Kobe Bryant Discussion: Mamba Out!

Not homerism at all but this is obvious Kobe-hate. There isn't one bit of that that tries to see any good in Kobe at all. All the good Phil has said about Kobe, especially post-25 years old Kobe, and he only quotes a negative blurb from his book. Now there may indeed be some benefit to both the Lakers and Kobe if he walks off in the sunset after this season, but if you have to make that point by writing an article that defamates Kobe so badly that if someone new to the NBA were to read it they would think he is just a cancer that never did anything good career-wise or helped anyone, pack it up.

Really, If you can't find something good about a player that won 5 championships and will retire 3rd in all-time scoring you need to step back from the keyboard, take a look at yourself as a journalist and decide if you want to write with integrity or just be a sensationalist.

 

Over half said it depends on his health, but since only one said you bring him back, they focus on that?

I'm embarrassed I clicked on it. And this guy Baxter Holmes?

 

You'd think it possibly being Kobe's last year he would garner more respect.

 

Doesn't get clicks

 

Holy crap what a hit piece, that was disgusting. Couldn't finish. And nice to throw in that Philip, again with the back stab in his next book after The Last Season.....Eleven Rings ..... taking another gratuitous shot at Kobe. Kobe was a major part of 5 of your rings, Phil. Just like Jordan with the other 6. Enjoy those 11 because you're not sniffing another with the Knicks, no matter how much zen and smugness you possess. I didn't realize he had once again shown Kobe in a bad light in the next book. I thought the story was he felt bad about what he had done in the first book and that was part of the motivation coming back to make it right with Kobe because he knew he hadn't been fair with him while placating Shaq.

 

Even if you leave out his entire career... He certainly was not a net negative out there in the last game (haven't seen the first one so can't really judge). He may even have been pretty bad the last season, it was literally painful to see him throw brick after brick and don't even try on defense. But he too seems rejuvenated and "good" at the very least. If Kobe plays for the entire season the way he did yesterday, I don't see how anyone not being a total hater could not be... well... impressed actually.

I have had my fears that Kobe won't allow the young players to take over in difficult situations and will continue to shoot 20+ Times a game. So far I haven't seen any of that. How he plays when the season starts remains to be seen, but can we please just enjoy the final season of one of the greatest ever? I assumed there would be a little more love from the media coming his way in these circumstances, I hope this "article" is not an indication of more such garbage to come.

 

good post, alcindor. it's actually sad where sports journalism has gone, in general. half of these guys are poor writers, and most of them think fact-gathering and objectivity are not part of the job description.

i actually blame simmons to some degree for the latter issues, though i suppose the internet made that inevitable, and he was just the first to really cash in huge.

guys like ford and hollinger became media superstars in this age--that would never have happened 30 years ago.

 

If Kobe can show he can play a lesser role, be more efficient, and play within the confines of the offense then I think it would be foolish to just tell him he's gotta go. I understand at some point the Lakers have to move on, but to me that shouldn't happen till the guy can't play anymore. Look at a team like San Antonio. They've kept Tim Duncan on board. They've kept his minutes down, limited his workload throughout the season, and he's been able to stay healthy and fresh. That's what the Lakers need to do with Kobe. He's already said he wants initating the offense and would love to play off the ball. We shall see if that holds true. Not having to be that guy anymore that makes all the plays as well at shooting over two or three guys late in the shot clock should improve his efficiency. He's gotta be willing to take a step back and allow the young guards to set him up and get him higher percentage looks.

 

I think when Kobe is done this year, this is what will happen.....

 

Think so? I think Kobe plays 50 plus games if we're lucky, he realizes his body can't handle it, and the Lakers don't have to mention a thing...Kobe will just walk off on his own without any intervention at all from the Lakers organization influencing his decisions one way or the other. Unfortunately, old-age, mileage, and the Achilles started a downward trajectory of one of the top 10 players of all time.

That said, let him rock with the Olympic team and go out with a Gold Medal...

 

I think he plays 70 games, avg's 20 points and plays solid D in about 30 min a game, and is rejuvenated by the lighter load and quality youngins to help lead. I think if he remains healthy, he's going to have a hard time walking away.

 

I also think he'd now be willing to take a very reasonable contract to help the Lakers land a big fish. I truly do.

:Trophy::Trophy::Trophy::Trophy::Trophy: + :Trophy:

 

Those are very high expectations. I'd love that. Do I see it happening? Probably not. We have a total of 18 back-to-backs. It's been reported that Kobe will most likely sit out those back-to-backs. That's 18 games missed putting him at 62. He felt great last year at this time. Then around mid to the beginning of December he started breaking down, and it wasn't even his shoulder; it was his legs that started giving out. Was that due to playing too many minutes? Yeah, and old age. If we manage him correctly, he'll give us 60 games, IMO.

He'll always score. I hope he does it efficiently this season. Solid D? Kobe hasn't been played solid defense in years. I don't mean to sound negative, but after three consecutive season ending injuries, I'm just a lot more cautions about my expectations I place on the Mamba.

 

I admit I'm wearing these


I'd like to see the Cal Ripken, Derek Jeter, John Elway kind of ending for Kobe though.

I'm a fan, I'm not rational. I stayed up till 3:00 AM to watch a freakin' preseason game.

 

:kobetabernak: Don't burst my bubble tell me unicorns and happy endings don't exist!

 

Besides that's what young legs around him and Hibbert are for

He'll set them up and make offense easier, and they'll cover weaknesses on D

 

ESPN's annual hit job on Kobe and the Lakers. Yawn.