I've been a Lakers fan since I was 8 years old and my dad dragged me to the Fabulous Forum at the time to watch my first NBA game which was the Lakers vs the Rockets. I went to the court and took pictures with Akeem the Dream and Kareem Abdul Jabbar even though I was scared of both of them. Anyway, I grew up with the 80's Lakers with Magic/Kareem/Worthy/Byron Scott/Kurt Rambis/AC Green. But really, my Jr. High and High School years were the Michael Jordan years and I always wished the Lakers would have Michael Jordan. When I played high school ball, I wore the Jordan 3's and 4's. That said, when the Lakers drafted Kobe Bryant, he was always the player that I always wished for the Lakers to get and he always represented hope for the Lakers. Now that Kobe is entering his retirement tour with the Lakers, I personally don't think he is as dominant as Michael Jordan vs his era even though, pound for pound, MJ's equal. Jordan set the bar at a new level vs his contemporaries but I don't think Kobe did the same. He may be better than MJ, but his competition was more athletic due to evolution. Lebron on the other hand did set the bar at a new level so I would consider Lebron at a higher level than Kobe even though I'm a Lakers fan. Durant on the other hand is still working on that. Ironically for this thread, Durant is much like Kobe as the best of his time, but Lebron and MJ set a new bar vs their time and they stand out above all. Kobe has 5 rings and Durant is still not there yet, so until he's there, this conversation should not start yet. Lebron is on his way to 5 rings and I'm pretty sure he will get there. Lebron is going to pass Kobe on GOAT but Durant still has a bit of work to go in my opinion.
Durant no doubt. Kobe is good but he is always been over hyped. Put Durant on any of his championship teams and they would have won easier. Put Durant on the finals that they lost and with Durant they win. Durant by a landslide.
In your world, I could see how you'd think this. But Kobe has 5 rings, 2 after going through a rebuilding process with a totally different core of players. He's stayed with the same team and didn't need a big 3 to build a legacy. No shortcuts
For 3 of his titles, Kobe had the luxury of being the 2nd best player on his team. That's a much quicker shortcut than having a big 3.
So what you're saying is Lebron should have refused to play for the team that drafted him, and forced a trade to say San Antonio so all his little slurpy fans could credit him with the half a dozen titles he would have won before he turned 25 with Duncan? That would have been no shortcuts right?
No quite. A shortcut is teaming up with another superstar, who already lead his team to a championship prior, in attempt to win the most rings with the most star power of any team (in the weakest conference). Any true competitor wouldn't do that. That's Michael Jordan went in a interview and said he'd NEVER team up with other superstars because he's so infactuated in beating them at ANY cost. I agree
Seems like you're forgetting that in 2007, Kobe demanded to be traded b/c he was unhappy with the caliber of his teammates (ironic since his feud w/ Shaq forced the Lakers to trade Shaq for less value).
Being unhappy is one thing. But conspiring to leave your current team to join another superstar who's already won a ring is another. I'm sure he can "build his brand" better in Miami. But building a brand has nothing to do w/ basketball. On another note. Even though I'd take Prime Kobe one on one against anyone, I wouldn't argue if one picked KD. He's the best player in the NBA right now, and after watching the ASG last nite I realize LBJ can't even keep up with him. IMO KD's legacy will end up better than Lebron's.
It's the same principle....wanting to change teams to have better teammates. Don't forget that Kobe vetoed the trade to Chicago b/c the trade would've sent Deng to LA, and Kobe wanted to play with Deng.
With all due respect to Kobe, an NBA legend with one of the best resumes in the game, give me Durant.
All he did was play hardball with the organization. I'm not understanding your point. If Kobe wanted to leave he'd left, period. He's still a Laker. I'm sure if him, A.I. & Tmac conspired they could've formed a BIG 3. Some guys are too competitive
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YlHocT3PTYA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> this is a teaser of what kobe was doing in his prime. Look at the Hornets bench(especially JR Smith) He did this on a daily basis, with the trash surrounding him. I remember a clippers game he had 4 at half time and finished with 53.
