Kobe Bryant, once the Star of Stars in the NBA, is Moving On

Discussion in 'Los Angeles Lakers' started by Shapecity, Nov 14, 2005.

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  1. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's been a little more than two years since Bryant stood on the podium in downtown Los Angeles and celebrated the Los Angeles Lakers' third world championship.

    He is 27 now and into his 10th NBA season. He's reunited with Jackson, the man who described him in unflattering terms in the book "The Last Season."

    "Do I hold any hard feelings?" Bryant responded when asked by reporters in Los Angeles. "None whatsoever, none whatsoever. Forgive. Move on. We're all human beings. Who am I to sit up here and judge somebody? Life is too short to sit around and hold grudges; it doesn't make any sense to do it.

    "I've matured a great deal. Two or three years ago, would I have had the same response? Probably not. But you kind of just grow and take your bumps and bruises as you get older and realize life is too short to be holding grudges."

    There are few stories as compelling as the fallen hero who finds redemption.

    Bryant is attempting to pen a classic, and this season appears as if it will be his best ever. He has scored at least 33 points in four of Los Angeles' first six games and leads the NBA with a 31.8 scoring average.

    No one expects the Lakers to unseat San Antonio as NBA champions, but should Los Angeles qualify for the playoffs, it will be because of Bryant's indomitable will.

    "Any team that he's on has a chance to win every night because he's what, like one of the top five players in the world?" said Sam Cassell, who joined the cross-town rival Los Angeles Clippers this summer. "Some might say top three, but easily top five. So they might be down for a year, but two? Nah, I can't see it.'

    In the years since the Lakers last won the title, a new NBA has emerged. The past two champions won with teamwork, and their stars didn't shine as brightly as Bryant.

    Cleveland's LeBron James is the new NBA king of endorsements. Miami's Dwyane Wade is emerging as a mega-star, even being named one of People's 100 Most Beautiful People, a designation once given to Bryant.

    But Wall Street ad execs haven't completely forgotten about the Lakers star, and Bryant is quietly making his return as a pitchman. His association with Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Spalding and Nutella went away following his legal troubles, but Nike remained loyal after signing Bryant to a four-year, $45 million deal a month before his arrest.

    The company unveiled a controversial print campaign a year ago that listed criticisms such as "selfish," "overrated," "not a leader" and "a fluke," followed by his grueling training regimen. And early next year, Nike plans to roll out a new basketball shoe called Zoom Kobe I, which speaks to his popularity among the Gen-X crowd.

    "I think with Kobe, people get these ideas of who he is and what he's about without ever really knowing him," said Sonics forward Rashard Lewis, who along with Bryant and several NBA players participated in a Hurricane Katrina benefit game on Sept. 11. The players also visited Houston shelters filled with evacuees.

    "I had no idea that that he'd be there," Lewis said, "and I don't mean to say that it was a surprise to see him do something like that, but like I said, you get these ideas of people without ever really knowing them.

    "Kobe was cool. Down to Earth and just like everybody else... Real friendly and not like you'd expect."

    Although he's open and much more media-friendly than he ever was, the fiercely private Bryant remains cautious of outsiders and wants stories about him to focus on the court and nothing else.

    His feud with O'Neal is in the past until, well, their Christmas Day showdown. His tiff with Ray Allen is old news, and the squabbles with Jackson are over.

    Though still perceived as selfish and an egomaniac in some circles, the only taunts Bryant hears when he steps into an opponent's arena these days focus on the ridiculous black tights he wears beneath his shorts.

    Those insults are friendlier than what he used to receive, and proof that his basketball world is finally back to normal.</div>

    Source

    Good read on Kobe. Too, bad the local media still hasn't come around and continues to scrutinize him at every turn.
     
    Shapecity, Nov 14, 2005
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  2. Brasco

    Brasco JBB JustBBall Member

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    the LA media was always behind shaq as soon as he arrived in LA, kobe had to earn their respect, then lost it do to his actions.
     
    Brasco, Nov 14, 2005
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  3. Sex Panther

    Sex Panther works every time.

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Though still perceived as selfish and an egomaniac in some circles, the only taunts Bryant hears when he steps into an opponent's arena these days focus on the ridiculous black tights he wears beneath his shorts.
    </div>don't forget his nickname [​IMG]
     
    Sex Panther, Nov 14, 2005
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  4. AIFan

    AIFan JBB JustBBall Member

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    It sucks that it took such a horrible situation for him to lose his luster, but from everything I've read, the whole situation has made him a better person/teammate so props to him.
     
    AIFan, Nov 14, 2005
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  5. ilive4ball

    ilive4ball JBB JustBBall Member

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    Yeah well despite that this Laker team is sucking I still firmly beleive Kobe Bryant will win another championship (at least one) in his career, and will inevitably get MVP and finals MVP on that championship team....Til then..can we please trade for Garnett???

    Can't mitch see that the salary cap hit would be worth it by trading for him....not only would it bring championships galore it would bring all of hollywood back to the staples center, god the ticket prices would be the hottest thing since paris hilton, and merchandise sales would be even higher than they were a couple of years ago...he might have to pay dollar for dollar in being over the cap, but he'd be making twice that on merchandise...
     
    ilive4ball, Nov 15, 2005
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  6. twool913

    twool913 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Maybe if the trade was as easy as just saying, Wolves give him to us. I don't see what players the lakers would trade.
     
    twool913, Nov 15, 2005
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  7. AIFan

    AIFan JBB JustBBall Member

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    There wouldn't need to be a trade, he'll be a free agent soon, right?
     
    AIFan, Nov 15, 2005
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  8. ilive4ball

    ilive4ball JBB JustBBall Member

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    As far as I know KG is signed for a WHILE...averaging like 20 mil per
     
    ilive4ball, Nov 15, 2005
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  9. Mez

    Mez JBB JustBBall Member

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    Garnett is signed til the 2009 season, meaning he will be 33 by the time his contract expires. Kobe will be 30 going on 31 by then. I wouldn't doubt these two would still be superstars, but thats a looong time away. By then I wouldn't be too sure they would be dominant enough to win together without any other superstars. Keep in mind they both came straight out of high school and they will have a lot more wear and tear on their bodies than the average ball player at that age.
     
    Mez, Nov 16, 2005
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  10. AIFan

    AIFan JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">Keep in mind they both came straight out of high school and they will have a lot more wear and tear on their bodies than the average ball player at that age.</div>Good point
     
    AIFan, Nov 16, 2005
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  11. ilive4ball

    ilive4ball JBB JustBBall Member

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    If Shaqs fat a.s.s can even walk at this point in his career let alone play an NBA game, I'm pretty sure KG and Kobe will be pretty productive. Keep in mind, as two of the 5 best players in the game, the trainers, work out regimens, diets, everything is TOP of the line...
     
    ilive4ball, Nov 17, 2005
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  12. TheAnswer2

    TheAnswer2 JBB JustBBall Member

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    ^^ I anticipated Kobe was his favorite player before I even looked. Who else could?
     
    TheAnswer2, Nov 22, 2005
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  13. ilive4ball

    ilive4ball JBB JustBBall Member

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    yeah well...lol
     
    ilive4ball, Nov 23, 2005
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  14. rocky votolato

    rocky votolato JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting AIFan:</div><div class="quote_post">It sucks that it took such a horrible situation for him to lose his luster, but from everything I've read, the whole situation has made him a better person/teammate so props to him.</div>

    Definitely. Despite the hardships and the crash he took on his public image was horrible, but he's definitely become a greater person. People don't realize that sometimes you can't always take the path of comfort, but under difficulties and stress, you will learn to stand up in the storm.
     
    rocky votolato, Nov 26, 2005
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  15. AIFan

    AIFan JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting rocky votolato:</div><div class="quote_post">Definitely. Despite the hardships and the crash he took on his public image was horrible, but he's definitely become a greater person. People don't realize that sometimes you can't always take the path of comfort, but under difficulties and stress, you will learn to stand up in the storm.</div>
    Even Nike is coming back around for him, releasing and marketing his new signature shoe next year.
     
    AIFan, Nov 26, 2005
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  16. ilive4ball

    ilive4ball JBB JustBBall Member

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    Bout damn time- I'm swooping those the second they hit the shelves
     
    ilive4ball, Nov 26, 2005
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  17. AIFan

    AIFan JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting ilive4ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Bout damn time- I'm swooping those the second they hit the shelves</div>If I come across the pic of em again I'll post it up, they look aight.
     
    AIFan, Nov 26, 2005
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  18. Nasty

    Nasty JBB Sorry, I killed Fever

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    It's really good to see both Bryant and O'Neal maturing and getting past their mega-fued that used to be a headline of every newspaper.

    I'm sure they won't say anything negative in regards to each other before the Xmas matchup, and may as well acknowledge each other more visibly this time.

    I'm growing to respect and shockingly enough, like Kobe more and more. He seems to be a good person. Too bad the media always targets him.
     
    Nasty, Nov 27, 2005
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  19. ilive4ball

    ilive4ball JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's really good to see both Bryant and O'Neal maturing and getting past their mega-fued that used to be a headline of every newspaper.

    I'm sure they won't say anything negative in regards to each other before the Xmas matchup, and may as well acknowledge each other more visibly this time.

    I'm growing to respect and shockingly enough, like Kobe more and more. He seems to be a good person. Too bad the media always targets him.</div>

    I'm sure Kobe won't say anything, Phil will say the right things, and Shaq...well I wouldn't be surprised if he mouths off as usual.
     
    ilive4ball, Nov 27, 2005
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  20. Chutney

    Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

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    If you're going to spread blame around for the Kobe-Shaq feud, some of it has to be given to the League. They've scheduled a matchup between both teams on Christmas twice in a row and they give so much coverage on it, because they know how important the ratings those games bring in are.
     
    Chutney, Nov 27, 2005
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