This is a chance for Kobe to become BIG or BIGGER. Beating the talented Celtics would prove that Kobe indeed is the real deal, the best player inthe world. Even make him closer or beyond the achievements of MJ. But the big thing for him is that, a chance to prove that he indeed is more valuable than Shaq. Go Kobe!
I love Kobe he's not quite on MJ's level yet, but he's heading there I really don't understand the people who don't like Kobe's game
It just proves he needs 2 frontcourt stars to make up for the loss of Shaq, because he couldn't do it with just one star PF in the other years.
yeah, it's laughable that the guy said beyond MJ's achievements. MJ would have taken the Lakers to the 2nd round in previous years. He would have tore Raja Bell up, last year, against the Suns.
what 'star' PF..... you don't mean Odom do you??? Odom is nowhere near a star. just look at his NBA history, even before the Lakers. he's always sucked and fallen to pressure if he's the main guy or even the main 2nd option
LOL. Exactly. Don't confuse a star with an all-star. He certainly ain't an All-star. That's for sure. He cracks under pressure. That's what seperates being the #1 and #2 scorer on your team,"star", from an all-star, Rasheed Wallace, Chris Bosh, and Duncan.
I have been corrected by somebody. You can still be a choker and be an all-star. Somebody pointed out Chris Weber, Peja Stojakovic, Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, Yao, and McGrady.
Kobe has a chance to surpass Jordan. BUT NOT THIS YEAR! If he's going to build a case that he's the better player, I'd say he'll need to win about four rings as the best player on his team. I think he's 30 now. He better get busy.
I don't know what you're talking about, if you're talking about one on one basketball, i would bet my life on Kobe. If I had to build a team, I would still do it around Kobe. There's a lot a big men out there.
Based on your premise are you saying that Horry is better than JOrdan because he wears more ring? Celtics going to the finals is what Kobe wants. Because beating the Pistons will not make him a btter player. But if he beats the CEltics, that will define his greatnes.
Kobe will never have the impact that Shaq had on both sides of the ball. Sorry, he just won't. Size does matter in basketball. Take Kobe off this team and replace him with Shaq. Hell...would they ever lose? Gasol at PF...Odom at SF...and all those shooters???? It's just easier to build around a big man. And even though Kobe as an individual is a better defender than Oneal was, he still doesn't have the defensive impact on a game that Oneal did.
Jordan won 6 championships in a span of 8 years as THE man. As great as Kobe is, he's not at that level yet. Plus, he's got a far greater supporting cast this year than what Jordan ever had. Even if he wins a ring with an All-Star cast of teammates, that does not put him close to MJ.
Didn't like Kobe's game before the 2006/07 season but the last 2 years he has matured so much as a person and you can see this in the way he plays. Before then 06/07 season it was all about stats for Kobe but since Phil Jackson has come back to La-La Land he has settled down and really morphed into the prototype "superstar." If there was a checklist for Superstars he pretty much has them all covered. Scoring - Check. Defense - Check. Leadership - Check. Clutch Plays - Check. Team Player - Check. Role Model - Check. He just covers everything and this is why, one day, he will be mentioned in the same breath as MJ IMO.
You would pick kobe over PRIME SHaq? **** kobe though. I know hes the best in the nba but that dont mean I got to like him. I dont like celtics either but I hope they destroy the lakers
People dont actually realise how good a team MJ had when he was with the Bulls. He had an amazing supporting cast. Its just because he never had an above average C that people think he never had a good team. He had Scottie freaken Pippen for G*d sake. Thats almost the same as pairing Kobe and Lebron on the same team. Not just that but he had a beast in Rodman cleaning the boards and playing defense for him. Then, just coz that isnt enough, he had amazing AND experienced role players all around him. Hows Horace Grant, Steve Kerr, BJ Armstrong, Tony Kukoc and even Luc Longly was no scrub. Kobe on the other hand, is leading a much younger team and less experienced. Outside of Fisher, no other player has gone nearly this far. Ill say it again. Jordan's supporting cast throughout the years was always quality. It's just because he never had a standout Big man during, suppose ably, the "era of big men," that people say his supporting cast was no good. IMO Kobe isnt at MJ's level...yet. I say the Lakers go on a run over the next few years and people will start talking about him in the same breath. Just my 0.02c
Is this supposed to be a joke? In 1994, a Jordan-less Bulls won 55 games. And you want to tell me this Lakers will win more than 55 without Kobe?
I prefer speed in basketball over size. you think Lakers will be better with Shaq ? yikes! grow up man.
