I think we have done a pretty decent job of keeping this blog about the Raptors. We have had a few articles this offseason about non-Raptor things, but it’s the offseason, give us a break. So Kobe…the guy just bugs me. It isn’t just one thing either, it is a few.
Ok, before I get into it, let me say that I think he is the # 1a player in the NBA. I can’t give him the # 1 spot for a couple reasons:
- He couldn’t win a championship without Shaq so far.
- Duncan is still around, still is on the ball, and has more championships.
Again, just to be clear, I am not knocking his abilities, he is a beast, I’m knocking him…don’t bombard me with emails and comments about the former…
So yea, Kobe…the guy just bugs me:
- he wins 3 championships with Shaq/Phil
- runs the two of them of them out of town
- welcomes Phil back because he realizes ‘he can’t do without him’
- rapes a girl and gets off
- endures through a couple seasons of mediocrity
- gives himself a gay nickname (Black Mamba) because he thought Kill Bill was cool
- snaps and causes drama about the Lakers sucking
- takes that same Laker team to the finals*
- disappears for stretches in the playoffs and loses against the Celtics
- and finally gives himself another gay nickname (Doberman) because they apparently play good defense or something, don’t know…it’s gay.
Is it just me or do you remember NBA superstars (Jordan, Magic, Bird, Dr. J, etc) giving themselves gay nicknames, actin-a-fool, and raping ugly girls? At least when Shaq acts like an idiot, it’s lyrical and kinda funny. The best Kobe can do is fake jumping over cars…at least Kenny kept it real.
Oh, and while I’m on it, Hibachi is a gay-ass name too…it sounds much cooler then what it actually means.
Technorati Tags: Boston Celtics, Gilbert Arenas, Hibachi, Julius Erving, Kenny Smith, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, Shaquille Oneal, Tim Duncan
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August 3rd, 2008 at 1:30 am
you are a sick humanbeing, how could you even believe your own words when you say kobe is not number one … then who is ? lebron ? when did he won a championship by himself .. actually name me one player that has won a championship by himself ( basketball is a sports team … ever heard that one ? ) its actually very simple , kobe is the most complete and most talented basketball player that ever stepped on a basketball court 2nd or arguably even to jordan. call his nickanames ‘gay’ but do lie to urself and deny that he simply is the best player of the planet. some players are faster than him , better shooters than him but as a player he is the ultimate package . <— period
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:30 am
You could argue Kobe and Lebron all day.
I hate Kobe as well, and I think if you polled every GM and asked them who they would rather have for the entire careers, most would pick Lebron and here are a few reasons why:
- Kobe took a few years to become as good as he is now, while Lebron came out and was a instant superstar (thus being better for a longer period of time)
- Kobe is a better scorer (even though Lebron led the NBA in scoring last year, yet Lebron is by far a more complete player. From rebounding to assits and most importantly leadership and personality
- Sure Kobe won 3 titles but how many would Lebron have won with Shaq in his prime ( by the way Shaq won all MVP’s of finals) and he would not be as stupid as Kobe to have the whole thing blow up and get Shaq traded.
- Sure Kobe has matured this year after year 9 (or how ever many seasons he has played) but that is way to late and only because he team got good when he thought it would be crap and was ready to walk comming off a sex scandal he had little choice but to play some team ball and try to rebuild that reputation and not be selfish Kobe.
Lebron there are no questions about his leadership, his make up, his selfishness.
I am not saying Lebron is better. You could argue all day and not convince any one who is not on the same side. But knowing what we know now if someone said to me, you can have Kobe from age 19 to 33 or Lebron from 19 to 33, I take Lebron in a heartbeat. I would be willing to wager (not that we would ever find out) that the majority (not all) of GM’s would agree with me and take Lebrons carrer over Kobe’s.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:55 am
I like Kobe, but since bball is a team sport I would say that Timmy D is the best baller over the last decade. Kobe is the best guard in the nba right now. he can play tough D and score at will (espn classics were showing him light the raps up for 81 last week) LeBron will probably achieve Bird and Jordan-ish credencials by the time his career is done, but as of right now…Kobe is the man (amongst guards)
also, i dont really like the rape comment. sure the guy was convicted, but aslo got off cause the chick was crazy. if I’m some crazy chick and wanted a quick way to get some cash i would say that kobe threatened me with the Black Mamba too.
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Raps Fan,
Of the 10 elements on your list, IMO, only #4 has any significance.
I respect Kobe Bryant’s ability as an NBA player. Period.
khandors last blog post..Game Time: USA vs Turkey, Take I & II
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Cant you come up with another adjective besides gay? Are you 11?
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
nabz: duncan is # 1 in the league right now. calling him even with jordan is blasphemous. he isn’t in the category, he’s close, but not there. if he was, then he would have beat the celtics imho, period.
raptorize: i have to agree, i would probably take lebron too.
khandor: i respect his game, and enjoy watching, i just don’t like him personally.
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I’d pick Kobe as the best player in the NBA right now. Duncan was my pick and has been since 2003 but Kobe took him out. It was a fair fight and Kobe won it. Kobe gets the title of “best player in the NBA”.
LeBron has a good shot at snatching it next season though. He’s close.
I also had Timmy picked as the best player in the NBA once Jordan retired but that was short lived. Shaq took that best player title from Duncan a season later when he went on a tear for three years. Shaq’s peak was the highest of any player since Jordan.
Daves last blog post..Game Time: Vegas SL - Blazers vs Wizards
August 4th, 2008 at 12:55 am
kobe can lack leadership, can be a ballhug … and I have to say he did alot of none-sportsmanship crap and the critism he received werent always wrong… but u cant doubt his talent , his ultimate talent that makes him the best player… tim duncan ? give me a break!
Kobe manipulates his adversers like toys, score at will , he can shoot , play d, pass , rebound , block shots , … my point is that he is the ultimate package… lebron will be the best player in the league as soon as kobe retires ( or becomes old and stuburn and stays )
chris paul/ steve nash share the best no 1 pg spot
kobe for sg
lebron for sf
garnet for pf
howard for c
and justin no im not 11 , hope ur smart enough to understand my point even if u use the word “gay” … im just giving my opinion and will respectfully debates on kobe or wtv , not here to iritate for kid like u that will start some insult convo … that being said
GO RAPS GO
August 4th, 2008 at 11:40 am
John 8:7 reads:
When they persisted in questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the person among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
The reasons I appreciate Kobe Bryant are rooted in his skill/ability as a basketball player … Nothing more and nothing less.
Those in Canada … Enjoy your holiday Monday!
khandors last blog post..Game Time: USA vs Turkey, Take I & II
August 4th, 2008 at 11:42 am
FYI …
“Game Time: USA vs Turkey, Take I & II” is not my “last blog post”.
This is:
http://khandorssportsblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/upside-and-motor-team-usa-blogger-roundtable/
khandors last blog post..Game Time: USA vs Turkey, Take I & II
August 4th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
great biblical reference there khandor!
August 5th, 2008 at 4:56 am
The season better start soon b/c you guys are running out of things to talk and argue about. Religion and basketball??? That is very interesting.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Things to talk about, hmmm
It’s been a quiet summer on the Bargnani front. The #1 pick from two years ago entering a huge third season ….. expectations? How much faith is left the man?
Daves last blog post..Fun Read: Nate and Oden
August 5th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
faith…none
expectations…lots
sadly, he wont get the benefit of the doubt, and be expected to pick up where he left off from his rookie season, at least from this humble corner of the internet.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Big men take time.
We all know this.
Fans are not patient, we know this too
Andrea will be good and have a solid career no hall of fame but he will be a legit contributer to a good team.
Will he justify being a number one pick in the draft probaly not.
However it was a shit draft and there was no consesous number one that year.
Lets have a closer look
Toronto Raptors Andrea Bargnani, Forward, Italy
Chicago Bulls (from New York) LaMarcus Aldridge, Forward, Texas (to Portland)
Charlotte Bobcats Adam Morrison, Forward, Gonzaga
Portland Trail Blazers Tyrus Thomas, Forward, Louisiana State (to Chicago)
Atlanta Hawks Shelden Williams, Forward, Duke
Minnesota Timberwolves Brandon Roy, Guard, Washington (to Portland)
Boston Celtics Randy Foye, Guard, Villanova (to Minnesota via Portland)
Houston Rockets Rudy Gay, Forward, Connecticut
Golden State Warriors Patrick O’Bryant, Center, Bradley
Seattle Supersonics Saer Sene, Forward, Senegal
Orlando Magic J.J. Redick, Guard, Duke
N.O./Okla. City Hornets Hilton Armstrong, Center, Connecticut
Philadelphia 76ers Thabo Sefolosha, Guard, Switzerland (to Chicago)
Utah Jazz Ronnie Brewer, Guard, Arkansas
N.O./Okla. City Hornets (from Milwaukee) Cedric Simmons, Forward, North Carolina State
Chicago Bulls Rodney Carney, Forward, Memphis (to Philadelphia)
Indiana Pacers Shawne Williams, Forward, Memphis
Washington Wizards Oleksiy Pecherov, Center, Ukraine
Sacramento Kings Quincy Douby, Guard, Rutgers
New York Knicks (from Denver) Renaldo Balkman, Forward, South Carolina
Phoenix Suns (from L.A. Lakers) Rajon Rondo, Guard, Kentucky (to Boston)
New Jersey Nets (from L.A. Clippers) Marcus Williams, Guard, Connecticut
New Jersey Nets Josh Boone, Forward, Connecticut
Memphis Grizzlies Kyle Lowry, Guard, Villanova
Cleveland Cavaliers Shannon Brown, Guard, Michigan State
L.A. Lakers (from Miami) Jordan Farmar, Guard, UCLA
Phoenix Suns Sergio Rodriguez, Guard, Spain (to Portland)
Dallas Mavericks Maurice Ager, Guard, Michigan State
New York Knicks (from San Antonio) Mardy Collins, Guard, Temple
Portland Trail Blazers (from Detroit) Joel Freeland, Forward, United Kingdom
Aldridge, Roy and Gay look good but all and all a very weak draft and Andrea could still turn out to be a top 2 or 3 player picked in his class.
Keep the faith on Andrea.
Be patient it will still take time.
All most all bigs take 3-5 years to develop (see Dirk, Yao, Bogut, etc,)
My pick is this will be the best Raptor team off all time, both in regular season and playoffs. The bar is set at 47 and winning one round. Get ready for both those to go down this year!!!
Go Raps!!!
August 5th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
im confident andrea is going to be alot better this season, the raps org are going to take it easy on him , no one expects him to become a starter now that JO is in town and hell develop alot better agains 2nd unit players and id give him a solid 15-20 mins per night is i was coaching the raps, hes the primary big off the bench and lets face it andrea’s talent is enormous , give the big guy time he will flourish
August 6th, 2008 at 2:47 am
I appreciate Kobe more than anyone in the league and he’s only second to Tiger Woods when it comes to enjoying watching somebody play.
The guy has personality issues but he’s a fierce competitor that hates losing and thats hard to find these days.
Arsenalists last blog post..Raptors second best in the East?
August 6th, 2008 at 10:38 am
RBS,
re: “Big men take time … We all know this … Be patient it will still take time … All most all bigs take 3-5 years to develop (see Dirk, Yao, Bogut, etc,)”
A belief that ALL (or even Most) outstanding Big Men take 3-5 years to develop into PRIME TIME players in the NBA is not supported by the facts.
(i) Role playing, funcctional Big Men can/do take time to find ‘their place’ in the League … (ii) TOP NOTCH Big Men do not.
TOP NOTCH PLAYERS
Bill Russell
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Wilt Chamberlain
Hakeem Olajuwon
Tim Duncan
Bill Walton
Shaquille O’Neal
Kevin McHale
Willis Reed
George Mikan
David Robinson
Dave Cowens
Moses Malone
Elvin Hayes
Alonso Mourning
Wes Unseld
Robert Parrish
Kevin Garnett
Bob McAdoo
Jack Sikma
Yao Ming
Karl Malone
Dirk Nowitzki
Patrick Ewing
Dan Issel
Bob Pettit
Rasheed Wallace
Shawn Kemp
Jermaine O’Neal
Chris Bosh
Walt Bellamy
Nate Thurmond
Artis Gilmore
ROLE GUYS
Everybody else
Andrea Bargnani is going to be a solid Big Man, in the NBA, over the course of his career, as Role Player.
khandors last blog post..All-time favourite Olympic (summer) moments
August 7th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I’m with you on most of this. I respect his game, but the guy drives me crazy too. The name Doberman I’m pretty sure came from Phil Jackson. When he was coaching the Bulls, he called Jordan and Pippen his Dobermans because they were all over the place on defence and chasing the ball. So I’m sure this is where Kobe got the name from.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
it probably did come from there, but it is different when someone gives you a nickname then when you give yourself one.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Kobe is pretty annoying — only Gilbert Arenas can pull off nicknaming himself. I think a good comparison for Kobe-Doberman/Mamba self-nicknaming is when George Costanza started calling himself T-Bone. It just doesn’t work.
With that said, I think LeBron is by far the biggest douchebag on the USA basketball team. The guy is just a straight-up jerk on the court.
Feet in the Paints last blog post..Is Childress The Beginning?
August 16th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I’m a Kobe fan. I’ve always had an affinity for players whp get hated on. Artest, Spree, Kemp, Iverson etc. Guys like Barkley rule because they aren’t afraid to speak their mind. I’ll take brutal honesty over political correctness every time.
August 16th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
i agree strik, put me in the boat of preferring brutal honesty over PC.