Kobe Bryant Discussion: Mamba Out!

I think what he was focused on was when they were all playing and healthy, we were a very fortunate team to have that rotation. It was freaking awesome, and I think all of us wishes that window was extended.

Unfortunately Pau's mileage was catching up to his absurd annual offseason International bball commitments, and he started to slow. Phil was pushing big minutes too. Bynum was at the top when healthy, but like you said, wasn't often enough. Our three bigs when healthy were talented, mostly team oriented, skilled, and very fun to watch.

 

Odom was often closing the game with Pau too. Both were very versatile and great passers.

 

Well these are your own words:

Sounds like downplaying to me.

 

Finesse and footwork vs strength and athleticism.

 

Body made of granite and hands of stone, such traits aren't made for basketball but statues alone...

 

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/...ryant-nick-van-exel-teammates-competitiveness

 

Literally one of a kind. Even the GOAT Michael Jordan didn't work as hard as Kobe and was lacking (to some degree) in some of Bryant's skill sets. Mike was just a little bit bigger, even more of a freak of a great athlete and had bigger hands.

 

But Kobe doesn't make his teammates better!!

 

Kobe always had time for Sasha. It was the euro-connection plus the confidence he had (don't remember any Radmanovic connection, but there sure was a Gasol connection). And let's not forget the ultimate Phil gesture was him having faith in Sasha against Boston to win the ring with Sasha icing the opportunity. Kobe liked the harder you went at him. Sasha didn't always pay dividends on the court but he sure was Kobe's pal just like those youtube machine videos were documentaries.

 

Only 15 games left of this man's historic career.

 

I have slowly been preparing myself for his impending retirement. This year has been different; the tour has been a nice gesture to see for an all-time great. He's earned his paycheck, though; at the very least, he's still a crowd attraction and he has kept the Lakers somewhat relevant during this historic disaster of a season.

The year we had Nash, Dwight, and Pau (2012); I nearly watched every game. He dragged us to the PO's with this outstanding performances. Earlier that season, while we were such fighting for our playoff lives, Kobe guaranteed we'd make the PO's. He delivered. What's so interesting about that year is my sudden increase in urgency to not miss a game; I was very emotionally invested and probably just as much as our championship runs. This was just the regular season. I'm glad I was because that was the last time I witnessed Kobe's greatness for an entire season.

Certainly, he has had moments the past three years; although, they are far and few between, though, but I have to appreciate those moments even more because they are rare and you don't know if you'll ever get to see 24 dominate on the floor like that ever again. In retrospect, I'm happy for the memories and truly not only admire the basketball player but admire the person, and it's certainly been a pleasure not only watching his game evolve over the years but watching and witnessing him evolve as a person.

It's certainly been a great run as we draw closer to the finale.