I'm no Kobe fan(in fact I hate him), but you think his career is only "average"? He's won 4 championships, a NBA Finals MVP, one NBA MVP, a gold medal in the Olympics, 11 time All-Star, 2nd most points in a NBA game (81) and he's probably going to set a handful of Lakers records as well. And you still think he's "average"? Lay off the haterade and realize that Kobe is a GREAT player.
This is prety spot on, and I absolutely HATE him too. I do tend to think he's a bit overrated in the grand scheme of the NBA and the history of the game, mostly due to the modern media machine. However, to say he is an average player is ignorant and makes you look silly.
david, that was nasty! i'm not going to speculate, but it looked like he dislocated his elbow, which could be worse than breaking his arm since dislocating could mean torn ligaments and such.
ahhhhhh, gnar. that's too bad, Bogut has been having a great season and MIL has been rolling. He's finally been living up to the #1 pick status, hopefully he's able to make a full recovery.
However, to say he is an average player is ignorant and makes you look silly.
Does it though??
Ill break this down for you slow brained folk.
Kobe broke into the league right when Jordan left. The media was desperately seeking for the next "MJ".
Lakers during there title runs: You take shaq out for injuries there record an average 12-11. Take Kobe out there record 25-7. LA had a better record without Kobe. Claim Bull? Thats fine, but if you watched them play, a selfish Kobe continually took poor shots as a young buck. Kobe playing through Shaq, was when it worked.
Kobe has underperformed significantly. How many great players have shot under 40 percent in the finals? Kobe has done it, not once, not twice, but 4 or 5 times.
Volume shooter is what he is. A volume shooter. Julius Erving shot .506 , Magic Johnson shot .520, Oscar Robertson shot 485, Larry Bird shot .496, and Michael Jordan shot .497 for their career. Kobe has also shot worse than the players playing today that will eventually make this list Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Kobe around .455.
LA wins when Kobe doesn't shoot much. When Kobe shoots 21 or less shots the Lakers are 39-3. Show me the stat like that for Jordan? Wade? Lebron? There is not one..
Kobe is not a leader. Lebron gets everything he can out of a non talented team, does kobe? No Kobe would rather walk out on his team and demand to be traded.
Wow, I am so upset right now. I missed the game on Saturday night and just saw a score at the end of the 3rd and saw they were killing the Suns, so I didn't bother to go read anything about the game until last night. Wow!!!! In the back of my head all I kept thinking was, I hope Bogut stays healthy. He joins the long list of Bigs who just can't stay healthy.
Damn! I thought they had a real shot at stealing a series from somone. I'm sure Skiles will still have them playing competitively, but that just sucks!
Lebron gets everything he can out of a non talented team
The Cavs really are not that untalented without LeBron. Granted not fantastic, but easily equal to or better than what Kobe had in LA before Gasol came over.
To me comparing players of this generation to the likes of Jordan, Bird, Magic, etc. is useless. Hardly any of the "greats" of today have accomplished cr@p compared to those guys. In this day the media hype's these guys up so much. Not that they don't deserve the credit, they are some of the best players in the NBA right now. I don't think you start labeling someone as "one of the greatest" ever until their career is finished and you can look at their whole body of work.
David, I agree with you in a lot of respects, however, in Bird/Magics day being a great basketball player was enough. Today you have to be a great athelete first to even make the league. That's what made Jordan so unstoppable in his era. Look at LeBron, the dude is a beast. He could play middle linebacker in the NFL. Just a completely different game.
Talking about comparing different era's. How many points would Shaq get in his prime if he could sit under the rim like Wilt or how many Championships and Defensive Player awards would he have if he could goaltend like B. Russel.
Shaq in his prime, in my opinion, the single most dominant player to ever play the game. MJ, in my opinion, can't touch him for dominance. Clutch, Jordan all the way. Taking 3 completely different teams to 6 NBA Finals in my opinion is much tougher than taking the same team, with the same coach, like Jordan did.
Right, because so many 31 year old non-"volume" shooters are playing as well as Kobe. He rested his legs for two games because it's the end of the regular season. Do you really think Kobe would have sat out for something this minor if it was any other time of the season?
No I would have guessed he would have played... Then after missing constant shots he would point to his knee and wince, or probably complain to the ref. With an end result of scoring 30 (people saying how great he played) although taking 45 shots having 15 turnovers.
I've been seeing this around the league. Chicago beat Cleveland even though they were up by only 1 for like the last minute-and-a-half. Chicago missed 4 freethrows in a row and Cleveland kept trying to give it to Sideshow Bob, I mean Varejo for a gamer winner. Complete pathetic basketball. I know for those still fighthing for position there is probably some good ball being played, but it seems few and far between. Let's get the playoffs started!
Well, I think the Jazz will blow it tonight.... Have the 2 or 3 seed at worst, in their own hands....and at home, but will lose to the Suns and end up in the 5..... ARUGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!
Boozer looks doubtful, Klinko is doubtful at best.....
so no miracles and no homecourt for jazz. suns are playing well.
Lakers w/ homecourt throughout the west would not suprise me to lose in the1st round. They think they can flip the proverbial switch...but there isnt one. They just dont play well and havnt the entire 2nd half of the season. Theyre a weak shooting team that takes bad shots and doesnt make them, they forget to run the offense and almost all are playing hurt. A pedestrian effort at best nightly. I would be really suprised if they came out of the West. Durant, Westbrook and OKC could run them off the court and torch them. I think Dallas is more talented, deeper and playing better.
Cleveland has all its eggs in the 2010 title basket. They made the trades, paid the $, rested their 25 yr old superstar the last 4-5 games and have to win. If they get upset...Brons gone and it was all for zip.
So lets get the 2nd season started!
I think the Lakers definitely took the second half of the season and the Western Conference race for granted. After the start of the new year, they looked like they were just killing time waiting for the playoffs. That being said, they played under .600 in the second half of the season and STILL got the best record in the west. I think they've all been longing from the playoffs and we'll see them turn it up big time.
I wish Bogut wouldn't have gotten hurt.... it would have been nice to root for my state's team, with him there I think they could have caused an upset or two as well.
I hope the Cavs do it this year.... Shaq is healthy now too right?
Klinko is out for the Denver series.....tweaked the calf again in practice.... THAT SUCKS.... He plays Melo pretty well.... Things not looking good for the Jazz....
OKC are a good young team... and Durant is a terrific player.. but the Lakers will prevail. They've always been a different team in the playoffs. Lakers in 5.
E.J. - I'm definitely pulling for the Jazz... hate the Nuggets! GO JAZZ! First time I've rooted for them since Malone and Stockton ruled the team.
Richardson sounded off on both Garnett and Pierce after the game.
"I was trying to get over there to take the ball out of bounds and [Garnett] started to talk to me, so I talked back. I don't have any business talking to him, he was on the ground crying. I don't know what was going on, two actresses over there, that's what they are.
"I just get surprised by people's actions when I know them better than that. They're not those characters they portray. They're not who they say they are, Garnett and Pierce, they're good basketball players and that's about it.
"I said to Jermaine, he's OK because I knew nobody touched him," explained Richardson. "Is he taking another break like he does so many times? Sometimes he falls like he's about to be out for the season and then he gets right up, that's all I said.
Could Richardson be any more spot on? I've never really been a big fan of Pierce and I don't really mind KG, but their antics are getting rather annoying. I never really noticed how Pierce likes to take plays off or "cries wolf" to fake an injury until reading what Richardson had to say about the little mini scuffle. Does this bring back any memories to far Lakers fans involving a wheelchair and Pierce making a "miraculous comeback?"
I like Pierce and Garnett MUCH, MUCH more than I like Richardson....but you are right, he is spot on....
Jazz are in SERIOUS TROUBLE.... 2 of their top 4 players are done for the series.... Memo being done for the next 9+ months.... Guess they can now play with zero pressure, just run and have fun....but done like dinner IMO....
Considering that I've never played one minute of basketball in my life that wasn't HORSE.. you're right! You have definitely played at a much higher level than me. Nice job!
Where has all of that knowledge and experience gotten you Eric? A nobody clinging to LeBron's jock, wishing you had one percent of the talent and fame that he has? Congratulations!
Because, as we all know, the only people qualified to comment on a subject are those that have experienced it personally. Just like how members of congress are the only ones who are qualified to speak about and make decisions regarding politics. Oh, wait...
Richardson is saying what everyone already knows. Pierce, especially, is the greatest actor (and baby) in the NBA.
Where has all of that knowledge and experience gotten you Eric? A nobody clinging to LeBron's jock, wishing you had one percent of the talent and fame that he has? Congratulations!
Me playing at a high level has given me the knowledge and wisdom about the game of basketball and that I can share with pawns to the game, such as Joe. No worries Joe, your welcome.
About Lebron, I wouldn't even call myself a Lebron fan, not sure where that point came from. Id much prefer to watch Melo play. I did however watch Lebrons high school team get buried by a team I personally buried scoring 28. Advice to Lebron : Play more like me, apparently.
Utah has nothing to lose and can play loose. In the end, with no depth.....I fear they cannot continue to do this. Having at least a day and often 2 days rest will help.
the Mavs are going to take it all this year. Dirk is on fire! shot the highest % with the most points the other night of any player in over 20 years
I think he had 30 points and over 80% shooting
I never said Butler is the sole reason to how great the Mavs are playing. He is just one piece to the puzzle, just like he would be on any other team. You don't think having him on the Lakers would make them any better?
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"In that situation, when I turn the corner and I see the rim, it doesn't matter if there's a guy in front of me or a guy behind me, I'm going to attack the rim at it's highest level,'' James said. "And that's what I did tonight. I knew I got around him and I didn't believe he was going to jump. But once I saw him out of the corner of my eye, I decided to jump just a little higher.''
I never said Butler is the sole reason to how great the Mavs are playing. He is just one piece to the puzzle, just like he would be on any other team. You don't think having him on the Lakers would make them any better?
can one really guarantee that this player or that player will FIT IN w/ another team? on paper, artest is a much better player than ariza. are the lakers better this year than last year w/ ariza? nope.
Why don't we ask Ruben Patterson how well that "Kobe Stopper" defense worked. Oh, wait. It didn't . Artest is the single most effective defender on just about every star in the league. Obviously you haven't been watching the series. Artest held Durant far below his season averages for the first two games, and even defended him well in the third game.
If Artest could just hit a shot or finish at the rim, he'd work as well as Ariza. Odom has been Pathetic. Note to Lakers, run your offense for 48 minutes, take the rock inside to your bigs. 30+ threes spells disaster. Still, the champs can take game 4.
Why don't we ask Ruben Patterson how well that "Kobe Stopper" defense worked. Oh, wait. It didn't . Artest is the single most effective defender on just about every star in the league. Obviously you haven't been watching the series. Artest held Durant far below his season averages for the first two games, and even defended him well in the third game.
Please.... A younger Kenyon would check Kobe one play, then check Shaq the very next. Artest couldnt dream of doing that.
A talking player owns Artest. Durant is not a talker. Get in Artests head and he crumbles, throwing punches. Jordan would have a field day going up against this clown.
ESPN had a nice little video with George Karl on SportsCenter this morning. If I can find a link I will post it later.
Nice video... Denver not having Karl has really hurt them, two completely different coaching styles. Hopefully everything works out with George Karl, to return or not return thats meaningless.
I'm a Wakeworld user strictly Monday - Friday from 8-5.
What is there to say? The Lakers are sloppy, lazy and apparently don't give a crap if they leave in the first round or make it all the way to the NBA finals.
I feel a bit like I'm in the twilight zone at the moment. The Mavs are down 3-1... (seriously??) the Nuggets are down 3-1... what is going on in the playoffs?? The top teams are being picked apart. WEIRD.
I think the West is VERY tight, going in....I think the only surprise loss in the first round would have been LA. Injuries probably changed that a bit.
With Roy going down, that made a Portland win seem difficult at best. Same with Memo and Klinko with the Jazz and their series with Denver.
If I was an LA fan, I would not be too worried.... Though if I was a Dallas fan....yea, I'd be worried.....
I'm really not worried about beating OKC and escaping out of the first round. I am worried, however, about continuing in these playoffs with this current mentality. These Lakers will never beat any top team in the West.. or even get close to the NBA finals. I know the Lakers will win this series, but what happens after that? Something has to change or it's going to be a much earlier vacation than expected.
Maybe having a close 1st round will be the kick in the rear that gets the Lakers going. They've acted like they're immortal all season and now they're seeing that they're not. I think (hope) that they'll adjust their game. It's a huge mystery why they haven't been fully utilizing the biggest advantage they've got, their size in the post.
The Lakers are sloppy, lazy and apparently don't give a crap if they leave in the first round or make it all the way to the NBA finals.
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I'm really not worried about beating OKC and escaping out of the first round
Wow! Really? I think it's time for you guys to wake up. You unleashed a beast. The one thing OKC was lacking was confidence, that is no longer an issue. Yeah, LA has been out hustled, yeah at times the Lakers have been sloppy. But they have just been outplayed by younger fresher legs and a team with a hell of a lot of talent. OKC had a chance at game 2, they have played increasingly better ever game in this series. I would not be surprised to see LA drop this series in 6.
Westbrook is crazy talented, that kid is unreal and he is not even the best player on his team. It's all about matchups in the NBA and in my opinion, this is just not a great matchup for the Lakers.
That being said. What a joy the 4th quarter was in game 3. Sorry Laker fans, but to see them get handled by OKC was sweet. To watch Durant score, come down guard Kobe on the defensive end with no help and block his shot, then come back to down the court and blow past Kobe for another score, was sweet. I kind of felt like it was a passing of the crown. Like a change in time occurred in that moment. I felt it, and after the game Kenny Smith said the same exact thing. You just felt it.
Kobe is a good point.... If his knee continues to bother him, not to mention the finger....it may be a HUGE factor in the series.....
Though the Lakers should be able to get by the Thunder with a 75% Kobe and a healthy rest of the team. Pau, Lamar, Artest and Bynum should be able to get them advanced....right?