Kobe destroyed by ESPN article

[Dr.J4ever]

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11717596/is-kobe-bryant-reason-los-angeles-lakers-downfall

Reminds me a little of Iverson and his relationship with other players and with the 76ers front office.

This will be bad for Kobe's legacy, if true. Sounds true to me.

[Craven Morehead]

Omg, an article from LeESPN criticising Kobe Bryant after he called them a bunch of idiots.

What a coincidence.

:rolleyes:

[Cold soul]

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11717596/is-kobe-bryant-reason-los-angeles-lakers-downfall

Reminds me a little of Iverson and his relationship with other players and with the 76ers front office.

This will be bad for Kobe's legacy, if true. Sounds true to me.

Your link not loading for me.

[Magic 32]

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11717596/is-kobe-bryant-reason-los-angeles-lakers-downfall

Reminds me a little of Iverson and his relationship with other players and with the 76ers front office.

This will be bad for Kobe's legacy, if true. Sounds true to me.

" I've known for a long time that they're a bunch of idiots"

http://espnfrcdn2.interactiveops.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Screen-shot-2013-06-14-at-10.59.33-AM.png

http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/writing-sm.jpg

[theoneneo]

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11717596/is-kobe-bryant-reason-los-angeles-lakers-downfall

Reminds me a little of Iverson and his relationship with other players and with the 76ers front office.

This will be bad for Kobe's legacy, if true. Sounds true to me.

Article makes no sense. And who cares, ***** has 5 rings. Not like he's some young guy in his prime.

[coin24]

Omg, an article from LeESPN criticising Kobe Bryant after he called them a bunch of idiots.

What a coincidence.

:rolleyes:

This:lol

[FlashDwyaneWade3]

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11717596/is-kobe-bryant-reason-los-angeles-lakers-downfall

Reminds me a little of Iverson and his relationship with other players and with the 76ers front office.

This will be bad for Kobe's legacy, if true. Sounds true to me.
Already posted. And there is a lot of stuff out there that doesn't back up Abbot's claim.

[stalkerforlife]

Rent free.

[mehyaM24]

already posted..

abbott isnt what i call a journalist, but technically he is right. nobody wants to play with kobe.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Theyre butthurt and caught feelings that Kobe dissed em:lol :lol :lol :lol

[Heavincent]

Dude has 5 rings, so I think he's exempt from the "team cancer" talk. Abbott is a ****ing idiot :oldlol:

I like this part:


When Howard asked why his teammates let the injured center take all the flak when the Lakers' season went south, Nash said he didn't know that Howard had felt that way and that had he known, he would have acted differently. Bryant, on the other hand, offered a crash course in developing thick skin and a mini lecture on learning how to win. Sources told ESPN Insider Chris Broussard that Bryant's lecture was "a complete turnoff" for Howard.

"It wasn't an easy meeting to be involved in," Kupchak later said on Cowherd's radio show. "And I decline to go into great detail." Howard shortly thereafter chose to leave for the Rockets, even though it cost him roughly $30 million in guaranteed salary.

Oh, so Kobe politely told Dwight to quit acting like such a *****? It's not his fault Dwight is a bitch.

[tpols]

Hes got 5 rings.. 7 Finals.. multiple titles with totally different casts as a superstar player.

If he had 1 Finals and 0 titles like Iverson? Maybe you/theyd have a point...

[rlsmooth775]

Dude has 5 rings, so I think he's exempt from the "team cancer" talk. Abbott is a ****ing idiot :oldlol:

Only because of stacked teams and refs rigging games for him like in 2002 and game 7 2010 finals

[Chrono90]

Hes got 5 rings.. 7 Finals.. multiple titles with totally different casts as a superstar player.

If he had 1 Finals and 0 titles like Iverson? Maybe you/theyd have a point...

Espn is salty. Shows how professional they are

[Magic 32]

already posted..

abbott isnt what i call a journalist, but technically he is right. nobody wants to play with kobe.

http://rollingout.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Ron-Artest1.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/n20to7y1f/img_8504.jpg

[Mr. Jabbar]

Kobe destroyed ESPN imo.

[Heavincent]

Only because of stacked teams and refs rigging games for him like in 2002 and game 7 2010 finals

5 rings are 5 rings. Tom Brady has been seen getting into screaming matches with coaches and teammates plenty of times over the years, but the dude is a ****ing winner. At the end of the day, him and Kobe know how to get shit done.

[Dr.J4ever]

Didn't know it was already posted. I just think this article is devastating for Kobe and his legacy as a great player.

I normally don't indulge in these stupid Kobe vs Lebron vs Jordan debates, but this definitely should be a factor when considering his GOAT credentials later on. The fact that the best players in the league don't want to play with you is just the antithesis of what winning should ultimately be about: team ball.

The article quotes an insider within the LA organization saying that Kobe wants to win, as long as he is the reason for the winning. Just brutal.

[ArbitraryWater]

5 rings are 5 rings. Tom Brady has been seen getting into screaming matches with coaches and teammates plenty of times over the years, but the dude is a ****ing winner. At the end of the day, him and Kobe know how to get shit done.

It really has nothing to do with "knowing how to get shit done"

As much as you would like to believe that, there isn't some magic formula...

It's merely playing on the best team in the league...

[Heavincent]

Didn't know it was already posted. I just think this article is devastating for Kobe and his legacy as a great player.

I normally don't indulge in these stupid Kobe vs Lebron vs Jordan debates, but this definitely should be a factor when considering his GOAT credentials later on. The fact that the best players in the league don't want to play with you is just the antithesis of what winning should ultimately be about: team ball.

The article quotes an insider within the LA organization saying that Kobe wants to win, as long as he is the reason for the winning. Just brutal.

I think you're putting way too much stock into a ****ing Henry Abbott article :oldlol:

Screw the accolades and records, Henry Abbott wrote a negative article about him :eek: Legacy ruined.

[Magic 32]

The fact that the best players in the league don't want to play with you is just the antithesis of what winning should ultimately be about: team ball.


Why would you want to play with the best players?

Shouldn't you try to beat them?

[Heavincent]

It really has nothing to do with "knowing how to get shit done"

As much as you would like to believe that, there isn't some magic formula...

It's merely playing on the best team in the league...

And being the best players in their respective sports.

It's utterly absurd to imply that a guy who brought your franchise 5 titles is a cancer.

[macpierce]

Why would you play with the best players in the NBA?

Shouldn't you try to beat them?

Bingo. Lebron's mentallity has soiled the NBA

[chazzy]

The fact that the best players in the league don't want to play with you is just the antithesis of what winning should ultimately be about: team ball.

Has prime Kobe ever had an offseason with cap space to even sign star players? Why use the past two offseasons, which were post achilles injury, as proof that people don't want to play here? Everyone knew Lebron etc. weren't coming here because of how shitty the entire team looked and Kobe's poor prognosis, The Mavs have wiffed on pretty much every star they've attempted to get lately, but it's not because people dislike Dirk

[rlsmooth775]

5 rings are 5 rings. Tom Brady has been seen getting into screaming matches with coaches and teammates plenty of times over the years, but the dude is a ****ing winner. At the end of the day, him and Kobe know how to get shit done.

If kobe played on some crap team he would have been iverson and mcgrady

[ArbitraryWater]

And being the best players in their respective sports.

It's utterly absurd to imply that a guy who brought your franchise 5 titles is a cancer.

Alone the fact that he has beefed with top bigs like Shaq, Malone, Bynum and Howard, presents an argument... Its undeniable.

This just further strengthens the stigma, Abbott or not.

[rlsmooth775]

Why would you want to play with the best players?

Shouldn't you try to beat them?

Basketball is a team sport It shouldn't be about proving your better than someone for ego or bragging rights

[Heavincent]

Alone the fact that he has beefed with top bigs like Shaq, Malone, Bynum and Howard, presents an argument... Its undeniable.

This just further strengthens the stigma, Abbott or not.

Howard and Bynum are known cancers and burn bridges everywhere they go. Not sure why people always bring them up when talking about Kobe.

Hell, every person you just listed is a ****ing asshole :oldlol:

[chazzy]

Alone the fact that he has beefed with top bigs like Shaq, Malone, Bynum and Howard, presents an argument... Its undeniable.

This just further strengthens the stigma, Abbott or not.
As if each of those players don't have their own issues regardless of Kobe.

[tpols]

It really has nothing to do with "knowing how to get shit done"

As much as you would like to believe that, there isn't some magic formula...

It's merely playing on the best team in the league...

Lakers didnt win a single championship before kobe became an allstar.. Shaq was getting swept with eddie jones in kobe's slot.

Pau/Odom/Ariza/Vujejic/Fisher would be a fringe playoff team.. much less a back to back champion.

You seen none of this though

[Dr.J4ever]

I think you're putting way too much stock into a ****ing Henry Abbott article :oldlol:

Screw the accolades and records, Henry Abbott wrote a negative article about him :eek: Legacy ruined.

Well, it's not Abbott claiming things and giving out his opinion. It's a piece putting together quotes from inside sources. These are people who matter saying these things.

You cannot dismiss these comments. It's like if I went underground and got comments from your friends and co workers asking them what kind of person you are. Would those be my opinions too or something else?

I'm not saying it's gospel truth, but it does make sense.

[ballinhun8]

If you don't wanna win titles then don't go play with Kobe.


If you wanna lose games and probably not be in a big market, stay away from Kobe.

Yea. I'll take the former.

[Magic 32]

Basketball is a team sport It shouldn't be about proving your better than someone for ego or bragging rights

http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1425/14251903/2454791-1361589542722.gif

[gts]

Well, it's not Abbott claiming things and giving out his opinion. It's a piece putting together quotes from inside sources. These are people who matter saying these things.

You cannot dismiss these comments. It's like if I went underground and got comments from your friends and co workers asking them what kind of person you are. Would those be my opinions too or something else?

I'm not saying it's gospel truth, but it does make sense.

Paul George already came out and said Abbot was making up stuff he never said...

[ArbitraryWater]

Right... Lets blame all of them.

How about Smush, who says his LA experience was overrated because of Kobe? The same Kobe who didn't allow Smush to talk to him in practice?

Or when Odom told Gaffney "Kobe doesn't like ****** like you" (Which didn't turn out to be the case, but you can assume it was before given Odom's statement).

I'm sorry but there's merit to this..

[rlsmooth775]

http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1425/14251903/2454791-1361589542722.gif
lets be honest you know im right:lol

[Mr. Jabbar]

Abbort has been hatin' on kobe and the lakers since I can recall, no surprise such a biased pus.sy is employed at ESPN. who ever judges kobes career by what this loser writes should hang himself

[ArbitraryWater]

If you don't wanna win titles then don't go play with Kobe.


If you wanna lose games and probably not be in a big market, stay away from Kobe.

Yea. I'll take the former.

Sad thing is, unlike Magic32, you're being serious with this broad ignorant logic :ohwell:

[Magic 32]

lets be honest you know im right:lol

https://38.media.tumblr.com/a77b23ae0d11eb0a06b7b612f1c26622/tumblr_mmy5e4cKsU1r10tndo1_400.gif
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/16/d9/22/16d922c91d35550399c0786d7d2be97a.jpg

[tpols]

Right... Lets blame all of them.

How about Smush, who says his LA experience was overrated because of Kobe? The same Kobe who didn't allow Smush to talk to him in practice?

Or when Odom told Gaffney "Kobe doesn't like ****** like you" (Which didn't turn out to be the case, but you can assume it was before given Odom's statement).

I'm sorry but there's merit to this..

That ones funny.. :lol Have you ever been part of a sports team or organization that does a little freindly hazing ? You have to be hard headed to take everything this literally

[rlsmooth775]

https://38.media.tumblr.com/a77b23ae0d11eb0a06b7b612f1c26622/tumblr_mmy5e4cKsU1r10tndo1_400.gif
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/16/d9/22/16d922c91d35550399c0786d7d2be97a.jpg

So your saying in a team sport its more important to prove your better than a certain individual for bragging rights

[ArbitraryWater]

That ones funny.. :lol Have you ever been part of a sports team or organization that does a little freindly hazing ? You have to be hard headed to take everything this literally

No.

[Magic 32]

So your saying in a team sport its more important to prove your better than a certain individual for bragging rights

http://img.pandawhale.com/post-25374-Michael-Jordan-YEAH-gif-wyUJ.gif

[Heavincent]

Right... Lets blame all of them.

How about Smush, who says his LA experience was overrated because of Kobe? The same Kobe who didn't allow Smush to talk to him in practice?

Or when Odom told Gaffney "Kobe doesn't like ****** like you" (Which didn't turn out to be the case, but you can assume it was before given Odom's statement).

I'm sorry but there's merit to this..

Isn't Gaffney the guy who talked about how great it was working with Kobe?

He doesn't get along with known assholes like Dwight and Bynum. So what? Show me a "nice guy" teammate that didn't get along with Kobe. Kobe kept Pau in L.A for way longer than expected. Lakers front office wanted to trade him, but Kobe told them to keep him. He always had Pau's back. The only teammates he clashed with were cancerous assholes like Dwight.

[Yao Ming's Foot]

Right... Lets blame all of them.

How about Smush, who says his LA experience was overrated because of Kobe? The same Kobe who didn't allow Smush to talk to him in practice?

Or when Odom told Gaffney "Kobe doesn't like ****** like you" (Which didn't turn out to be the case, but you can assume it was before given Odom's statement).

I'm sorry but there's merit to this..

Damn Kobe,... we could have had more years of SMUSH

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Right... Lets blame all of them.

How about Smush, who says his LA experience was overrated because of Kobe? The same Kobe who didn't allow Smush to talk to him in practice?

Or when Odom told Gaffney "Kobe doesn't like ****** like you" (Which didn't turn out to be the case, but you can assume it was before given Odom's statement).

I'm sorry but there's merit to this..

What about LeBron leaving Cleveland like a scared little kid, just so he could ring chase? :oldlol:

I don't get you. You want people to "respect" and "praise" LeBron. To "cut him slack", yet in these Kobe threads, all I ever see you do is put him down (an all time great FYI).

Why the hypocrisy?

[rlsmooth775]

http://img.pandawhale.com/post-25374-Michael-Jordan-YEAH-gif-wyUJ.gif

:oldlol:

[Milbuck]

Right... Lets blame all of them.

Or when Odom told Gaffney "Kobe doesn't like ****** like you" (Which didn't turn out to be the case, but you can assume it was before given Odom's statement).

I'm sorry but there's merit to this..

“There are loads of stories about what makes Kobe who he is,” Gaffney said. “Some will argue one of the greatest of all time, while others would say the most arrogant of all time. Personally, I don’t think there was a player I interacted with better than with Kobe.”ok
I don't get you. You want people to "respect" and "praise" LeBron. To "cut him slack", yet in these Kobe threads, all I ever see you do is put him down (an all time great FYI).

Why the hypocrisy?
Wait hold up...so I wasn't full of shit when I've been saying this the whole time? AW isn't objective at all?

[ArbitraryWater]

What about LeBron leaving Cleveland like a scared little kid, just so he could ring chase?

I don't get you. You want people to "respect" and "praise" LeBron. To "cut him slack", yet in these Kobe threads, all ever see you do is put down Kobe, another all time great?

Why the hypocrisy?

Except I have only brought up reported and confirmed feuds... Nothing I said was opinion.

All I have done is draw a somewhat logical conclusion... What more do you need? Why is it so bad to admit?

I don't see how LeBron looking for a better team is even comparable, tbh....

[ArbitraryWater]

ok

Dude, can you read? Look what it says right there... (Which didn't turn out to be the case)


































ok

[HOoopCityJones]

Abitchrary getting exposed for the fraudulent attitude , once again.

You gettin slapped around in this thread bruh. Go ****in night night ni99a.

[Yao Ming's Foot]

Except I have only brought up reported and comfirned feuds... Nothing I said was opinion.

Shouldn't the logical conclusion after some time be that he isn't a very good team mate? What more do you need?

I don't see how LeBron looking for a better team is even comparable, tbh....

How many teammates has Kobe had? How many names did you list? What his feud to teammate percentage? Whats the league average fued percentage? Whats the league average fued percentage when you control for legends?

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Except I have only brought up reported and comfirned feuds... Nothing I said was opinion.

Shouldn't the logical conclusion after some time be that he isn't a very good team mate? What more do you need?

I don't see how LeBron looking for a better team is even comparable, tbh....

Which is my point. That's all you ever do.

He didn't get along with a couple teammates. OK. And?

Maybe you should heed your own advice, and cut another ALL TIME great some slack?

[Milbuck]

Dude, can you read? Look what it says right there... (Which didn't turn out to be the case)

ok
Aside from him saying that there wasn't a player he interacted better with than Kobe, what are you referring to? The obvious statement that many people find Kobe arrogant?

[ballinhun8]

5 rings shows he was a good teammate on the court.


Jordan punched Kerr in the face. Then Kerr gets the assist from MJ to seal an NBA Finals. Not nice off the court. Fantastic on the court.

[ArbitraryWater]

Which is my point. That's all you ever do.

He didn't get along with a couple teammates. OK. And?

Maybe you should heed your own and advice, and cut another ALL TIME great some slack?

It's the damn topic on a new released article which pretty much confirms MY aspect of Kobe's leadership... How about you let me speak and cut me some slack?


Leadership is a huge aspect of Basketball... Ignore it if you want.

[Heavincent]

Damn Kobe,... we could have had more years of SMUSH

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

:oldlol:

Lets go down the list here

Shaq - Known to have a fragile ego, but yeah, Kobe is partially at fault here

Malone - Pedophile/asshole

Smush - :roll:

Bynum - Ruins team chemistry everywhere he goes. ****ed the assistant coach's wife, etc.

Dwight - Self explanatory

Are those the only guys he didn't get along with?

[ArbitraryWater]

5 rings shows he was a good teammate on the court.


Jordan punched Kerr in the face. Then Kerr gets the assist from MJ to seal an NBA Finals. Not nice off the court. Fantastic on the court.


<<<<< The people arguing pro-Kobe here


https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s261x260/994379_10201675426301727_2064623678_n.jpg

[Cold soul]

Didn't know it was already posted. I just think this article is devastating for Kobe and his legacy as a great player.

I normally don't indulge in these stupid Kobe vs Lebron vs Jordan debates, but this definitely should be a factor when considering his GOAT credentials later on. The fact that the best players in the league don't want to play with you is just the antithesis of what winning should ultimately be about: team ball.

The article quotes an insider within the LA organization saying that Kobe wants to win, as long as he is the reason for the winning. Just brutal.


Come on man, you're much better than this. Newsflash, bud Henry Abbott has wrote many hateful articles about Kobe over the years it must be from being Portland Blazers fan all the hatred, jealously, envy, built up frustration over decade now he has a platform to hate on Lakers and Kobe since they are at stage of rebuilding and the farewell tour to Kobe final years. I read the article from beginning to end, and what I saw was a ton of real, well thought out, factual analysis around a core of, "I'm going to stick it to Kobe, no matter what", which ultimately takes a piece that could have been hard hitting if uncomfortable for Laker fans and turns it into an easy pinata. Haters will love it, and fans will have easy justification to well dismiss it.

Specifically, talking about how Bryant flew in but inexplicably still missed Melo's pitch (omitting that it was because they moved it up at the last minute, at Melo's request), pretending Shaq was the whipping boy and Kobe the one of the two of them that didn't want to share with the other, conveniently forgetting the part about the CBA changes that make coming to LA less lucrative than before, acting like nothing specific (hint, Kobe's injured knee) happened in 2010-2011, leaving out the veto and the aftermath, acting as if Dwight really wanted to play in the pressure of LA (all evidence afterward to the contrary), these are all red flags of a guy turning a good piece into a hit piece. Not to mention acting like Sessions signing elsewhere didn't have anything to do with LA going and getting Nash.

LA got old in 2011 the wear and tear of three consecutive Finals appearances ran its course the team was burnt out and stars started to get older that being (Gasol and Kobe). Kobe's knees were so shot he couldn't practice, PJ had only stayed out of loyalty to the team and was battling prostate cancer, and Pau apparently got a little satisfied and reverted in the playoffs to pre Laker Pau. So LA did the Laker thing. They pulled a miracle trade that would net them the next star to build around while still having Kobe and Bynum, and the ability to use Bynum to go after Howard. And even in the shambles of the post veto landscape, where they had to jettison an inconsolable Odom and deal with a fully regressed Pau while also having their coach depart (of his own will BTW), they still turned around in a single year and went and got Howard, along with Nash (the expensive and risky alternative to CP3). That blew up, for a lot of reasons, starting with a freak, apparently career ending injury to Nash, who had been extremely potent and durable for the last few years. And culminating with Dwight being Dwight. And make no mistake, he wanted no part of pressure and expectation, Kobe or no Kobe, and as has been demonstrated, wasn't exactly up to it. Oh, and Kobe blew his Achilles out.

Yeah, no star wants to come play in LA right now. They had to go through an absolute hell year losing Dwight with nothing in return and having no ability to replace him with anything, and struggling through one of the worst injury seasons I've ever seen. And no one knew or knows how much Kobe truly has left. LA has essentially rebooted their rebuild, having to reboot around the Dwight and Nash failure while not having the assets they cost. Last year's only value was the 7th pick in the draft. Everything else was a disaster. So the team, which had planned on cap room with a healthy Kobe and a scrappy team that had at least made some waves, has a question mark Kobe, a couple of promising rooks, and some cap room. Even Pau turned down money to go play with a contender, and he certainly doesn't mind playing with Kobe actually the two are close friends and loved playing together during their title runs.

Yeah, it's going to take a little while, and the team is going to have to develop their picks, make some judicious if not earth shattering transactions (starting with the Lin trade and buying the Clarkson pick), pick up some guys they can turn around or develop (like Davis), and keep rolling some cap room forward, using it only on pieces that will get them to the top, or placeholders until they improve enough to be a destination again. Or maybe they will hit the big piece in a trade. Who knows. But they will build smartly and deliberately, and seek the stars necessary to be a contender. That probably doesn't happen around Kobe. So be it I'll live. Some of that is on him and his style and his age and what have you. Some of it is just on bad luck, timing, business, and the way of the world. Jim Buss deserves some blame in this too.

I'm going to enjoy Kobe, root for Randle and the rookies to pan out, cheer the team on, and hope for good fortune for the Lakers future. You mind explaining to me why these former teammates that loved playing with Kobe: Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, Brian Shaw.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

It's the damn topic on a new released article which pretty much confirms MY aspect of Kobe's leadership... How about you let me speak and cut me some slack?


Leadership is a huge aspect of Basketball... Ignore it if you want.
An article talking about shit everybody already knows.

Go ahead. Type away.. Just know you are sounding like a HUGE hypocrite right now.

[Droid101]

lol AW outed as a piece of shit as usual.

[ArbitraryWater]

Come on man, you're much better than this. Newsflash, bud Henry Abbott has wrote many hateful articles about Kobe over the years it must be from being Portland Blazers fan all the hatred, jealously, envy, built up now he has platform to hate on Lakers and Kobe since they are at stage of rebuilding and farewell tour to Kobe final years. I read the article from beginning to end, and what I saw was a ton of real, well thought out, factual analysis around a core of, "I'm going to stick it to Kobe, no matter what", which ultimately takes a piece that could have been hard hitting if uncomfortable for Laker fans and turns it into an easy pinata. Haters will love it, and fans will have easy justification to well dismiss it.

Specifically, talking about how Bryant flew in but inexplicably still missed Melo's pitch (omitting that it was because they moved it up at the last minute, at Melo's request), pretending Shaq was the whipping boy and Kobe the one of the two of them that didn't want to share with the other, conveniently forgetting the part about the CBA changes that make coming to LA less lucrative than before, acting like nothing specific (hint, Kobe's injured knee) happened in 2010-2011, leaving out the veto and the aftermath, acting as if Dwight really wanted to play in the pressure of LA (all evidence afterward to the contrary), these are all red flags of a guy turning a good piece into a hit piece. Not to mention acting like Sessions signing elsewhere didn't have anything to do with LA going and getting Nash.

LA got old in 2011 the wear and tear of three consecutive Finals appearances runs its course the team was burnt out and stars started to get older that being (Gasol and Kobe). Kobe's knees were so shot he couldn't practice, PJ had only stayed out of loyalty to the team and was battling prostate cancer, and Pau apparently got a little satisfied and reverted in the playoffs to pre Laker Pau. So LA did the Laker thing. They pulled a miracle trade that would net them the next star to build around while still having Kobe and Bynum, and the ability to use Bynum to go after Howard. And even in the shambles of the post veto landscape, where they had to jettison an inconsolable Odom and deal with a fully regressed Pau while also having their coach depart (of his own will BTW), they still turned around in a single year and went and got Howard, along with Nash (the expensive and risky alternative to CP3). That blew up, for a lot of reasons, starting with a freak, apparently career ending injury to Nash, who had been extremely potent and durable for the last few years. And culminating with Dwight being Dwight. And make no mistake, he wanted no part of pressure and expectation, Kobe or no Kobe, and as has been demonstrated, wasn't exactly up to it. Oh, and Kobe blew his Achilles out.

Yeah, no star wants to come play in LA right now. They had to go through an absolute hell year losing Dwight and having no ability to replace him with anything, and struggling through one of the worst injury season I've ever seen. And no one knew or knows how much Kobe truly has left. LA has essentially rebooted their rebuild, having to reboot around the Dwight and Nash failure while not having the assets they cost. Last year's only value was the 7th pick in the draft. Everything else was a disaster. So the team, which had planned on cap room with a healthy Kobe and a scrappy team that had at least made some waves, has a question mark Kobe, a couple of promising rooks, and some cap room. Even Pau turned down money to go play with a contender, and he certainly doesn't mind playing with Kobe actually the two are close friends and loved playing together during their title runs.

Yeah, it's going to take a little while, and the team is going to have to develop their picks, make some judicious if not earth shattering transactions (starting with the Lin trade and buying the Clarkson pick), pick up some guys they can turn around or develop (like Davis), and keep rolling some cap room forward, using it only on pieces that will get them to the top, or placeholders until they improve enough to be a destination again. Or maybe they will hit the big piece in a trade. Who knows. But they will build smartly and deliberately, and seek the stars necessary to be a contender. That probably doesn't happen around Kobe. So be it I'll live. Some of that is on him and his style and his age and what have you. Some of it is just on bad luck, timing, business, and the way of the world.

I'm going to enjoy Kobe, root for Randle and the rookies to pan out, cheer the team on, and hope for good fortune for the Lakers future.

You're a stan, you don't write like this... Give credit to the author of the post http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?p=5990160

[ArbitraryWater]

An article talking about shit everybody already knows.

Go ahead. Type away.. Just know you are sounding like a HUGE hypocrite right now.

Oh yeah? Try explaining to me why LeBron's situation should even be remotely comparable... You know it's not, but try.

[Droid101]

"Wahh wahh wahh, respect the greats like LeBron."

"Kobe is shit bad teammate bad leader lulz."

Go to hell you piece of shit.

[Milbuck]

Oh yeah? Try explaining to me why LeBron's situation should even be remotely comparable... You know it's not, but try.
Since you're gonna pick out negative examples, I'll do the same.

From Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski to managing director Jerry Colangelo to NBA elders, the issue of James’ immaturity and downright disrespectfulness had become a consuming topic on the march to the Olympics. The course of history could’ve changed dramatically, because there was a real risk that James wouldn’t be brought to Beijing based on fears his monumental talents weren’t worth the daily grind of dealing with him.

When the mandate had been to gather these immense egos and get the NBA’s greatest players to fit into a program, no one had a more difficult time meshing into the framework than James. Other players made it a point to learn the names of staffers and modestly go about their business without barking orders and brash demands.

No one could stand James as a 19-year-old in the 2004 Athens Olympics, nor the 2006 World Championships. Officials feared James could become the instigator of everything they wanted to rid themselves for the ’08 Olympics. For as gifted as James was, Krzyzewski and Colangelo subscribed to a belief that with Kobe Bryant(notes) joining the national team in 2007, they could win a gold medal in ’08 with or without LeBron James.

After the NBA witnessed the behavior of James and his business manager Maverick Carter during the 2007 All-Star Weekend, the commissioner’s office sent word to USA Basketball the league wouldn’t force James on them for the Olympics. Before Team USA gathered for the 2007 Tournament of the Americas in Las Vegas, an unmistakable message had been delivered to James through Nike: Unless you change, we’re serious about leaving you home.

“Legacies were on the line,” one league official said, “and they weren’t going to let LeBron [expletive] it up for everyone in China.”
:confusedshrug:

[Heavincent]

From what I've seen, if you're somewhat of a nice guy and play hard, Kobe won't give you too much shit. Pau, Ariza, Fisher, Artest, Odom, Sasha, Luke Walton, etc. Did any of those guys have issues with Kobe?

[ArbitraryWater]

Off to bed, just know, I AM the GOAT...

[ArbitraryWater]

Since you're gonna pick out negative examples, I'll do the same.




:confusedshrug:

The USA Olympic Team could win without their 2nd best player???

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/007/666/_57c8a1a431a592af806925e57258202f.png

[Milbuck]

Of course he peaces out after getting ripped to shreds and called out for his usual bullshit :oldlol:

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Oh yeah? Try explaining to me why LeBron's situation should even be remotely comparable... You know it's not, but try.
So quitting on your teammates, ignoring them all off season and subsequently bolting to a team with 2 other franchise players, while bragging about winning multiple championships..makes you a good leader?

Just following your logic here.

[KingLeBronJames]

Only because of stacked teams and refs rigging games for him like in 2002 and game 7 2010 finals
Game 7 2010 NBA Finals is rigged? :oldlol: That's new to me.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Of course he peaces out after getting ripped to shreds and called out for his usual bullshit :oldlol:
No offense, AW, but you're two-faced as ****. I'm on to your bullshyt though. :oldlol:

[KingLeBronJames]

Didn't know it was already posted. I just think this article is devastating for Kobe and his legacy as a great player.

I normally don't indulge in these stupid Kobe vs Lebron vs Jordan debates, but this definitely should be a factor when considering his GOAT credentials later on. The fact that the best players in the league don't want to play with you is just the antithesis of what winning should ultimately be about: team ball.

The article quotes an insider within the LA organization saying that Kobe wants to win, as long as he is the reason for the winning. Just brutal.
If this was true, LA Times would've back up Abbot.

[chazzy]

Off to bed, just know, I AM the GOAT...
This reminds me of a boxer who obviously lost, but is running around the ring with his hands up post-fight.

[KingLeBronJames]

Right... Lets blame all of them.

How about Smush, who says his LA experience was overrated because of Kobe? The same Kobe who didn't allow Smush to talk to him in practice?

Or when Odom told Gaffney "Kobe doesn't like ****** like you" (Which didn't turn out to be the case, but you can assume it was before given Odom's statement).

I'm sorry but there's merit to this..
Nobody likes Smush. And what player doesn't trash talk rookies?

[HOoopCityJones]

Since you're gonna pick out negative examples, I'll do the same.




:confusedshrug:

Dat Ether. :bowdown:

[Dr.J4ever]

"He wants to win," says a source close to Lakers decision makers. "But only as long as he's the reason we're winning, as long as the performance is not affecting his numbers. No one works harder than Kobe. And no one sabotages his own efforts more. He's scaring off the free agents we're trying to get. We're trying to surround you with talent and your ego is getting in the way."

It's no wonder, then, that the Lakers' summer of 2014 free agency fizzled. Just a few years ago, the NBA whisper network was thick with the notion that LeBron was destined to be the next hero of purple and gold. But when James hit the free agent market, the Lakers' talks with James' agent, Rich Paul, failed to even materialize in a sit-down meeting with the star.

After James, Carmelo Anthony was high on the Lakers' list. And the particular way that recruitment was botched -- Bryant made news by flying home from Europe, but somehow wires got crossed and he missed the meeting anyway -- reminded Lakers insiders of the manner in which he nearly alienated Steve Nash in 2012. In the days before LA acquired Nash, sources say, the point guard wanted to hear from Bryant that the Lakers' star was amenable to having Nash control the ball much of the time -- a key tenet of the D'Antoni offense from the Suns days. When Lakers brass asked Bryant to call Nash, Bryant failed to do so, saying he preferred that Nash call him. The pettiness took days to resolve and nearly scuttled the deal.

While the Lakers were going after Anthony in vain, they quietly pursued Chris Bosh as well, but he preferred the carcass of the Heat. Paul George, Angelino through and through, had once been the team's safest choice. But sources say one reason the two-way star had re-signed with the Pacers in the fall of 2013 instead was that he was turned off by the thought that Bryant would police his efforts.

And so it is today that the Lakers' faithful strain to envision titles with a rejuvenated Bryant supported by Jeremy Lin, rookie Julius Randle and journeyman bigs Jordan Hill and Ed Davis. The view in the Lakers' front office is that any real rebuild will have to wait until after Bryant's retirement. "This has finally come home," says a Lakers insider. "Major players don't want to play with Kobe, and Jimmy is waiting for him to leave.

"It's like the wedding of a child to someone you do not approve of," adds the source about the Lakers' view of Bryant. "If you can't stop it, you simply go through the motions."

About the best you can do is hope it will all be over soon."

This snippet from the article is an indictment of the selfish superhero mentality prevalent in many NBA stars. Kobe was fortunate playing with Shaq and being coached by Phil Jackson early in his career.

With this attitude, I wonder how he would have done, in terms of winning titles, if he ended up in Charlotte?

[Milbuck]

No offense, AW, but you're two-faced as ****. I'm on to your bullshyt though. :oldlol:
http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=10538864&postcount=334

I have no problem with Kobe...He has no problem with Kobe though!





:oldlol:

[HOoopCityJones]

This reminds me of a boxer who obviously lost, but is running around the ring with his hands up post-fight.

:roll:

[Cold soul]

You're a stan, you don't write like this... Give credit to the author of the post http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?p=5990160

Lol you have account on LG now? I thought you were Lakers hater. What a weird stalker you are total weirdo.:wtf:

[KingLeBronJames]

"He wants to win," says a source close to Lakers decision makers. "But only as long as he's the reason we're winning, as long as the performance is not affecting his numbers. No one works harder than Kobe. And no one sabotages his own efforts more. He's scaring off the free agents we're trying to get. We're trying to surround you with talent and your ego is getting in the way."

It's no wonder, then, that the Lakers' summer of 2014 free agency fizzled. Just a few years ago, the NBA whisper network was thick with the notion that LeBron was destined to be the next hero of purple and gold. But when James hit the free agent market, the Lakers' talks with James' agent, Rich Paul, failed to even materialize in a sit-down meeting with the star.

After James, Carmelo Anthony was high on the Lakers' list. And the particular way that recruitment was botched -- Bryant made news by flying home from Europe, but somehow wires got crossed and he missed the meeting anyway -- reminded Lakers insiders of the manner in which he nearly alienated Steve Nash in 2012. In the days before LA acquired Nash, sources say, the point guard wanted to hear from Bryant that the Lakers' star was amenable to having Nash control the ball much of the time -- a key tenet of the D'Antoni offense from the Suns days. When Lakers brass asked Bryant to call Nash, Bryant failed to do so, saying he preferred that Nash call him. The pettiness took days to resolve and nearly scuttled the deal.

While the Lakers were going after Anthony in vain, they quietly pursued Chris Bosh as well, but he preferred the carcass of the Heat. Paul George, Angelino through and through, had once been the team's safest choice. But sources say one reason the two-way star had re-signed with the Pacers in the fall of 2013 instead was that he was turned off by the thought that Bryant would police his efforts.

And so it is today that the Lakers' faithful strain to envision titles with a rejuvenated Bryant supported by Jeremy Lin, rookie Julius Randle and journeyman bigs Jordan Hill and Ed Davis. The view in the Lakers' front office is that any real rebuild will have to wait until after Bryant's retirement. "This has finally come home," says a Lakers insider. "Major players don't want to play with Kobe, and Jimmy is waiting for him to leave.

"It's like the wedding of a child to someone you do not approve of," adds the source about the Lakers' view of Bryant. "If you can't stop it, you simply go through the motions."

About the best you can do is hope it will all be over soon."

This snippet from the article is an indictment of the selfish superhero mentality prevalent in many NBA stars. Kobe was fortunate playing with Shaq and being coached by Phil Jackson early in his career.

With this attitude, I wonder how he would have done, in terms of winning titles, if he ended up in Charlotte?
You know that Paul George said this article is bullshit right?

[Cold soul]

Off to bed, just know, I AM the GOAT...

You're the hands down GOAT at being no name loser at trolling that is.

[sbw19]

Pretty sure Mr. Abbott wouldn't mind the franchise player who's playing for the team he roots for destroying it if it guaranteed winning 5 titles and a couple more finals trips.

Let him have his fun; Kobe will have his inching towards, and eventually, breaking the all-time scoring record.

And to boot, 2 more seasons and he'll also be the alltime leader in season starts with a single team. So much for destroying franchises.

[Mr. I'm So Rad]

This reminds me of a boxer who obviously lost, but is running around the ring with his hands up post-fight.

Charlie Z :bowdown:

[sportjames23]

It really has nothing to do with "knowing how to get shit done"

As much as you would like to believe that, there isn't some magic formula...

It's merely playing on the best team in the league...


Agreed. Lebron's done it 2 out of 5 times.

[HOoopCityJones]

This ***** Arbitrary ran for the hills. :lol


Is that the quickest abandon thread in ISH history? :biggums:

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

He has no problem with Kobe though

Yeah, and I porked Halle Berry in her prime.

Took me a while to notice, but reading this thread just exposed dude BIG TIME.

[Cold soul]

You know that Paul George said this article is bullshit right?

PG grow up a Lakers and Kobe fan and has said numerous times he has molded his game over Kobe.

[tpols]

rofl.. comparatively, Lebron isnt even a leader.. he had to get Wade to do that for him after quitting on cleveland.

At least Kobe LED his teams in 09 and 10.. clear cut pushing them to victory. He didnt need an alpha like wade by his side.

[coin24]

lol AW outed as a piece of shit as usual.

AW is Jameer.. Ie closet bran stan and posts in every Kobe or laker thread :lol

[Cold soul]

This reminds me of a boxer who obviously lost, but is running around the ring with his hands up post-fight.

This is one of best post I have ever seen on ISH. Well done.

[RoseCity07]

Abbott is a known Blazer fan. Of course he hates Kobe.

[Jacks3]

lol @ OP. Yeah, a article written by some loser who has been writing hatchet jobs against Bryant for years is gonna damage his legacy. lmao that's one of the silliest statements I've seen on this forum and that's saying something. There is literally nothing Kobe can do to change his status as one of the greatest players in and winners in basketball history. I know that truth hurts, but you'll just have to learn to live with it.

[Droid101]

Off to bed, just know, I AM the GOAT...
ABANDON THREAD!!

:roll: :roll:

[KingLeBronJames]

PG grow up a Lakers and Kobe fan and has said numerous times he has molded his game over Kobe.
He's not a Laker fan. He's a Clipper fan.

[Cold soul]

He's not a Laker fan. He's a Clipper fan.

Oh really? That's crazy he grow up Clippers fan during that era not living far from LA.

[outbreak]

I like watching Kobe play. That article is a little of the top likely to drive up views but to be fair I don't see how anyone can not realise that at this point in his career Kobe is a detriment to the lakers in terms of wins. He will make them cash but he isn't going to win anything.

[Smook A.]

Wow :oldlol:

Just read every page. AW's level of hypocrisy is way off the charts. This guy confuses the **** out of me. He's just basically trying to bring down Kobe in every way by focusing on all his negatives. He also says Kobe is a horrible teammate and not a real leader. Last time I checked, Kobe was the best, if not, the 2nd best player on his team in every one of Lakers' championship runs. AW is probably lurking right now. If you're reading this, change your user title, bud. You're far from being the GOAT poster.

[STATUTORY]

ABANDON THREAD!!

:roll: :roll:

:roll: :roll: ni99a quitting like lebron in the 4th

the behavior of stans and their idols converging

[Dr.J4ever]

If you've read the article, and can't see the truth in much of what is attributed to "insiders" and top agents, and outright quotes from known people, you're not objective and seeing through Kobe colored glasses.:lol

Look, no one here, including Abbott is saying Kobe is not a top 10 or 15 goat, but this attitude of Kobe has been both great and terribly destructive for him and the Lakers franchise .

What an irony. Like a volcano, Kobe is a force of nature that is both good and bad.

Take it or leave it.

[STATUTORY]

If you've read the article, and can't see the truth in much of attributed to "insiders" and top agents, and outright quotes from known people, you're not objective and seeing through Kobe colored glasses.:lol

Look, no one here, including Abbott is saying Kobe is not a top 10 or 15 goat, but this attitude of Kobe has been both great and terribly destructive for him and the Lakers franchise .

What an irony. Like a volcano, Kobe is a force of nature that is both good and bad.

Take it or leave it.
real talk, if kobe treats u like shit, u probably deserve it.

[Cold soul]

Wow :oldlol:

Just read every page. AW's level of hypocrisy is way off the charts. This guy confuses the **** out of me. He's just basically trying to bring down Kobe in every way by focusing on all his negatives. He also says Kobe is a horrible teammate and not a real leader. Last time I checked, Kobe was the best, if not, the 2nd best player on his team in every one of Lakers' championship runs. AW is probably lurking right now. If you're reading this, change your user title, bud. You're far from being the GOAT poster.

I bets he's on his alt right now as we speak. :lol

[KingLeBronJames]

If you've read the article, and can't see the truth in much of what is attributed to "insiders" and top agents, and outright quotes from known people, you're not objective and seeing through Kobe colored glasses.:lol

Look, no one here, including Abbott is saying Kobe is not a top 10 or 15 goat, but this attitude of Kobe has been both great and terribly destructive for him and the Lakers franchise .

What an irony. Like a volcano, Kobe is a force of nature that is both good and bad.

Take it or leave it.
http://i.imgur.com/XvwDvJw.jpg

I'll believe when LA Times backs up his claim.

[Jacks3]

5 Championships

7 Championships

Damn so destructive. :lol

[KingLeBronJames]

5 Championships

7 Championships

Damn so destructive. :lol
7 Championships? You mean 7 Western Conference Championships right?

[Smook A.]

I bets he's on his alt right now as we speak. :lol
Edit - Actually you know what... he could be laying on his bed right now. Crying and sucking his thumb while sleeping in a curled position.

[Milbuck]

Wow :oldlol:

Just read every page. AW's level of hypocrisy is way off the charts. This guy confuses the **** out of me. He's just basically trying to bring down Kobe in every way by focusing on all his negatives. He also says Kobe is a horrible teammate and not a real leader. Last time I checked, Kobe was the best, if not, the 2nd best player on his team in every one of Lakers' championship runs. AW is probably lurking right now. If you're reading this, change your user title, bud. You're far from being the GOAT poster.
Murder. Absolute murder.

[Cold soul]

If you've read the article, and can't see the truth in much of what is attributed to "insiders" and top agents, and outright quotes from known people, you're not objective and seeing through Kobe colored glasses.:lol

Look, no one here, including Abbott is saying Kobe is not a top 10 or 15 goat, but this attitude of Kobe has been both great and terribly destructive for him and the Lakers franchise .

What an irony. Like a volcano, Kobe is a force of nature that is both good and bad.

Take it or leave it.

I think munch better source that was more credible than an known Kobe hater in Abbott would be much better and his views and his so called sources would carry more weight.

[Jacks3]

7 Championships? You mean 7 Western Conference Championships right?
oops meant 7 Finals appearances.


Oh, and a 4 Billion dollar TV deal.

DAMN KOBE YOU REALLY DESTROYED THE LAKERS FRANCHISE!

[FlashDwyaneWade3]

Henry Abbot really hates Kobe since he's a Blazers fan.

[Cold soul]

oops meant 7 Finals appearances.


Oh, and a 4 Billion dollar TV deal.

DAMN KOBE YOU REALLY DESTROYED THE LAKERS FRANCHISE!

You would think being one of the greatest players in NBA history top 10 GOAT would be treated with more respect as he winds down his career instead of tearing it down at any chance they can.

[DavisWarriorsFan]

If people think that Kobe is really a bad teammate they make Michael Jordan look like a saint.

[FlashDwyaneWade3]

You would think being one of the greatest players in NBA history top 10 GOAT would be treated with more respect as he winds down his career instead of tearing it down.
Don't expect that from Blazers fans like Abbot.

[JT123]

AW living rent free in nikka's heads. :oldlol:

[Cold soul]

Don't expect that from Blazers fans like Abbot.

You're right I shouldn't, but what he said in that article was totally unprofessional and classless.

[HOoopCityJones]

AW living rent free in nikka's heads. :oldlol:

:rolleyes:

[Jacks3]

You would think being one of the greatest players in NBA history top 10 GOAT would be treated with more respect as he winds down his career instead of tearing it down at any chance they can.
Compare the way ESPN treated Jeter to the way they've been shitting on Kobe.

Shit is ridiculous man.

[Mr. I'm So Rad]

AW living rent free in nikka's heads. :oldlol:

And you're living rent free on his dick.

[Cold soul]

Compare the way ESPN treated Jeter to the way they've been shitting on Kobe.

Shit is ridiculous man.

Agreed. This shit is just sad. Kobe will be missed even by his haters and they wont know what they missed out on until years later.

[Black and White]

AW when you first started posting here I knew you were a closet Bran stan, no objectivity whatsoever, it almost seems like its difficult for you to give Kobe credit in any way.

Good to see other people see you for the POS that you are.

[Cold soul]

AW when you first started posting here I knew you were a closet Bran stan, no objectivity whatsoever, it almost seems like its difficult for you to give Kobe credit in any way.

Good to see other people see you for the POS that you are.

Nice to see you back man! :cheers:

I haven't seen you around in a while.

[Black and White]

Nice to see you back man! :cheers:

I haven't seen you around in a while.

Nice to see you too, good to be back brother :cheers:

[HOoopCityJones]

Can't believe this cat totally fell off the face of the earth. :oldlol:

[Cold soul]

Nice to see you too, good to be back brother :cheers:

What have you been up to? How's life treating you these days.

[Just2McFly]

Hes got 5 rings.. 7 Finals.. multiple titles with totally different casts as a superstar player.

If he had 1 Finals and 0 titles like Iverson? Maybe you/theyd have a point...
Iverson wasnt a bad teammate but the ring comparison is dumb either way

[Mr Feeny]

As if each of those players don't have their own issues regardless of Kobe.

You're making his point.

[Black and White]

What have you been up to? How's life treating you these days.

Good mate, I was promoted at work so I couldn't post on ISH like I usually could, been promoted again so I have a bit more flexibility now

[Brokenbeat]

Holy shit, AW got absolutely murdered in this thread. Such a ****ing clown, lol.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :applause:

[HOoopCityJones]

Holy shit, AW got absolutely murdered in this thread. Such a ****ing clown, lol.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :applause:

OP should change the title to AW gets destroyed by ISH if he wanna save some face for posting this shit article for a second time. :facepalm

[Cold soul]

Good mate, I was promoted at work so I couldn't post on ISH like I usually could, been promoted again so I have a bit more flexibility now

Awesome stuff, bro. Glad to hear it. :rockon:

[Doranku]

lmfao I don't think I've ever seen someone get roasted to the point that they actually have to log off and go to sleep mid roasting.

Congratulations, AW. You're a special type of bitch. Thread should be renamed "ArbitraryWater destroyed by ISH"

[tpols]

Iverson wasnt a bad teammate but the ring comparison is dumb either way

I agree on the first count.. disagree on the second.

Iverson wasnt a bad teammate.. Ive read about the behind the scenes.. as well as seen him inspire his guys with his effort on the court.

But if you align their careers.. sure, Kobe wasnt winning titles on those philly teams. But on Denver? With Camby DPOY, Nene, Melo, Billups? From 2007 to 2010?

Kobe wouldve killed that.

They wouldve been perennial contenders and wouldve won at least 1 championship.

You have to realize, Iverson was flawed. He was a talent, but he was an addict, kinda crazy, and undersized. Kobe was a workaholic through young age to old age.. no vices.. He and melo and that frontcourt would have stormed the NBA just like he and Pau did. No question.

[JebronLames]

:bowdown: Henry Abbott
:bowdown: AW

[KingLeBronJames]

:bowdown: Henry Abbott
:bowdown: AW
Switching accounts again?

[monkeypox]

From what I've seen, if you're somewhat of a nice guy and play hard, Kobe won't give you too much shit. Pau, Ariza, Fisher, Artest, Odom, Sasha, Luke Walton, etc. Did any of those guys have issues with Kobe?

People who have been around the team have said consistently that Kobe loves guys that work hard. Chris Mihm was one of Kobe's favorites while he was with the team because despite his lack of talent the guy worked at it as hard as he could. He never got along with the jokesters like Shaq or Howard. Smush was just a cancer who was ultimately paid to stay away from his final team (the Heat.) He was a guy that showed up thinking he was already owed years of accolades by the time he made it into the NBA when in reality he should have counted his blessings he was even in there.

Everyone knows Kobe's got a difficult personality. But to claim that no one wants to play with him? Retarded. The few people that have complained happen to have a long trail of burned bridges behind them. Clearly Kobe doesn't get along with a certain type.

[Milbuck]

People who have been around the team have said consistently that Kobe loves guys that work hard. Chris Mihm was one of Kobe's favorites while he was with the team because despite his lack of talent the guy worked at it as hard as he could. He never got along with the jokesters like Shaq or Howard. Smush was just a cancer who was ultimately paid to stay away from his final team (the Heat.) He was a guy that showed up thinking he was already owed years of accolades by the time he made it into the NBA when in reality he should have counted his blessings he was even in there.

Everyone knows Kobe's got a difficult personality. But to claim that no one wants to play with him? Retarded. The few people that have complained happen to have a long trail of burned bridges behind them. Clearly Kobe doesn't get along with a certain type.
Agreed. The people that usually burn bridges with Kobe and develop these hateful post-playing relationships with him are the guys that went into the situation assuming that they were just going to magically benefit from it, without putting the work to actually reap the benefit. It's almost like these players hear about his work ethic, his competitiveness, his general approach to the game and are wowed, but are slapped with reality when they actually get there and realize that all that stuff is more than just words..that you actually have to get your shit together and do it.

Is Kobe a dick? Absolutely. And certain players aren't having that. But as much of a dick as Kobe has been and still is, there's still a mountain of knowledge to be gained from him as a student of the game and as a psycho-dedicated member of his craft. All it takes is to find it within yourself to adopt just a fraction of that mentality..if you go in expecting to just "get better" by merely being around him, you're going to get torn apart by him, and it will be a living nightmare. But there's a reason there's been a ton of people who have absolutely loved playing with Kobe..it's the guys that know exactly what they're getting into and are prepared to do it.

Dwight has talked about it several times, Kobe is a lead by example guy..if you follow his work ethic, his study of the game, his intensity, he's going to respect you. He may or may not still be a complete asshole to you, but he'll respect you and you very well can come out a much better player like many guys have. But people just look at the surface of the situation, that "he's just an asshole".

[coin24]

AW living rent free in nikka's heads. :oldlol:

Another Jameer alt..


Sad..

[Mr Feeny]

People who have been around the team have said consistently that Kobe loves guys that work hard. Chris Mihm was one of Kobe's favorites while he was with the team because despite his lack of talent the guy worked at it as hard as he could. He never got along with the jokesters like Shaq or Howard. Smush was just a cancer who was ultimately paid to stay away from his final team (the Heat.) He was a guy that showed up thinking he was already owed years of accolades by the time he made it into the NBA when in reality he should have counted his blessings he was even in there.

Everyone knows Kobe's got a difficult personality. But to claim that no one wants to play with him? Retarded. The few people that have complained happen to have a long trail of burned bridges behind them. Clearly Kobe doesn't get along with a certain type.

That's all conjecture and pretty ridiculous tbf. The only FACTS are that a host of big name free agents chose not to play with Kobe this off -season, giving credence to the original argument. Enjoy the lottery:applause:

[Cold soul]

The great Larry Bird said this about Kobe.
Kobe or Lebron? "Kobe if I wanted to win, Lebron if I wanted to have fun" - Larry Bird I guess Bird wrong too he would of loved to have played with Kobe.

[Mr Feeny]

The great Larry Bird say this about Kobe. I guess Bird wrong too he would of loved to have played with Kobe.
:oldlol: This is just sad:roll:

[Cold soul]

:oldlol: This is just sad:roll:

Why because what Bird says is true? Stay mad and salty. :oldlol:

[Mr Feeny]

Why because what Bird says is true? Stay mad and salty. :oldlol:

Riiiiggghttttt. That must be it:roll:

[coin24]

:oldlol: This is just sad:roll:


What's sad Jameer??

[JT123]

The great Larry Bird say this about Kobe. I guess Bird wrong too he would of loved to have played with Kobe.
Do you have a date for when this quote was said?

[sportjames23]

If people think that Kobe is really a bad teammate they make Michael Jordan look like a saint.


Surprised it took this long for anyone to bring MJ into this.

[sportjames23]

AW when you first started posting here I knew you were a closet Bran stan, no objectivity whatsoever, it almost seems like its difficult for you to give Kobe credit in any way.

Good to see other people see you for the POS that you are.


That nikka is out of the closet when it comes to Bron. :oldlol:

[JT123]

What's sad Jameer??
Sad how anyone who disagrees with a Kobe stan is a "jameer alt" :lol
Almost as sad as the fact that a 16 year old is living rent free in this nikka's head. :roll: :roll: :roll:

[coin24]

Sad how anyone who disagrees with a Kobe stan is a "jameer alt" :lol
Almost as sad as the fact that a 16 year old is living rent free in this nikka's head. :roll: :roll: :roll:


On your JT account now?:lol

[Milbuck]

Do you have a date for when this quote was said?
Who would Bird play with?

"Well, probably Kobe, because of the fact that ... well, of course he wouldn't have been shooting as much as he does now ... but his desire to win, his dedication, to always get better and he's just, he's just tough," Bird said. "He's just a tough cat.
"But, if you want to have fun, like I did with Bill Walton, play with LeBron. It would have probably been more fun to play with LeBron, but if you want to win and win and win, it's Kobe. Not that LeBron's not a winner, just that [Kobe's] mindset is to go into every practice, every game, to get better."

That was in February of 2012, after Kobe had lost to the Celtics, then won back to back titles on his own team. Which was followed by Lebron leaving his team to team up with 2 other stars, and still failing.

I guess Bird used context to help answer the question.

[JT123]

Who would Bird play with?


That was in February of 2012, after Kobe had lost to the Celtics, then won back to back titles on his own team. Which was followed by Lebron leaving his team to team up with 2 other stars, and still failing.

I guess Bird used context to help answer the question.
Just as I thought Bird said this BEFORE Lebron won 2 rings, while knocking his Pacers out of the playoffs 3 years in a row in the process. :pimp:

[Mr Feeny]

What's sad Jameer??

Who is Jameer?

How does the lottery sound btw?:lol

[coin24]

Who is Jameer?

How does the lottery sound btw?:lol

You tell me magic fan:lol

[sportjames23]

Jameer gettin exposed again?

[Mr Feeny]

You tell me magic fan:lol

Who's a magic fan here?

How's the lottery?:lol

[Milbuck]

Just as I thought Bird said this BEFORE Lebron won 2 rings, while knocking his Pacers out of the playoffs 3 years in a row in the process. :pimp:
Yeah it's a shame Bird was asked the question only after Lebron played for the Mavs for a series.

[coin24]

Jameer gettin exposed again?

The guy must seriously never leave his house with the amount he posts between all of his accounts :lol

[chazzy]

That's all conjecture and pretty ridiculous tbf. The only FACTS are that a host of big name free agents chose not to play with Kobe this off -season, giving credence to the original argument. Enjoy the lottery:applause:
Yeah, no one wanted to play with a garbage roster who's only "star" was a 36 year old with a repaired achilles tendon. That really proves everything

[Mr Feeny]

Yeah, no one wanted to play with a garbage roster who's only "star" was a 36 year old with a repaired achilles tendon. That really proves everything

So we're in agreement that nobody wants to play with Kobe and would rather sign at other places for lesser amounts? Ok cheers

[Nick Young]

ESPN is such a bullshit Lebron nut sucking network:facepalm

Lakers will rise again like the phoenix:rockon:

[Nick Young]

" I've known for a long time that they're a bunch of idiots"

http://espnfrcdn2.interactiveops.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Screen-shot-2013-06-14-at-10.59.33-AM.png

http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/writing-sm.jpg
LOL butthurt LeSPN fanboys:roll:

[Nick Young]

When Howard asked why his teammates let the injured center take all the flak when the Lakers' season went south, Nash said he didn't know that Howard had felt that way and that had he known, he would have acted differently. Bryant, on the other hand, offered a crash course in developing thick skin and a mini lecture on learning how to win. Sources told ESPN Insider Chris Broussard that Bryant's lecture was "a complete turnoff" for Howard.

"It wasn't an easy meeting to be involved in," Kupchak later said on Cowherd's radio show. "And I decline to go into great detail." Howard shortly thereafter chose to leave for the Rockets, even though it cost him roughly $30 million in guaranteed salary.


LOL
So Kobe saying nut up or shut up and driving Dwight Coward out of town is a bad thing, ESPN?:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Dwight proved last year he is good for nothing but empty stats and a first round exit if he's playing in the West against actual good teams.:roll: :roll: :roll:

[houston]

funny article indeed

[AirFederer]

This is true: "He wants to win," says a source close to Lakers decision makers. "But only as long as he's the reason we're winning, as long as the performance is not affecting his numbers."

Even Kobestans should admit it.

And this is his problem, his ego problem.

I thinbk we`ll see a lot opf chucking this year (too), which will be quite entertaining. But it will not give Lakers many wins (I know I`m stating the obvious here)

23,5 ppg on 39% fg :banana:

[ArbitraryWater]

Of course he peaces out after getting ripped to shreds and called out for his usual bullshit :oldlol:

It was 6 in the morning... sheesh.... SIX IN THE MORNING.

Soo, you don't have anything else to say?

I'm on to your bullshit, I know you're a Kobe stan, its okay...


No offense, AW, but you're two-faced as ****. I'm on to your bullshyt though. :oldlol:


"no disrespect, but you ugly"


This reminds me of a boxer who obviously lost, but is running around the ring with his hands up post-fight.


Klitschko won :kobe:


AW when you first started posting here I knew you were a closet Bran stan, no objectivity whatsoever, it almost seems like its difficult for you to give Kobe credit in any way.

Good to see other people see you for the POS that you are.

Where's to give credit?

Did you read the Article?

Like I said, Kobe is so above critizism it's a joke :oldlol:


---

I see you spent the last 5 pages talking about "AW" :eek:

Reaching Jameer Level on you ******... dayum

[r15mohd]

LOL
So Kobe saying nut up or shut up and driving Dwight Coward out of town is a bad thing, ESPN?:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Dwight proved last year he is good for nothing but empty stats and a first round exit if he's playing in the West against actual good teams.:roll: :roll: :roll:


Dwight wasn't the reason Houston lost last year...you should do a little research on these things before using it as your rebuttal :rolleyes:

and yes, it was a bad thing that Kobe ran him out of town...the Laker organization needed to switch the role of who'll be leader going forward for them, that should have been Dwight right through. But they pu$$'d up to the Kobe and his unwillingness to take a step back, and now the future is bleak, at best, for the Laker org.

[GimmeThat]

something tells me that opinion, instead of a piece written by a historian

won't really matter to ones legacy.



as for "the wedding of a child to someone you do not approve of"

I don't know.

there's probably still a good amount of people having trouble getting married.

[fiddy]

some bullshit
you are so dumb and persistent, i told you already just stick to licking on Lebrons nuts.

[FireDavidKahn]

Damn, so first he rapes a girl and now rapes the Lakers franchise?

Oh, Kobe.:facepalm

[FireDavidKahn]

http://rollingout.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Ron-Artest1.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/n20to7y1f/img_8504.jpg
:oldlol: A couple of role players wanted to play in LA? Breaking news...

[mattvNJ]

:oldlol: A couple of role players wanted to play in LA? Breaking news...

Artest was a stud on D all of his career and his ability to score never inhibited his ability to change the game. Ariza also is pretty ****in solid. Im not sure why everyone just knocks players to prop up a player. Its embarassing.

[Budadiiii]

God damn, Kobe is the definition of alpha male. Couldn't respect the guy more.

Isn't a timid, passive bitch like LeBron.

LeBron = beta

Kobe = alpha

Kobe > LeBron as a HUMAN

Who cares who is better at a stupid, silly game called "basketball". Kobe is a better PERSON.

[riseagainst]

God damn, Kobe is the definition of alpha male. Couldn't respect the guy more.

Isn't a timid, passive bitch like LeBron.

LeBron = beta

Kobe = alpha

Kobe > LeBron as a HUMAN

Who cares who is better at a stupid, silly game called "basketball". Kobe is a better PERSON.

Godbe

:bowdown:

[JT123]

Who cares who is better at a stupid, silly game called "basketball". Kobe is a better PERSON.
Damn, even Budadiii admits Lebron is better than Kobe. :eek:
Kobe stans stay taking L's! :roll: :roll:

[lilteapot]

All that article proves is Kobe is difficult to play with which is what we all knew and what Kobe himself will tell you. It doesn't change the fact that he's not the reason the Lakers are terrible. Wanna blame someone, blame the shitty front office.

[crisoner]

This article is just further proof that ESPN is out to destroy Kobe's legacy.
I mean WTF?

Even Paul George tweeted the Media is reaching with this one and called it stupid.

SMH

They just proved Kobe right...

[Mr Feeny]

This article is just further proof that ESPN is out to destroy Kobe's legacy.
I mean WTF?

Even Paul George tweeted the Media is reaching with this one and called it stupid.

SMH

They just proved Kobe right...

:roll: MELTDOWN here!!!

:roll:

[HOoopCityJones]

:roll: MELTDOWN here!!!

:roll:

You're the only one melting down here.

Every single of one of your posts in this thread were awkward and overcompensating , you want everyone to know you hate Kobe so bad. ***** is living rent free in your head 247.

[Milbuck]

Holy shit. Arbitrary got demolished in this thread.

[magic chiongson]

you are so dumb and persistent, i told you already just stick to licking on Lebrons nuts.
it's just one of jameer's alt :oldlol:

[riseagainst]

:roll: MELTDOWN here!!!

:roll:

meltdown
http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dduckrage.gif

[Lamar Odumbb]

Dwight wasn't the reason Houston lost last year...you should do a little research on these things before using it as your rebuttal :rolleyes:

and yes, it was a bad thing that Kobe ran him out of town...the Laker organization needed to switch the role of who'll be leader going forward for them, that should have been Dwight right through. But they pu$$'d up to the Kobe and his unwillingness to take a step back, and now the future is bleak, at best, for the Laker org.

If Lakers sign Dwight, guess where Kobe signs. Kobe aint leaving LA so he probably signs with the Clippers to eff with Jim Buss. Lakers basically paid Kobe 48 mill to keep him from signing with the Clippers for cheap.

This team probably wins the ring last year and will be favorites this year.

CP3
Kobe
Jamal Crawford
Blake Griffen
DeAndre Jordan

[Eric Cartman]

God damn, Kobe is the definition of alpha male. Couldn't respect the guy more.

Isn't a timid, passive bitch like LeBron.

LeBron = beta

Kobe = alpha

Kobe > LeBron as a HUMAN

Who cares who is better at a stupid, silly game called "basketball". Kobe is a better PERSON.

Agree on everything but the bolded.

Lebron is a family man still married to his high school sweetheart and hasn't had any incidents with the law.

Kobe raped a bitch. Alpha as **** not gonna lie, but not a good human. Oh and he also snitched.

[HurricaneKid]

If Lakers sign Dwight, guess where Kobe signs. Kobe aint leaving LA so he probably signs with the Clippers to eff with Jim Buss. Lakers basically paid Kobe 48 mill to keep him from signing with the Clippers for cheap.

This team probably wins the ring last year and will be favorites this year.

CP3
Kobe
Jamal Crawford
Blake Griffen
DeAndre Jordan

The Clippers could have paid Kobe exactly the league minimum. Do you seriously think Kobe was going to sign with LAC for league min and be the 3rd leg to the CP3/Blakeshow?

Your name... it all makes sense.

[Lamar Odumbb]

The Clippers could have paid Kobe exactly the league minimum. Do you seriously think Kobe was going to sign with LAC for league min and be the 3rd leg to the CP3/Blakeshow?

Your name... it all makes sense.

Kobe wouldve lost more money from a divorce if he left LA and his wife is pissed he signs with some team from flyover country.

[choppermagic]

Dude has 5 rings, so I think he's exempt from the "team cancer" talk. Abbott is a ****ing idiot :oldlol:

I like this part:



Oh, so Kobe politely told Dwight to quit acting like such a *****? It's not his fault Dwight is a bitch.

Sad thing, in a few years, when Dwight is nearing the end of his career, he will realize that Kobe was probably giving him great advice, but he was too young and stupid to take it.

[HurricaneKid]

Agree on everything but the bolded.

Lebron is a family man still married to his high school sweetheart and hasn't had any incidents with the law.

Kobe raped a bitch. Alpha as **** not gonna lie, but not a good human. Oh and he also snitched.

Kobe is a lengendarily obnoxious superstar diva. LAL employees are literally not permitted to speak to him. And he will tell them that to their face should they ever dare try to say a word to him.

[JT123]

Kobe raped a bitch. Alpha as **** not gonna lie, but not a good human. Oh and he also snitched.
:facepalm Alpha's don't snitch.

[Mr Feeny]

meltdown
http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dduckrage.gif

MELTDOWN!!!:rockon:

KOBETARDS:rockon:

[Jailblazers7]

Agree on everything but the bolded.

Lebron is a family man still married to his high school sweetheart and hasn't had any incidents with the law.

Kobe raped a bitch. Alpha as **** not gonna lie, but not a good human. Oh and he also snitched.

Lebron also cultivated a business network that has allowed his childhood friends to attain positions of power that will last beyond his playing career.

[SugarHill]

Lebron also cultivated a business network that has allowed his childhood friends to attain positions of power that will last beyond his playing career.

That's a good thing, right?

[riseagainst]

MELTDOWN!!!:rockon:

KOBETARDS:rockon:

MELTDOWN!!!:rockon:

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dduckrage.gif

MORON:rockon:

[crisoner]

I see the trolls are lurking here...

:facepalm

[Jailblazers7]

That's a good thing, right?

Yeah, that's a great thing. Just supporting the fact that Lebron is an objectively good person.

And I didn't see it in Eric Cartman's post until now but we are going to call raping a woman "alpha as ****"? (before any freaks out I know Kobe didn't actually rape her)

[ArbitraryWater]

Nothing worse than Kobetards melting down :lol

[ArbitraryWater]

you are so dumb and persistent, i told you already just stick to licking on Lebrons nuts.

#LeBronLife...

You can find peace here as well, mate. It's like swimming in the fountain of youth.

[fiddy]

#LeBronLife...

You can find peace here as well, mate. It's like swimming in the fountain of youth.
Its called HGH. As for the Lebronfagclub, im not a deprived of principles and self respect fanboy, on top of that i made my choice long time ago.

[HOoopCityJones]

#LeBronLife...

You can find peace here as well, mate. It's like swimming in the fountain of youth.

You're not apart of Lebron's life weirdo , you have zero affiliation with him aside from severe case of deluded admiration. They call people like you a stalker in most Country's. At ISH they just call you "stan". :biggums:

[Cold soul]

[QUOTE]Quote:
KEVIN DING @KevinDing

[Dro]

Agree on everything but the bolded.

Lebron is a family man still married to his high school sweetheart and hasn't had any incidents with the law.

Kobe raped a bitch. Alpha as **** not gonna lie, but not a good human. Oh and he also snitched.
Alpha's don't need to rape anybody.....

[HOoopCityJones]

Alpha's don't need to rape anybody.....

If Kobe "Raped" anybody he wouldn't be playing Basketball. But bravo for living in alternate reality world where he was convicted of rape.:applause:

[JT123]

If Kobe "Raped" anybody he wouldn't be playing Basketball. But bravo for living in alternate reality world where he was convicted of rape.:applause:
Innocent men don't pay off people who falsely accuse them.

[Droid101]

Innocent men don't pay off people who falsely accuse them.
What? That happens all the god damn time.

Rich innocent men would rather the story goes away rather than stay in the news, true or not. This literally happens all the time. It's called "settling out of court."

[outbreak]

If Kobe "Raped" anybody he wouldn't be playing Basketball. But bravo for living in alternate reality world where he was convicted of rape.:applause:

Not commenting on if he did or didnt but to be fair Deshawn Stevenson was convited of statutory rape for sleeping with a 14 year old, Lance Stephenson was charged with beating his girlfriend and was charged with assaulting and groping a 17 year old girl on school grounds, Kidd beat his wife lots of players have gotten passes for criminal acts in the past. The NBA is happy to look the other way if someone is good at basketball until the media turns on them.

[outbreak]

Innocent men don't pay off people who falsely accuse them.

They can if they are in the public eye and can't prove their story. There may have been misunderstandings or she may have felt she was violated while he didn't know he was doing that.

[Doranku]

Innocent men don't pay off people who falsely accuse them.

lmao it's not surprising that a braindead moron like you has no idea how the real world works.

[Dro]

If Kobe "Raped" anybody he wouldn't be playing Basketball. But bravo for living in alternate reality world where he was convicted of rape.:applause:
I definitely don't think he raped anybody, I think its ridiculous that people actually think he did it.....:lol

[ballup]

Boom!
Who the fvck is Kevin Ding and why should we give a rat's ass about what he thinks?

[HOoopCityJones]

Who the fvck is Kevin Ding and why should we give a rat's ass about what he thinks?

LA beat writer who works for Bleacher Report.

[HOoopCityJones]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64LSk8uAVS8

Look at this hack. :roll:

[Cold soul]

Who the fvck is Kevin Ding and why should we give a rat's ass about what he thinks?

Info: NBA senior writer Kevin Ding (@KevinDing) covers the Los Angeles Lakers and the league at large for Bleacher Report. Anyway, Phil Jackson has spoken.

[QUOTE]RT @PhilJackson11:

[ballup]

LA beat writer who works for Bleacher Report.
And why should I list him as credible?

[gts]

Who the fvck is Kevin Ding and why should we give a rat's ass about what he thinks?

long time beat writer following the Lakers. Probably the longest tenured over 10 plus years other than Jim Hill.

Important thing to know about Ding on this topic is Ding has always called a spade a spade and never had a problem calling out Laker players or management so when he says the article is wrong, you can believe the article is wrong

[Doranku]

Who the fvck is Kevin Ding and why should we give a rat's ass about what he thinks?

He's a sportswriter who has covered the Lakers for 15 years. We should "give a rat's ass" what he thinks because Abbott quoted many "sources" either close to or inside the Lakers camp.

Yet here we have someone who is undoubtedly closer than Abbott has ever been to the Lakers organization basically calling Abbott a liar.

I can tell you one thing for sure, though. What he says matters a whole hell of a lot more than anything you have to say. :oldlol:

[ballup]

He's a sportswriter who has covered the Lakers for 15 years. We should "give a rat's ass" what he thinks because Abbott quoted many "sources" either close to or inside the Lakers camp.

Yet here we have someone who is undoubtedly closer than Abbott has ever been to the Lakers organization basically calling Abbott a liar.

I can tell you one thing for sure, though. What he says matters a whole hell of a lot more than anything you have to say. :oldlol:
I didn't give any information or opinion. :wtf:

Hell, Gary Tanguay has been covering the Celtics since the 90s. His opinions and his information sucks. Most Celtics fans can attest to that.

Unless you give some better credentials besides being a beat writer for the Buzzfeed of sports, I'm not going to be convinced of anything. I don't even trust the opinion of someone as well known as Abbot.

[gts]

Laker fan Flea of the Red Hot Chile Peppers chimes in and Phil Jackson responds

Flea ‏@flea333
henry abbott your @espn kobe article is absolute garbage and a blatant irresponsible attack. You forgot to get smush Parker for a quote too


Phil Jackson ‏@PhilJackson11

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

Innocent men don't pay off people who falsely accuse them.
lolwat?

[Nick Young]

[QUOTE=gts]Laker fan Flea of the Red Hot Chile Peppers chimes in and Phil Jackson responds

Flea ‏@flea333
henry abbott your @espn kobe article is absolute garbage and a blatant irresponsible attack. You forgot to get smush Parker for a quote too


Phil Jackson ‏@PhilJackson11

[Doranku]

I didn't give any information or opinion. :wtf:

Hell, Gary Tanguay has been covering the Celtics since the 90s. His opinions and his information sucks. Most Celtics fans can attest to that.

Unless you give some better credentials besides being a beat writer for the Buzzfeed of sports, I'm not going to be convinced of anything. I don't even trust the opinion of someone as well known as Abbot.

If you don't trust Abbott himself or his naysayers, then draw your own conclusions I guess. :confusedshrug:

[Nick Young]

Artest was a stud on D all of his career and his ability to score never inhibited his ability to change the game. Ariza also is pretty ****in solid. Im not sure why everyone just knocks players to prop up a player. Its embarassing.
Ariza was a journeyman roleplayer 10th man off the bench of bad teams before he came to LA. He only got good after training with Kobe and following his training plan.


Same with Caron Butler, he became an allstar by following Kobe's regimen and training with him early in the mornings.

Glad Mamba just spoke truth to Dwight Coward and ran those empty stats out of town. Hope this piece of shit has fun losing every year in the first round with Houston.

[AlphaWolf24]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64LSk8uAVS8

Look at this hack. :roll:


:lol

Dude looks like he's about cry....

" Kobe misses alot"......" Kobe is mean "....." Phil Jackson said Kobe is hard to coach"


stay Mad Mr. Abbott....cross eyed bastard.

[Nick Young]

:lol

Dude looks like he's about cry....

" Kobe misses alot"......" Kobe is mean "....." Phil Jackson said Kobe is hard to coach"


stay Mad Mr. Abbott....cross eyed bastard.
this butthurt piece of shit, why does ESPN allow this crap to be published:facepalm

[AlphaWolf24]

this butthurt piece of shit, why does ESPN allow this crap to be published:facepalm


Kobe "misses alot"....but Mr. Abbott know Kobe gets hits alot.....Kobe making Abbott famous.

even through his fish tank glasses he can see that.

[HOoopCityJones]

:lol

Dude looks like he's about cry....

" Kobe misses alot"......" Kobe is mean "....." Phil Jackson said Kobe is hard to coach"


stay Mad Mr. Abbott....cross eyed bastard.

It's a ****ing Joke.

Lebron has these cats swooning so much that they think everyone in the league should be just like him or something. He name drops him a few times, it's like a scorned girlfriend.

"Why can't you be more like him" :lol

[ballup]

So wait, you rather trust a guy who isn't even apart of the LA/Laker information network over a guy who's been covering them for years and has proved to be pretty unbiased and has called Kobe out on plenty of occasions (including for his new contract) just because of some other hack who writes about the Celtics , in Boston?

What kind of drugs are you sniffing bruh? :biggums:
Read it again. I said that I don't even trust Abbot. :rolleyes:

I've provided an example where being a long tenured worker doesn't mean shit about the quality of your work. That's all.

The article Abbot wrote doesn't even give new insight to people who follow the NBA. We all know who Kobe is. He's selfish, determined, stubborn, outspoken, and he rubs quite a lot of people the wrong way.

[chazzy]

This is the ESPN spin cycle. Writer publishes a controversial piece. Controversial piece becomes top headline on SportsCenter around the clock. Controversial writer appears on TV to elaborate on controversial piece. More discussion. Reactions on twitter to Abbott's piece. Discussions about the reactions. etc. etc.

Another example of this: http://deadspin.com/how-espn-manufactures-a-story-colin-kaepernick-edition-1185400028

[HOoopCityJones]

Read it again. I said that I don't even trust Abbot. :rolleyes:

I've provided an example where being a long tenured worker doesn't mean shit about the quality of your work. That's all.

The article Abbot wrote doesn't even give new insight to people who follow the NBA. We all know who Kobe is. He's selfish, determined, stubborn, outspoken, and he rubs quite a lot of people the wrong way.

My mistake. :oldlol:

Exactly. But to say it's because of that, and not the horde of other bullshit that's taken place between 10' and now is ridiculous and it's a blatant smear campaign on ESPN's part.

Will Lerbon or KD get the same treatment when their skills decline? Did Duncan get plastered like this when everyone assumed the Spurs were done years ago?

[monkeypox]

And why should I list him as credible?

He used to be the main Laker reporter for the OCRegister and more qualified than just about any BR reporter. The only reason he left is because the newspaper was putting up paywalls for his articles. He's also been fairly anti-Kobe/Lakers in the past so him defending Kobe should tell you something. He's definitely not a Lakers jockrider and he's about as inside here as you can get, unlike Abbot.

[Cold soul]

This is much better article on Kobe and on the Lakers. Good read.

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2014/10/20/7024989/la-lakers-kobe-bryant-espn-downfall

[Jacks3]

Laker fan Flea of the Red Hot Chile Peppers chimes in and Phil Jackson responds

Flea ‏@flea333
henry abbott your @espn kobe article is absolute garbage and a blatant irresponsible attack. You forgot to get smush Parker for a quote too


Phil Jackson ‏@PhilJackson11
“@flea333: "Go get'em, Flea

Even Phil knows this is a bunch of bullshit and he's certainly never had a problem criticizing Bryant. :lol

[chazzy]

Dwight Howard, talking to SI's Sam Amick: "What people don't know is that [Kobe Bryant] is one of the guys who I've been talking to for about four years now. And he has been an amazing help to me, just pushing me in ways -- secretly because we played in the Eastern and Western Conference. But it's been him just talking to me, showing me how to do certain things with my team and things like that. ... I told [Bryant] as soon as I got here, 'Hey, I want to be one of the greatest to ever play. I want you to push me every day. And he was like, 'I'm going to push you, because I see something in you, and I want to make sure that I do my part.' And I promised him that I'm going to do whatever I can do."

[Simple Jack]

rofl.. comparatively, Lebron isnt even a leader.. he had to get Wade to do that for him after quitting on cleveland.

At least Kobe LED his teams in 09 and 10.. clear cut pushing them to victory. He didnt need an alpha like wade by his side.


This has to be trolling....right?

[DavisWarriorsFan]

And why should I list him as credible?
Cause he's been covering the Lakers since 1999 with the OC Register.

[Nick Young]

Dwight Howard, talking to SI's Sam Amick: "What people don't know is that [Kobe Bryant] is one of the guys who I've been talking to for about four years now. And he has been an amazing help to me, just pushing me in ways -- secretly because we played in the Eastern and Western Conference. But it's been him just talking to me, showing me how to do certain things with my team and things like that. ... I told [Bryant] as soon as I got here, 'Hey, I want to be one of the greatest to ever play. I want you to push me every day. And he was like, 'I'm going to push you, because I see something in you, and I want to make sure that I do my part.' And I promised him that I'm going to do whatever I can do."
lol Kobe drove Dwight out of town doe:roll:

First round exit empty stats max contract Dwight is a massive loss for the Lakers XD

[CelticBaller]

RIP Kobe

[DirkLegend41]

BRANDON JENNINGS ‏@BrandonJennings

Espn is a joke with that article about Kobe Bryant. WOW!!!!!!! Really

https://twitter.com/BrandonJennings/status/524758382440624128

[Cold soul]

RIP Kobe

R.I.P. that guy in your AV. Kobe with three straight games of 26+ points, tonight on 50% shooting, but ESPN says he's done and is 40 ranked player in NBA according to experts such as Henry Abbott. :oldlol:

http://i.imgur.com/gTZOWH4.jpg

[RidonKs]

this article may be a hatchet job and who knows how much is made up and how much is distorted, but it does strike at a few interesting facts and ideas all interrelated

a) the lakers have had a hard time attracting free agents since 2010 (and even before that? most of the help kobe had post-shaq came from trades)

b) the lakers have the most attractive brand in all of basketball

c) the idea that jim buss was pressured for a combination of business (local cable ratings) and personal (maintaining his rep) reasons to resign kobe whatever the cost seems very plausible... did he actually receive dozens of phone calls from la big wigs demanding the same?

d) the nash quote from his grantland interview is legit and speaks volumes, even as he clearly meant to muzzle his real opinion

etc etc etc

good read in any case, sports journalism doesn't have to be true, it just has to be good. like a soap opera.

[coin24]

R.I.P. that guy in your AV. Kobe with three straight games of 26+ points, tonight on 50% shooting, but ESPN says he's done and is 40 ranked player in NBA according to experts such as Henry Abbott. :oldlol:

http://i.imgur.com/gTZOWH4.jpg


:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Dr.J4ever]

this article may be a hatchet job and who knows how much is made up and how much is distorted, but it does strike at a few interesting facts and ideas all interrelated

a) the lakers have had a hard time attracting free agents since 2010 (and even before that? most of the help kobe had post-shaq came from trades)

b) the lakers have the most attractive brand in all of basketball

c) the idea that jim buss was pressured for a combination of business (local cable ratings) and personal (maintaining his rep) reasons to resign kobe whatever the cost seems very plausible... did he actually receive dozens of phone calls from la big wigs demanding the same?

d) the nash quote from his grantland interview is legit and speaks volumes, even as he clearly meant to muzzle his real opinion

etc etc etc

good read in any case, sports journalism doesn't have to be true, it just has to be good. like a soap opera.

I haven't had the time to go through the entire thread, but I think many posters here know by now that I'm not a stan of anyone except maybe Julius Erving.:bowdown: My only interest is the truth and for basketball history.

I posted this article because I thought it was a good piece about maybe the best player of this generation. No one can take away Kobe's accomplishments for the Lakers in any way shape or form. The question posed by the article is: Is Kobe also beginning to hurt LA's chances of rebuilding or retooling?

As the poster above mentions, there are very compelling arguments about Kobe's selfishness and ego driven play. Abbot has compiled quite a few quotes from Nash, circumstantial evidence, "insiders", and agents. No one can sweep this under the rug.

Many posters here have reacted emotionally, but haven't pointed out where the article was going wrong. To me, the article makes total sense, based on what we all know about Kobe. History will ultimately bear out whether Kobe was right to diss certain players or not, but at this point, it looks pretty undeniable that many top free agents have been turned off to go play for LA. I don't think those "sources" were made up, and feel free to disagree, but where there's smoke, there's fire.

We've all encountered difficult people to work with in school or in work. Highly strung, ego driven, self centered individuals. These are the people we talk about behind their backs. They make the work environment far more difficult than it should be.

Is Kobe one of these people? It seems pretty likely with the amount of comments from within Lakers FO. My own guess, and I emphasize the word "guess", is that negative comments were kept muzzled all those years(except for Shaq) because of LA's tremendous success. But now, in Kobe's latter years, as one "insider" said, "it's coming home" to roost. This, of course, doesn't speak well either for all those anonymous individuals, but it still doesn't mean they are not true.

Kobe is a double edged sword. Easily one of the greatest players ever, but he was so great, he wanted to eclipse every player he played with. He couldn't seem to tolerate any competitors in his own teams, except with Shaq early in his career.

His journey hasn't ended. This season will continue to show whether Abbot and the "insiders" are right about Kobe "destroying" LA from within, or if the ISH stans are right.

Either way, it'll be fun.:lol

[Doranku]

I haven't had the time to go through the entire thread, but I think many posters here know by now that I'm not a stan of anyone except maybe Julius Erving.:bowdown: My only interest is the truth and for basketball history.

I posted this article because I thought it was a good piece about maybe the best player of this generation. No one can take away Kobe's accomplishments for the Lakers in any way shape or form. The question posed by the article is: Is Kobe also beginning to hurt LA's chances of rebuilding or retooling?

As the poster above mentions, there are very compelling arguments about Kobe's selfishness and ego driven play. Abbot has compiled quite a few quotes from Nash, circumstantial evidence, "insiders", and agents. No one can sweep this under the rug.

Many posters here have reacted emotionally, but haven't pointed out where the article was going wrong. To me, the article makes total sense, based on what we all know about Kobe. History will ultimately bear out whether Kobe was right to diss certain players or not, but at this point, it looks pretty undeniable that many top free agents have been turned off to go play for LA. I don't think those "sources" were made up, and feel free to disagree, but where there's smoke, there's fire.


Stopped reading here. Many have already pointed out that the Paul George bit and Ramon Sessions bit simply aren't true.

The rest is just speculation as to whether Abbott's "sources" are credible... or even exist, for that matter. With two blatant lies being uncovered coupled with the fact that Abbott is a notorious Kobe hater, it's reasonable to doubt the rest of the article's authenticity.

[bluechox2]

Dwight Howard, talking to SI's Sam Amick: "What people don't know is that [Kobe Bryant] is one of the guys who I've been talking to for about four years now. And he has been an amazing help to me, just pushing me in ways -- secretly because we played in the Eastern and Western Conference. But it's been him just talking to me, showing me how to do certain things with my team and things like that. ... I told [Bryant] as soon as I got here, 'Hey, I want to be one of the greatest to ever play. I want you to push me every day. And he was like, 'I'm going to push you, because I see something in you, and I want to make sure that I do my part.' And I promised him that I'm going to do whatever I can do."

Dwight " yea bryant, i need you to push me to be the greatest...but from over here"
kobe : ill push you alright ... (back of his mind)* rape your ass*
Dwight " i can't believe he bought that...wooptyDOO"

[Cold soul]

I haven't had the time to go through the entire thread, but I think many posters here know by now that I'm not a stan of anyone except maybe Julius Erving.:bowdown: My only interest is the truth and for basketball history.

I posted this article because I thought it was a good piece about maybe the best player of this generation. No one can take away Kobe's accomplishments for the Lakers in any way shape or form. The question posed by the article is: Is Kobe also beginning to hurt LA's chances of rebuilding or retooling?

As the poster above mentions, there are very compelling arguments about Kobe's selfishness and ego driven play. Abbot has compiled quite a few quotes from Nash, circumstantial evidence, "insiders", and agents. No one can sweep this under the rug.

Many posters here have reacted emotionally, but haven't pointed out where the article was going wrong. To me, the article makes total sense, based on what we all know about Kobe. History will ultimately bear out whether Kobe was right to diss certain players or not, but at this point, it looks pretty undeniable that many top free agents have been turned off to go play for LA. I don't think those "sources" were made up, and feel free to disagree, but where there's smoke, there's fire.

We've all encountered difficult people to work with in school or in work. Highly strung, ego driven, self centered individuals. These are the people we talk about behind their backs. They make the work environment far more difficult than it should be.

Is Kobe one of these people? It seems pretty likely with the amount of comments from within Lakers FO. My own guess, and I emphasize the word "guess", is that negative comments were kept muzzled all those years(except for Shaq) because of LA's tremendous success. But now, in Kobe's latter years, as one "insider" said, "it's coming home" to roost. This, of course, doesn't speak well either for all those anonymous individuals, but it still doesn't mean they are not true.

Kobe is a double edged sword. Easily one of the greatest players ever, but he was so great, he wanted to eclipse every player he played with. He couldn't seem to tolerate any competitors in his own teams, except with Shaq early in his career.

His journey hasn't ended. This season will continue to show whether Abbot and the "insiders" are right about Kobe "destroying" LA from within, or if the ISH stans are right.

Either way, it'll be fun.:lol


This article is making one HUGE assumption: These assumptions are false. Abbot has all these sources but does not list even one? The only players that did not enjoy there time playing Kobe were Smush Parker, Shaq who later regrets it, and Dwight Howard who also burnt bridges in Orlando. Does Kobe have personality quirks? Sure. Who doesn't. Does he have a problem relating to the newer generation? Probably. Kobe is last of dying breed that being alpha dog instead of buddy buddy generation of today. Is he the Kobe of his prime years? Of course not. But he's still damn good.

[RidonKs]

the george and sessions angle abbott used in the article aren't exactly the keystones to his thesis.

with george he cites (as per usual) anonymous sources to claim that george re-upped with indiana so he wouldn't be "policed by kobe". with sessions, the narrative is also speculative since abbott flat out says sessions has avoided revealing his reasons for leaving the lakers. but sessions did decide to turn down what would have been a starting pg job with the lakers to back up walker in charlotte as the article describes. better job security but also fewer minutes... this was before the lakers signed nash of course. at the time the only other pg on the lakers roster was steve blake who, god love him, just isn't starting material.


that various laker affiliates (and george himself) have called these narratives into question does not undermine the thesis of the article itself which is much further reaching.

i think abbott wrote the article with an intentionally controversial slant, and as a result, it paints kobe as a total sociopath. reading it gives you the impression that kobe is the most unlikable person in sports history. neither of those things are true. but there's still plenty of truth woven through the piece, based on pretty elementary evidence (ie. NOT ANONYMOUS SOURCES), that makes the thesis intriguing if not downright convincing.

[RidonKs]

I haven't had the time to go through the entire thread, but I think many posters here know by now that I'm not a stan of anyone except maybe Julius Erving.:bowdown: My only interest is the truth and for basketball history.

I posted this article because I thought it was a good piece about maybe the best player of this generation. No one can take away Kobe's accomplishments for the Lakers in any way shape or form. The question posed by the article is: Is Kobe also beginning to hurt LA's chances of rebuilding or retooling?

As the poster above mentions, there are very compelling arguments about Kobe's selfishness and ego driven play. Abbot has compiled quite a few quotes from Nash, circumstantial evidence, "insiders", and agents. No one can sweep this under the rug.

Many posters here have reacted emotionally, but haven't pointed out where the article was going wrong. To me, the article makes total sense, based on what we all know about Kobe. History will ultimately bear out whether Kobe was right to diss certain players or not, but at this point, it looks pretty undeniable that many top free agents have been turned off to go play for LA. I don't think those "sources" were made up, and feel free to disagree, but where there's smoke, there's fire.

We've all encountered difficult people to work with in school or in work. Highly strung, ego driven, self centered individuals. These are the people we talk about behind their backs. They make the work environment far more difficult than it should be.

Is Kobe one of these people? It seems pretty likely with the amount of comments from within Lakers FO. My own guess, and I emphasize the word "guess", is that negative comments were kept muzzled all those years(except for Shaq) because of LA's tremendous success. But now, in Kobe's latter years, as one "insider" said, "it's coming home" to roost. This, of course, doesn't speak well either for all those anonymous individuals, but it still doesn't mean they are not true.

Kobe is a double edged sword. Easily one of the greatest players ever, but he was so great, he wanted to eclipse every player he played with. He couldn't seem to tolerate any competitors in his own teams, except with Shaq early in his career.

His journey hasn't ended. This season will continue to show whether Abbot and the "insiders" are right about Kobe "destroying" LA from within, or if the ISH stans are right.

Either way, it'll be fun.:lol
:cheers:

good post. i would't take it personally. people love to shoot the messenger, abbott in this case, and if that doesn't get the job done, they shoot the messenger's messenger, which in this case is you.

[magictricked]

:facepalm

Paul George has come out and said Abbot is full of it

Sessions opted out of his contract looking for a bigger payday in the free agent market then didn't re-signed with the Lakers because they brought Nash in and they already had Steve Blake.

To further complicate things the Lakers also were only capable of giving Sessions a minimum contract because they lacked bird rights. Between NASH and Blake ahead of him on the depth chart and the small contract offer Sessions found a better gig

Sessions signed with Charlotte nearly 5 times what the Lakers could pay per the CBA

Kobe had nothing to do with Sessions not being a Laker but you idiots can keep ignoring facts and act like you know what you're talking about

[Nick Young]

Also-who the PHUCK even cares about Sessions not re-signing? The guy is a career 8th man on non-playoff teams! Why does Sessions not re-signing with the Lakers even make it in to Abbots article as proof against Kobe? Even if that were true, Sessions is hardly even an average PG, and could be easily replaced by 100 other PGs in the league, with no drop off.

[RidonKs]

Sessions opted out of his contract looking for a bigger payday in the free agent market then didn't re-signed with the Lakers because they brought Nash in and they already had Steve Blake.

To further complicate things the Lakers also were only capable of giving Sessions a minimum contract because they lacked bird rights. Between NASH and Blake ahead of him on the depth chart and the small contract offer Sessions found a better gig

Sessions signed with Charlotte nearly 5 times what the Lakers could pay per the CBA

Kobe had nothing to do with Sessions not being a Laker but you idiots can keep ignoring facts and act like you know what you're talking about
hmm good post, didn't know most of that

just checked the timeline and sessions didn't sign with the bobcats until after the nash trade was made official. throw in job security and more money and it becomes much more obvious why sessions would have gone east... and why the fact that "playing with kobe is different" probably didn't even enter into his mind.

[AlphaWolf24]

I haven't had the time to go through the entire thread, but I think many posters here know by now that I'm not a stan of anyone except maybe Julius Erving.:bowdown: My only interest is the truth and for basketball history.

I posted this article because I thought it was a good piece about maybe the best player of this generation. No one can take away Kobe's accomplishments for the Lakers in any way shape or form. The question posed by the article is: Is Kobe also beginning to hurt LA's chances of rebuilding or retooling?

As the poster above mentions, there are very compelling arguments about Kobe's selfishness and ego driven play. Abbot has compiled quite a few quotes from Nash, circumstantial evidence, "insiders", and agents. No one can sweep this under the rug.

Many posters here have reacted emotionally, but haven't pointed out where the article was going wrong. To me, the article makes total sense, based on what we all know about Kobe. History will ultimately bear out whether Kobe was right to diss certain players or not, but at this point, it looks pretty undeniable that many top free agents have been turned off to go play for LA. I don't think those "sources" were made up, and feel free to disagree, but where there's smoke, there's fire.

We've all encountered difficult people to work with in school or in work. Highly strung, ego driven, self centered individuals. These are the people we talk about behind their backs. They make the work environment far more difficult than it should be.

Is Kobe one of these people? It seems pretty likely with the amount of comments from within Lakers FO. My own guess, and I emphasize the word "guess", is that negative comments were kept muzzled all those years(except for Shaq) because of LA's tremendous success. But now, in Kobe's latter years, as one "insider" said, "it's coming home" to roost. This, of course, doesn't speak well either for all those anonymous individuals, but it still doesn't mean they are not true.

Kobe is a double edged sword. Easily one of the greatest players ever, but he was so great, he wanted to eclipse every player he played with. He couldn't seem to tolerate any competitors in his own teams, except with Shaq early in his career.

His journey hasn't ended. This season will continue to show whether Abbot and the "insiders" are right about Kobe "destroying" LA from within, or if the ISH stans are right.

Either way, it'll be fun.:lol


- 2 of his "examples'..."sources" have already came out and basically called abbott a liar.( at least twisting the truth to fit an agenda)

- Abbott has a History of Bashing Kobe.....for whatever reason.

- Pro Athletes are Human Beings and never get along with every teammate. You can find people/Front office/teammates who hate every great player that ever played...:confusedshrug:

- If this was an online forum and Abbott was a poster.....The article would be a troll thread trying to hook Kobe/Laker fans ....it's been going for the past decade:lol ....nothing new....or original.....It's amusing that it's coming from ESPN/professional writer now that Kobe is in his twilight...

- Honestly ...so many posters here have come up with better.....and even had real links to back it up.

- either way....we are amused slightly......good job/effort

[okayabc123]

If you look at who has played with Kobe in recent history, and the players who left, it is clear to me that playing with Kobe is highlights for majority of the players in their career.

After Kobe:

Andrew Bynum - bum
Lamar Odom - even more of a bum
Trevor Ariza - eh.. he is alright, but the playoff run with the Lakers was his peak
Derek Fisher - he hardly contributed to OKC in the 2012 run. And he was chasing ring hard after he left the Lakers.
Dwight Howard - his chances of winning rings with the rockets are as good as when he was on the lakers, which means none.
Metta World Peace - c'mon now, really, his best years was when he was with the Lakers.
Ramon Session - who?

How about Pau Gasol, before Lakers, never won a playoff game. It will be interesting to see how he rejuvenate his career with the Bulls, especially after the last 2 years of being an weak, pu$$y PF.

[rmt]

So where are all the players who have played with Kobe? Why has none of his former team mates come out in his defense regarding this article? Even Kobe doesn't defend himself - he just says sometimes there's a bad article, sometimes there's a great article - he sounds almost resigned.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/10/22/morning-shootaround-oct-22-2/#lakers