Well there's a large contingent of media personalities talking about Kobe going to NY after this season. I just don't see it. I don't see him playing another season. It's part of why I'm sad he's playing so poorly and sad that the fan reaction toward him has been so overwhelmingly negative.
I'll be beyond shocked if Kobe goes to NY next season. I will be shocked if Kobe plays at all next season. Hell I might be shocked if Kobe finished THIS season healthy. As for fans being negative, I think that's part of what Kobe remains clueless about in that article a few posts up. He says he gets held to a higher standard and gets talked bad about for missing a lot of shots. That's not what I'm seeing. I'm seeing criticism for the shots he's taking, awful threes, like with the game on the line, not open and 10 seconds left on the shot clock. There is one thing that I haven't seen and I don't think we will ever see, and something I'd never do myself, and that is Kobe being booed by the home crowd. I will criticize Kobe and call him out in the moment, but I will never boo this man, he's given us too many great years and fantastic memories.
The end is often ugly ... I can't remember lots of great players from the 90es to today which retired at the right time and didn't embarrass themselves ... maybe Malone and D.Robinson
@Weezy the criticism I imagine he's thinking is more like national media coverage which has been absolutely BRUTAL on him. The fans' criticism is more just. I don't disagree with a lot of it. But the vitriol he's getting among Laker fans is really depressing. I'm not excusing him, I'm just saying it's a tough situation and there's been very little understanding from the fan base while he works through his issues. Hell most of the fans I've seen wrote off his last game as well or just didn't acknowledge it, but he looked much better.
second half was just so dreadfull he couldnt even make ft...i dont mind him missing shots i am just angry at his selection...they are mostly covered and forced 3pt shots,which everyone knowes he will take and miss...i guess he is on the track for the most missed 3s in the history...if he continues this way then we can bet on his next +15p +40% game... and i was so foolish...i was expecting him to move much more off the ball where russel would find him with his passes,so far none...
This is the reason why Kobe needs to retire he's mentally affecting his teammates thus making our offense stagnant
Worthy finally saying Kobe shouldn't be the go to guy to close game anymore. Says it should be JC and Lou (of who was out there), and that the Kobe ISO stalls the offense. All obvious stuff, but at least someone other than a fan is saying it I guess. Same complaints for me, too many threes, too many hard shots that didn't have to be hard way early in the shot clock, he just doesn't learn.
Seeing Kobe smiling and stuff makes it definite for me that he is ready to retire even if expectations are different this year. He's using the word "fortunate" a lot describing his career and is just trying to enjoy his limited time.
Pretty embarrassing.. should have left Ron in to cover Melo. Not to mention Ron was taking much higher percentage shots and creating space for his team mates.. Kobe just ran right at the damn PG demanding the ball, like seriously go away grandpa. He had golden opportunities to penetrate further in and step back for midrange jumpers, or go to the basket.. dump it off or find cutters.. but no he decides to throw the whole lunch table up there again and again. He looked more focused on chatting up the crowd and flashing stupid faces instead of playing basketball and getting the young guys going. Needs to focus and make the right decisions or go sit down.. If the coach wasn't horrendous this wouldn't even be an issue, he'd design plays for him in the post like Jordan had and have him playing the correct way. These guys are athletic, they can get the ball to him with single coverage on the baseline and let him do his thing. He's still tremendous there why can't they freaking see that and exploit it already?
Byron: So Kobe, I imagine you'll be taking tomorrow. Probably pissed at yourself. Kobe: Byron: You should be, but I won't say anything because you're my HERO. Rest up buddy.
Oh please, let's not inspire Phil Jackson to talk about your play right now Kobe. Looked in the mirror lately?