Are we going to sit here and act like Kobe didn't bring the GOLD back to the USA?

[stalkerforlife]

Are we going to sit here and act like the USA didn't win a bronze medal, without Kobe, embarrassing and disgracing our great nation? The USA was so shook, they had to call in the top 5 player of all time, Kobe Bryant, to save us from what we had become. Kobe, the UNSELFISH winner that he is, let the other guys shine offensively while he focused on defense. Kobe was the closer, as always, and brought back the dignity of this great nation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhpVE5Yfvhc

"Kobe Bryant had 13 points and two assists in the fourth quarter as Team USA survived a gritty, determined performance by Spain to win the gold medal game, 118-107. Bryant began his onslaught with 8:13 left in the game and Team USA clinging to a 91-89 lead; in the next 2:11 he scored five points and assisted on a Deron Williams three pointer and a Dwight Howard dunk. Later, Bryant drained two three pointers, including a four point play."

[stalkerforlife]

Oh and look who else was on the floor for TEAM USA during the 4th in the gold medal game...

Bron, Wade, and Bosh.

The Miami DREAM TEAM. LMFAO.

[riseagainst]

gawdbe delivering the 4th quarter daggers, as always.

:bowdown: :bowdown: so clutch.

[VIntageNOvel]

Lebronze :facepalm

Goldbe:applause:

[bigkingsfan]

I remember him sucking throughout the tourney.

[COnDEMnED]

I remember him sucking throughout the tourney.
Until he won it.

[Boarder Patrol]

08 gold medal game was one of the most clutch performances I've ever seen.

To absolutely take over in the final of the freaking olympics like that is justifiably GOAT-like (not saying Kobe is GOAT or starting an all-time great discussion, it was just really freaking awesome).

[stalkerforlife]

LMAO...

Bron and company wanted NOTHING to do with that basketball during those tension filled closing minutes against Spain.

NOTHING. Hot potato syndrome.

[Rodmantheman]

lol 2:04 was epic.

[stalkerforlife]

lol 2:04 was epic.

You're welcome, America.

[Natureland]

That Olympics was a great precursor to Wade's '09 season.

Also, Kobe. :applause:

[iznogood]

Wade was the best player on that team in my opinion. He had an amazing first half of the final game as well.

[IGOTGAME]

i dont care what you stats are when you are playing simply overmatched teams in blowouts. Only two games were competitive at all with that Olympic team(The blue and white game and Championship Game vs Spain). Those were the two games when Kobe sent the message that he was the best in the world.

[plowking]

i dont care what you stats are when you are playing simply overmatched teams in blowouts. Only two games were competitive at all with that Olympic team(The blue and white game and Championship Game vs Spain). Those were the two games when Kobe sent the message that he was the best in the world.

The championship game against Spain showed me Wade was the best player. You know, the guy that carried them in the first half with 20 odd points, and the one that nailed a dagger 3 of his own, that doesn't get talked about since he isn't the media starlet Bron or Kobe is.

[IGOTGAME]

The championship game against Spain showed me Wade was the best player. You know, the guy that carried them in the first half with 20 odd points, and the one that nailed a dagger 3 of his own, that doesn't get talked about since he isn't the media starlet Bron or Kobe is.

Wade is what he was at the time. A wrecking ball. But when they pushed forward in the fourth he ball was in Kobe's hands to make plays. The whole team deferred to Kobe including Wade. Same way Wade deferred to Lebron in 2010-2011.

[Cocaine80s]

Wade is what he was at the time. A wrecking ball. But when they pushed forward in the fourth he ball was in Kobe's hands to make plays. The whole team deferred to Kobe including Wade. Same way Wade deferred to Lebron in 2010-2011.
you mean 2012-2014

[Breezy]

"Are we going to sit here and act like Kobe didn't bring the GOLD back to the USA?"

Yes. I fully intended to act like that.

[plowking]

Wade is what he was at the time. A wrecking ball. But when they pushed forward in the fourth he ball was in Kobe's hands to make plays. The whole team deferred to Kobe including Wade. Same way Wade deferred to Lebron in 2010-2011.

No one deferred to anyone. Kobe got the ball in his hands and made plays. Good for him. Last few minutes of the game doesn't mean he was the best player on the court. There is 40 minutes in the game, you are judged on all of them. Wade carried them, literally, to a half time lead in that game.
Just because you made some shots at the end of the game, doesn't mean you are the best on the court.

American media can play all the narratives they want, and run the storyline that fits, but Wade was the best and most important player in that game. Not to mention he was better in the whole tourney than Kobe was.

[GimmeThat]

well, if the person who ran before you ran faster you did, but you got handed the last baton.

sure, technically you "brought" the gold back.

But do you get to change the "perception" of how fast the person ran the race before you?


if you're in windy city I guess. because you know, turbulance and all affects how someone runs.

[kureyşi-gospurs]

Sure did

[FlashDwyaneWade3]

I remember him sucking throughout the tourney.
I remember him getting it done in the last game that brought home the gold.

[SexSymbol]

He was clutch in 2012 too.
TOP 3 clutch player ever

[ArbitraryWater]

I remember Kobe playing pretty disappointing before the final and being dog shit in 2012.. Especially on defense :lol

[sportjames23]

That Championship Game vs Spain was one of the best games I've ever seen in all my years of watching basketball. Loved it. :bowdown:

[GimmeThat]

That Championship Game vs Spain was one of the best games I've ever seen in all my years of watching basketball. Loved it. :bowdown:

QFT

[KOBE143]

Because of this legendary accomplishment by Kobe to team USA, LeBronze international basketball legacy has been save from embarassment.. All thanks to GoldBe.. :bowdown:

[jonathan]

People see what they want to see, I guess. IMHO, Kobe was the worst player on team USA until the final game. Throughout the tourney nearly all the USA players were shooting a very high percentage and playing completely unselfishly. It was very enjoyable to watch. But it was simply awkward watching Kobe most of the tourney. He was forcing up shots against multiple defenders and bricking them while his teammates were wide open - something that may be necessary when you have crappy teammates but just plain bad basketball when surrounded by all stars.

[STATUTORY]

No one deferred to anyone. Kobe got the ball in his hands and made plays. Good for him. Last few minutes of the game doesn't mean he was the best player on the court. There is 40 minutes in the game, you are judged on all of them. Wade carried them, literally, to a half time lead in that game.
Just because you made some shots at the end of the game, doesn't mean you are the best on the court.

American media can play all the narratives they want, and run the storyline that fits, but Wade was the best and most important player in that game. Not to mention he was better in the whole tourney than Kobe was.
there are 48 minutes in every game but not every minute is of the same gravity. Kobe's performance in that game was simply heroic, when the team, or dare I say NATION, needed him and his teamates were passing the ball around the perimeter like it was a hot potato, Kobe stepped up.

the only one trying to force a bullshit narrative in a circular peg is you with this wade was the best in the tournament shit. Wade stat padded against no name teams cause the guy has a massive inferiority complex and is always trying to start some shit

[Psileas]

People see what they want to see, I guess. IMHO, Kobe was the worst player on team USA until the final game. Throughout the tourney nearly all the USA players were shooting a very high percentage and playing completely unselfishly. It was very enjoyable to watch. But it was simply awkward watching Kobe most of the tourney. He was forcing up shots against multiple defenders and bricking them while his teammates were wide open - something that may be necessary when you have crappy teammates but just plain bad basketball when surrounded by all stars.

Τhis is Kobe's nature. Quality of teammates is just an excuse. He could be surrounded by players everyone of whom are better than him and he'd still be playing the same type of game.

[STATUTORY]

Τhis is Kobe's nature. Quality of teammates is just an excuse. He could be surrounded by players everyone of whom are better than him and he'd still be playing the same type of game.
alphas never let their circumstances dictate their actions. Kobe will never apologize for having for testosterone than the overly feminized males that are his peers

[Straight_Ballin]

Are we going to sit here and act like the USA didn't win a bronze medal, without Kobe, embarrassing and disgracing our great nation? The USA was so shook, they had to call in the top 5 player of all time, Kobe Bryant, to save us from what we had become. Kobe, the UNSELFISH winner that he is, let the other guys shine offensively while he focused on defense. Kobe was the closer, as always, and brought back the dignity of this great nation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhpVE5Yfvhc

"Kobe Bryant had 13 points and two assists in the fourth quarter as Team USA survived a gritty, determined performance by Spain to win the gold medal game, 118-107. Bryant began his onslaught with 8:13 left in the game and Team USA clinging to a 91-89 lead; in the next 2:11 he scored five points and assisted on a Deron Williams three pointer and a Dwight Howard dunk. Later, Bryant drained two three pointers, including a four point play."

Meh, Jordan would have made it so that team USA could COAST to the GOLD.

Nothing to see here folks.

That's like a person saying their $1000 car is better than someone elses $900 car. In the end they are both pieces of shit so what does it matter? Focus your efforts on the $50,000 car on the dealership showroom floor.

[Solid Snake]

I watched every game twice. I hate to say this, as he's my 3rd all time favorite player, but at that point, they won in SPITE of him. Maybe that's putting it harshly, but he was forcing shots, and when a few hero shots went in, the bench went crazy; there was a clear vibe of people cheering for him.....and no, that's not a good thing. I'm saying this in the sense that the bench was rooting for "old man Kobe," in a similar way that the bench goes wild when a player in the twilight of their careers makes some crazy move, and the bench goes absolutely NUTS.

Anyone who's watched those 2008 games should remember this is exactly the vibe Kobe brought. He forced shots he shouldn't have, but made some, and the players went crazy.

[Im so nba'd out]

Kobe and Wade took over that game......Idk how people dont love this guy 08 kobe >

[BoutPractice]

Kobe was a part of it, sure, but it was mostly two things
1) the US finally taking the tournament seriously after their humiliating loss
2) emphasizing team play and effort over all-star game style showing off

[stalkerforlife]

there are 48 minutes in every game but not every minute is of the same gravity. Kobe's performance in that game was simply heroic, when the team, or dare I say NATION, needed him and his teamates were passing the ball around the perimeter like it was a hot potato, Kobe stepped up.

the only one trying to force a bullshit narrative in a circular peg is you with this wade was the best in the tournament shit. Wade stat padded against no name teams cause the guy has a massive inferiority complex and is always trying to start some shit

DAMN.

:applause: :bowdown:

[IGOTGAME]

I watched every game twice. I hate to say this, as he's my 3rd all time favorite player, but at that point, they won in SPITE of him. Maybe that's putting it harshly, but he was forcing shots, and when a few hero shots went in, the bench went crazy; there was a clear vibe of people cheering for him.....and no, that's not a good thing. I'm saying this in the sense that the bench was rooting for "old man Kobe," in a similar way that the bench goes wild when a player in the twilight of their careers makes some crazy move, and the bench goes absolutely NUTS.

Anyone who's watched those 2008 games should remember this is exactly the vibe Kobe brought. He forced shots he shouldn't have, but made some, and the players went crazy.

literally none of the games mattered besides the Spain game. Every other team was massively overmatched. Its was just an exhibition. The only game that mattered and Kobe, made the shots that heros make when their nation calls upon them.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Truth is, yes Kobe did bring back GOLD to the USA. Him, and Kidd along with Coach K changed the eroding culture of USA basketball. It all started in the 2007 FIBA tournament.

Kobe, and his rivalry with LeBron in practice sessions brought back a level of competitiveness not seen since Jordan was thrashing Magic in Dream Team practices.

Kobe, along with Kidd got Team USA to be invested in playing defense again. Fundamentals. That's why we started blowing nations out again in 2007. This continued in the 2008 Olympics with Kobe taking a deliberate back seat offensively for the good of the team.

Why?

He selflessly consistently defended the other team's best perimeter player, proudly, and willingly. Made Barbosa cry in 2007 he got locked up so bad. Only game I can think of someone doing something similar was when LeBron locked up Dirk in the 2008 Olympics.

This was pivotal in Team USA's success. Kobe chilled offensively, and was intense defensively like Jordan was on the '92 team. He wasn't the best "player" on a stat sheet that season either. Barkley was, much like Wade, then the next season they went onto win MVP.

2008 Team USA didn't need Kobe to release the offensive Mamba venom. They were saving that for if it was needed in a close, pressure packed game.

Yes, Wade kept us in the game in the 1st half of the 2008 Gold Medal Game. A game where clearly LeBron was beginning to shrink from the moment. And organically, when the team / nation needed it most, Kobe stepped up to perform in the highest pressure of situations. Heroic. Let's not let a clown like plowking retroactively diminish such a feat. We demolished lesser opponents in the tournament. The gold medal game was the only competitive outing. Totally clutch, when a team full of superstars needed his help.

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk434/kobehead/r2731130388.jpg

[Dresta]

there are 48 minutes in every game but not every minute is of the same gravity. Kobe's performance in that game was simply heroic, when the team, or dare I say NATION, needed him and his teamates were passing the ball around the perimeter like it was a hot potato, Kobe stepped up.

the only one trying to force a bullshit narrative in a circular peg is you with this wade was the best in the tournament shit. Wade stat padded against no name teams cause the guy has a massive inferiority complex and is always trying to start some shit
Then why did he have by far the best stats in by far the most important game against by far the best team?

Make some sense chump.