<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ May 30 2007, 10:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>And that is because Kobe can be arrogant, he is over-confident, and he doesn't think he needs anyone's help... until now. NOW, I think is the turning point for Kobe as a person. I think he finally just received a wake-up call, and he now understands that he can't do it alone. I'm not saying he's a bad person, because I don't think he is, but I think it finally just hit him that he's not invincible.</div>whoa, welcome to 2007 buddy. This wakeup call you speak of already happened. Kobe's known for years that he couldn't do it alone, this year the big story up until people started getting injured was how Kobe was getting everyone involved.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChuckTheD @ May 31 2007, 02:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>whoa, welcome to 2007 buddy. This wakeup call you speak of already happened. Kobe's known for years that he couldn't do it alone, this year the big story up until people started getting injured was how Kobe was getting everyone involved.</div> But I think Kobe just finally realized that he has to have another star beside him, someone he can defer to. Kobe wanted a team to himself, to be the guy, but now he realizes he can't do it... to the point where he couldn't control what came out of his mouth yesterday. And I know the organization apparently didn't follow up on their promise, but up until recently, Kobe thought he could do more than what he has done.
I have no doubt he could come across as a prick but then again how does this make him different than all the other "greats" like Jordan, Kareem etc all who have been considered rather distant etc. Look something has got to give. I mean do you want a winner or a nice guy who doesn't win?Yeah I thought so.I have no issue with it then again I'm not big on psychoanalyzing someone I don't know without all the facts either.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Basketball Fan @ May 31 2007, 02:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I have no doubt he could come across as a prick but then again how does this make him different than all the other "greats" like Jordan, Kareem etc all who have been considered rather distant etc. Look something has got to give. I mean do you want a winner or a nice guy who doesn't win? Yeah I thought so.</div> You don't have to be arrogant to be a winner. Ever heard of Tim Duncan? Yeah, I thought so.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KobeBryant_24 @ May 30 2007, 11:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Prove that he has never hung out with them. Show evidence of him being an a-hole.Let's see some of dat</div>Prove that he has hung out with them. Show evidence that he isn't being an a-hole.Let's see some of datP.S. You're as big a homer as Serge, in my opinion, but just not as stupid.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ May 31 2007, 12:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Regardless, he was still a young kid out of high school still adapting to American life out of Italy.</div> Kobe lived in the United States until he was six years old, went to Italy for 7 years, Kobe stayed and played basketball in Philadephia for 5 years and then was drafted by the Hornets/Traded, so to say he was still adapting to the US is pretty silly. It's not like Italy is a 3rd world country.------------------ Kobe was the only Laker who didn't go to Shaq's 30th birthday party.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ May 31 2007, 01:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You don't have to be arrogant to be a winner. Ever heard of Tim Duncan?Yeah, I thought so.</div>Maybe arrogant isn't the right word but more like confident. Just because Duncan has the personality of a block of wood doesn't mean that he doesn't have an ego. All athletes have an ego some have one that's incredibly out of control and there are those who manage to keep in check like Duncan. You honestly think Tim being passive like he is with the media really gets the attention of his teammates? I'm sure he's harder on them in practice but you don't hear about it because they play for a small market and there's not nearly as much of a media frenzy over them either. I have no issue with arrogance as long as you can back it up on the court. Outside of opposing fans how many people had an issue with Michael Jordan being arrogant?Yeah I thought so.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrewCityBuck @ May 31 2007, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe lived in the United States until he was six years old, went to Italy for 7 years, Kobe stayed and played basketball in Philadephia for 5 years and then was drafted by the Hornets/Traded, so to say he was still adapting to the US is pretty silly. It's not like Italy is a 3rd world country.------------------ Kobe was the only Laker who didn't go to Shaq's 30th birthday party.</div>I think the poster meant that because Kobe came back to the States when he was a teenager he had to adapt to a whole new way of things while going through those awkward teen years. He would be considered an outsider because he lived abroad etc. I mean a lot can change in 7 years.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrewCityBuck @ May 30 2007, 02:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I just heard a story about Kobe. Some guy who drives visiting teams to the arena and hotels and stuff when they are in Cleveland, he said that Kobe was the biggest D*** he's ever seen when L.A. was in town. He said they got to the arena and everyone got off the bus but Kobe, and he stayed in the back for like 20 minutes messing around with his Ipod, putting the driver way off schedule. Then after the game when everyone got on the bus, again, Kobe took forever to get on the bus, and after about a half an hour with everyone waiting around for Kobe to get on, Phil Jackson went up to one of his assistants and told him that if he didn't get Kobe on the bus right now, he's going to go kill him. A dude who's dad works for a bus company, sometimes he drives players to and from the games. Take it for what it's worth. I know the guy (Pronk) from that board, he lives in Cleveland and is very trustworthy.</div>I wouldn't believe Pronk at all. I do think Kobe has those type of personalties though. I could see him being a "Mr. Hollywood" and whatever. But you also got to think of the positives about him. I mean he's very charitable, great bball player, and he seems like a good friend. again I think this is just a hate on Kobe seincerio. And again, why aren't other players ever bashed like this? I mean I heard that Shaq was a bigger Dick then he is tall, but yet you dont hear him being bashed. Why is there always a hate for Kobe?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Basketball Fan @ May 31 2007, 11:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think the poster meant that because Kobe came back to the States when he was a teenager he had to adapt to a whole new way of things while going through those awkward teen years. He would be considered an outsider because he lived abroad etc. I mean a lot can change in 7 years.</div> Yeah, Kobe Bryant who grew up in the US until the age 6 - goes to Italy where his dad is a professional basketball player, lives a comfortable life (and I'm sure he traveled to the US to visit family imbetween these years). He comes back before HS, his family being wealthy and him being 6'6" and a basketball star....and he had Brandy as his date to HS prom.....I doubt Kobe had 'awkward' teen years considering he was a local star. I could consider it being an awkward situation if Kobe was born in Italy and came over here when he was 18 and had problems with the language, but to say him being in Italy gave him problems when he came to the states, give me a break, like I said, I'm sure Kobe traveled back to the US when he was there, he came back when he was 16 to the city he was born in and where he had family and friends.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Basketball Fan @ Jun 1 2007, 12:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Maybe arrogant isn't the right word but more like confident. Just because Duncan has the personality of a block of wood doesn't mean that he doesn't have an ego. All athletes have an ego some have one that's incredibly out of control and there are those who manage to keep in check like Duncan. You honestly think Tim being passive like he is with the media really gets the attention of his teammates? I'm sure he's harder on them in practice but you don't hear about it because they play for a small market and there's not nearly as much of a media frenzy over them either. I have no issue with arrogance as long as you can back it up on the court. Outside of opposing fans how many people had an issue with Michael Jordan being arrogant? Yeah I thought so.</div> You're talking out of you're ass. You are now speculating and assuming that Duncan is harsh in practice. The point of all of this was that you don't have to be an arrogant ***hole to be a star player in this league. That was the point, then you brought up nonsense speculation into this. Also, even if he was more vocal in practice, which he should be, that's a GOOD thing. There is a difference between being a leader and being a prick.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jun 1 2007, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You're talking out of you're ass. You are now speculating and assuming that Duncan is harsh in practice. The point of all of this was that you don't have to be an arrogant ***hole to be a star player in this league. That was the point, then you brought up nonsense speculation into this. Also, even if he was more vocal in practice, which he should be, that's a GOOD thing. There is a difference between being a leader and being a prick.</div>Well I guess I should listen to your stupidity more closely then. Fact of the matter is not everyone is portrayed in the media in a factual manner. Just because someone says the right things in public doesn't mean they were an arse behind close doors. You could say that about Duncan or anyone who appears to be pleasant. At the end of the day you don't really know now do you?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrewCityBuck @ Jun 1 2007, 03:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, Kobe Bryant who grew up in the US until the age 6 - goes to Italy where his dad is a professional basketball player, lives a comfortable life (and I'm sure he traveled to the US to visit family imbetween these years). He comes back before HS, his family being wealthy and him being 6'6" and a basketball star....and he had Brandy as his date to HS prom.....I doubt Kobe had 'awkward' teen years considering he was a local star. I could consider it being an awkward situation if Kobe was born in Italy and came over here when he was 18 and had problems with the language, but to say him being in Italy gave him problems when he came to the states, give me a break, like I said, I'm sure Kobe traveled back to the US when he was there, he came back when he was 16 to the city he was born in and where he had family and friends.</div>Just because someone comes from money doesn't mean they can't have problems I mean how many black people live in Italy? I'm sure the fact that he had to adapt to life in the States on an everyday basis along with growing up as a black man can also cause some problems.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lakers4Life24/7 @ Jun 1 2007, 12:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I wouldn't believe Pronk at all. I do think Kobe has those type of personalties though. I could see him being a "Mr. Hollywood" and whatever. But you also got to think of the positives about him. I mean he's very charitable, great bball player, and he seems like a good friend. again I think this is just a hate on Kobe seincerio. And again, why aren't other players ever bashed like this? I mean I heard that Shaq was a bigger Dick then he is tall, but yet you dont hear him being bashed. Why is there always a hate for Kobe?</div>I didn't just make this thing up, it's all true.
Being an ***hole doesn't make you bad. He's just a hermit, or not too open to others who aren't in his "circle" oh well. BTW, did the driver get overtime?
