This is a question to those out there, Kobe lovers and haters alike, because with this guy it doesn't seem to be any middle ground. You either hate him, or you like him. I hated Kobe for forever. I don't know if it was because he was with the Lakers or because he was team mates with Shaq whom I still have a strong dislike for. I pointed the finger at him during the Colorado scandal, dismissed his 81 points as paltry because it was against the Raptors, laughed when they got bounced out of the playoffs, and would constantly call him a ball hog. I downplayed Kobe as much as anyone. However. I'm actually rooting for him this Finals. I'm rooting for him to do good. I think it's ridiculous to compare him to Jordan as some have, and I do agree that he may be the closest thing we'll ever come to his Airness (I'm going on record to saying King James will NOT be as good as Kobe throughout the entire length of his career) in the modern game. I'm not sure if it's the way he carries himself nowadays, but I distinctly remember when the All-Star game was here how hard he tried to win T-Mac the MVP that year, and that changed a lot of what I thought about the guy. He's the single most controversial player the NBA has, and may probably ever have. He's scrutinized to death by everyone, including his own city. But what he's done is admirable, and I know the Gasol trade helped a lot, but it's Kobe's will that wins games for these Lakers. A will that no one else in this league has. There's not even a close second. So there you have it. I'm rooting for him. I'm going for the Lakers to win this championship mainly because I think Kobe deserves it. I never thought I'd hear myself say that. Just wondering if anyone else feels the same way.
Considering the Grizzlies have practically handed this championship to the Lakers I can't help but feel pretty bitter about it. I agree with alot of what you say, but I just can't bring myself to cheer for him. Plus, I think if anyone deserves a ring it's Garnett. He has alot of flaws but that guy is is as dedicated a player as I've ever seen.
I hate Kobe because he's a Laker. I don't know why everyone seems to want the Lakers to win (besides the Lakers being a superior team). And the Gasol trade further cements my hatred of the Lakers. I don't care that the Lakers are in the West and I don't care that Kobe "deserves" the championship. Nothing will please me more than seeing the Lakers getting beat down just like they did in 2004. I'm also a Garnett fan. Garnett may be an ass (why are people saying this now?), but he's someone who deserves the ring just as much as Kobe does. That being said, I respect him as a player. I'm amazed at how good he is compared to everyone else. It pains me just how far T-Mac and Kobe really are. He's still a prima donna, but at least he's nowhere near Shaq's level. But it wouldn't surprise me if he goes b****ing the next time the Lakers get bounced in the first round.
Need the option of "other". I used to like him when he first came. Hated him when I see him getting arrogant. Sympathized with him for his off the court issues, then liked him again recently.
You have forced me out of lurker mode to say STOP THE ****ING KOBE THREADS Stop. The Kobe threads. Stop the ****ing Kobe threads.
change of heart?? it's not personal, he's not your ex-boyfriend, i hope nobody here uses their heart when evaluating him. he's not who i would pick to have a beer with, but you've got to be stubborn, and ignorant to the game of basketball, if you can't see Kobe's skill.
This is the wrong board. And by wrong board I mean move it to a Lakers forum. Along w/ 50% of the NBA Dish.
one of the reasons i defend the guy: i used to hate him. bad. but leave his arrogance out of the picture and what you have one of the best perimeter players to ever set foot on a basketball court. he won me over in about 1999? (i think) awhile after he stopped shooting air balls in the playoffs. i used to always root against him. and then... i don't know. i saw how many games he won and how many times he'd KILL his opponent and i stopped hating. i was amazed. he's just too good to hate. it's hard to find rocket fans who can appreciate the guy.
Oh great idea by putting a thread about kobe, we needed one of those, because we dont have a kobe thread since yesterday. Oh and BTW I always hated him, first I dont hated him, I just thought he was on a different team, but know I hate him, he is such an arrogant people. Well, maybe the only time I was not hating him was on the dunk contest like in 1997, because its was only the decent dunker there.
Hated him for a long time but am indifferent to him now. My hate is now shifted to all the Kobe fanboys that we have here.
I respect Kobe the basketball player but hate Kobe the (smug, egotistical, adulterer) human being. The two are divorced from each other. Being able to put the round ball into the hole thingee better than anyone else this year does not make him a better person. Thus, no change of heart here.
He always had great skills and toughness on the court but he is still an arrogant guy,I never hated the guy but I don't like him at all. The NBA is trying to mend his image but it doesn't change anything for me.