I think I made my point pretty clear in my above post in regards to Kobe's actions and why making judgments on successful pro athletes is irrelevant. IMO it's silly to waste so much time and emotion judging someone you do not know. As for you being offended and getting catty because of an un-PC comment, there are other ways to gain respect as a woman than playing the "we are exactly the same as men" card everywhere you go. But that's a whole other subject.
It seems like you justify or dismiss Kobe's "politically incorrect" actions on court because he's talented. Your arguments make it seem like Kobe can act however he likes and we shouldn't judge since we don't know how he was brought up and rather just appreciate that he's talented and playing well. If that's the case, then I guess all talented athletes should always be treated with respect and maybe even "kiddy gloves." Heck if an athlete vented out with insults or worse even racist slurs during a course of a heated game, should we just let it go? Sure we are all products of our upbringing, but does that justify bad or selfish behavior especially in the public's eye?
This was a great read. Everything he mentioned was accurate. Very rarely do I feel compelled to email a writer after reading an article but this Keown guy definitely earned a fan today.
Are you saying that there's nothing wrong with Kobe's game? And you don't see anything bad particularly in games 1 and 2 in this series?
LOL, Nice response and so well deserved. Since when is calling myself a "female sports fan" = to playing the "we are exactly the same as men" card everywhere you go? As a female, am I not allowed to be a sports fan without being accused of acting like a man? Attacking the poster, does not make your argument any stronger.
You're basically saying Shane is a 2nd rate player here. How can you logically construct this idea in your mind?
Here's the thing about Kobe and Lebron. Lebron gets the big picture. He understands that without the hype, he is simply a basketball player--a person who can put the ball in the hoop. But if he plays his cards right, he can parlay his skills into a phenomenon a la Jordan and Magic whereby even people who aren't into basketball want to watch him and get some piece of him. He wants to be a billionaire that is relevant even after he retires--something like a combo of MJ as a cultural icon and Magic as a businessman. After Kobe retires he'll simply be considered a great baller that people don't want to be around. After LBJ retires he'll still be relevant for a long time.
maybe that's his problem... he can learn a lot from shane and lebron... at the end of the day you can score as many points you want but people won't respect you as a human being if you're a lil b****
After reading his post, it rang a bell. I think he's demonstrated a similar attitude in some threads in the Hangout. If I would've known earlier I wouldn't have bothered trying to have a discussion in the first place.
Heh NBA marketing in overdrive. Stern's taken a page from WWE. He's figured out a way to market both Kobe and Lebron without cannibalizing the other's popularity. Kobe is the heel. Lebron is the face. Kobe is the dirty, win at all costs (but admittedly brilliant) bad guy with a streak of gratuitous cruelty. Lebron is the all-american hero. Who will YOU PICK... CHOOSE YOUR SIDE! PICK NOW! What marketing nirvana when the two meet in the Finals this year and for years to come. When Lebron hits NYC 2010 the stage (the NBA) will be set for years... splurt Stern just came. Kobe's been slapping dudes and being dirty for years but the NBA's never been smart enough or had a big enough foil in the East to afford turning their biggest star into basically Shawn Michaels of the WWE. After all this drama around Kobe on one side and Lebron's march to the sea on the other... people are going to be in a fever pitch when Kobe and Lebron do meet in the Finals. There's got to be a reason why the NBA doesn't squash these stories like they scrubbed discussion about the fact that Mavs-Nuggest should be 2-2 headed back to Denver as opposed to OVER.
I'm saying Shane doesn't have half the talent Kobe has, it's pretty obvious. Not here to get into petty arguments. Women enjoy gossiping more than men, the guys I know don't enjoy scrutinizing the public life of strangers. Please stop victimizing yourself over to gain my attention. No, that's not what I'm saying at all?
This reminds me of the CNN article I read this morning: Judge in Saudi Arabia : Men can slap women if they spend too much Ronnie from Clutchfans: Kobe can slap other NBA players if they suck
People say the reason Kobe's reactions are due to his competitive nature. This is complete and absolute BS. Shane is just as competitive but he does not act the way Kobe does. He exemplifies what a professional should act, especially if you are such a huge role model to so many kids. Kobe is a poor excuse of a human being and a waste of space. Imagine the face of the NBA of Shane Battier with Kobe's talent. GOSH Kobe is such a waste.
Yeah, except that LeBron won't be facing Kobe in the Finals. He'll be facing Shane. If that really happens, it will be poetic on so many levels.
old jellybean didn't give little kobe enough love. he's now surrounded by a team of needy losers who constantly seek his approval. counselor big chief triangle better buy a truckload of pampers because his teammates are ****ting bricks. poor little kobe meanwhile, is turning into his dad.
i can't stand how Kobe will stare at an official anytime he doesn't get a call. it's the "don't you know i'm Kobe, why didn't you call that?" look.
The guy who mentioned "insecurity" was trying to find some redeeming quality in the punk. So instead of wasting everyone's valuable time psychoanalyzing the spoiled brat, just call him an a$$hole and be done with it. Laugh at that all you want.
