LeBron's pregame stuff is freakin' hilarious though! From the "Team Picture" to the powder-in-the-air bit, it's all good. All of it is meant to relax the Cavs team members. What Kobe does only escalates the tension.
Final question... From what you guys have described, how is Kobe Bryant any different from any other athlete whose innate desire to win is sometimes overshadowed by their inability to show true humility. For everything you've said about Kobe, insert Tiger Woods. Now answer.
Exactly. It was just a light "get your head in the game" tap, it was a full forced push/punch. I'll get my head in the game alright Kobe, right after I smack the **** out of you too on the bench, lol.
You don't have to be arrogant and whining to the referees every time you don't get the right call your way. Trust in your teammates, play as a team. Work hard at it. Win Championships by sharing your talent to improve your team. Sincerely, Spoiler I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you over the cameraphones snapping photos while I was getting ready to tee off. Now, what were you saying?
Basketball = team sport, it takes more than talent, heart to win. If you can't lead your team mates you won't win. Golf = be a dick if you have the skills to back it up. it's all good.
Only good reason to get Kobe on this team is to give Ron Ron more opportunity to teach him the lesson he has coming. Seriously, I wouldn't make that trade. I could exaggerate and say I wouldn't trade one of those guys to get him, but I'll stick with "No believable trade we could make to get Kobe would reward us with a better team than we had without him." Our guys have too much character and heart, and he represents to me all that is wrong with many superstar athletes today. Think how proud of this team we are. Impossible with someone like Kobe. GO ROCKETS!
While I appreciate the well thought out point and in the GARM no less - but I have to say I disagree completely. I'm late to the thread so i'm guessing my main thought has been posted repeatedly, but Kobe only has heart when it's all about him - he would throw his teammates under the bus in a heartbeat. Extremely arrogant, selfish player -- definitely not a team guy especially if the other players are struggling.
The problem with the suggestion of Kobe joining the Rockets is that he is not a team player. Though Artest has had his "Black Hole" moments since he joined the Rockets, he has been deferring more and trusting his team more. I don't see Kobe doing that here. He would also have a problem deferring to another dominant big man. Post Shaq syndrome.
While people may disagree on what "heart" means, I agree with what Another Brother is saying -- the only player on that Laker team that plays hard for 48 minutes is Kobe. If you punch Odom or Gasol or Ariza in the mouth, they'll cower the rest of the game. If you do it to Kobe, he's going to punch back. He may be arrogant, a faker, and selfish -- but there's not much doubt about how much he wants to win.
Since we're on an NBA blog I surmised your UT stood for Utah. No wonder you're so mezmorized with Kobe. I didn't say he wasn't a good defender, I said he doesn't play defense. He let's everyone else do the dirty work while he concentrates on offense. I realize it's strategy, but it's crappy "leadership" to get down on your players for not doing something you don't do yourself.
I think with Kobe it's close but not exactly heart. I think it's pure competitive drive to be the best. It is similar but not the same. Shane getting cut and bloody and mentioning that if that's what it takes to win the series then let's bring it on. That's heart because it is about sacrifice to do what's needed for the team. It isn't about Shane doing that because he has the need and drive to be the best as an individual. He wants to do the best he can and work hard for the sake of the team and being part of that. Kobe works every off season, practices relentlessly, and puts forward effort every minute he's in the game. But what motivates Kobe is a drive to always be the best. It's more self motivated. Kobe's competitiveness is what gets him going and makes him the player that he is. It's also part of what makes him the arrogant ass that he is. Shane has the heart but not the arrogant ass.
How much heart do we say Dirk, T-Mac or Karl Malone have? I have seen Kobe blow a 3-1 lead, and he quit on his team in Game 7. I have seen him quit on his team in a regular season game by refusing to shoot. I have seen his numbers in the Finals, the biggest stage, and they get worse...not better. I watched his team blow a 20+ lead in the Finals last year, and get blasted by 39 in the elimination game. I'm currently watching him struggle to eliminate a team without their two best players. If any other player had this resume while being his teams leader...would you really say he had heart? If so, please give me an example. I think you are confusing heart with being really, really good....and being competitive. Kobe looks great when he is up or his team has an advantage. But when times get rough...I see a different player.
I wouldn't even trade Scola for Kobe straight up (contract money aside). Yes, I am serious. Yes, I am a homer. And yes, I know Kobe would win more games for us than Scola will. But no, I'd rather root for Scola in a loss than for Kobe in a win.
