Couldn't have wrote it better! THAT'S WHY I don't like Kobe...if he had humility, I would like him. What waste of talent.
I could care less why kobe acts the way he does on the court. No amount of analysis will come to a concrete conclusion. What he does off the court is his concern. That still doesn't change the fact that he acts like a punk on the court. Now you might see it differently, but that's just the way it is. If espn ran a poll asking if kobe acts like a jerk on the court, I believe the numbers outside of california would be relatively high.
that article was only one Joba Chamberlain reference short of being a full-fledged ESPN Classic. (honestly, i liked the article!)
Regardless of any of his own insecurities, he is judged based solely on how he has acted up until now. His transgressions both on and off the court is what has developed the spoiled-brat image that he has made for himself. I don't care how many "NBA Cares" commercials they feature him in, he is who he is. He can put on his "Jordan Interview Face" all he wants....when he steps on the court and is in the limelight, his true colors come out. The incessant whining, taunting, and selfishness is what comes out when he doesn't have a chance to reign it in as he can during an interview. He would have been remembered more for his greatness if he could have kept his mouth shut and played with Shaq rather than thinking he was above Shaq. They'd still be winning titles if he could have done that. His desire to be the #1 option overulled his desire to win. That will sum up his entire career once he's done.
That's my point. So what if he acts like a "jerk" on the court. This is professional sports, not your first date. Different people do different things to motivate themselves and their teammates, and he's been pretty successful throughout his career to say the least. He rightfully said LeBron should be MVP this season, he normally praises the other superstars of the NBA and he doesn't get into verbal arguments with Battier off the court.
I dont think the article is dogging his play, or his personality off the court (except calling him insecure), its dogging Kobe's I just punked you attitude every time he does something, not noting that he's lookin like an A hole in the process. I can understand trash talkin etc, but to do that to a player like Shane? Kobe's game is sick, his antics are just lame
We could speculate what the private Kobe Bryant is really like but as you say we don't really know that. Kobe Bryant though is a public persona and as such we can form an opinion of him. The private Kobe Bryant doesn't frighten me unless he is planning to do some malice towards me that I don't know about. Its true I don't know him personally but what I know I don't like. That has nothing to do with fear. That is forming an opinion about a public persona based upon his public actions.
hopefully that will be a big reason they lose this series to the rockets. because his teammates just dont like him that much.
To me that's the equivalent of gossip; and gossip should be reserved for women. Why should he treat Shane differently on the court? The enemy is the enemy to the black mamba. And the article does whine about him personally, ie "does he even know who he is"? LOL.
I guess we're not supposed to form opinions? I'm confused. He acts like a jerk, I don't like seeing people act like jerks, what's the problem?
Fine, but then how can you blame people for disliking him ? Most think that was a very unclassy move (showing up Shane), even though you look at it like it was just another day at the office for Kobe. Like I said, almost no one here thinks he's a scrub player and are not dissing his game, but if he acts like a dick (even if you think he is not?) then people are gonna diss him for it. I'm not sure there's a reason to defend him here? I mean we're not talkin about his off court activities and saying he's an A hole, we're just saying his antics on court are much to be desired...
Appreciate he's playing a competitive game with other athletes. Athletes can't always be politically correct in the heat of the moment, especially ones overflowing with talent. Especially playoff basketball, it's war out there and everyone is the enemy. There's no right or wrong way to kill, the only thing that matters is getting the job done.
Well then he should expect the criticism. That's the way life works. Now he might not think it's fair, but there isn't much he can do to change people's perception of him with the way he acts on the court.
Nice slam on women. Look at the threads and replies on this forum, which is dominated by male posters btw, and tell me which ones wouldn't meet your criteria for gossip. I am a female sports fan and find it funny, in a pathetic sort of way, that you need to resort to insulting women when you are losing your argument.
OK so first you're anti-American by saying this an "american thing" and now you are being sexist.. This is a basketball forum where we talk about basketball and basketball players. The players personalities are part of that.
Why are we having all those threads about Kobe? Granted, we are playing the Lakers, but does it warrant so many thread about a player on the other team? Kobe could be saint, or Kobe could be devil, but who cares?
All the psychological analysis MAY EXPLAIN why, but inherently, most people will appreciate a person's skills if he/she is also likeable. It's a gut reaction. And most fan's gut reaction is to dislike Kobe's persona. The perfect contrast IS Kobe vs. Battier. I don't think anyone disavows Bryant's skills, they just can't "enjoy" them removed from his personality. The accompanying attribute of throwing elbows, etc. takes it a step beyond "just" personality. There are people in prison who can claim all the environmental deficiencies given as a rationale for Kobe's personality/actions. But violence, whether it's physical or mental (anyone who has had their home burglarized can relate) has the potential for consequences that no rationales can ever compensate for. I've seen Kobe at times where he seems to be Kobe, not a parody of Michael Jordan. But, as many have noted, that seems to be his MO most of the time. I'd say the article is spot on and if Kobe could/would take it to heart it would help everyone's enjoyment of his game. The problem is, I think he's made the parody such a part of his persona that HE may not be able to separate the two anymore.
I watch sports for entertainment. He is, indeed, an incredible player. But his jerk-ish display is not entertaining. People don't like watching him. Why are we going in circles here? What is your point? I love the Browns, but I couldn't cheer for Winslow because he's acted like a pompous jerk. I don't understand why I'm obligated to like everyone.
funny how things work everyone here pretty much thinks the article is spot on and agree with the writer everyone on the lakers board pretty much thinks its the biggest pile of horse manure ever written
