<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">Clearly you think a good supporting cast improves a player if you thought Shaq made Kobe better. </div> Are you saying Shaq was a part of Kobe's "support cast"? We just have to disagree on that one.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you saying Shaq was a part of Kobe's "support cast"? We just have to disagree on that one.</div> Yeah I would say that, IMO a teammate is always your supporting cast. When Shaq was doing his part, Kobe was part of his supporting cast. Shaq was Kobe's support when he was on the move. Teammates = supporting cast, no matter who it is.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">That is my point; Kobe cannot carry a team single-handedly to the playoffs and past the first round. Allen Iverson can, and has, Tracy McGrady can, and has, Dwyane Wade carried his team through the playoffs and, although he could never quite do it, LeBron has the ability to carry a team on his back and only just missed out in both seasons he has been in the League. So, I'm not saying that Kobe is a bad player, but his selfish, temperamental attitude do nothing to help his cause, whereas others in the League will look to pass-first and try to get on with their team-mates. Simple, Kobe has great ability, but: His ability is not the best in the League. His temper is one of the worst in the League. His ball-hogging tendencies lower my estimations of him</div> First off- What year was it that Tmac got past the first round? Because if I recall correctly he's blown two 3-1 series leads..... As for ability? No one has the complete package like Kobe. Kobe's defense is better than all those players u mentioned except Iversons. Add to that the best one-on-one skills since MJ, I don't think you can find anyone with more ability than him. As for best player- I'm not even going to get into that.
How can anyone say Kobe's ability isn't the best in the league??? He has to be the most athletic and talented players in the NBA right now. About half of being the best is how you handle your team also. I'll admit the Lakers don't have the best team in the NBA but the Lakers are 5-2 in December which is pretty good considering they're a garbage cleaning team, while teams like Cleveland, Houston, Philly, and Miami have been on some losing streaks in the past weeks. Now you have Lebron who has Larry Hughes, Damon Jones, Ilgauskas, and Donyell Marshall on a team who has lost 6 out of their last 10, and Lebron is supposed to be labeled as the new guru of basketball players. Cavs are at a 11-8 record. Dwayne Wade has Walker, Williams, Payton, Mourning and they have been just dreadful to the point the Lakers can surpass their record. See how great the Heat are Without Shaq. Miami has lost 6 out of 10 giving them a 10-10 record overall. T-Mac has Yao Ming, Stromile Swift, Derek Anderson, Rafer Alston and David Wesley. They losing countless games losing 7 out of their last 10 at a record of 7-12. Allen Iverson has Chris Webber, a sharpshooting Kyle Korver, Samuel Dalembert, Jamaal Mashburn, and Andre Igoudala. Now Philly has lost 6 out of their last 10 giving them a 10-11 record. Kobe has Lamar Odom, who's production is highly unpredictable, and supporting players that aren't neccessarily household names but are putting in points and doing their part. Now the Lakers have lost 4 out of their last 10 games giving them a 10-10 record. Cav's 11-8 Heat 10-10 Rockets 7-12 76ers 10-11 Lakers 10-10 Right now, all those teams, except the Lakers, should be winning more games considering the talent they are loaded with. Kobe is basically carrying this team on his back with help from a unpredictable Lamar Odom obtaining a 10-10 record, while the other teams who are losing 6 or more in their last 10 games. Kobe is making nice shots, dishing the ball, and playing smart basketball. To answer the question is Kobe the best? Hell yeah he's the best.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Allen Iverson has Chris Webber, a sharpshooting Kyle Korver, Samuel Dalembert, Jamaal Mashburn, and Andre Igoudala. Now Philly has lost 6 out of their last 10 giving them a 10-11 record.</div> Jamaal Mashburn? I wish. Dalembert? The guy just came back not too long ago. Webber the starting PF is shooting 42% and playing on one leg. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe is making nice shots, dishing the ball, and playing smart basketball. To answer the question is Kobe the best? Hell yeah he's the best.</div> I don't know you're take on this. But that's what the 5'11 Iverson has been doing for 10 years and reached incredible heights in the proccess, but he was always labeled as a selfish ball hog who is only good for scoring. So I'm guessing he is the best right? Logicially it would make him the best.
I came to the realization a long time ago that Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant are the two best players in the NBA. For his size Allen Iverson is the best I've ever seen- Scoring, Defense, Passing, heart. Kobe- Scoring, Athletic, Can pass insanely well when he feels like it, Clutch, Work ethic. The two players are 2 different in size to fairly compare them. But anyone that doesn't acknowledge how much higher above the rest those 2 are shouldn't be in a basketball forum.
He would've eclipsed 80 the way his shot was falling and he was getting to the line, he would have had 8 more trips to the charity stripe if they'd left him in
