I have a new-found respect and appreciation for Kobe Bryant this season. For the first time in his career, he has made a full commitment to his teammates in all aspects of the game. He's leading them on and off the court; he is taking time to talk to them, point things out that might help improve their games; patting them on the back and encouraging them to keep going; etc. Up until last season, he never fully made the effort to be "one of the guys", to set an example for his teammates while at the same time taking care as not to alienate them by talking down to them, frustrated with the fact that they can't keep up with him. He's not complaining or whining anymore about getting a 'bad rap' for that whole rape allegation, he seems to have finally come to terms with the fact that people and the media will make up their own minds and his legacy is yet to be determined. He's always been a phenomenal talent and -- as a basketball fan -- a joy to watch, he just was never likable, and much of it was his own doing. I used to hate the Lakers because they were the big bad bully on the block, and partly because of Kobe's arrogance and childishness...not anymore. He has a team of young players and he seems to have finally taken his role as a leader to heart. I have to applaud him for that, he has matured as a player and a person, and I think long-term the Lakers as a whole will benefit and he will go further in the playoffs. You don't have to like the guy, but I have to say that he's earned my respect. Pile on if you want
Not yet from me. He still has some way to go. Did you not see how often he still whines to the ref on just about everything that he thinks he should get a call on ...
I don't like him but hes one of the few players I have the up most respect for because of the way he commits himself to the game. You can tell that this man eats, sleeps and breathes basketball.
So does Yao....and just about every "superstar" in the NBA Kobe's definitely played his way back to "pre-Shaq feud/Colorado fiasco" respect levels for me. He seems much more dedicated to the game and the team concept. You can question his motives, but you can't question his re-dedication to the game.
I dont care what you all say, I'll never forgive him for subjecting the world to this: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ki4zWHxlYMA"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ki4zWHxlYMA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Commit to his teammates? Just like he did when he walked out off the court when we were blowing them out? I know, I know, his groin. But it's funny how he choose to retreat to the locker room for "treatment" right after Luther Head yams it in the face of his teammate... I don't think he's the prototypical leader, and I don't think his personality will ever allow him to become that type of leader.
Whoa two people i can't stand, Kobe & Tyra (miss forehead), together. Game wise i have respect for kobe.
I think it is all an act. Last season he led the league in scoring and led the team to the playoffs as 6th seed (i believe it was 6th), and he thought that would get him the MVP. It did NOT so now he is trying to dish and act like he is a team player to get MVP. I think his "new found" playmaker role is all a selfish act to get the MVP award. Once he gets it, he will go back to being the same old selfish dude. He needs that MVP award to add to his legacy. I respect the dude for his talent but cannot stand the guy's arrogance, snobiness and phoniness. The guy whines and cries to the refs after every single play whether fouled or not. The guy continuously gets phantom calls. No one will touch him and a call will be made, it is sickenning.
Kobe literally scares me the most everytime he has the ball against us. No other in the league comes close except for Wade when Violet Palmer or Dick Bavetta is reffing the game.
completely the same feelings this year. my friends don't enjoy when i say it. But gotta respect his game.. unstoppable offensively, gets teammates involved...and way more into it defensively throughout the game than any other "offensive superstar" (except maybe Iverson)
so you think its selfish to want to be mvp and try to get it by being a better teamate. you think jordan didn't care about his legacy, magic, bird?
When I first read the thread title, I thought to myself, "Self, is tigermission going to tell us that he really is an alien or something worse?" Then you tell us what you told us and I am like, "Self, I really wished that tigermission WAS an alien."
To me the most respectfull thing a player can do is adjust his game to help his team, not refine his individual skills in isolation, which is granted something Kobe is great at. I wont respect him as a player near the degree of many (Nash, Wade, Lebron, AI, etc) until he shows he can bring out the best in others and lead group of men to some playoff success. Respect for him as person is so far away it not worth discussing.
I think his motives are selfish, and he has been the "me me me me" type of guy his entire career. He's the type of dude that would do anything so long as it benefits himself. He may be making his teammates better but he is not doing so because he enjoys it or wants his teammates to succeed but because it will help him get the MVP award. He is selfish by nature, it is hard to change that overnight. Kobe's been a phonie his entire career, I refuse to accept he has changed...If he does this for the rest of his career, than I may change my opinion. Bottom line, he (along with most superstars), could care less what we fans think, so it's all meaningless. He is making millions and living an easy life, he's got scoreboard right?
