That's cool. I've never been a huge shoe guy, but Kobe of course has been. I'm sure that collection is worth tons of money.
I didn't say "many at ESPN". Many who have been alive more than 30 years would say MJ, Kareem, Magic, Wilt, Russell, maybe a few others.
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/allstar/2016/02/13/20160213-asp-west-bryant.nba/ Great video. Kobe, Craig Sager, Pop.
How can you not respect and love a coach like Pop, no matter the rivalry. And still great to see Craig back on the sidelines. It's a fun weekend for Kobe fans, clearly for Kobe, great to see Kobe finally really getting the appreciation he deserves, just open up and have fun, drop the tough guy exterior on the way out since we aren't winning anything as a team. Get whatever joy he wants to and is able to out of this bad season since it's his last. A lot of us have always said it's going to be years down the line before Kobe is truly appreciated for how great he was and all the haters quiet down and really look at his career, but I'm glad at least SOME of that had started now. Except for ESPN, f*** them and their 12th all time.
Those two iso's with 24 and Gasol... Nostalgic and bittersweet. He is at peace passing up shots to set up teammates. So happy for 24 in a way just not liking how the story is going to end this season for him.
Nice to see the respect of all the players in the league. Even the announcers, opposing coaches, retired Hall of Famers.... In contrast, Jordan didn't get a parting gift from the Wizard players.
So good to see Kobe out there enjoying himself. I would've loved to see him get one more All Star MVP, but at the same time glad that he defered to the young guys. He got a well deserved tribute. Well deserved ovations. I'm just soaking it all in right now. We only have a little over 25 more games with this man. It's sad, but also happy and a celebration of all he's given us and he deserves it. Without any question. He poured his heart and soul into the game of basketball and I have the outmost respect for how he approached and played the game. He's given us so many great memories over the years and even a few flashbacks this season. I think he's as good as any player that has ever stepped on a basketball stand point. Certainly talent wise, credentials wise, and his work ethic has been as great as anyone.
Watching some 2012-2013 highlights from Kobe tonight and man he was so efficient that year. We had him guarding opposing point guards which is just insane because Nash couldn't guard anyone, playing 38 minutes a game, and yet Kobe still had one of the best seasons of his career. At 34 years old in his seventeen season when most don't even make it past their fifteenth just incredible. He basically willed a team with a one legged Nash, declining Gasol, and the clown to the postseason.
And then.... MikeDamnPhoney Rode Kobe like a 25 yr old pony Kobe filled in his coaching gap Until his Achilles finally snapped *sigh*
It's shameful it took him to his retire for people to show him proper respect. People looking over older videos of him will be in awe because he was that amazing as a player. But the negativity, and the dark clouds truly overshadowed him as a player. Many people unfortunately will remember all of the negative media coverage over his amazing run as a NBA player. There will never be another Kobe Bryant. The way he transitioned as a player when he lost his athletic ability was insane to watch. No one will ever be able to mimic what he has done for the game of basketball. And ESPN can shove it, they've never done him right. There has to be come bitter people over at that network because they always threw shade at him whenever they could. Kobe's next step is being a mentor to these younger guys. Hopefully he can still have his hand in a lot of NBA affiliated things. Like Micheal said he'll have to transfer that competitive nature into something else now. Won't be hard for Bean.
Pop asked Kobe to find some time for Kawhi this summer. Kobe also told Mitchell to send Lavine and Wiggins his way in the off season.
I was listening to the pregame on the radio (on my way to Valentine's Day dinner with the wife, so no, I couldn't watch the game) and Jon Barry was washing Kobe's balls. Jon F---ing Barry! This reminds me of when someone dies. They could have been a world class piece of s--- and then as soon as they are in the ground, "He was difficult at times, but in his heart, he was a wonderful human being." Shelly Smith was interviewing Kobe...the same Shelly Smith that basically acted like a mouthpiece for Kate Faber during the "rape" fiasco and praising him. It pisses me off that all these ESPN a--holes that spent the last 20 years bashing Kobe are acting like he is the second greatest player in history after MJ. The same guys that voted him the 12th best player of all time just 2 weeks ago.