Kobe Bryant: Does He Need a Smirk Check?

[DarkHelmet]

True... but Kobe is supposed to be the next Jordan...

Here's where I disagree with you.

There is no "next" Jordan. There's only one Michael Jordan. No one has, nor will do, what he did. His pure skill, athleticism, leadership, ability to perform in the clutch, mental toughness and fortitute.. unmatched.

Kobe did what Jordan has done in that he won multiple rings with another great player as a teammate (just like Jordan/Pippen).

He's only 28 - he's got plenty of time to get it right.

 

[DanCPA]

And that's where I disagree with you. Kobe had it this year... And Kobe has the talent... he had the team...
But in the finals, he couldn't overcome the Celtic D, and at times looked like if he was deferring too much

The heart of a true champion goes out and takes the championships... they win them... they play great when it matters most... Kobe collapsed in the Finals. But, in game 2 when the C's collapsed, we saw what the Lakers could and should have been doing against the C's the whole time!

 

[Skywalker]

All this talk about what Kobe could have and should have done is taking far too much credit away from the Celtics. One player alone cannot beat an all-around superior team, not anymore.

 

[gblews]

Kobe has not been able to get the Lakers anywhere without Shaq until this year... and right when they were on the brink of sure victory, they chocked!

Kobe will get another chance next year... But a true champ finds a way to win on the greatest stages... Kobe has yet to do that.

The Lakers choked? A "sure victory"? You don't watch much basketball do you?

(sigh) Anyway, Jordan didn't even get to the Finals until his 8 season in the league. The reason it took him so long was that he didn't have the coach or the right players around him. It is no different with any player who has ever been in the league.

The years Kobe had the right coach AND the right players around him he won 3 championships. In his first season with a new set of 'right players' he got his team to the Finals against all odds. Most folks (even fans), thought the Lakers wouldn't even make the playoffs when the season started. Unfortunately, he ran into a Celtics team that was simply better.

Oh, and by the way, that was something Jordan never faced in the Finals; a team that was better than his.

All this talk about what Kobe could have and should have done is taking far too much credit away from the Celtics. One player alone cannot beat an all-around superior team, not anymore.

Agree. What happened in the Finals was all about the Celtics, not what the Lakers "faiied" to accomplish.

 

[DarkHelmet]

And that's where I disagree with you. Kobe had it this year... And Kobe has the talent... he had the team...
But in the finals, he couldn't overcome the Celtic D, and at times looked like if he was deferring too much

The heart of a true champion goes out and takes the championships... they win them... they play great when it matters most... Kobe collapsed in the Finals. But, in game 2 when the C's collapsed, we saw what the Lakers could and should have been doing against the C's the whole time!

You're making my point for me.. Kobe has the sheer talent, but not the other qualities that made MJ so great.

And sorry, Odom and Gasol are nowhere near the player Scottie Pippen was, nor as clutch.

 

[tomalak301]

If there is one thing that should put this whole Kobe and Jordan debate to rest is that where was Kobe when he was sorely needed? Michael Jordan was able to single-handedly take over a game no matter what defense came after him. Kobe is no where to be seen and it comes off really disappointing when the Lakers lose by 39 points in the deciding game of the finals. Kobe may be a great player, but he has a long way to go to be the best. I think the finals showed a little regression from him though.

 

[Neroon]

Looks as if Shaq's already addressed the question of this thread.

 

[tomalak301]

Looks as if Shaq's already addressed the question of this thread.

I thought that whole thing was funny until the media blew it out of proportion. Now I'm glad it's somewhat past history and we can move on.

 

[Neroon]

Agreed. Of course, there's still at least some fallout from that rap. Deputy Shaq will lose his badge.

 

[DanCPA]

And sorry, Odom and Gasol are nowhere near the player Scottie Pippen was, nor as clutch.

Well, Pippen wasn't a great player without Michael. Gasol and Odom are both all star caliber players without Kobe.

As for Shaq losing his badge, it's a shame. He was rapping and having fun... A serious over reaction

You don't watch much basketball do you?

Well, I only went to about 20 games at the GW Forum... Only about 200 or so at Staples Center [both Lakers and Clippers], so maybe I do need to see more basketball.

 

[DarkHelmet]

Well, Pippen wasn't a great player without Michael. Gasol and Odom are both all star caliber players without Kobe.

You are crazy, Danno.

 

[DanCPA]

Am I? He was 3 games over .500 with Toni Kukoc and the rest of the Bulls the second season without Jordan

He threw a hissy fit when a play was designed for Kukoc against the Knicks by Phil Jackson against he Knicks

And his career after leaving Chicago wasn't remarkable for anything.

 

[DarkHelmet]

Am I? He was 3 games over .500 with Toni Kukoc and the rest of the Bulls the second season without Jordan

Irrelevant - plenty of great players have suffered through sub-par seasons, including the two good players you mentioned a few posts back, Odom and Gasol. Kobe. Shaq. Ewing.

He threw a hissy fit when a play was designed for Kukoc against the Knicks by Phil Jackson against he Knicks

Agree that this was lame, and he acted like a petulant child. But says nothing about his skill as a player.

And his career after leaving Chicago wasn't remarkable for anything.

True, but he was long past his prime and injuries hampered him.

 

[Daedalus12]

Pippen is better than Odom but you can't compare him to Gasol. Jordan never had a low post player as good as Gasol in offense. Grant and Rodman were both defensive and rebounding specialist. Longley was a stiff and Cartwright was mediocre. But if the Lakers did have Bynum healthy for the playoffs this year I think the talent comparison to the first 3-peat Bulls team would be very close with the exception that Kobe Bryant is not as good as Michael Jordan and will never be as good.

 

[gblews]

Well, Pippen wasn't a great player without Michael. Gasol and Odom are both all star caliber players without Kobe.

Pippen was voted to the list of 50 greatest players ever.

You don't watch much basketball do you?

Well, I only went to about 20 games at the GW Forum... Only about 200 or so at Staples Center [both Lakers and Clippers], so maybe I do need to see more basketball.

I was giving you the benefit of the doubt. But maybe you're right. Perhaps it isn't that you need to watch more games.