We are all aware of what two of the NBA's most recognizable names have gone through in recent history... I am speaking about Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant. Vince Carter came out and said that he didn't always play as hard as he could, which had him lose many former fans including myself. Kobe Bryant was accused of rape, which is one of the worst crimes you could commit in the US besides murder. I now have the question... Who can rebuild their reputation (or who has the better possibility of rebuilding it) - Kobe Bryant or Vince Carter? State your case.
I believe that Vince has a better chance of rebuilding his rep. I my opinion, he has already started. He's starting to be a weekly highlight reel waiting to happen (next Dominique Wilkens?). He needs to be a little tougher and not whine so much (I have a friend that's a total Vince mark and he feels that Vince needs to toughen up and not look like he is suffering a career ending injury every time he's knocked to the floor).
They both have an equal opportunity, but you have to remember that Kobe's rep was hurt alot more than Carter's. Kobe didnt get convicted, and it turned out that the "victim" was just money-hungry. Carter might have said he wasnt playing his hardest, but he still played pretty well, and hes playing even better now so you cant complain much. As your teammates change, so does your game.
I never thought Vince was a problem child at all. I thought he played hard for the Raptors with the exception of this year. Kobe can rebuild his rep if he can learn to take coaching and if he can listen to the veterans who want to help him.
Kobe's image has been tarnished through the media fiercely. People who didn't know anything about basketball know he was on rape charges, right across the globe. Carter had his little hissy fit and is now trying to make up for it. I don't agree with what Carter did, but he has a much better chance of rebuilding his reputation by playing hard (which he needs work on) and consistently at superstar level. No matter what Kobe does, people will think of him being the baller who got off the charge
I would say Vince Carter because what he said or did did not tarnish his career that much as Kobe did. Kobe had so many fans and people behind him before he commited the crime. All Vince has to do is start playing his heart out every night and try to compete.
Vince was never a problem guy, he's always been known as a good guy off the court, and he only didn't play as well as he could at times this season. His rep was never really tarnished, and he also never actually said he didn't try on the court, whether evident or not, he said he only he didn't work in the off-season. Tmac said he coasted through games in Orlando last season, and no one even remembers that, so Carter by a mile.
Carter, definitely. Right now he's already doing part of rebuilding by playing hard and looking like he's playing better than his former self. I mean, it really does seem like he's making a huge effort to push New Jersey into the playoffs and sort of trying to build his rep back. Kobe on the other hand, was accused of rape which is totally different and more severe than just being lazy. Even though those charges were dropped, people will always remember him for it. Although he may play hard every night, I don't think it even matters anymore because of this- and also because of all those offseason problems occuring within the Lakers.
Does anyone think that Kobe can rebuild his reputation? I also failed to mention what I meant by asking if VC could rebuild his reputation. When I said VC, I meant how he was injured for a very long period of time, and lost many of his fans and much of his respect as a player from people like us. Remember, some thought he would be the next Jordan when Vince was arguably in his prime back in Toronto when they went to play Philadelphia in the ECF. The comment he made was really just a side note.
Kobe's image has forever been tarnished. Even if he becomes as good a player as Jordan was, everyone will still be unable to shake off the impression that he once raped someone. Lots of public relations work will have to be done if Kobe wants to shake off the rapist image. Community work, publicized donations and good media response will help him.
Vince Carter has a better chance of earning his reputation back. His incident was only a basketball thing, not a worldwide media frenzy. Not playing hard for a team is pretty damn stupid and telling the media is even more ridiculous but its not a crime. Kobe was up on rape charges. You did not even have to know who he was and you knew about it. He will always have that black cloud over his head to a certain extent, whereby Vince with much hard work, a few victories and a few less interviews with the media will be back to good.
vincanity gotta be vince.... he is already rebuilding a fan base out here in Jersey (the armpit of America) .... his rep was never as bad as kobes has gotten ... not trying is a lot better than rape / adultery and breaking up a three time championship team because he couldnt get along ..... unfortunatly vince is bringing back all the bandwagon fans to the Nets... argh
Easily Vince. Vince has a lot less haters than Kobe, he wasn't accused of rape, and he doesn't have all the pressure's one him that Kobe does. Kobe "forced" Shaq out, but everyone fails to realize Shaq asked for a trade, now Kobe has to lead L.A. to a championship sometime in his career or people will call him a failure and a product of Shaq. Add all that plus the image of cheating on your wife, Kobe's will be a lot harder to clean up.
^well said, all Vince did was be a baby and whine...while Kobe was held charges against him and supposely responsible for shaq's, phil and karl's departure
Both guys are great players. Vince was in a losing situation and was very frustrated, anyone could see why he wanted out of Toronto. As for Kobe there's always going that asterisk * by his name. Vince Carter: 2000 Slam Dunk Champ *Kobe Bryant: 3-Time NBA Champ *Accused of rape, got Shaq traded, got Phil to retire, and had a conflict with Karl Malone That's how I see it.
