kobe is that good and a hall-of-fame talent, but he does have one of the most dominant players in history leading the team. for that reason alone he should never, ever, ever, ever be compared to jordan.
If Kobe can take over the team like Magic did in Kareem's last days, then he can be considered a great player. Not as great as Jordan though. It's a bit unfair (and unlikely) to compare Kobe to Jordan for now. I hated Jordan when he played, but I can't deny the skills or dominance he had. Plus, I can't say Kobe's and Shaq's hurdles over the Jazz were the same as what Jordan and Scottie went through over the Pistons. As long as Kobe can win championships on his own, I don't think history would judge him poorly. Maybe even because he won so many championships so early in his career. It sets a different standard for him than Jordan.
I dont know what do you have to do with my reply to invisible fan? there were two parts to that reply I just replied to the first, sorry I didnt let you know in advance. then again if you would have thought about it for a second you could see I was answering just the first question.......... It was a comment in refrence to Kobe deferring because of shaq. I was just saying that kobe shots more than shaq. I wouldnt call that deffering to him, i often think Kobe needs to deffer more to shaq. Iverson only takes 3 or 4 more shots than Kobe. SO we are seeing what kobe can do when he shots as much as iverson. Any other questions Kidrock8, do you need anything else cleared up???
I just think teams have started to key on him a bit more, they used to take guys off Kobe to double down on shaq. this year it seems that shaq has seen a lot more single coverage than before, hence him exploding these last few games, that and he is getting healthy again, which is scary.
Kowannabe Like Mike is good for the same reason that Rick Fox, Robert Horry, and Derek Fisher can all start for a league champion -- they play with the best player in the league. And replace Kowannabe Like Mike with a 39 year-old Mike and the Lakers are still champs.
You are joking right? Penny didn't ever play one second of defense in his NBA career. Kobe, arguably is among the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. Not to mention that Kobe is a much better off the dribble shooter than Penny ever was.
Anybody notice this graphic during the Finals? The one where the Lakers are a plus in scoring when Shaq's in the game and New Jersey is a plus with Shaq on the bench. Oopps,I'm sorry...statistics are flawed.
one thing that must be accounted for is the fact that when Shaq goes out it's just Kobe there is no Dennis Rodman, no Pippin no help AT ALL you are all comparing Shaq to Kobe that's not fair
Is Kobe really that good? Yup. He's looking pretty Jordanesque right now. He has the ability to get his points EXACTLY when the teams needs them, and is always the go-to guy with about 7 seconds when their offense breaks down. Seems to have the ability to will his team to victory. Not only that, he's a helluva defensive player. I'm impressed. Dallas Rocket
Kobe is better than Penny, but simply because he's mentally stronger. I look at Kobe as one of the 50. I look at Penny as an All Star.
Kobe = Pippen When Shaq retires. . he will be exposed When Jordan left. . Snottie still took the Bulls deep into the playoffs. . .but could not finish the deal Rocket RIver
Those people who say Kobe without Shaq will be Vince or TMac are giving Vince and T-Mac a lot of credit. It's hard to mesh your skills with another star in such a manner as Kobe has done. He'll be an able and capable leader. He'll have a BULLS-EYE! on his chest those first two seasons or so after Shaq leaves, but provided the Lakers can surround him with some talent, he'll be fine.
Yeah, it's real hard to be able to relax on offense whenever you want, while the defense focuses on another guy. It's real hard to have a 350-lb. goalie backing you up on defense. Really makes life difficult. "Mesh your skills"? Huh?
Wait just a minute. The incredible Laker defense that Bill Walton (and kidrock8) rave about becomes non-existent when Shaq goes to the bench? So then, what Rome said is true...it's Shaq, Kobe and a bunch of CBA'ers? Just want to make sure I understand you correctly and you aren't grossly undervaluing that playoff god, Robert Horry.
The day I see Kobe father illegitimate b*stard children who he ignores, and Kobe throwing a temper tantrum during a timeout at the most crucial part of a game is when I'll consider Kobe being at Pippen's level. Barring all of Pippen's other issues, those makes me think he's scum of the earth.
