OK. So many people never saw the Michael Jordan Bulls before Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen. Before Jordan accepted that he could not carry the team himself needed to play within the triangle whilst still grabbing a game by the throat and strangling it if he had to. Before those things happened the Bulls were not unlike the Lakers of the last two seasons. An inconsistent team lead by an incredibly talented player who was forced to score 30+ a game in order for them to COMPETE. The Lakers are mirroring those Bulls and Kobe Bryant is looking alot more like that Michael. Are we witnessing the evolution of Kobe Bryant into the next greatest of all time? His recent tear of 62, 45, 48, and 50 points is nothing short of incredible... but can he keep it up? Can he will the Lakers to the playoffs and perhaps the second round? Can he continue to make Smush and company better? Only time will tell.
I think Kobe will have to score 30 at least every game. The Lakers have to get a strong scorer somehow or Kobe will be depleted before the season's over. I don't think Kobe can keep on scoring like this. Lamar has to score and rebound that's all we need. I'm waiting for Lamar to bust 30 points, until then Lakers need a second scorer to compete with the rest of the conference.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dtpxcore:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Kobe will have to score 30 at least every game. The Lakers have to get a strong scorer somehow or Kobe will be depleted before the season's over. I don't think Kobe can keep on scoring like this. Lamar has to score and rebound that's all we need. I'm waiting for Lamar to bust 30 points, until then Lakers need a second scorer to compete with the rest of the conference.</div> There is one other alternative. If Kobe and Odom together can me at least two of the other role players (Smush, Cook, George or Mihm) into the mid teens consistently then we can compete. I am about ready to give up on Odom giving us 20+ a night. He is just not that type of player. Lets accept that. But he does pass extremely well and if he and Kobe can get two of the other guys with 15 each we have a good chance of winning most games.
Kobe has to have someone to rely on when his game is off. He needs that strong second scorer and Odom needs to be that type of player or the Lakers are doomed. OR maybe Mihm, Kwame, Smush can try to put up like 10 each then Lakers would need Odom to get 15 a night.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe will have to shoot significantly better from the field for there to be any "evolution".</div> He has been shooting over at just about 50% in his current streak of 62, 45, 48, 50... and over the last 10 games he has been shooting at 47%. Not bad if you ask me.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dtpxcore:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe has to have someone to rely on when his game is off. He needs that strong second scorer and Odom needs to be that type of player or the Lakers are doomed. OR maybe Mihm, Kwame, Smush can try to put up like 10 each then Lakers would need Odom to get 15 a night.</div> I think it's pretty evident that Odom is not a scorer, i think Scottie Pippen is the wrong guy to be training Odom. I think Odom can be a Magic Johnson type player, because he can rack up alot of assists, he's a big guy who can control the basketball well, and he can post like Magic did. It's pretty arguable, but I think Odom should model after Magic rather than Pippen. If you want scorers you gotta ask Parker, Mihm, and Cook.
kobe is the best choice at present to be the NEXT JORDAN they both have the same jumpshot, the same mannerisms even the same "driving to the basket face" hahaha kobe just needs a little help... i really hope jalen rose or artest or even both go the the lakers not in expense for odom for them to have a run... if the lakers reach the playoffs with their current lineup then kobe deserves the mvp flat out
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Fiyah:</div><div class="quote_post">He has been shooting over at just about 50% in his current streak of 62, 45, 48, 50... and over the last 10 games he has been shooting at 47%. Not bad if you ask me.</div> He's a known hater. Even 70% isn't good for him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Fiyah:</div><div class="quote_post">OK. So many people never saw the Michael Jordan Bulls before Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen. Before Jordan accepted that he could not carry the team himself needed to play within the triangle whilst still grabbing a game by the throat and strangling it if he had to. Before those things happened the Bulls were not unlike the Lakers of the last two seasons. An inconsistent team lead by an incredibly talented player who was forced to score 30+ a game in order for them to COMPETE. The Lakers are mirroring those Bulls and Kobe Bryant is looking alot more like that Michael. Are we witnessing the evolution of Kobe Bryant into the next greatest of all time? His recent tear of 62, 45, 48, and 50 points is nothing short of incredible... but can he keep it up? Can he will the Lakers to the playoffs and perhaps the second round? Can he continue to make Smush and company better? Only time will tell.</div> Nice insight Fiyah. Kobe is definitely on track to be one of the all time greats, but I don't think he's doing enough to be the greatest of all time. I think he's establishing himself as the best player in the game today this season. He is leading this team of inconsistent players to a winning season and I expect the Lakers to return to the playoffs this year. Depending on who where the Lakers are seeded it's possible for them to win a 7 game series. Kobe Bryant gives them a chance to win any game against any opponent. By default Kobe makes the game easier for his teammates, not only on offense, but also on defense. When the spacing is correct and the offense is flowing properly, the Lakers can hit 100 points easily with everyone getting involved. The problem this year has been the consistency of running the offense, and when it's not working and the Lakers are down, it's Kobe's role to take the game over. Right the Lakers and the coaching has been a step ahead in their adjustments and preparations. Early in the season the Lakers were winning games by trying to defend Kobe one on one. Then adjustments were made by opponents once they realized the poor spacing by the Lakers and they sent two to three players to swarm Kobe and force him into difficult shots. Kobe had to be taken aside and told he could start counting on his teammates because teams were not going to let him beat them. The adjustment was made and the rest of the team started torching teams when left open. Kobe was drawing the double and triple teams and then kicking it out to Cook for an open look or Sasha for an open look. Now defenses have gone back to isolating Kobe one on one and trying to stop his supporting cast. Teams are counting on Kobe to have an off night to beat the Lakers right now. Kobe is also anticipating double teams and getting his shot off or driving before the second man gets there. He's no longer trying to pump fake and draw the and 1's out on the perimeter. Now he gets the ball and makes a quick move. If the defense collapses he's dishing it out, and if the defense plays isolation on him he's going to take the shot. GiantMidget, as for your comment on Kobe needs to shoot a higher percentage. He has really improved his shot selection and attacking the rim more. He still takes two or three low percentage shots in the game for a heat check or because the shot clock is running down, but overall Kobe's shooting and hitting high percentage shots. Now if people just look at the boxscore and say "he took 30 shots, he's a ballhog." Then you aren't seeing the entire picture. Kobe is taking these shots by design and taking what the defense is willing to give him. He's playing with the proper balance right now and is starting to figure out when to attack and when to facilitate. I expect defenses to adjust again to Kobe and try to get the ball out of his hands. He's just too, good with his decision making right now with the ball and teams are going to force his teammates to step up and win games again. Kobe and his teammates have to recognize this switch and consistently hit the wide open shots Kobe is going to create for them. Getting back to the Bulls-Lakers comparison. The main difference between those teams is the mindset on the court. The Bulls team PJax coached were a lot more physical and intimidating, especially on the defensive end. I think this will be addressed during the summer and you'll see some hardnosed players being brought in via free agency or trades.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe will have to shoot significantly better from the field for there to be any "evolution".</div> HATER ALERT!! -poor kid dosent realize shooting has been scoring like crazy and shooting over 50% from the field in his tearing streak. PS:How those kings doing? k thnx GiantMidget-
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting amador08:</div><div class="quote_post">HATER ALERT!! -poor kid dosent realize shooting has been scoring like crazy and shooting over 50% from the field in his tearing streak. PS:How those kings doing? k thnx GiantMidget-</div> Maybe there wouldn't be so many Kobe haters if you people stopped comparing him to Jordan. the original reason people started hating on Kobe before the rape trial, before the dynasty break up, was that they thought he was doing nothing but biting Jordan's style. If Kobe is ever to be considered a great player he'll have to crawl out of Jordan's shadow that you all put him in. ...and fiyah the lakers are not mirroring the bulls, that's like saying the 06' heat are mirroring the 80's Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Johnnybrasco:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe there wouldn't be so many Kobe haters if you people stopped comparing him to Jordan. the original reason people started hating on Kobe before the rape trial, before the dynasty break up, was that they thought he was doing nothing but biting Jordan's style. If Kobe is ever to be considered a great player he'll have to crawl out of Jordan's shadow that you all put him in. ...and sorry fiyah the lakers are not mirroring the bulls, that's like saying the 06' heat are mirroring the 80's Lakers.</div> I always wondered why people originally hated Kobe. If that's really the case I think it's absurd. Kobe Bryant grew up watching Jordan dominate the league and be touted as the best player ever. If you're playing the same position as Jordan and have the same physical gifts, why wouldn't you want to emmulate his game and strive to become the best ever? Jordan is the blueprint for a lot of players in the league and a lot coming into the league. He's the standard for our generation of players and everyone who resembles him will be compared to him. I can understand why people would hate on him for cheating on his wife and getting accused of rape. I can also understand why people don't like his demeanor and arrogance. Sometimes it translates onto the court in the way he plays the game, but MOST of the time it doesn't and when you take off the blinders you'll see the genius and greatness of Kobe as a player. As for the break-up, I think it's becoming (at least I hope) that Kobe played a minor role in it. Just read some comments from Heat fans on Shaq O'neal. and sorry fiyah the lakers are not mirroring the bulls, that's like saying the 06' heat are mirroring the 80's Lakers I definitely agree with this comment. This team doesn't remind me of the Bulls either.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Johnnybrasco:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe there wouldn't be so many Kobe haters if you people stopped comparing him to Jordan. the original reason people started hating on Kobe before the rape trial, before the dynasty break up, was that they thought he was doing nothing but biting Jordan's style. If Kobe is ever to be considered a great player he'll have to crawl out of Jordan's shadow that you all put him in. ...and fiyah the lakers are not mirroring the bulls, that's like saying the 06' heat are mirroring the 80's Lakers.</div> Yeah I wasn't so much comparing the lakers team to the Bulls team in the sense of their set up sand how they play. I was more comparing the situation. A team of role players dependent on the play of one extremely talented player in order to be competitive in the league.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Just read some comments from Heat fans on Shaq O'neal. </div> I read that whole thing and it was very intresting.
You know what, I'm sorry to Kobe that I've condemned him through over a few threads. By me condemning him I'm not helping the guy, if anything it will just get him angry and defensive through the ignorant slander against him. Although I do not agree with some of his actions in the past, Kobe has just as much potential as anyone to be a good role model and an excellent basketball player. He has the talent, and the coach behind him.
You can't hate Kobe because he's being compared to Jordan. He doesn't control the propoganda or the heat. Kobe is at a point where HE will be in his own category and Jordan will have his. Oh if people hate Kobe because of the comparisons to Jordan, they should take a trip to Cleveland. They gotta guy over there who is getting as much, if not more, glory for attempting to be the next Jordan.
Kobe has not been the first person to be compared to Jordan in the first place. There have been many. Kobe has been the closest thing to Jordans caliber on the floor and thats what all the hate is all about. Many people treat Jordan like a Basketball GOD. Which in my eyes he is not. The fact of the matter is, people will always compare others or themselves to people who they look up to or idolize. Its natural for people to compare Kobe to Jordan. He is also not the first. There have been many "BABY" Jordans. People just pull the trigger to quick cause its well.... Kobe!
Kobe has not been the first person to be compared to Jordan in the first place. There have been many. Kobe has been the closest thing to Jordans caliber on the floor and thats what all the hate is all about. Many people treat Jordan like a Basketball GOD. Which in my eyes he is not. The fact of the matter is, people will always compare others or themselves to people who they look up to or idolize. Its natural for people to compare Kobe to Jordan. He is also not the first. There have been many "BABY" Jordans. People just pull the trigger to quick cause its well.... Kobe!
i think the way kobe is playing and with such confidence lately has brought out the best in his teammates. even though he shoots all the time, the others have their roles. Kwame's been playing like a good role player which is a start. odom is rebounding and passing and smush is playing decent defense and bringing up the ball. Kobe's evolution is that he's being the scorer he's meant to be and not trying to defer to his teammates because thats not his role.
