<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">EL SEGUNDO ? Ultra-competitiveness has mostly defined Kobe Bryant's game over the first 10 years of his career. His aggression is perhaps unmatched. Two suspensions and a similar flagrant foul incident in a span of five weeks have sparked conversation on whether that intensity has crossed the line. Bryant reacted strongly when he was again associated with the d-word throughout media outlets this week. "I'm not a dirty player," Bryant said. "I never have been. I never will be." Bryant told reporters at the team's training facility Wednesday he was bothered by the notion in the wake of a third incident last week in which he struck a player in the face. Bryant has been suspended twice since January for similar incidents. Coach Phil Jackson threw gasoline on the fire Tuesday when he said the NBA has a "vendetta" against Bryant, who downplayed the buzz as sports-talk show fodder but was clearly angry. "I'm (ticked) off," Bryant said. "You play your whole career just playing the right way, playing hard and being aggressive. If someone wants to criticize me the way I play on the basketball court, at least make it something that's somewhat realistic. Say I shoot too much. You know what I mean? Don't just knock me for something that's absolutely bad."</div> Source
Kobe has always been playing aggresive and he always threw his arm around after a shot to draw a foul. That should not be called dirty play.
Kobe likes to play the old school style of basketball where if someone keeps coming in for layups you give them something to remember when they try and do it again. He is a bump and grind kinda guy he likes to get physical its his style of play, its not working in todays NBA where if you get hit in the air or in the head its an automatic suspension or flagrant foul. I don't consider him a dirty player though.
<div class="quote_poster">miss3pointer25 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The elbow to Kyle Korver was pretty dirty if you ask me...and 95% of the rest of the world.</div> It was dirty because you're a Kyle Korver fan. You've also got a little crush on him, which you've made evident with your posts. If you've seen Kobe play more than 5 times, you know that that elbow motion he made is a very natural and common move by him and a lot of other players in the league. He uses it all the time to clear out. It really looks like he thought Korver was closer than he really was and he tried clearing out...but since nobody was there, it sailed up to his face. Oh, but wait...with this post, people will call me blind!
You can only get accidentally caught up in these situations a certain amount of times, until you have to really ask yourself why it keeps happening. I think Kobe's an aggressive player, sometimes cheap, and gets him caught up in these elbows and cheapshots. He's certainly not at the level of a Bruce Bowen, but there's no doubt that he's pushing the limits of the rulebook in an attempt to beat his opponent. I mean, there's a reason that every other player in the league doesn't hit someone in their "natural basketball movements." If he truly resents that label, he should make a concerted effort not to hit someone, instead of coming off a suspension and doing the exact same thing again.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It was dirty because you're a Kyle Korver fan. You've also got a little crush on him, which you've made evident with your posts. </div> It was not dirty because you're a Kobe Bryant fan. You've also got a little crush on him, which you've made evident with your posts. But seriously, even if he wasn't connecting with people's faces, it's still a cheap move. Swinging your arm in order to get a cheap foul call... that should be considered by no one as a natural basketball move.
<div class="quote_poster">44Thrilla Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It was not dirty because you're a Kobe Bryant fan. You've also got a little crush on him, which you've made evident with your posts.</div>post of the year! LMAO
You gave me a good laugh with that joke, I left myself wide open. I just don't get why the league has let Bryant play like this for years and now they decide to crack down. Once again, I don't care if they suspend him...as long as they're consistent with every player in the league. As for the Korver elbow, it was nothing. Kobe does that movement all of the time, he's done it for a long time, as well. If it was off of the ball, than it would've been worse. If the league goes back and watches game tapes, they'll see Kobe clearing out with his arm like that nearly every time he drives.
<div class="quote_poster">44Thrilla Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It was not dirty because you're a Kobe Bryant fan. You've also got a little crush on him, which you've made evident with your posts. But seriously, even if he wasn't connecting with people's faces, it's still a cheap move.</div> Lol I'm glad I didn't make that comment (btw Mamba AND 44 are right to an extent). However I've said this before, I do think Kobe was being somewhat dirty. However I don't think he should have ever been suspended, just given a flagrant foul or two; the NBA is inconsistent with their rulings. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Swinging your arm in order to get a cheap foul call... that should be considered by no one as a natural basketball move.</div> Yes agreed, but Wade uses tactics to draw phantom fouls so Kobe should not be held to a higher standard.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It was dirty because you're a Kyle Korver fan. You've also got a little crush on him, which you've made evident with your posts. If you've seen Kobe play more than 5 times, you know that that elbow motion he made is a very natural and common move by him and a lot of other players in the league. He uses it all the time to clear out. It really looks like he thought Korver was closer than he really was and he tried clearing out...but since nobody was there, it sailed up to his face. Oh, but wait...with this post, people will call me blind!</div> Haha was going to tell that kid the same thing. Thanks for saying it
LEts see Baron DAvis swung out of frustration at the air.... didnt connect with anyone or anything.... yet he got a one game suspension.... undeservedly..... 5 days after the fact... If the league was truly consistent Bryant would get at least 2 games for his first offense because of the contact made....and at least 3 for the korver incident... what a joke ..... the NBA has a vendetta against me....whaaaaaaa!!1 it is funny this clown cries everytime....when in fact he is the one putting himself in these positions.... he was the one that raped the chick (alledgedly) ,,,, whether you believe her or bryant ...the fact remains.... he put himself in the wrong place and in that position. cheating on his wife..... wrong place.... multiple times He is constantly worried about his image.... yet we all know why..... not because he cares what people think of him, but how the marketing world will react.... image = dollars Maybe if he wants a clean image he should perform and live a clean life
<div class="quote_poster">boogielew Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">LEts see Baron DAvis swung out of frustration at the air.... didnt connect with anyone or anything.... yet he got a one game suspension.... undeservedly..... 5 days after the fact... If the league was truly consistent Bryant would get at least 2 games for his first offense because of the contact made....and at least 3 for the korver incident... what a joke ..... the NBA has a vendetta against me....whaaaaaaa!!1 it is funny this clown cries everytime....when in fact he is the one putting himself in these positions.... he was the one that raped the chick (alledgedly) ,,,, whether you believe her or bryant ...the fact remains.... he put himself in the wrong place and in that position. cheating on his wife..... wrong place.... multiple times He is constantly worried about his image.... yet we all know why..... not because he cares what people think of him, but how the marketing world will react.... image = dollars Maybe if he wants a clean image he should perform and live a clean life</div> You made some valid points but at the end of your post you criticize him for something a majority of the players in this league (including people from your beloved Warriors) do.
Kobe Bryant was never found guilty of rape. What he did was wrong, definetly, but he was never found guilty. I think huevonkiller posted some nice points about the trial in the Warriors forum a long time ago about why Kobe was innocent.
I agree 120% with Chutney and 44thrilla. If he's so worried about his image as a dirty player, maybe he should change up his so called 'natural basketball movements' of flailing his arms in random directions in order to get cheap calls. Pretty much just admitted to flopping in that interview there didn't he...
<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">s agreed, but Wade uses tactics to draw phantom fouls so Kobe should not be held to a higher standard.</div> ot: Not trying to bring up a Kobe vs. Wade debate again, but pretty much the whole Laker debate against Wade is exactly that. And Kobe is doing the exact same thing. And, as many of you admitted he has been doing it for a very long time. Just thought I'd point that out. Anyway, flopping is an unfortunate part of basketball. The suspensions on Kobe were unwarranted, because it wasn't intentional. He's doing what pretty much every NBA player does, which is act. I really think that Stu needs to see a psychiatrist. Kobe deserved to be reprimanded for his flying arms, but it's not like he's the only one. However, the fact is that lately it's been happening so much to him. He should just treat is a sign that he should adjust, and stop doing it. Because it's only going to get him into more trouble with the league (Well, not so much but. More or less just Stu.) in the future.
<div class="quote_poster">miss3pointer25 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The elbow to Kyle Korver was pretty dirty if you ask me...and 95% of the rest of the world.</div> Then obviously you dont play REAL BALL... Elbows ARE part of the game...
<div class="quote_poster">kobe23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Then obviously you dont play REAL BALL... Elbows ARE part of the game...</div> Just ask Dikembe Mutumbo
<div class="quote_poster">rafy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">ot: Not trying to bring up a Kobe vs. Wade debate again, but pretty much the whole Laker debate against Wade is exactly that. And Kobe is doing the exact same thing. And, as many of you admitted he has been doing it for a very long time. Just thought I'd point that out.</div> When did Laker fans say Kobe doesn't get calls as well? As authentiq kept repeating to you, Wade is the one that gets the most bogus calls and at ridiculous times in the post-season of all places. That said, I'd like to see Kobe stop with the dubious flailing motion. I'm pretty sure he will, though I bet Wade will not alter his game one bit (unless due to injury).
