<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe Bryant is a free man -- and the Los Angeles Lakers are his team. Shaquille O'Neal, Derek Fisher, Gary Payton and Karl Malone are gone, leaving Bryant as the lone superstar. "This is my team to lead," Bryant said Monday, a day before the Lakers open training camp in San Diego. "Shaq was the focal point of the team. Now it's different. Guys are looking to me for leadership, so it's important that I establish what type of team we're going to be." Bryant got a jump on that by phoning each of his teammates, which include nine new players, during the summer to talk about the upcoming season. Most of the team has been working out together informally for the last few weeks.</div> Looks to me Kobe is blossomming into a true leader here... he's not the greatest socialite, but he's definitely very capable of being a leader. The Lakers season depends on you, Kob. Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/bask...p.ap/index.html
And may I add, very professional on the part of Kobe. He even goes on to say that Shaq was the focal point of the team, which is surprising that he didn't flip out and talk trash on Shaq. :thumbsup:
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">And may I add, very professional on the part of Kobe. He even goes on to say that Shaq was the focal point of the team, which is surprising that he didn't flip out and talk trash on Shaq. :thumbsup:</div> <font color="Red">Shows you his class. He's showing that he's not going to get into the vocal jabbing with Shaquille. The drama's already out of L.A. and I'm sure he wants to keep it that way. ALCS</font>
I'm not trying to be all negative, but do you guys think that the Lakers will have that little Magic feeling, like remember last year when T-Mac was just leading the team by his self and got his team that horrible record. Well it looks like Kobe is in the same position. He's all by himself and the biggest thing that surprised me is that now its like T-Mac and Kobe switched places. Tracy used to be all by himself and he is with Yao Ming. But last year Kobe was with Shaq and now this year he is all by him self. So do you guys think that Kobe will be like T-Mac last year and T-Mac and Yao this year will be like Kobe and Shaq last year? Sorry if I confused yall, lol.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KB8_Remix:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not trying to be all negative, but do you guys think that the Lakers will have that little Magic feeling, like remember last year when T-Mac was just leading the team by his self and got his team that horrible record. Well it looks like Kobe is in the same position. He's all by himself and the biggest thing that surprised me is that now its like T-Mac and Kobe switched places. Tracy used to be all by himself and he is with Yao Ming. But last year Kobe was with Shaq and now this year he is all by him self. So do you guys think that Kobe will be like T-Mac last year and T-Mac and Yao this year will be like Kobe and Shaq last year? Sorry if I confused yall, lol.</div> No. Tracy McGrady didn't want to win. Kobe does. It's that simple. Success is measured by a lot of things, but the will to win is by far the most important. If you don't have that, you won't find success.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">No. Tracy McGrady didn't want to win. Kobe does. It's that simple. Success is measured by a lot of things, but the will to win is by far the most important. If you don't have that, you won't find success.</div> Explain how he never wanted to win games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Explain how he never wanted to win games.</div> I didn't say he didn't want to win games. He just didn't want to be a successful basketball player with the Magic. How many times did you see the guy give up during games? I really understand why he felt that way as far as not having any help on his team goes, but you still can't do that. Vince Carter seems to be doing the same thing now...and both of these guys have alot of talent...it's just that you really should stick with a team, or at least honor your contract, for not just the team's sake, but for the fans' sake also. EDIT: Sorry if I wasn't clear enough...that's my fault.
I think Tmac wanted to win, but he didnt know how to..he quit on his team because of the frustration..everyone wants to win..its how bad you want to win that counts...Kobe will be successfull for one reason..he is the hardest working cat in the NBA and he will do what it takes to win..that is the difference between Mac n Kobe..Kobe will not quit.
Well, it's not like Kobe is alone, like T-Mac was. The only other player you could count as a constant contributer (besides T-Mac) for the Magic last year was Howard. On the other hand, Kobe still does have Odom, who is still a very talented player. He also has a strong 6th man off the bench in Bulter, and a decent center in Vlade. He will also possibly have the help of Karl Malone later in the season. So to say Kobe is alone isn't exactly right, eventhough I can't say exactly how good or bad they may end up. We'll have to wait and see, but Kobe does have some help around him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">No. Tracy McGrady didn't want to win. Kobe does. It's that simple. Success is measured by a lot of things, but the will to win is by far the most important. If you don't have that, you won't find success.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I didn't say he didn't want to win games.</div> Looks like a bit of contradiction if you ask me. BTW, he gave up sometimes, because he was so fatigued, and he felt like he was the only one trying out their. Plus, if he didn't want to win, how come he always complained about losing? He just felt like he was the only one trying out their.
Exactly Bobcats. I have read/seen many interviews with Tmac, and he always talks about how hard it is to touch the ball on every possession and then guard the team's best player on D. Tmac does want to be successful, but just had a bad year. Anyone who would say that they guy doesn' want to win has been drinking haterade or is high. The only NBA player that I've heard say they don't care about winning was Cherokee Parks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Looks like a bit of contradiction if you ask me. BTW, he gave up sometimes, because he was so fatigued, and he felt like he was the only one trying out their. Plus, if he didn't want to win, how come he always complained about losing? He just felt like he was the only one trying out their.</div> I already edited and said that I was sorry for the misunderstanding and for not being clear enough. It's not contradiction.
Hey everyone...T-Mac threads are that way > > > The reason I'm saying this is because this thread could easily turn into a Kobe vs. McGrady thread, and it'll be closed.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">I already edited and said that I was sorry for the misunderstanding and for not being clear enough. It's not contradiction.</div> Ok, didn't see that. My fault.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Hey everyone...T-Mac threads are that way > > > The reason I'm saying this is because this thread could easily turn into a Kobe vs. McGrady thread, and it'll be closed.</div> Whatever man....the topic was already on those two when I got here. I just responded.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">Whatever man....the topic was already on those two when I got here. I just responded.</div> No need to respond to my post...it was directed to everyone, to refrain from turning the thread into a Kobe vs. McGrady thread. Simple as that.
Back on topic then, just curious if you guys are aware that this is not the first time Kobe has declared the Lakers are his team. As determined as Kobe is, he usually follows through on what he says. Granted, this time around the Lakers actually are his team, but I'm still a little skeptical. My friends that are Laker fans (and I am not making this up) all tell me that they hate Kobe for what he did in the finals, trying to take over, and not sharing the ball. Kobe HASN'T proven that he can lead, but hasn't had the chance to do it by himself. Why should I have any faith in him? Phone calls are great, but I still think that Kobe will alienate his teammates. Everytime that he brings the ball up he'll alienate Atkins. Everytime he does a spin move in the post, he'll alienate Odom. He'll alienate Rudy every time that he ignores his instructions. My friends who are obsessed with the Lakers have zero faith in Kobe after he "f***** up the finals" (their words). I think he'll make the playoffs, and POSSIBLY win the scorin title. But 50% of teams make the playoffs, so I'm not really impressed by a potential first round exit.
Kobe can be a team leader, and a successful one at that. Everyone, please read this carefully...some of you will understand this, especially those who play ball (I'm sure all of you will understand)... In the triangle offense that the Lakers utilized since Phil/Tex arrived in Los Angeles, the "main artery" of the offense ran from the shooting guard to the center (Kobe and Shaq). These two were the scoring threats. The point guard was the one to begin the triangle with a pass-and-cut...and the two forwards were used to set screens (or double screens) for the shooting guard (this is a typical idea...hard to explain, so bear with me). The Pistons see this...and do the best thing, and that is to double-team the shooting guard (Kobe), put one man on the center (Shaq), and put the power forward in a position to intercept passes in the passing lane (between Shaq and Kobe). Who intercepted passes? Rasheed Wallace. Why would he leave room for Malone to score? Because it wasn't Malone...if you remember right, Karl was injured. So, when you have Prince and Hamilton guarding Kobe, with Rasheed waiting on that pass to Shaq, and Ben Wallace (being quicker than Shaq) waiting for it also...how many turnovers would Kobe throw? Too many, and the Lakers would've lost all of their games. Okay, so you can say that Kobe could've passed to someone else, right? Wrong. Payton was just terrible on offense, at what...4 PPG? Also, Devean George was the only other option, and all he was doing was standing around the arc, waiting for an open shot (three pointer actually). The only way Shaq could've had the ball more times than he did was to actually bring the ball upcourt...which he wouldn't have made it past halfcourt doing that. Kobe was not at fault. Shaq was not at fault. If anyone, it was the rest of the Lakers, not being able to play off the ball. The Pistons did their part, with excellent defense. Malone did his part (however, for the Pistons) when he couldn't provide his services for Los Angeles. This should clear things up.
Its a good sign for the Lakers if Kobe can become a real leader. In the past, he led on the court, but I don't know if his teammates really respected him. Hopefully this will change.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Its a good sign for the Lakers if Kobe can become a real leader. In the past, he led on the court, but I don't know if his teammates really respected him. Hopefully this will change.</div> Are you serious if they didn't respect KB they wouldn't have showed up for training a few weeks earlier then what is spected.
