by Chris_23 on Wed Mar 02, 2005 6:53 am
Luc Longley was useful. Chicago was a team, they did not need a centre like Shaq in the lineup. If you check Longleys stats, they average more than many of good starting lineup centres today.
Chicagos transformation was an interesting thing to follow.WHen Jordan arrived the team was a mess, literally. However by the early ninties after five years of hard work by Michael and the team, with Scottie developing soon into an all star, the team was different. Michael was considered a great post-up player and he had the ability to take the game into his own hands already since the very first year of his career. This caused massive critique, peopel saying he cant make his team better and such. Well he did, he was Scottie Pippens on-court basketball teacher, many of Scotties fundamentals came from Michael, and even vice versa. The near-perfect duo of 90s standing strong next to Stock-to-Malone.
But since Ill continue this off-topic here (this is lebron kobe thread), Luc Longley and Dennis Rodman, along with Ron were roleplayers. But they were not your regular roleplayers. With Ron, the PG of the team was really Michael being modern on-court coach late 90s. Ron Harper, who was a magnificent player in the beginning of his career, struggled after injuries, but managed great game in Bulls still. Now Rodman was another factor, he was a really hard man to contain as a persona, but Jordan and the Bulls were the only ones capable of doing that. There were times when MJ held Rodman back physically on court, or cried out loud at him. But he was contained. Rodman was never Rodman more than he was at Chicago.
And this Luc Longley. From Minnesota, a roleplayer centre, picked for Chicago as a contributing Centre capable of fulfilling the position, and capable of shooting and passing. They had Rodman on boards so Longley never averaged a double double because of rebouns, but his importance was strong. The only game Lakers went against Bulls in 97-98, Oneal was kept on 24 points, 4 points below the average so even such a dominant player didnt have the chance to take control of Longley who was a mere roleplayer.
Call that overpraising if you will but Jordan and Russell are the only two players in the history of the league who were capable of making their teammates so much better on court. No Bulls star shined after the dynasty fell apart.
But now, back to topic (the last section was about the fact that comparing Michael to Kobe or LeBron is just a silly thing, that happens every once in a while, it was popular with kobe for three years in a row before the charges, and is a popular subject now with LeBron who recently has proved that he has a very long way to go yet)
But as far as selfishness is conserned, yeah you may consider Kobe selfish with his near seven assists per game this season... LeBron has just one more per game...
Ok, perhaps you dont consider assists as the selfishness factor. Then shooting? Last ten games LeBron has been more selfish than Kobe. LeBron has been on 30% last two games and things arent looking good against Sonics who come up next.
As far as Kobe hatred goes, I feel sorry for the guy. He is one of the best in the league today, yes definetly better than LeBron, and he receives such a bad response from the crowd. People boo and such. He does not deserve it really. People make mistakes, but come on give him room. If even lakers fans boo him then Im sad to say but the lakers wont be seeing a title in the next ten years.
Its unfair to boo such a player. WHat, you are saying that Jordan is perfect? NO. LeBron? Definetly not. God damnit, I think less of EVERY GOD DAMN person who thinks that they are so good themselves to boo a great player that Kobe Bryant is. I want to see ONE person who says that he or she hasnt made a mistake in his or her life. Kobe made a mistake. He apologized. He was sorry god damnit, if this is not enough for you then I honestly cant take you as a respectable basketball fan.
Was I really the only one who saw pain in Kobes eyes as the people booed during the All-Star introduction and did not smile? Was I really the only non-Kobe fan who did not smile seeing the man suffer because of the response he received?
Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers no8 does not deserve such hatred.