Kobe on the cover of SI "The Last Alpha Dog"

[gts]

http://nba.si.com/2013/10/16/kobe-bryant-sports-illustrated-cover-los-angeles-lakers/

[I]In an age when athletes aspire to be icons, yet share the burden of success with all their best pals, Bryant looms as perhaps the last alpha dog, half greyhound and half pit bull. No one handles him. No one censors him. He shows up alone.

[russwest0]

Last alpha dog?

What about Westbrook?

[SilkkTheShocker]

The "Last Alpha Dog" is more know for being Shaq's sidekick/b.itch

[Just2McFly]

the cover shouldn't have been with him smiling.... it just doesnt fit the tone

[lakerspng]

The "Last Alpha Dog" is more know for being Shaq's sidekick/b.itch

you can try and tell yourself this crap or the rest of your life, doesn't make it true.

[CanYouDigIt]

Last alpha dog?

What about Westbrook?
You try to hard :facepalm

Where is KG?

[LEFT4DEAD]

you can try and tell yourself this crap or the rest of your life, doesn't make it true.
Well.... he was Shaq's sidekick, and was not able to win a playoff series without a HOFer on his team. So he is not an Alpha Dog. Another article written by a Kobetard who is butthurt because his idol is not relevant 3 years already.

[secund2nun]

The "Last Alpha Dog" is more know for being Shaq's sidekick/b.itch

Also the cover should feature the massive failure of the 2012 Lakers.

[lakerspng]

You try to hard :facepalm

Where is KG?

KG isn't spearheading a team anymore. He's an emotional leader and defensive specialist, but no more than a role player on offense.

[lakerspng]

Well.... he was Shaq's sidekick, and was not able to win a playoff series without a HOFer on his team. So he is not an Alpha Dog. Another article written by a Kobetard who is butthurt his because idol is not relevant 3 years already.

Show me one player, who has led his team to victory in the playoffs without a HOFer on his team... other than some random 8 over 1 fluke series victory.

Just an absolutely idiotic premise.

[LEFT4DEAD]

Show me one player, who has led his team to victory in the playoffs without a HOFer on his team... other than some random 8 over 1 fluke series victory.

Just an absolutely idiotic premise.
IDK if this is a serious question. :confusedshrug:

[chazzy]

Well.... he was Shaq's sidekick, and was not able to win a playoff series without a HOFer on his team. So he is not an Alpha Dog.
Rich coming from a Wade fanboy. What was he doing from 07-10?

[lakerspng]

IDK if this is a serious question. :confusedshrug:

here's a list of "alpha dogs", you tell me which of them won without another HOF player on their team. and then tell me which of them had to play through the complete gutting and rebuilding of the team around them in the apex of their career and then went on to again, attain the same success with a completely new squad.

Jordan
Bird
Magic
Duncan
Kareem
Russell
Wilt
West
Shaq
Hakeem
Malone
Barkley
Dr J
KG
etc...

The junk people come up with the try and discredit Kobe sometimes is just dumb. It's dumb.

[LEFT4DEAD]

here's a list of "alpha dogs", you tell me which of them won without another HOF player on their team. and then tell me which of them had to play through the complete gutting and rebuilding of the team around them in the apex of their career and then went on to again, attain the same success with a completely new squad.

Jordan
Bird
Magic
Duncan
Kareem
Russell
Wilt
West
Shaq
Hakeem
Malone
Barkley
Dr J
KG
etc...

The junk people come up with the try and discredit Kobe sometimes is just dumb. It's dumb.
Lebron.

[gts]

Lebron.Lebron what?

[kNicKz]

The last key to the past era

Hate him or love him, you will miss watching this guy play

[dirkdiggler41]

Players who lead their team on the court, but also is natural leader of the group in random order:
Dirk
Duncan
Rondo
Kidd (done)
Chris Paul
Marc Gasol
LeBron

[lakerspng]

Lebron.

Big Z might make the hall of fame
jamison will make the hall of fame
shaq will make the hall of fame

and man, it would have been nice for Kobe if he was able to face barely .500 eastern conference ball clubs in the first round of the playoffs.

but again, asking for a hater to care about context is pointless.

whatever.

[LikeABosh]

http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/kobe_white_hot_02-597x387.png

[LEFT4DEAD]

Big Z might make the hall of fame
jamison will make the hall of fame
shaq will make the hall of fame

and man, it would have been nice for Kobe if he was able to face barely .500 eastern conference ball clubs in the first round of the playoffs.

but again, asking for a hater to care about context is pointless.

whatever.
On the Cavs team in 2005 when they beat Wizards there was only Big Z out of those players you mentioned, and he will most certainly not go into the HOF.

Keep up with your excuses. Thats the problem with you Kobetards. You want facts, and when someone gives you that you are coming up with "if, would've, should've" excuses.

You want more facts: Kobe will not be remembered as a successful alpha dog but just a player who needed the best frontcourt by far and the worst opponent in the finals of all times to get a ring. His most notable game will be 6/24.

[LikeABosh]

Big Z might make the hall of fame
jamison will make the hall of fame
shaq will make the hall of fame

and man, it would have been nice for Kobe if he was able to face barely .500 eastern conference ball clubs in the first round of the playoffs.

but again, asking for a hater to care about context is pointless.

whatever.
Jamison is not making the hall of fame, lmao. He was a very good player on the Wizards but his best days where behind him on the Cavs. Big Z was a very solid big man but hall of fame?? What are you high? Shaq was on the Cavs for one fvcking season at the end of his career. He missed 30 games and was mediocre at best. Try harder dick head.

[OldSkoolball#52]

Kobe is an alpha dog like marbury was an alpha dog, like iverson was an alpha dog, like arenas was an alpha dog, like carmelo is an alpha dog.

"Alpha dog" is a positive spin on the word ballhog, used by betas who are desparate to make their favorite player into a larger than life hero. Something more than what he is, which really is just an overrated, inefficient chucker surrounded by hard nosed teammates who do the dirty work and provide the real toughness that carried the "alph dog" chucker to any meaningful success.

[OldSkoolball#52]

Big Z might make the hall of fame
jamison will make the hall of fame
shaq will make the hall of fame



:roll:

[lakerspng]

did somebody crash the short bus in this thread or what?

my goodness.

You idiots can't even take the time to read a great article and comment on it, it's nothing but pure blind agenda bs. it's just freakin lame.

[Chrono90]

Kobe is an alpha dog like marbury was an alpha dog, like iverson was an alpha dog, like arenas was an alpha dog, like carmelo is an alpha dog.

"Alpha dog" is a positive spin on the word ballhog, used by betas who are desparate to make their favorite player into a larger than life hero. Something more than what he is, which really is just an overrated, inefficient chucker surrounded by hard nosed teammates who do the dirty work and provide the real toughness that carried the "alph dog" chucker to any meaningful success.

Comparing him to everyone that never won a title to make him look bad??

Haters gonna hate. Jordan was an alpha dog too btw.

[Chrono90]

did somebody crash the short bus in this thread or what?

my goodness.

You idiots can't even take the time to read a great article and comment on it, it's nothing but pure blind agenda bs. it's just freakin lame.

That's what it is nowadays. Groupie wars lol. It's all Jordan era fans vs Kobe era vs Lebron era.

KD needs to win some titles before he becomes Lebron's side kick in this era.

[secund2nun]

Show me one player, who has led his team to victory in the playoffs without a HOFer on his team... other than some random 8 over 1 fluke series victory.

Just an absolutely idiotic premise.

Kobe could not even win a PLAYOFF SERIES without a HOF. Many real GOATs have won many playoff series by themselves.

[secund2nun]

Big Z might make the hall of fame
jamison will make the hall of fame
shaq will make the hall of fame

and man, it would have been nice for Kobe if he was able to face barely .500 eastern conference ball clubs in the first round of the playoffs.

but again, asking for a hater to care about context is pointless.

whatever.

Big z and Jamison have no shot at the hall, and Lebron led them to the ECF and finals when they were old and past their prime. Shaq was 38 years old on the Cavs.

Kobe is a fraud. 2 7th seeds and 2 first round KOs 1 missed playoffs with prime Odom LOL

[branslowski]

Kobe haters so butthurt 24/7:oldlol:

Yawl know damn well Kobe will be remembered as one of the Greatest of his generation and a Top 10 All-time player, a 15 Time All Star and a 5 Time Champion. Along with more points in NBA history than Jordan, 3rd Alltime in playoff points, Top 2 in All NBA First Teams, and one of the most deadly scores of All Time.

I really hope you dumbass's are just trolling.

[OhNoTimNoSho]

Last alpha dog?

What about Westbrook?
Westbrooks is a child. He has potential, but he aint alpha dog yet.

[Dengness9]

Derrick Rose is an alpha dog. for better or worse, doesn't recruit. Leaves that to management like it should be.

The Bulls org didn't do what MJ wanted or the Bulls would have been all shitty former UNC players.

[HurricaneKid]

here's a list of "alpha dogs", you tell me which of them won without another HOF player on their team. and then tell me which of them had to play through the complete gutting and rebuilding of the team around them in the apex of their career and then went on to again, attain the same success with a completely new squad.

Jordan
Bird
Magic
Duncan
Kareem
Russell
Wilt
West
Shaq
Hakeem
Malone
Barkley
Dr J
KG
etc...

The junk people come up with the try and discredit Kobe sometimes is just dumb. It's dumb.

You miss what he is saying. We aren't talking about a Championship. We are talking about a SERIES. Steph Curry just won a series. Marc Gasol just won a series. Melo just won a series. Hell, Noah won a series; all of them without a HoF teammate. LeBron won 8(?) without a HoF teammate.

[HurricaneKid]

Big Z might make the hall of fame
jamison will make the hall of fame


:facepalm

[AirFederer]

The last chucker, the OC. :bowdown:

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Damn, his arms looking flabby.

[cos88]

the last alpha dog that paid millions to a white chick to drop a rape case.

[Swaggin916]

the cover shouldn't have been with him smiling.... it just doesnt fit the tone

Actually smiling and and being friendly is dominant behavior... it shows you don't have fear.


Alpha dog" is a positive spin on the word ballhog, used by betas who are desparate to make their favorite player into a larger than life hero. Something more than what he is, which really is just an overrated, inefficient chucker surrounded by hard nosed teammates who do the dirty work and provide the real toughness that carried the "alph dog" chucker to any meaningful success.

This is accurate to a degree, but you are missing a key component. Kobe is willing to take on the responsibility of being the star and all the pressure that comes with that. Most people can't handle it... by him doing that, it allows them to just play. Some players have the capability to be stars, but not the mentality to handle it. In companies, most of the people towards the top are capable of running the company, but unwilling to take the risks and suffer possible negative consequences. Kobe takes a TON of flak... it could break an individual who isn't a rock.

But yea I mean if a guy like Pau Gasol or Lamar Odom realized how efficient they were and that they deserved just as many shots if not more than Kobe... Then the whole system would break. The reality is that they are, but they either don't think they are, or just aren't comfortable thinking of themselves in that way and are more comfortable with Kobe being "The Guy"... or they are just wise and see that the system works the most fluidly just letting Kobe be the guy. There are a lot of variables.

[Nero Tulip]

Gasol > Kobrick

[branslowski]

Kobe is an alpha dog like marbury was an alpha dog, like iverson was an alpha dog, like arenas was an alpha dog, like carmelo is an alpha dog.

"Alpha dog" is a positive spin on the word ballhog, used by betas who are desparate to make their favorite player into a larger than life hero. Something more than what he is, which really is just an overrated, inefficient chucker surrounded by hard nosed teammates who do the dirty work and provide the real toughness that carried the "alph dog" chucker to any meaningful success.

Says Kobe's a ballhog chucker....

LeBron fga per game career 20.1
Kobe fga per game career 19.6

Seems legit...:coleman:

[longtime lurker]

Did anyone actually read the article in the link. It's very interesting.

[TheReal Kendall]

Melo is the true Alpha

[NumberSix]

Says Kobe's a ballhog chucker....

LeBron fga per game career 20.1
Kobe fga per game career 19.6

Seems legit...:coleman:
It's not chucking if they go in.

[lakerspng]

Did anyone actually read the article in the link. It's very interesting.

I liked the article a lot. some great insight. a few things I did not know. I just hope comes back healthy enough to write his last chapter, instead of it being written fro him by injury.

[Pointguard]

:lol Kobe showed his seven year old daughter, who was crying after a soccer loss, the video of him losing in 2008.

Its not that funny that Kobe didn't get it, as we know him to be obsessed, but that a Sport's Illustrated author wrote it and didn't see the short sightedness of the ordeal.

[lakerspng]

:lol Kobe showed his seven year old daughter, who was crying after a soccer loss, the video of him losing in 2008.

Its not that funny that Kobe didn't get it, as we know him to be obsessed, but that a Sport's Illustrated author wrote it and didn't see the short sightedness of the ordeal.

he showed her the loss in 2008 and then showed her coming back and winning over that same team in 2010. Illustrating to her that just because you've lost and because it feels terrible, doesn't mean you can't come back stronger and triumph. Not sure what you mean, cause that's a terrific message to give to your child. "I know how you feel, I've been there and guess what, you can beat it like I did"

[branslowski]

:lol Kobe showed his seven year old daughter, who was crying after a soccer loss, the video of him losing in 2008.

Its not that funny that Kobe didn't get it, as we know him to be obsessed, but that a Sport's Illustrated author wrote it and didn't see the short sightedness of the ordeal.

Wow....So you honestly don't understand why Kobe did that? Jesus f*cking Christ.

[gts]

Did anyone actually read the article in the link. It's very interesting.:lol Dude 90% of the clowns knocking on Kobe or the writer can't even type a coherent sentence. You expect them to actually read an article that goes past twenty words?

[CelticBaller]

Ha love the "you gun get rape" face :lol

I hate the lakers but kobe is mah *****

[longtime lurker]

:lol Dude 90% of the clowns knocking on Kobe or the writer can't even type a coherent sentence. You expect them to actually read an article that goes past twenty words?

Shame. Can't say the article shed light on anything I didn't already know, but I didn't expect to see Kobe actually open up about his doubts and insecurities. It shows that he's actually pretty self aware.

[gts]

Shame. Can't say the article shed light on anything I didn't already know, but I didn't expect to see Kobe actually open up about his doubts and insecurities. It shows that he's actually pretty self aware.

He's become more relaxed about sharing himself as he's aged.