I haven't really watched Kobe's game over the last 2-3 years. I have always considered him a fierce competitor with a personality that can border on selfishiness, but a tremendous basketball talent and a winner. Watching this series, there's no question of his talent. But I have never seen a guy get away with so much elbowing. On every drive, he's using his elbows to get separation. You would think a guy with all that talent wouldn't need to do some of the underhanded things he does. I know Lebron can be somewhat of a hotdog with the stares into the stands after a big dunk, but his personality, body movement does not annoy me as much as Kobe. So, my question, when did Kobe become such a jerk or other expletive? Maybe Black Mamba might be appropriate for his personality.
i think he's always like this, whatever it takes to win. its just we inspect him more closely now because rockets are playing lakers
Hrm, he's exhibiting more and more dirtier tactics because he's under our scrutiny along with the fact that he's getting old and doesn't have that blazing speed he used to have 8 years ago.
all great players are jerks/egotistical jordan, bird, isiah, wade, lebron, hell even dirk with his girly face at times, patrick, scottie. only a few like tim duncan isn't.
He's always been like that, I forgot which year it was but I clearly remember when the Lakers were playing the Kings in the playoffs. I remember him elbowing Bibby, Bibby ended up having a bloody nose and Bibby was called for the foul. It might have been in 2002, which was considered one of the tainted series of all-time.
I don't think Kobe is any more of a jerk than the others. We just like to hate him more bc he's so good.
Erm... Lebron, Wade, Duncan many others are/were just as good or better, but it is impossible to come to nearly as unanimous of a position on their douchebaggery as with Kobe. I hate when people fall back on that "they just hate him cuz he's good" thing. No. If that was the case, people would have hated all these other guys, too. Fact is that Kobe is an ass. Ridiculously good player? Yes. Massive *******? You bet.
During game 2 the entire Lakers team became such a..... They were probably shocked that a team like Houston was beating them at home so they had to resort to trash talking, cheap shots, and other cheap tactics to try to get an edge on the Rockets.
I've never seen Wade, Dirk, or Bird even come close to being a jerk. Jordan, Isiah and Lebron are high emotion players and fierce but I haven't seen them be as much of a jerk, with throwing elbows and straight up trash talking defenders constantly, as Kobe.
Kobe is a certified JERK of a Superstar. Remember when he was pulling the slap you in the face follow-through jumpers a couple of years ago? He did that to Manu at least once and another player as well. Then when the NBA finally cracked down on that, he pulled the kick you in the balls with his legs trick on his jumper. In this series, he pulled the elbow and knee trick while feigning getting tangled up with Battier on a loose ball and of course the elbow to the throat trick while fighting for a rebound on Artest. Kobe is the worst kind of punk, because he tries to mask his dirty hits in the context of crowded plays or jumpshots. He has absolute disdain that anyone would try to defend him God forbid that defender actually steals the ball from him or makes him look bad in a 1 on 1 matchup. He has no class, no respect for anyone on the court. His body language and what he says on/off the court (the showboating boasts of his "You can't guard me" chants) shows zero humbleness. I bet that even Faker fans that see him night in and night out cannot respect this aspect of Kobe.
hes always been like this. remember when he elbowed ginobili after a shot and claimed he was fouled? but the league ruled it was a "unnatural basketball motion" and he got suspended. then he did the same "elbow flop" again after a shot but i forgot who he elbowed. he also elbowed mike miller in the adam's apple one game and got suspended afterwards.
Kobe is the guy i detest the most in the NBA. I think he's grown increasingly selfish and dirty because he feels he has to resort to those tactics to win. After his ego interrupted the Shaq/Kobe/Phil champioshipfest, he now realizes that his stupidity destroyed what should have been a dynasty. Shaq got a ring without Kobe... but Kobe will never get another.... and it gnaws at him! and rightfully so! Karma is a b****!
Yep, and he knows his time is running out. As your body ages, if you want to achieve the same things you did when it was younger you have to use other methods, especially when it involves going against some of the best athletes in the world who can jump out of the gym. So, instead of just leaping over guys now, Kobe has to clear them out more, or back them off with elbows. He's been doing this for a couple of years, at least. And as he gets older, it'll probably get worse. Until he stops getting the calls and people catch on to his tricks.
Bird was a notorious trash talker...but I get your point. Kobe has probably been the best player in the NBA the last few years, but I can't stand the dirty play and petuland attitude. Like the kid at school that can dish it out on the playground but can't take it and cries like a wuss to the teacher (refs) when the other kids give him the same treatment.
What are you guys talking about? I just watched Kobe Doin' Work and he is clearly the greatest guy ever!
