bad at all. There wasn't anything I hadn't seen that would be compared a travesty to any other game. We shot well (Brian Shaw was huge) and they shot piss poor. Questionable calls? During the fourth there was one, and if you want to be finicky two. But as a person who plays or observes basketball you understand that that's apart of the game and it's something you have to overcome, because you're measured on how you handle adversity.

Game 6 Vs the Kings that could be an exception. That was a screw job . They still had a opportunity to win game 7, though. And I'm not trying to fool you to think that the Lakers weren't prone to get a call in their favor during the dynasty years. I'm not in denial about that. The star treatment has always been around. You said it yourself Saura, no referee would have called that foul on Jordan, and you're kidding yourself if you think that's only no call he's gotten away with during the 6 rings (blatant taunting, flagrant fouling, traveling everything in between)But I watch plenty of tape and I've seen plenty of Laker games where I felt we were getting all the calls, and like I said i just watched the game and doesn't fall in that category.