Kobe Bryant doesn't get it

[teeray]

And truth be told he never really has.

His recent statements prove that he is a guy that does not and never has gotten it.

He actually thinks this is the best he has played in a long time

http://espn.go.com/l...t-played-awhile

He has the best team possibly ever assembled around him and they still can't win and blames everyone else but himself.

http://espn.go.com/l...ers-lack-energy

It is sad when Metta World Peace has to be the logical one in a locker room.

He has publicly ridiculed his teammates and told them to "put their big boy pants on"

He rode Shaq's coattails to three titles, then personally lost them a chance at a 4th, pouted through a playoff game by refusing to shoot the ball in the second half of a game, then forced Shaq and Jackson out because he wanted all the accolades only to fail miserably until the Lakers were forced to re-hire Jackson.

You can put all the all-stars you want around Kobe Bryant (and you have to have all-stars around him to make up for his play *see 04-05) but at the end of the day it doesn't matter. They won't touch the ball unless Kobe wants you to touch the ball.

Ball movement ends when the ball gets to Kobe. That is why the Lakers are second in scoring but 19th in assists. Despite having one of the best passers in NBA history on their team. It makes no sense to have 5 current or former all-stars on your team, and yet one player is shooting the ball around 30 times a game.

Kobe is still one of the best players in the NBA, and he is one of the top 20 players of all-time at worst, so to call him overrated is a little far fetched.

But in a historical context I just don't see him as a top ten player all-time. I see a guy that is about one thing and one thing only, Kobe Bryant. To, at times, the detriment of his teams.

[Kakarot]

Good read, and agree with all you wrote. I was talking about this the other day with my good pal. Kobe can sure shoot his team out of games, and he's been doing this his whole career. I see him as a top 15 player.

With 5 All Stars on that team(aka a dream team), they should be dominating teams. They're still going to make the playoffs, but they'll be knocked out in the first or second round.

[King Taharqa]

Ive been saying for a few years now Kobe is no LeBron. He's not a guy rises his teammates up thru his play. He needs the best of the best around him and the best coaching for him to be successful. This Laker team might not make the playoffs after Laker fans bragged all offseason.

[Darth Biscuit]

Regardless of his play, I've always just thought he was a tool.

He's not someone I would want to meet and hang out with, whereas guys like LeBron, DWade, Shaq, Durant, etc. seem like they'd be really cool.

Jordan always came across as arrogant, but even still I think I could enjoy being his bud... playing golf and smoking some cigars.

[teeray]

Regardless of his play, I've always just thought he was a tool.

He's not someone I would want to meet and hang out with, whereas guys like LeBron, DWade, Shaq, Durant, etc. seem like they'd be really cool.

Jordan always came across as arrogant, but even still I think I could enjoy being his bud... playing golf and smoking some cigars.

Jordan was and still is an asshole at times. And I am one of his biggest fans.

And I think Kobe thinks he is emulating MJ but in reality he is the anti-MJ.

MJ was about one thing and one thing only. Winning.

Kobe is about one thing and one thing only. Kobe Bryant.

That doesn't mean that Kobe doesn't want to win also. But it has to be on his terms.

Kobe would have been, and would still be, a better player if he averaged 20-25ppg instead of 25-30ppg.

[Hawk]

so to summarize....Kobe doesn't want to play in Charlotte so let's all hate him forever

5 rings bitches...suck it

[King Taharqa]

so to summarize....Kobe doesn't want to play in Charlotte so let's all hate him forever

5 rings bitches...suck it

Those 5 rings are collecting dust. 2000,2001,2002 was a long time ago. They're not helping the Lake Show be anything but average NOW. The Clipps done stole they thunder. Staples belongs to the red & blue now. That's LA's team.

[Hawk]

5 under dust is always better than 1....always!

[teeray]

so to summarize....Kobe doesn't want to play in Charlotte so let's all hate him forever

5 rings bitches...suck it

By my tally Shaq has 3, Wade has 1, Lebron has 1, Duncan has 4, and Kobe has 2.

[Kevin Greene]

Ive been saying for a few years now Kobe is no LeBron. He's not a guy rises his teammates up thru his play. He needs the best of the best around him and the best coaching for him to be successful. This Laker team might not make the playoffs after Laker fans bragged all offseason.

Fortunately Kobe is not a Lebron with 1 ring in his 10th NBA season.

[Kevin Greene]

What I really like about this thread is the Lakers are currently 1 game out of the Playoffs........

And there are 51 games remaining in the Regular Season.

[Kevin Greene]

Regardless of his play, I've always just thought he was a tool.

He's not someone I would want to meet and hang out with, whereas guys like LeBron, DWade, Shaq, Durant, etc. seem like they'd be really cool.

Jordan always came across as arrogant, but even still I think I could enjoy being his bud... playing golf and smoking some cigars.

Wait....are we discussing Tiger Woods?

[Kevin Greene]

Friday night haters, should be great fun.

Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers.

Promises to be one chippy contest, Clippers want to take LA over, Lakers think otherwise.

Tune in.

[teeray]

What I really like about this thread is the Lakers are currently 1 game out of the Playoffs........

And there are 51 games remaining in the Regular Season.

What I like about this thread is that the Lakers are 1 game out of the playoffs, and sub-.500, with possibly the best team ever assembled.

And Laker fans are trying to say that is a good thing.