yeah rite... Sun-Sentinel WINDERMAN: Bryant only makes himself look bad Published October 17, 2004 <font color="DarkRed"> <font size="1">article removed. If you are going to post articles post 2-3 paragraphs of said article and a link to the original site of the article. ~Dre</font></font>
Laker fans and posters...please, allow me to handle this one I'll be back in a few minutes, then I'll end this discussion before it starts. Okay...here I go... In a total of three preseason games (mind you, this is still preseason), Kobe Bryant has averaged 35 minutes a game, with 22.7 PPG. Too high? Not exactly. He's also averaging 5.3 assists per game...and I'm sure it would be slightly higher come the regular season. Still not convinced? Kobe is shooting 44%...not far below his career average of 45%, in which he was "supposedly" getting alot of open shots due to Shaq. Not good enough? Let's talk Ray Allen who, in the Seattle/Los Angeles preseason game on the 12th, shot more attempts than Kobe and almost played just as many minutes. Allen - 10-22 shooting (45% shooting), in 38 minutes, and 4-9 from downtown (44%) Kobe - 13-21 shooting (62% shooting), in 41 minutes, and 7-13 from downtown (54%) If I were Ray Allen, I would watch what I say. He has no room to talk, considering his Sonics were ranked 29th on the Power Rankings. As far as McGrady goes...he's playing 24 minutes a game, but is shooting 37% with a scoring average of 12PPG. Who cares? This is just another instance of guys finding reason to believe that Kobe and the Lakers will fail, when in actuality, our team is looking really good. Critics will always attack Kobe and point fingers, but the fact of the matter is that we are developing team unity. Kobe scored 35 in his first game...but in the others, calmed down as far as shooting goes and in his game against the Warriors, threw 8 assists along with 6 boards. The game against the Kings? Five assists, five boards...similar stats than his previous years, yet it's still only preseason. Shaq is better than Kobe? I am almost doubting that Shaq will even be active come Christmas...already missing preseason games. I'm not going to get into that aspect...I've said enough already.
That block on Allen was sick tho, wasn't it? Allen has always played great against kobe, no doubt about it. But considering his own situation, he is in no position to be criticizing other players IMO... At any rate, I agree with realdealbneal about the Christmas game. I just have this feeling that either Shaq or Kobe will be injured when that game comes around (more likely Shaq). Things hyped this early never pan out it seems
Ray Allen like everyone else is more than welcome to share their opinions, his opinion means alot more than maybe others due to his high status and been known now as an NBA vet. What Allen said was correct, some of the things he stated may of been harsh but there was nothing to disagree with. Kobe will get amazing stats but like Ray mentioned he will soon find out what It's like to be the main focus of teams defenses. As for the topic, It should not even be debatable. Shaq is better than Kobe. Any non homer can see that. Shaq may miss some games but he should still play around 65-70 games I would expect, he is in much better shape.
Okay, Shaq is better than Kobe? They are two completely different players. Shaq, at his position, is arguably the best. Kobe, at his position, is arguably the best. Yao Ming has been in the league for a few years now, and is getting better. We don't know how good he may be, but I doubt anyone will be as dominant as Shaq. Then again, how many dominant centers are there compared to shooting guards? Yao and Ben Wallace are the only two true centers that are considered "stars" in the league (other than Shaq). There can be points made for Jamaal Magloire and Brad Miller, but the concept is that there aren't very many others. Other than Kobe...you have Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, LeBron James...you get the picture. Even upcoming talent like Ben Gordon...these guys pose a threat to teams, and are considered All-Star guards. Until 5 centers are drafted in the top 10, and they each look like the Shaq back in his days as an Orlando Magic, there won't be much competition for him...so to say that Shaq is better than Kobe, it's ludicrous, and vice versa. That's like saying that Wilt was better than Jordan, or Jordan was a better player than Magic...it just doesn't have any credibility, because they all are different players. But...on a side note...who's more of a complete player: Kobe or Shaq? Speed, dribbling, penetration, shooting, driving, leaping ability, defense, passing...Kobe has it won on all sides except for strength and rebounding. Is it fair? No...different players, different assets.
True,Shaq to Kobe shouldnt be compared to each other as individual players,they are both completely different when it comes to playing style. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I am almost doubting that Shaq will even be active come Christmas...already missing preseason games.</div> Well you cant really use that against Shaq,he has missed preseason games,but I am sure if they were regular season games he would be playing.If players have the tiniest of aches in preseason I am sure coaches and team docs will probably not play them. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq may miss some games but he should still play around 65-70 games I would expect, he is in much better shape.</div> I dont think its fair to say that,both players have been working hard this offseason and I doubt that anyone could be able to determine who is in better shape.
that block on Ray Allen was sooo sick!! even Ray thought it was sick, cuz he got sick afterwards. damn Kobe you didnt have to kill Ray :mrgreen:
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting yanix:</div><div class="quote_post">that block on Ray Allen was sooo sick!! even Ray thought it was sick, cuz he got sick afterwards. damn Kobe you didnt have to kill Ray :mrgreen:</div> Actually that play only made Ray motivated to kill the Lakers from deep. After that play I believe Seattle went on a huge run and won the game. The block was very nice but as always was overhyped by many Kobe fans. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I dont think its fair to say that,both players have been working hard this offseason and I doubt that anyone could be able to determine who is in better shape.</div> I was talking purely about Shaq, meaning he is much better shape from a year ago.
I don't think Shaq's is arguable at his position yet, Yao is good but no one really argues that he's better than Shaq, Kobe has Tmac to compete with, people still argue that he is better pr as good, but Shaq has no close competitor like that. Yao is just younger and has the potential to be better, but really isn't there. I just hope Rashard Lewis isn't out for too long, he's scaring me with the foot problem he has.
It's difficult to argue who the better player is. It depends on the criteria you use. By some criteria, Oscar was greater than Wilt. But I'll say this. You take any team in the league, if the coach was given the option of trading one of their players for Kobe or trading one of their players for Shaq next season, I guarantee that most of them would take Shaq. He's just too dominant at his position.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">It's difficult to argue who the better player is. It depends on the criteria you use. By some criteria, Oscar was greater than Wilt. But I'll say this. You take any team in the league, if the coach was given the option of trading one of their players for Kobe or trading one of their players for Shaq next season, I guarantee that most of them would take Shaq. He's just too dominant at his position.</div> That's not fair, either... The Rockets would take Kobe before Shaq, because they are gunning to keep Yao Ming. The Pistons would take Kobe, also (more than likely). Teams like the Clippers and the Hawks would love Shaq, because they have no center. As far as a team like the Spurs...I'd assume they'd take Kobe over Shaq, considering the age and that Kobe has yet to reach his prime. Now, it would be different if we were dealing with a 24-year old Shaq, but we aren't.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">That's not fair, either... The Rockets would take Kobe before Shaq, because they are gunning to keep Yao Ming. The Pistons would take Kobe, also (more than likely). Teams like the Clippers and the Hawks would love Shaq, because they have no center. As far as a team like the Spurs...I'd assume they'd take Kobe over Shaq, considering the age and that Kobe has yet to reach his prime. Now, it would be different if we were dealing with a 24-year old Shaq, but we aren't.</div> Age shouldn't be much of a factor, because I only meant for one season. The Rockets might take Kobe over Shaq, simply because they couldn't play Yao and Shaq at the same time. The Pistons also are overstocked with their big men, so they'll probably take a wing player like Kobe over Shaq. I can't think of many other teams, though, which would take Kobe over Shaq next year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Ray Allen like everyone else is more than welcome to share their opinions, his opinion means alot more than maybe others due to his high status and been known now as an NBA vet. What Allen said was correct, some of the things he stated may of been harsh but there was nothing to disagree with. Kobe will get amazing stats but like Ray mentioned he will soon find out what It's like to be the main focus of teams defenses. As for the topic, It should not even be debatable. Shaq is better than Kobe. Any non homer can see that. Shaq may miss some games but he should still play around 65-70 games I would expect, he is in much better shape.</div> Hey may be a bigger key to the team's success but he isn't better than Kobe. Shaq's skills include missing chippies, throwing bricks fomr the charity stripe, and running his mouth like Niagara Falls. He relies on power way too much. He has no "skills"
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RJ 21:</div><div class="quote_post">Hey may be a bigger key to the team's success but he isn't better than Kobe. Shaq's skills include missing chippies, throwing bricks fomr the charity stripe, and running his mouth like Niagara Falls. He relies on power way too much. He has no "skills"</div> Well those "no skills" led you to 3 NBA championships. You are also wrong If you do actually think Shaq has no skills. His foot movement and quickness in the post is not easy for someone his size to do. When Kobe wins championships and MVP's as the focal point of the offense let me know.
Dude, this is like comparing Apples and Oranges. How can you say shaq is better than Kobe, or Kobe is better than Shaq? They play different positions. They jobs are different. Why is this even a topic? If we say shaq is better because his FG percentages are higher, you must be on drugs. If you say Kobe is better than Shaq because he slashes, attacks the basket, and hits clutch shots, your high as well. They are both superstars, they both play with high energy, and both can play ball. Both have won games for their respective team. Whats the deal. Kobe is never going to go one on one with Shaq an entire game. You cant compare the two. Its not possible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Well those "no skills" led you to 3 NBA championships. You are also wrong If you do actually think Shaq has no skills. His foot movement and quickness in the post is not easy for someone his size to do. When Kobe wins championships and MVP's as the focal point of the offense let me know.</div>Kobe has not had the opportunity to play alone yet. So now lets see if he can win MVP's and championships. Give him time, it will happen. It took Shaq to come to the Lakers to win. He played 4 years in orlando besides Penny, Scott, Anderson, and Grant and could not win a title. He was dominant, but at the time someone was better. "THE DREAM"... Lets all give Kobe a few years without Shaq before everyone starts talking ish that Kobe cant carry a team. The season hasn't even started yet, and already people are sayin no more titles for Kobe. The Lakers are a lottery team. Lets just see. ------------- BTW, comparing KOBE to SHAQ is like comparing Apples and Oranges. How can you say shaq is better than Kobe, or Kobe is better than Shaq? They play different positions. They jobs are different. Why is this even a topic? If we say shaq is better because his FG percentages are higher, you must be on drugs. If you say Kobe is better than Shaq because he slashes, attacks the basket, and hits clutch shots, your high as well. They are both superstars, they both play with high energy. Both of them are perhaps the best in their position right now. Shaq the most dominant Center by far right now, and Kobe, can be considered the one of the best if not the best Guard in the NBA right now as well. We cant say Shaq won all the titles because Kobe was playin beside him. We cant say Kobe won the titles because he had Shaq beside him. <u>Neither have won ish alone. NEITHER of THEM! KEEP THAT IN MIND PEOPLE</u>. Now we'll see who can walk the talk, since they are not playin together anymore.
