Freeman touched on the real problem with Kobe when he said "...there are no gold teeth dancing with Bryant's molars or butchering of the language." Translation....Kobe isn't bona fide, because he ain't down for the struggle. Bryant isn't a product of the projects and the streets. He didn't play in Rucker Park. Kobe is more cosmopolitan and polished, having spent a great deal of time out of the U.S. Kobe is Joe Frazier and Jordan is Ali.
Those who have taken it upon themselves to preserve and protect the legacy of Michael Jordan harbor a particular hatred of Bryant, and are seriously threatened by Kobe's success. They don't want to see anybody topple the legacy of Jordan, and especially not someone whom they feel isn't bona fide. They can't sleep at night, worried that Bryant will achieve more than six championship rings. These are the people who proclaim Kobe's rings were all attributable to Shaq, and that Bryant wasn't capable of winning without him (of course they never mention that Jordan couldn't muster a title without Pippen).
The reality is that Kobe Bryant is the most talented and skilled offensive basketball player that ever laced a pair of sneakers, and that includes MJ. No doubt Jordan was a better defensive player and leader, but we're talking strictly offense here. Nobody, and I repeat nobody has ever possessed the skills of Bryant at such an early age or any age. There is no comparison between the two players at age twenty-two. On Jordan's best day on earth, he couldn't touch Bryant one on one. And there's nothing wrong with admitting that fact. The truth will set you free. It doesn't demean Jordan's overall game, or his legacy. It merely recognizes the extraordinary ability that Bryant has as a scorer. The NBA has never seen anyone equal to him offensively, and it's high time that he got his due. If not for the overwhelming bias toward Jordan by the voters, Bryant would already have multiple MVP awards. You don't have to like Bryant personally to appreciate his talent. Give the devil his due.
Like Joe Frazier, Bryant will never be given his due by the fans or the media. He will never be accepted for reasons that transcend basketball, and are rooted in the politics of race. Over forty years of watching basketball, I've never seen any player in any era that is in his league with respect to what he can do with a basketball.
It's a real shame that this guy doesn't get the recognition he deserves.
I was talking to a Bull's fan about a week ago and he was bemoaning that Kobe got such an easy MVP while Jordan had to work so hard for his. He said that Jordan never had a Gasol. With the obvious follow-ups I got him to say that Gasol is better than Pippen! It just goes to show that defending Jordan's legacy even means throwing the second best Bull ever completely under the bus. I love Gasol, don't get me wrong, but I can't reasonably expect him to even sniff Pippen's legacy. It just goes to illustrate your point that a Jordan fan will do anything to preserve the bona fide Jordan.
I think the Kobe hatred is unfair, as it was to Frazier. He has made some mistakes, but nothing everyone else hasn't done too (seriously). Conversely, Magic got a family man of the year award after getting aids from cheating on his wife. Who knows how perception will go sometimes. Magic was one of 10 kids and grew up in Lansing though - bona fide.
Maybe I am a blind Lakers fan, but I just don't see a terrible person. I personally like that Kobe has manned up for his mistakes. He apologized for cheating on his wife - in public. Name another of the 98% of NBAers who cheat on their wives who has done that? During a speach after his MVP, he gave all the credit to his teammates, and even gave a ton of credit to Mitch Kupchak - admitting it was hard to do. That is called being a man, and I don't think you see it often enough in sports. He also does a ton of charity and is a great role model for hard work and education.
Kobe will pass when it helps them win. He will do anything to win. I am not sure on the Shaq stuff. Shaq blew up Miami, so who knows. At very least they won together. Again, he will do anything to win. If he really raped that lady, I can't defend him. He was not convicted though, tried to own up to what did happen, and I just don't know why he would rape someone.
Kobe might not be David Robinson (or Roberto Clemente, my personal role-model), but all I know is if I have kids, I honestly would love them to have a poster of Kobe up.
The reality is that Kobe Bryant is the most talented and skilled offensive basketball player that ever laced a pair of sneakers, and that includes MJ. No doubt Jordan was a better defensive player and leader, but we're talking strictly offense here.
If we're talking strictly offense, then your argument holds no ground; Wilt Chamberlain's scoring accomplishments are the stick that all scorer's are measured by. Until Kobe can average over 40 and 50 ppg a season, he'll always be in the running for "second greatest scorer ever".
Nobody, and I repeat nobody has ever possessed the skills of Bryant at such an early age or any age.
Chamberlain was 7'1", 275 lbs and led the league in assists.
He had the handles and agility of a point guard, @ 7' no less: watch any of his old Globetrotter footage.
He scored over 70 points in 3 straight games in high school, one of them being a 90 pointer.
He scored 100 points in a game...........pre shot-clock.
Scored with (allegedly) 20,000 women: take that and divide it by 50 and he'll still be number one.
Yeah, this is got to be the worst excuse of Kobe hatred ever. I personally dislike Kobe and I was never a Jordan fan either. So I'd say your misfiring at all angles. I'm sure there are many that feel Jordan's legacy is threatened by Kobe. Although those folks must have little knowledge to what Jordan has brought and what Kobe will bring in comparison. Right now it is 6 titles to 3. With Jordan being the primary role in his championships and Kobe being a Pippen sidekick. Kobe finally got an MVP; Jordan has a few. So no, I'd say there are few to no knowledgable Jordan fans worried about his legacy. That is ludicrious.
Kobe is the best scorer in today's NBA. That is it. He isn't the best offensive player cause he doesn't involve his teammates and the only offensive stat he gets regularly is points. He is also a poor 3pt shooter but seems to take far too many of them. He isn't the best scorer of all-time obviously, as Wilt is and will always be. He will however hold second fiddle with his 81pt outburst. I'm sure he is proud.
As a matter a fact, Kobe isn't even the best player in the league anymore. Lebron is. Paul had the best year. So Kobe is becoming an afterthought. The only ones worried are the Kobe fans. Esp now that he appears to have back spasms.
Wow Whoosh, so I guess you didn't get tha sarcastic nature of the "real problem with Kobe". The point being he is hated on without enough reason. By the way, nobody is saying Kobe is Jordan now. However, Kobe is going to be playing for a while and could wind up threatening the greatest/Jordan/Wilt discussion. I would say, people let their dislike grow as they see how great Kobe is and what he can accomplish - call it the Bonds phenomenon (and I am even a Dodger fan). The other point was Kobe is portrayed as a bit of an Uncle Tom as was Frazier. Whatever, I guess this was all lost on you.
I guess it was inevitable that as soon as Kobe is mentioned, some yahoo brings up best player/mvp/Lebron/Paul. Completely different players and all fantastic. There are 9 million other threads on that, so all I will say is I give the MVP to the guy who got first in the west and shouldn't have even been playing with a torn ligament. I guess a torn ligament is probably pathetic in your eyes too Whoosh?
Back to topic, Shaq was integral the first couple championships, but Kobe was the man on the third. Winning this year would make a huge statement about Kobe's legacy, no question. Regardless, even now, he is only so hated and loved so much because he is damn good.
Kobe Bryant is one step up from Allen Iverson. As talented as he is, he cannot win without a great supporting cast. When Shaq left, the championships ended.
And I notice none of you fanbois have yet tackled Freeman's central argument: Bryant, like Johnson, crapped on his teammates. He even did it again Sunday night.
of course kobe cant win without a supporting cast. NOBODY can! of course when you lose maybe the best bball player in the world, your team is going to struggle.
but get out of my face with more jordan comparisons. they are laughable, and getting tiresome.
There is no way Kobe is threatening Jordan's legacy. If anyone right now can threaten Jordan it is James. I don't think that will happen either. Six rings just isn't obtainable in the NBA today. Too much competition and too many great players.
Also, if Kobe was the man on the 3rd championship; why didn't he get MVP?
Kobe is hated by most cause of his stupid antics. It has little to do with his abilities. It has to do with his wasted talent, poor decision making, and selffishness. I can't stand Kobe as a person player; but love to watch him play. Til he hogs the ball and losses the ballgame for them. This year, that has happened very little.
As a Kobe fan you are blinded by facts. Don't be alarmed. You aren't the only one.
<dl> <dt class="hwrd"> Main Entry: </dt> <dd class="hwrd"> ir·re·gard·less </dd> <dt class="pron"> Pronunciation: </dt> <dd class="pron"> \ˌir-i-ˈgärd-ləs\ </dd> <dt class="func"> Function: </dt> <dd class="func"> adverb </dd> <dt class="ety"> Etymology: </dt> <dd class="ety"> probably blend of irrespective and regardless </dd> <dt class="date"> Date: </dt> <dd class="date"> circa 1912 </dd> </dl>
nonstandard:regardlessusageIrregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that “there is no such word.” There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead.
Actually I was making an argument. My argument is you were using irregardless as a word where regardless would have been appropriate using the rules of SWE (Standard Written English).
Just because I choose to argue in a different way that prompts you to tell a stranger to shut up.
I normally do not enter into a battle of wits with an unarmed person but for you I am glad I made an exception.
I'd tell you to quit while your ahead, but you never were.
Your argument was that irregardless was not a word. I corrected you. Then you attempted to explain that irregardless is a double negative and doesn't have the meaning of regardless. Again, incorrect.
So who is truly unarmed. Nice quote from Wil Smith's song however. My favorite lyric in that song. Totally funny. Also ironic that you would be using it; when you have been proven to be incorrect while attempting to prove another wrong who was right. Now, you can't even be man enough to admit it. I'd rather tell a stranger to shut up that do what you did. LOL
