For some reason a narcissist who puts in the work, plays through injury, leads by example, and not only has the balls to take the last shot, but demands it in his quest to win at any cost, is viewed differently. Who knew?
one thing that's becoming clear is that kobe doesn't really care much about the lakers. you look at some of the other ex-players and how they follow their team around and become superfans (hakeem olajuwon was freaking everywhere this postseason! sean elliot will fight you if you diss any spur, past or present!), and kobe's like: i'll talk to guys about playing that market... btw, i'm not saying ex-players need to be all in for the franchise (like magic has been for the lakers). it's their life. kobe's got his own interests, but the lakers seem sort of tangential.
How can I hate better if I don't hate Kob like that. I'm just asking fans to call it like it is. You going to hate on a dude then be consistent with it. Btw, I know you're proud of taking that pic with Kob...but you coulda lined up your s*** better bro. #HateEqually
I'm not sure I view that the same way. He's super driven and the gold standard for work ethic, skills, and determination for an entire generation or three or four of ballers world wide. Because he is so driven, he has already won what amounts to a lifetime achievement awards out of the gate OUTSIDE of basketball. He has plans, goals, and is a busy man. If you ask him if he'll be in the meeting, he said no. However, he'll take your call and mentor/train you like he has done for many members of the next generation in sports like basketball and beyond because that's who he is. He doesn't need to sell L.A. He doesn't need to sell the Lakers. Like he said, if you are wired to want to be the greatest in a high pressure market like L.A., nothing he can say would matter anyways. Besides, from his perspective, the franchise is in GREAT hands with Magic and Pelinka. Those are two guys he has great respect for, but if you want some of Kobe's valuable time to be taken away from other post career passions, it will likely be by phone. I'm good with that, and I respect that.
Is that the same to you as remembering someone's whole 20 year career that way? I guess it just isn't to me. Seeing Bron cower for years in the moment is a non starter for me.
You're just a Bron hater Sir (nothing wrong about it). If the guy pulled a kid from in front of a speeding bus, you would say it doesn't count because he used his off hand
he was doing it just for media attention, and then he fainted or took a knee afterwards as soon as he saw there were cameras rolling, and you and I both know it. damn flopper
It's enough to earn my respect. Especially the way he's been able to get to the Finals for 8 straight years. I still don't like a lot of his antics, but he's earned my respect as one of the greats for sure.
He's absolutely one of the all time greats, and no one can ever take that from him. Doesn't mean I root for him or want him. To the contrary, I like seeing him lose, beat, swept, making excuses, flopping, etc. It's the Bron I know and love and can rely on. He can't go 4 weeks without publicly making douchey comments. It's who he is. And I'm ok with that. I just prefer he chooses a different home address. But like I stated in another thread, if he somehow helped us get Kawhi and George too, my stance may slightly soften. Maybe.
I still love watching that '10 series against the Suns. I don't think I've ever seen anyone on the Playoffs stage that vicious, that creative, that unstoppable. I know any number of NBA fans will throw some Kareem or Jordan stats at me (or LeBron I guess), but that series was just different.
I can’t say I’ve seen better. The final game alone, the shots at 16:08, 16:31, 16:52, and 17:28 are all pure insanity.