The second funniest bit in this discussion is the contention that the Euro fans are somehow respectful, and understanding. Juventus just played to an empty stadium because of the racist taunts by their fans. Thierry led a campaign against racism because of all the onfield stuff he was subjected to. Some fans spit on opposing players. But Kobe's a ball hog...A Euro star would envy the 'bashing' Kobe supposedly gets. The funniest bit is that vid. Pretty much everywhere...it's going to be hot! I'll be saying that all summer.
Ronny -- here is my disgust with your Kobe worship. First, the rapist Kobe Bryant escaped prosecution and probable conviction of rape by buying his way out of the situation. His money and talent can't reverse his basic criminality. Second, Bryant is anything but handsome. His skull is misshapen and elongated and his face is pinched and pimpled with porcine eyes. Third, women don't flock to Bryant. They flock to his money and fame. He had to buy his wife, and then he had to buy her off again with a big diamond and a lot of fur after the rape. Fourth, he is a poor excuse for a teammate. He is the ultimate narcisist who is so enamored with himself Carly Simon is still thinking how to re-write her famous song to match his vanity. He drove off one of the league's best centers in his prime so he could be numero uno and then considered ditching his team when he could not forge a title on his own (couldn't even come close). Fifth, he is a Snaker ... and probably has bad breath. P.S. I forgot to add one of his needs -- a Kobe-style Rocket forearm shiver to his trachea to snap his overgrown adam's apple back in place.
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I respect Kobe as a basketball player. He is arguably the best player on the planet. I don't see how his basketball skills translate to why I should like him as a person though. As you note, I don't "know" jack about Kobe. All I can go by are the things he shows me on and off the court. I have come to the conclusion that he is a Grade A A-hole based on the following: - When he got busted for cheating, he threw his teammate under the bus..to the cops at that. That's a big no-no. - He bashed his current teammates to the media as recent as last season. This includes being dumb enough to throw Bynum under the bus while being recorded. - He let his ego get in the way of winning (Shaq fiasco). - He has openly quit on his team on TWO occasions. Some game where he refused to shoot after he was criticized for shooting too much, and in the 06 Playoffs against Phoenix, in the 2nd half of Game 7. - He's a whiny brat on the court. - He's very arrogant on the court. Yeah, he is great...but so were Hakeem, Magic, MJ, Bird, etc. I don't recall them being that cocky on the court. Yeah, they talked trash to other players...but cussing out fans, talking noise to announcers about how good you are, nut dances, etc....I don't recall any of that. MJ is as stoic as they come. Yet practically everyone loved MJ. On the flipside, it seems damn near everyone hates Kobe. That should tell you something. Add in the fact that he got b****slapped by Chris Childs, was dumb enough to cheat with an ugly chick (and go raw) when he can bag damn near any woman he wants, and is overrated (some actually think he is on MJ's level, or that he was just as important as Shaq in those title runs)...and I think I have a solid argument for why I don't like the guy. Respect his game....but like him...nah....
I don't think race has much to do with it honestly, as far as folks still calling him a rapist. I think it's the fact that he settled with the chick outside of court. That = guilt in the eyes of some. I'm not saying he is guilty or a rapist...but personally, if you accuse me of rape and I know I didn't do it, I damn sure won't be settling with you out of court. I do think he is dumb for cheating with a chick who most wouldn't consider average looking. Fu&^ up, not down.
Since the whole of this guy's conclusion apparently rests on some hiking experience with (a couple, a few?) Americans, I think it's fair to say this thread is a waste of time. Add to it his total mischaracterization of what "European" fans are all about and hilarity ensues.
The exact same way. I don't count myself among the number that insist he's guilty, but I do know he was never "found innocent," nor was he ever "acquitted," because the criminal trial was precluded before it was ever carried out. Why did that happen? Because Bryant reached an out-of-court settlement with his accuser, which led to her refusal to testify or cooperate further in the prosecution. When's the last time you paid someone who accused you of rape? And then held a press conference to apologize to him/her? That her blood was on his clothing should matter; that his attorneys attempted to suppress that fact, and that it has never been sufficiently explained, should matter. That he admitted in his public apology, to her and her family, that she didn't consider the act consensual, should matter. That's important, and shouldn't be forgotten. I'm not naive enough to think race didn't play a part in the furor over this case, as with Simpson. I don't know that what Bryant did to his accuser meets the legal standard for rape, or if it really was just a horrible miscommunication. But to ignore the facts that are publicly known about the case is to be equally obtuse. To complain about his on-court antics (that he cheapshots opponents when shooting, that he carbon copies Jordan's celebratory mannerisms from old videotapes, that he refused to score during the last game of the Phoenix series a few years back to prove a point about his importance to the team) is valid, sure, but to deny that he was once credibly accused of rape, that Bryant admitted in hindsight to his accuser's lack of consent ("I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter."), is to overlook the rather enormous elephant in the room. From Bryant's public statement: He's a jerk for throwing a forearm into the back of Battier's head when no one's looking, but not for engaging in a sexual act without his partner's consent? I realize this is a basketball website, but I don't understand those priorities.
You just gave it away. You're british. No wonder you are taking a stab at Americans. I don't believe that you were born in and grew up in Houston. That was a bold face lie IMO.
Sports is a more peaceful replacement for the adrenal camaraderie born out of warfare. You're supposed to dehumanize your enemy, it's a bonding experience. It separates the US and the Them; it motivates. Frankly that's how you motivate people into the jaws the horror..... but in sports it's just for fun Kobe's a f***in' syphilitic, devil worshiping, baby eater. See? Fun.
With all due respect, and I freely admit to not having read past your OP, Your post is arrogant and complete bull ****. I've traveled the world, as well as the United States, and to pigeonhole a country's people as you just have is the act of either a fool or a troll. Take your pick.
The Europeans take a very active interest in world affairs. Americans do not. Europeans loathe their opponents, sometimes to extremes, because of a ridiculous passion for their home team. Not from judgments made on their personality and "who they really are" from the public media. Again, most of the "cool" responses are those that are taking things out of context so you can high five your online buddies, I won't respond to those. Calm down, you sound a little constipated to be frank. Every human being is different, especially those exposed to extreme circumstances. Just because Adu and Kobe were teenage stars does NOT mean they are going to react to the same situations in the same ways. And I wouldn't put Adu and Kobe in the same sentence, in any context, yet. I'm not going to go into details but Kobe is a good looking guy with a swag that would attract women even if he wasn't famous and ridiculously talented. He definitely has an ego, but vanity and "getting yours" can be said to be driving forces for a lot of great and successful people. This doesn't mean the team is neglected as a result, a lot of it is how the media portrays him in a can't win situation. Shoot, I've been had. Why don't you ask me some questions only a Houstonian born in the 80's would know to satisfy your "pwning" techniques? Maybe a mod can do an IP check and get me real good.
Do some research on Kate Faber's past, then the whole "consensual" thing comes into context: A 10 year old representing the defense couldn't ask for a better background check. We can speculate all we want, but Kobe didn't want his wife finding out about the affair initially and wanted to get his name out of the media in regards to adultery. Settling out of court makes a lot of sense when you look at the situation as a whole. Congratulations on being an exception.
"...Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter... " Kobe Bryant When is non-consensual sex not rape? I am seriously curious as isn't rape by definition non-consensual sex?
Kobe is a passionate person who can get lost in the heat of the moment. Kate Faber is a medicated schiznophrenic who had no problems when Kobe started kissing her. That's enough information for me not to judge him based on this.
