Yesterday, as a coworker and I went back and forth about the state of the NBA playoffs, we both did our share of debating and speculating…as fans normally do. But right before we went our separate ways, I asked him about game 5. He was stuck between a rock and hard place, not knowing who he should lean toward…so I broke the silence and said “Kobe’s going to get 40 tonight.” His facial expression seemed to suggest that although he wouldn’t agree, he certainly knew it was very very possible. He grinned and left without a comment, but I didn’t expect anything more….after all, he’s a Suns fan. But even a die hard Suns fan couldn’t deny what was inevitable…and that’s the maturity of Kobe Bryant.
Last night, Kobe Bryant moved one step closer to the promised land, by scoring 39 points and propelling the Lakers passed the Spurs (4 -1) and into the NBA Finals….and that being said, my next comment is for the haters…Kobe is about to raise the standard in the NBA, and return it to the top of sports highlights everywhere. Oh yeah…it’s more real than you think.
Can I talk to the TRUE hoop fans for a sec?
Why is it that we constantly look back to the heroes of the past? I loved to watch Jordan play, even when he was destroying my Knicks (and yall know MJ used to really destroy the Knicks!) But I just loved hoops so much, it didn’t matter. I’ll always give MJ credit for what he did for the NBA and the game of basketball. I also know he wasn’t alone. Before him there was Dr. J
…Magic and Bird…Kareem Abdul Jabaar…Wilt the stilt…Bill Russell…Jerry West…Pistol Pete …Bob Cousy…George Gervin….David Thompson…Lakers vs Celtics… Willis Reed limping into the finals game….Dr. J going around the backboard….Jerry West pulling up from half court…Oscar Robertson averaging a triple double (that’s so tight)…and of course I gotta mention one of the best backcourts of all time….Walt Clyde Frazier and Earl the Pearl Monroe.
All this is rich basketball history, and somehow, it seems that we’ve lost it. I hear the media all the time refer back to the older guys, and I will always give respect to the front runners who laid it down before our generation…but how about we get some new found respect for TODAY’S game and TODAY’S players? It hasn’t happened for a while because these days, we give the credit to players before they actually earn it. These kids coming out of school are signing huge sneaker deals and turn out to be garbage (sorry to Sebastian Telfair…but you know it’s true). We have spent way too long searching for the apparent heir to MJ’s throne, and the truth is we shouldn’t be comparing. However, guys like Magic, Bird, and MJ did so much to change the game, they raised the bar for the guys coming after them to be able to perform at a much higher level….and that people….that brings us back to Kobe
Kobe is on the cusp of returning the Lakers to the glory days…or better yet, creating brand new glory days…SHOWTIME 2008!!! With a healthy Andrew Bynum, and Trevor Ariza, one can only imagine what level they may rise to next season. After winning top seed this year, why shouldn’t 70 games be a fair goal? Why not 75?
He NBA is a money league now. Players have to appeal to a much larger audience, so that games can be pumped into far more homes than ever before. Stern wants to take it to Europe. That’s all money talk. BUT…to the TRUE hoop fans, there could be something better brewing on the horizon…crazy highlights…awesome rivalries …and so much more. Kobe Bryant is helping to restore all of that.
Hate him or love him…you can not deny him…and even if you tried….he will not be denied.
GameStormC2C
And to think that a yea ago Bryant had all but outbid his welcome in LA. Now he's king of all that he surveys. It's strange what a year can do for a guy. And it's strange to think that finally the Lakers' organization were prepared to listen to a player rather than standing steadfast like they no doubt wanted to.
No we're all wondering who's going to claim the credit for the franchise's success ?
Come up and see me and I'll show you my Spalding. ....Dr Jerry Buss
Look Phil we've done it your way long enough let's do it my way now !
I love Kobe Bryant and I'm sure that Kobe loves me.
I've just called Phil and he says he doesn't need me . Wha'd do I do now ?
rampant' aka tophatal ..........
Last edited by rampantfanatic on May 30th at 2:34 PM.
as I said on my blog in response to your post there, I'm liking you more and more all the time. You've got a good NBA mind and you're not biased hateful and you have perspective. Good blog. To the past we salute you, to the future we invite you, for the present we have KB24. And that ain't bad.
LOL i like that last one with Shaq.
Rampant i feel you completely...and what i like most about Kobe this year is even amidst all the negative press...he buckled down, got himself together, and simply started hoopin.
Now look where he's at.
He didn't even get funky after the word got out that Buss was gonna shop him since he wanted to be traded. He simply started hoopin.
Now look where he's at.
thanks Nique...i like your style too.
more than anything, i just love basketball, and now that i'm a little older i realize i can just talk about it without being a hater.
so right now...i'm gonna salute KB24...here's to the present AND the future.
KOBE is so old school that if he were only earning $5 million per, he'd still put as much effort into his conditioning and preparation as he does making $20 million.
KOBE is so old school he refers to JERRY WEST as his mentor.
KOBE is so old school he watches tape of old school games religiously.
KOBE is so old school that the new school can't seem to understand why he's so great.
KOBE is so old school that even the old school respects him as much as they do MJ.
Class is in session. KOBE 101. New school students are apparently on the waiting list. Lebron? D-Wade? Carmelo? OJ? CP3? D-WiL? Please bring your student ID's.
J-Diz...Kobe is old school, you're right. he's probably the last of the generation of kids who practiced taking shots as they counted down from
5...4...3...2...
Nique...that's cold about OJ LOL
i'll tutor him if need be. especially if the Knicks pick him in the draft.
Mark this down, no need to argue about it now. I pray that the Knicks will not draft OJ Mayo because I like you and the Knicks deserve better after all these years. Anyone who has so consistently snuck around and broke the rules as Mayo has doesn't have the integrity to be a superstar much less a "chosen one" in the NBA.
Mark this down and we'll talk in 5 years. OJ Mayo is another Darius Miles, A quiet Gilbert Arenas, A more selfish less talented lebron. I think I would compare the career I see for Mayo with that Of Chris Webber. Lots of stats, no titles, no character, no heart.
I agree. I don't particuarly like Kobe Bryant, but there is no denying his greatness on the court. He is a very special player that can take over a game whenever he wants. He seems to always be able to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. We are all witnessing something very special.
i'll remember to get at you about that Nique. pesonally i'd like to see the Knicks pick Brandon Rush out of Kansas, if for no other reason, i like his hustle and is defense, and he can knock down the jumper. as for OJ...i was always a bigger fan of mustard.
Oakland...you couldn't be more right. when MJ did it, i never once considered that history was in the making. i was too busy pouting because he scored 55 on my teams court...or he just dunked on Patrick Ewing...again!
Kobe is the hero of the NBA right now because he was dogged out, written off, and darn near forgotten...even with an 81 point game 2 years ago!
i think Stern would've like to see the youngster Lebron do what Kobe is doing..but oh well.
GAMESTORMC2C: I honestly believe LEBRON will get there. He needs a supporting cast, a supporting star, and a supporting coach. The only support James gets right now is coming from his jockstrap and headband.
But then again I could be wrong. He may wind up being the Dominique Wilkins to Kobe's Jordan.
A lot of people have given Lebron a lot of credit calling him the best and when he came up short they always cry "he has no help". Or "he's only 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. That gets old after a while.
Despite what the Kobe faithful have said, Kobe was selfish for a long time. He had to change to become the best of today. So does Lebron. I watched him dribble and dribble and dribble and dribble and his teammates stand around spectating that entire Boston Series. Kobe was good enough to take the Suns to 7 but ran out of gas. Lebron was good enough to take them to 7 but ran out of gas.
There is no I in team Lebron. Kobe had to learn that and so will Lebron or he will always be Dominique Wilkens, not Dominique Dodson (LOL) to Kobe's MJ.
Lebron says there is no "I" in team but there is "ME" in team.
Lebron's time for maturing and evolving has not come yet. And it won't come until about 2012 or right around the time when Kobe's prime is in decline. By that time, Kobe will have 6-7 rings and the torch will be passed.
In life, it's all about timing. The same goes for the NBA. From Magic to Jordan and now Kobe to Lebron. The time will come.
being an old ####!!! id still would have liked to see MR bryant play against some of the past players!!!!!!! bird,magic, jordan, cousy, maravich (sloopy socks and all)
J-Diz..i believe LBJ can get there too, but i also agree with you and Nique that he's taking the Dominique angle right now. Lebron is a hot commodity tho, and i fully expect him to bolt for greener pastures should Danny Ferry fail to surround him with the right support.
but Nique is right on with the point that Kobe had his learning years...so did MJ. who could forget the triple crossover he put on Bird en route to 63 points in a losing effort? MJ was nothing short of spectacular, but it wasn't enough. fast forward to the year he deferred a winning shot to Steve Kerr, and that was an MJ who trusted his team fully.
Lebron does indeed have time to mature, and i look forward to seeing a Lebron at 28 years old.
nwhat...thanks for the compliment, but i only write for the love of it...for now. but keep a lookout, cuz when it's my time to shine...i'll be sure to shout it from every rooftop!
Kobe is the most complete player in the game this decade. Reviewing the other players you mention it must be noted that Oscar Robertson was the most complete player for the 15 year period of 1957-1972. Pete Maravich was among the worst in shooting % each season of the "stars" and was not effective as a man to man defender. He was never at Kobe's level. Bird was an excellent shooter and had a keen sense of the game. Johnson was an excellent passer and had a keen sense of the game along with leadership skills that translated in the business world. Kobe has an opportunity to be regarded in that level with continued success and work. David Thompson was among the greatest college players but injuries and personal demons kept him from obtaining that sustained level in the pros. You have to say, as a PRO, Kobe is several steps past David Thompson while it is possible that the college version of Thompson is every bit the equal to the pro Kobe, as astonishing as that may sound. Walt Frazier was Kobe's equal defensively, Monroe nearly equal with Kobe as a shooter and passer. But, anytime it takes 2 men's ability to match up with 1 you know who has the advantage. Jerry West and Michael Jordan are as good as Kobe in all areas, in fact West with his 85 inch arm spread was almost unhuman. Further it was West himself that plucked the teenage Kobe and brought him to the Lakers. Julius Erving and Connie Hawkins were as exciting as Kobe but he has a small edge on them when you consider all facets of the game. Bob Petit would be a statistical match for Kobe.
One problem for Lebron is he wont learn it with the Cavs.
If he goes to the Knicks he will have to be there for a couple of years.
He'll be about 28 or 29 then. If the guy cant improve on more facets of his game, teams will shut him down in the playoffs every season. He still hasnt been on even a 2nd Team Defense.
And at 28, 29, 30 years old, driving to the rim gets harder and harder with every year that passes.
He may end up being the next Allen Iverson.
If you look at both of their 1st five seasons. The same old story.
Except AI was a leader in steals, won the MVP and won a Finals game.
Yes, he has FINALLY reached that place. Most of all his story is one of unparalleled personal redemption. I'm a Knicks fan as well and yes we had to endure the torchings of his Airness, we appreciated his greatness. Finally people are starting to appreciate Kobe's hoops talent. There will always be haters (because that's life), but the truly knowledgable fans and pundits understand that he is in "rare air" now (pun intended). Good read.
Kobe has proven that Jerry Buss made the RIGHT decision in trading Shaq. When Buss traded Shaq, he didn't want to pay an aging, oft-injured center all that money. Once Shaq was gone, it was sink or swim time for Kobe. It took him a couple of seasons to adjust, but he's adjusted quite nicely. It's Kobe's time now and for the next few seasons before his inevitable decline.
I like Kobe..he's in a different league. But the Lakers had better have more than just Kobe to offer up if they want to win the Finals. They got swept by the Celts when they had a healthy Bynum. They don't have Bynum, but have Gasol...same trade-off.
I would rather have three great guys than one superstar...just ask the Cavs.
GameStormC2C
It speaks volumes as to his new found determination and maturity. He's now the consummate professional who's prepared to lead his troops into battle and lead not jut by example as he's also prepared to defer and trust his teammates.
That's not something we'd have witnessed a year ago.
this is by far a different Laker team than the one that got swept by the Celts...the chemistry is different and so are the players. Gasol adds a totally different element to defend for the celtics, and trust me when i say it'll be a different result
GameStormC2C
When it's all said and done then I think that it'll be appropriate to assess where Bryant'll stand amongst the alltime greats. Everyone is far too eager to make comparisons with him and likes of MJ , Magic and others from a bygone period.
Once he has stepped away from the game that's when I for one think that we can really start to make the comparisons. As of now we know him to be a spectacular talent and the pre-eminent player of his generation by far !
rampant' aka tophatal ..........
Last edited by rampantfanatic on June 2nd at 9:53 PM.
kellyscott....speak your mind. if i disagree i just disagree. we can debate any and everything under the sun...it's all good. besides, i don't consider impartial criticism to be equal with hate.
bleed...by 'that place" what i mean is the place where Kobe is able to be not just the best player alive...but "one with the force" if you will. he's without doubt the best player alive, but it will all be for nil if the Lakers don't win it all. when his killer instinct can not only help get yhim to the top level, but get him surpass that level...then that would be the place.
i'm excited for the NBA right now.
Last edited by GameStormC2C on June 3rd at 1:20 PM.
rampant...unfortunately, people are going to continue to make comparisons. for me, the only thing you can really compare, is each player's respective contribution to their own era. i mean who can really say Shaq was the most dominant center, when we can look back at Wilt scoring 100 points, and averaging 50 points in a season? you know what i mean? can we honestly call Karl Malone the best power forward ever just because of his position on the all time top scorer's list?
for each era there are players that stand head and shoulders above the rest...but with time comes better, faster and stronger athletes, with more knowledge and more examples to look back at and learn from. so where MJ may have reached a certain level, Kobe has MJ's experiences and history to look at and learn from. and that can help push Kobe to a place that MJ has seemingly not reached.
i agree that we can make a more thorough debate when all is said and done. for now, i'm just rooting for Kobe to have a great ending to the tough road he's travelled thus far.
Last edited by GameStormC2C on June 3rd at 1:22 PM.
Kobe is definately top 5 all time. To deny that is to deny everyone who ever played the game IMO.
My Latest blog is about who you would like to see fight each other. Tophatal wants to see Mike Tyson fight Chuck Norris. I want to see Pacman Jones vs Jet Li. and Slshusker wants to jello wrestle me for 10.00 on pay per view (Like he would get more than 1.00 out of the 10.00) LOL Looking for your match up.
…Bob Cousy…George Gervin….David Thompson…Lakers vs Celtics… Willis Reed limping into the finals game….Dr. J going around the backboard….Jerry West pulling up from half court…Oscar Robertson averaging a triple double (that’s so tight)…and of course I gotta mention one of the best backcourts of all time….Walt Clyde Frazier and Earl the Pearl Monroe. 
