ESPN reporting Lakers NOT in mix for Chris Paul

Well clearly you have mental instability if you think Noah > Pau is a more appropriate thread to post.

I respect LeBron a lot more, and he's done a lot more so far. You can ask Shape's posts why.

And you know this how? Be honest, you have no idea.

No I didn't say this. I said I can't stand the Kobe fanbase in general.

Well clearly you have reading problems or dyslexia because I made clear you need to at least account for durability and other metrics.

Well my posts didn't match up with my "avy" which is all that matters.

I've said it repeatedly, I like the art. But if I don't root for LA, and I call Kobe this and this, I'm not a real fan eh?

Even if I was a bandwagon fan, you're still not an intelligent Kobe fan. I've proven this with your lack of basic reading skills.

I've had that avy since forever and I didn't know what team james would be on, It is pretty simple.

You skimming over my very detailed analysis to say Oden > Bryant is just ignorant. Like most of your other posts here.

Well I'm glad I was able to clarify now.

I used to respect La enough to have it in my avy, but Bryant fans are against my views concerning the league. That's all.

 

I respect LeBron more, because I relate with him more. He represents the ideals that I've always supported in sports.

The great epic struggle to turn around one's life, and he has underrated talent.

Are you asking me if I think Kobe is a good player in general? Of course.

That's not what this discussion is about. Relative to his peers is the discussion.

 

Dude, I think I can safely say that 90% of us are Laker fans before we are Kobe fans. We are not a "Kobe fan base" per se, but a LAKER fan base. This is NOT a Kobe forum, but a LAKER forum. It just so happens that we, the Laker fans, are spoiled to have the best player in the game in Kobe Bryant. If a man can lead his team to 5 championships, then yes, he deserves to be in the talks for best player in the game. And if a man gives up in the playoffs (LeBron), then yes, he deserves to lose a lot of respect.

 

It doesn't matter what you want to call it, it is against my values. The question was towards me, and according to your own standards he isn't the best.

The problem is you're a Kobe fan, you can't preach about this. He not only quit in Detroit he got called out by his coach in public and print, and then quit in Phoenix 2006 against a pretty soft defense. Not an elite defense. Of course he's still a great player, but Laker fans like to bitch a lot in a hypocritical manner.

Ok well you focus on some pretty insignificant stuff compared to most of the greats.

You've seen in this very forum why I can't support the Lakers, it is quite obvious. It isn't just some Laker fans (not all either, but enough). I never said, it is wrong to support the Lakers or hate Miami. Do what you want, but I know what is objective. In other sports for example, some players I don't like are clearly superior but I don't go around saying they're inferior.

 

Shape I hope you understand 2006 occurred right? Kobe had the single highest usage rate of all time (touches in other words). His prime is impressive and the season I respect the most, it still doesn't compare. There is a large value in being able to use a high percentage if possessions, James just does that better too.

Share your knowledge then.

If you had anything meaningful to say stay on topic. It is very clear Kobe did not perform to par against the top defenses in this league.

I notice throughout this discussion you just get plain upset/whatever and drop a debate midway through, and then start some new discussion only to let go of it prematurely (some interesting discussions are dropped, I don't mean that completely pejorative). Offensive rating, and for the general masses PPG/TS%/whatever, I have brought it all up. I've made it very easy to comprehend what I'm saying. A lot of this isn't even advanced.

 

Absolutely I agree, I didn't mean to infer that.

Shape I use the very same standards you believe in, to drag the logic out of your mind. You can not continue to say the second best player in the NBA can not realistically lead a team to a title.

Sure I can understand that this is boring and dragged out, I agree.

However what is your position? That your special, subjective opinion discounting all kinds of historic regressions, is the right one. You're the one that needs to write a lot to prove his position.

 

Im going to ask this for the 3rd time. Sorry if you already answered and i missed it but what turned you off to the Lakers HK?

And you claim that you haven't been a fan since mid 2009 but right after the Lakers won while bashing Kobe you said something along the lines of, "Gasol won this one for US." Sounds to me like you were claiming this title just like the rest of us.

 

There's a disconnection in the mind I don't find reasonable, in general. Trust me when I say, if Kobe had the metrics I would respect him. Even if I disliked him personally.

I said late 2009, remember I stopped coming here for a while after that. I do not intend to always create these long discussions either, don't worry.

 

so when you support a team, the players have to perform at their top level statistically to earn respect from you?

look, even if kobe wasnt playing in the way a lot of fans make it out to be, the lakers still won the title, and thats got to count for something. if you cant respect that then you cant respect the system that the nba playoffs work under.

sure, some "laker fans" are really just straight up kobe-nut-suckers, but you are a bit like them as well mate, following lebron the way you have, the way you say you dont follow teams you follow individuals, its the same. dont be so hypocritical. and, also, if people want to ask you a question, just fukin answer it dude, dont give a smart ass comment back to them for some sort of self-gratification, its just plain rude, and to be honest, makes you sound like a bratty teenager. so stop.

 

I don't like every player that performs well, respect is different from that. I respect what the Lakers have accomplished (amazing organization), that's true, I just don't need to like them.

I don't like what this Kobe represents, again I like 2006 Kobe. And I honestly thought I answered that question already. Not sure what else to add. I am the type of person that defends everyone equally and honestly, and I put my emotions away when possible. Even if I dislike player X I will defend him from a silly criticism. I don't honestly think Kobe is a choker either, I'm showing people how the same standard would be applied.

 

What is it about Kobe that has changed so much for the worse since 2006? The guy is the hardest worker in the NBA, not the one with the most God given athleticism ever. He never makes excuses or tells us he has spoiled us and he plays through more injuries than anyone in the NBA. How can you not respect that? All of the represent every thing I value in sports.

I feel like your dislike with some ridiculous Kobe fans, has turned you against Kobe. That just doesn't make sense.

 

I didn't hear any excuses about an elbow, I made them but not him. The media has been spoiled, it was arrogant but true because only he is subjected to certain standards. I don't think one passes like that with just athletic ability. He's also improved his defense to a level I'm not sure I've seen on the perimeter, for a superstar offensive player. His jumper improves every year he's not like Shaq there.

I think Kobe the player I can respect, but most Laker fans say things I can't accept. Anyway another part is just that, everyone else is an obstacle that needs to be taken care of. Clippers, Grizzlies, or Lakers, Kobe's not on my side so I won't support him.

 

No one has been spoiled. He has posted great numbers but each of his seasons ends in failure and disappointment whether its his fault or not. And any standards that he has been held to have been brought on to him by no one other than Lebron James. These things happen when you tattoo "Chosen One" on your back and talk about your self in the third-person. Lets not start to feel sorry for him now.

You told me all these thing about Lebron but still never answered my question. What changes in Kobe since 2006 have changed your opinion of him from positive to negative? The only evidence you have presented me so far is you can't stand the Laker's fans.

I honestly dont care who you pull for and I'm not trying to start an argument with you, I'm only trying to understand where you are coming from and how you could changed from such a huge fan to a hater just like that.

 

Well there's a clear contradiction in the first couple of lines there.

Kobe hasn't changed too much personality-wise, I have. That's the whole point. Even if I dislike someone personally my goals are to be as objective as possible. I've matured as a person and this is my perspective now. I watch James because of the great struggle put against him, and I dislike the silly criticism. In addition I'm a competitive person., I can't stand opponents or obstacles. I respect them, but want to see them crushed in this instance. I don't like what Kobe represents, although you're correct that's because of Laker fans. I only show you how hypocritical comments can be applied to him, I don't doubt that he's a great player.

 

Kobe doesn't represent his fans; We represent him. So instead of hating what he represents, why not hate those that represent him?

 

Ok but even if he was an Angel, and Laker fans were the best, you're still an opponent. I just don't want you to win anything, we should instead.

I don't want 3 rings, i want 6 rings. And for that to happen I wish for everyone's demise on the basketball court. Just business, I do not support him at all. Can't blame me there I would say.