If Kobe Bryant would have never forced his way out of Charlotte do you think he would be the same player he is today? Or would he have been another Tracy McGrady, supreme talent just no help? I'm of the opinion that if McGrady had been the one in LA then the Lakers would have perhaps won more championships. Would have McGrady, before he was friends with Shaq, have clashed with O'Neal or not? Discuss and talk amongst yourselves.
Kobe Bryant wasn't drafted by Charlotte - the trade for the pick was made almost a week in advance - he didn't force himself out of Charlotte cause he was never there.
Kobe Bryant, as a clutch player alone, has bailed out Lakers in every championship run. He lead Lakers comeback from a 15 pts 4th quarter deficit vs. Blazers in game 7 WCF. 2000 and 2001, twice in final, he single-handed won the game in OT with Shaq fouled out. Putback over TD and Robinson in final second game 1 vs. Spurs in 2001. Remember he won game 2 of final to avoid sweep and had he hadn't hit with 12 seconds left in game 5 vs. Spurs, Fisher would not have that miracle shot. McGrady, on the other hand, had the history of no show in 4th quarter. His premature statement "we finally got into 2nd round" last year, with which Pistons became the 8th team comeback in 1:3 deficit, proved he's not a tough leader.
TMac is more talented than Kobe, IMO. But as goodbug said, Kobe has proven to be very tough in pressure situations. TMac has not. I've always felt that clutchness is overrated. Kobe is streaky. He often disappears in stretches in the first half, letting the team get into a hole, making the comeback in the 4th more dramatic.
You are mistaken my friend. Kobe came out in 1996 an claimed that he would not play for Charlotte, and that he wanted to go to LA. He was drafted by Charlotte and then traded to LA for Divac, but he did force his way out of Charlotte. If he didn't have to play in the Purple & Gold I doubt people would be having wet dreams over him today.
