Other Sports Give It Up For Kobe Bean Bryant - Page 2

BIG_DADDY · 01-28-2011, 12:25 PM

HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – This is a direct message to the anti-Kobe Bryant crowd out there.

Give it up! Give up the fight.

And give it up for Kobe Bean Bryant.

Seriously, stop hating on the man and surrender. There’s a good chance KB Bryant is going to leave this game with his face on the NBA’s version of Mt. Rushmore, alongside those idols from his childhood, specifically Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.

You can’t win this argument. Despite all of your theories to the contrary and reasons for why he should not, could not and will not go down as one of the game’s top five all-time greats, it’s going to happen. There’s no stopping him now. He’s already got the championship rings (five of them, to be exact) and career longevity that has eluded so many other seekers of basketball’s holy grail (fame, fortune, rings and legendary status).

And now he’s hunting down scoring legends, one by one, as he climbs up the career chart every time he and the Lakers hit the floor. With 13 points tonight against the Sacramento Kings, Bryant will pass Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon and move into eighth place on the NBA’s career scoring list. He began the year in 13th place. He’ll be knocking on the door of the top five by season’s end.

Love him or hate him, you can’t deny the man his due.

You’ve doubted him at every turn, from the moment he stood at that podium as a high school senior with those shades sitting atop of his shaved head and told the world he was taking his talents to the NBA next year (it was “The Decision” long before we’d ever heard of LeBron James).

There was no way this brash kid was going to take over the league the way he tried to in his first couple of years in the league, butting heads with grown men (on his team and around the league) on a nightly basis. But he did.

There was absolutely no he was going to be able to co-exist with another all-time great, Shaquille O’Neal, and win titles with the Lakers while they tussled for alpha dog status in the same locker room. But he did. He won three titles and would have probably won several more had they stayed together.

Surely there was no way he’d win it all without Shaq, not after blowing up that dynasty. He’d have to settle for being known forever as Robin to the big fella’s Batman, a shame worse than anything he could stand. But he did. He finally won without Shaq, back-to-back titles even, and now he’s chasing his third straight.

But KB Bryant isn’t just playing for his own legacy these days. He’s doing it for his coach now, too. He’s trying to make sure Phil Jackson exits Laker land properly, with another ring.

It’s yet another improbable twist in Bryant’s true Hollywood story.

The same coach that trashed him in that book after the Shaq-Kobe dynasty ended is the one that inspires him now. Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times explains:

Kobe Bryant doesn’t need any added motivation, but he acknowledges the importance of winning one more championship under Jackson.

“Yeah, for me especially because we’ve been together for so long,” Bryant said. “I’m going to make sure I do everything in my power to send him off in the right way.”

Jackson, 65, reiterated Thursday that he would be done coaching after this season. He said that last season was a “maybe” as far as retirement, but “this year, there’s no ‘maybe.’ “

He then joked he would find a way to stay in the spotlight: “I’m actually going to have a press conference once every two months just to kind of feel right. Maybe like Jerry [West], just getting it out.”

West recently made headlines by saying at an Orange County auto show that the Lakers’ defense looked slow and old.

Bryant didn’t want to peer too far into Jackson’s departure after 11 seasons with the Lakers, five of which have ended in championships.

“It’ll be a sad day, but I’m sure I’ll get together with him and go fly-fishing at some point,” Bryant said.

You won’t catch us doubting Bryant when he says he and Phil might go fly-fishing together one day. In fact, we’re expecting as much. Look at the man’s history. He doesn’t just chase his dreams, he snatches them up.

Are we convinced that his sole motivating factor is making sure the Zen Master receives a proper send off? Well, of course, not. We all know he wants to climb more than just the scoring charts.

Jordan has that sixth ring.

You know KB Bryant won’t rest until he has seven … or eight, or even nine.

At this point, we’d be fools to doubt him.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2011/0...s=iref:nbahpt1

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 01-28-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

The only people who think Kobe is anywhere near Mike are Lakers homers, and kids who aren't old enough to have seen Mike play night in and night out. That said, I hate Kobe and I hate the Lakers as an old Sonics fan. And while I haven't watched any NBA basketball in years, from what I've seen of the dude, Kobe is the best to touch the court since Mike and is up there with every great player that's ever played this game outside of Jordan. JMHO.

I'll tell you what he does have just like Michael did, and that's work ethic. If anything was going to convince me I was wrong, and Kobe and Michael are equals, it would be that legendary work ethic. That "nothing is ever good enough" mentality. It's what makes them both warriors.

-King- · 01-28-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

The only people who think Kobe is anywhere near Mike are Lakers homers, and kids who aren't old enough to have seen Mike play night in and night out. That said, I hate Kobe and I hate the Lakers as an old Sonics fan. And while I haven't watched any NBA basketball in years, from what I've seen of the dude, Kobe is the best to touch the court since Mike and is up there with every great player that's ever played this game outside of Jordan. JMHO.

Yeah, I'm a Lakers/Kobe fan, but I can't put Kobe ahead of Mike. When his career is over though, he'll probably be a close second though. Closer than anybody else will get.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 01-28-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -King-

Yeah, I'm a Lakers/Kobe fan, but I can't put Kobe ahead of Mike. When his career is over though, he'll probably be a close second though. Closer than anybody else will get.

I didn't agree with that until a couple years ago, but I have no doubt you're right now. Like Michael, Kobe is obsessed. I admire it.

Halfcan · 01-28-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

The only people who think Kobe is anywhere near Mike are Lakers homers, and kids who aren't old enough to have seen Mike play night in and night out. That said, I hate Kobe and I hate the Lakers as an old Sonics fan. And while I haven't watched any NBA basketball in years, from what I've seen of the dude, Kobe is the best to touch the court since Mike and is up there with every great player that's ever played this game outside of Jordan. JMHO.

I was lucky enough to see Jordan play in person in dallas before he retired.

He still had a great game, but was outhustled quit a bit.

I would love to see kobe play before he is done.

If Kobe ends up with More points, More steals, More rebounds, More rings and ends up the Points lead all time.....

jordan will still be considered the best because he skipped a few years in his prime to play Baseball.

kcxiv · 01-28-2011, 02:46 PM

Team is starting to play better as the days go by. Bynum has been getting better and is a defensive beast. Post season can't come soon enough at least one of my teams don't shit the bed in the post season

HoneyBadger · 01-28-2011, 02:50 PM

He is a great and amazing player. But I just dislike him. I think everyone can agree that he has a talent level above others.

suds79 · 01-28-2011, 02:54 PM

I used to hate Kobe when he was younger. But I think that's because I didn't want anybody to take Jordan's spot as the greatest.

I've since let that go. If somebody passes Jordan someday, so be it. People all love Jordan but I think I've realized that Jordan can be as much of an ass as some other athletes. Did you hear his HOF acceptance speedh? Ehh..

So Kobe is great. One of the greatest ever. Love his game. Still would take Jordan. But not by much.

**DaneMcCloud** · 01-28-2011, 03:00 PM

If the internet had existed when Michael Jordan was playing basketball in the 80's & early 90's, he'd be far more hated than Kobe.

The mere fact that social media didn't exist during his day if proof enough. If Jordan had people following him 24-7, especially on the road, he wouldn't be as revered today.

Mr. Laz · 01-28-2011, 03:05 PM

**** the Lakers
**** Kobe Bryant
**** every fan of Kobe Bryant

**DaneMcCloud** · 01-28-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

**** the Lakers
**** Kobe Bryant
**** every fan of Kobe Bryant

kcxiv · 01-28-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If the internet had existed when Michael Jordan was playing basketball in the 80's & early 90's, he'd be far more hated than Kobe.

The mere fact that social media didn't exist during his day if proof enough. If Jordan had people following him 24-7, especially on the road, he wouldn't be as revered today.

funny thing is when i hear about people in L.A meeting Kobe around L.A they all said he was pretty nice saying hi and what not and isnt a douche to them.

ClevelandBronco · 01-28-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

...You can’t win this argument...

I've never seen the man play as far as I know, and that automatically makes me the winner.

kcxiv · 01-28-2011, 03:23 PM

Yep......

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 01-28-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If the internet had existed when Michael Jordan was playing basketball in the 80's & early 90's, he'd be far more hated than Kobe.

The mere fact that social media didn't exist during his day if proof enough. If Jordan had people following him 24-7, especially on the road, he wouldn't be as revered today.

Excellent point. I agree 100%.

BigCatDaddy · 01-28-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If the internet had existed when Michael Jordan was playing basketball in the 80's & early 90's, he'd be far more hated than Kobe.

The mere fact that social media didn't exist during his day if proof enough. If Jordan had people following him 24-7, especially on the road, he wouldn't be as revered today.

I don't think so. Some of it is Kobe's dickness being exposed through the media, but if you just look at Jordan and Kobe in photos Kobe just looks more like the guy who needs a good ass kicking.

01-28-2011, 12:25 PM
BIG_DADDY THE RED MENACE Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texas Casino cash: $4968410	Give It Up For Kobe Bean Bryant HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – This is a direct message to the anti-Kobe Bryant crowd out there. Give it up! Give up the fight. And give it up for Kobe Bean Bryant. Seriously, stop hating on the man and surrender. There’s a good chance KB Bryant is going to leave this game with his face on the NBA’s version of Mt. Rushmore, alongside those idols from his childhood, specifically Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. You can’t win this argument. Despite all of your theories to the contrary and reasons for why he should not, could not and will not go down as one of the game’s top five all-time greats, it’s going to happen. There’s no stopping him now. He’s already got the championship rings (five of them, to be exact) and career longevity that has eluded so many other seekers of basketball’s holy grail (fame, fortune, rings and legendary status). And now he’s hunting down scoring legends, one by one, as he climbs up the career chart every time he and the Lakers hit the floor. With 13 points tonight against the Sacramento Kings, Bryant will pass Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon and move into eighth place on the NBA’s career scoring list. He began the year in 13th place. He’ll be knocking on the door of the top five by season’s end. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny the man his due. You’ve doubted him at every turn, from the moment he stood at that podium as a high school senior with those shades sitting atop of his shaved head and told the world he was taking his talents to the NBA next year (it was “The Decision” long before we’d ever heard of LeBron James). There was no way this brash kid was going to take over the league the way he tried to in his first couple of years in the league, butting heads with grown men (on his team and around the league) on a nightly basis. But he did. There was absolutely no he was going to be able to co-exist with another all-time great, Shaquille O’Neal, and win titles with the Lakers while they tussled for alpha dog status in the same locker room. But he did. He won three titles and would have probably won several more had they stayed together. Surely there was no way he’d win it all without Shaq, not after blowing up that dynasty. He’d have to settle for being known forever as Robin to the big fella’s Batman, a shame worse than anything he could stand. But he did. He finally won without Shaq, back-to-back titles even, and now he’s chasing his third straight. But KB Bryant isn’t just playing for his own legacy these days. He’s doing it for his coach now, too. He’s trying to make sure Phil Jackson exits Laker land properly, with another ring. It’s yet another improbable twist in Bryant’s true Hollywood story. The same coach that trashed him in that book after the Shaq-Kobe dynasty ended is the one that inspires him now. Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times explains: Kobe Bryant doesn’t need any added motivation, but he acknowledges the importance of winning one more championship under Jackson. “Yeah, for me especially because we’ve been together for so long,” Bryant said. “I’m going to make sure I do everything in my power to send him off in the right way.” Jackson, 65, reiterated Thursday that he would be done coaching after this season. He said that last season was a “maybe” as far as retirement, but “this year, there’s no ‘maybe.’ “ He then joked he would find a way to stay in the spotlight: “I’m actually going to have a press conference once every two months just to kind of feel right. Maybe like Jerry [West], just getting it out.” West recently made headlines by saying at an Orange County auto show that the Lakers’ defense looked slow and old. Bryant didn’t want to peer too far into Jackson’s departure after 11 seasons with the Lakers, five of which have ended in championships. “It’ll be a sad day, but I’m sure I’ll get together with him and go fly-fishing at some point,” Bryant said. You won’t catch us doubting Bryant when he says he and Phil might go fly-fishing together one day. In fact, we’re expecting as much. Look at the man’s history. He doesn’t just chase his dreams, he snatches them up. Are we convinced that his sole motivating factor is making sure the Zen Master receives a proper send off? Well, of course, not. We all know he wants to climb more than just the scoring charts. Jordan has that sixth ring. You know KB Bryant won’t rest until he has seven … or eight, or even nine. At this point, we’d be fools to doubt him. http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2011/0...s=iref:nbahpt1
Posts: 32,387

01-28-2011, 02:46 PM	#20
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8807996	Team is starting to play better as the days go by. Bynum has been getting better and is a defensive beast. Post season can't come soon enough at least one of my teams don't shit the bed in the post season
Posts: 29,110

01-28-2011, 02:50 PM	#21
HoneyBadger The chosen one Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: OC, California Casino cash: $1415760	He is a great and amazing player. But I just dislike him. I think everyone can agree that he has a talent level above others.
Posts: 3,144

01-28-2011, 02:54 PM	#22
suds79 MVP Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $10005036	I used to hate Kobe when he was younger. But I think that's because I didn't want anybody to take Jordan's spot as the greatest. I've since let that go. If somebody passes Jordan someday, so be it. People all love Jordan but I think I've realized that Jordan can be as much of an ass as some other athletes. Did you hear his HOF acceptance speedh? Ehh.. So Kobe is great. One of the greatest ever. Love his game. Still would take Jordan. But not by much.
Posts: 5,747

01-28-2011, 03:00 PM	#23
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	If the internet had existed when Michael Jordan was playing basketball in the 80's & early 90's, he'd be far more hated than Kobe. The mere fact that social media didn't exist during his day if proof enough. If Jordan had people following him 24-7, especially on the road, he wouldn't be as revered today.
Posts: 88,960

01-28-2011, 03:05 PM	#24
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	** the Lakers Kobe Bryant ** every fan of Kobe Bryant __________________
Posts: 95,626

01-28-2011, 03:23 PM	#28
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8807996	Yep......
Posts: 29,110