Black Mamba is done

[mickeymao34]

Farewell Mamba!

[mickeymao34]

Mamba

[Steve D]

Thank God!

Maybe now, I can get back to being a Laker fan.

I grew up as a Laker fan back in the 1970s and 1980s. Stopped being a fan when they chose Bryant over Shaq. I vowed I would never be a fan of the Lakers as long as Bryant was on the team.

What can I say, I have a thing against rapists. You can add to that, the fact that he then lied about it and bought his way out of it.


Steve

[ooo-ribay]

Don't let the door hit you in the ass.

Actually, let it hit you in the ass and knock you down the stairs as well.

Go hang out with Ray Lewis.

[JoeyFarino]

Thank God!

Maybe now, I can get back to being a Laker fan.

I grew up as a Laker fan back in the 1970s and 1980s. Stopped being a fan when they chose Bryant over Shaq. I vowed I would never be a fan of the Lakers as long as Bryant was on the team.

What can I say, I have a thing against rapists. You can add to that, the fact that he then lied about it and bought his way out of it.


Steve

Wow sounds like youre being a hater. Kobe was wayyyyyy more valuable than shaq and dominated the league for years. His playing ability and competitiveness was unmatched. You sound real salty and bitter. And the fact that you brought up the whole rape issue is just retarded imo

[Steve D]

And the fact that you brought up the whole rape issue is just retarded imo


I suppose you think it's OK to rape someone, as long as you're able to get away with it.

I sure hope you never have kids!


Steve

[Dewey]

Well, that went sour in a hurry.

Charges were never filed against Kobe in the sexual assault case. To call him a rapist is inserting a verdict where there never was one (regardless of my personal thoughts of guilt on the matter).

That said, I'm no Kobe fan. The Lakers will be better off when 1) he's gone and 2) their ownership and front office can pull its head out of its rear.

[mickeymao34]

Dewey Haters abound. Way of justifying they're hate . Hate or like..dude is iconic and can ball and has his place in NBA history. Is he the greatest Laker player ever? Hell no...but in top 10. Love him or hate him he was a gamer with a killer work ethic that is virtually non existent in today's watered down version of the NBA.

[ooo-ribay]

Well, that went sour in a hurry.

Charges were never filed against Kobe in the sexual assault case. To call him a rapist is inserting a verdict where there never was one (regardless of my personal thoughts of guilt on the matter).

That said, I'm no Kobe fan. The Lakers will be better off when 1) he's gone and 2) their ownership and front office can pull its head out of its rear.

A payoff to the accuser is never a good look.

I won't hate his game but I will hate the player.

[mickeymao34]

Young Mamba

[mickeymao34]

Rookie Mamba set

[JustinD]

Not going on a rampage, but I will be watching basketball for the first time in well over a decade next season. I promised years ago I was done till that clown retired.

81 points and 2 assists is not worth celebrating. It's the proof of the death of the "team" in basketball.

Maybe the good days of the excitement of those late 80s teams may return some day, but I doubt it.

My son loves the game, but we have agreed to disagree.

[mickeymao34]

Not going on a rampage, but I will be watching basketball for the first time in well over a decade next season. I promised years ago I was done till that clown retired.

81 points and 2 assists is not worth celebrating. It's the proof of the death of the "team" in basketball.

Maybe the good days of the excitement of those late 80s teams may return some day, but I doubt it.

My son loves the game, but we have agreed to disagree.

80s BBall was THEE best era in BBAll period. Never too return no matter who leaves or comes into the game. Today's game is boring to say the least. Zero rivalries, Zero competitive nature, Zero teams hating other teams.. days gone by.. sux

[Peter_Spaeth]

There is no denying his extraordinary talent, and there were times when he shot because there was nobody worth passing to from what I could tell, but he had no class in my opinion. In that respect he did not hold a candle to Magic Johnson.

[mickeymao34]

There is no denying his extraordinary talent, and there were times when he shot because there was nobody worth passing to from what I could tell, but he had no class in my opinion. In that respect he did not hold a candle to Magic Johnson.

+1

[mickeymao34]

Not going on a rampage, but I will be watching basketball for the first time in well over a decade next season. I promised years ago I was done till that clown retired.

81 points and 2 assists is not worth celebrating. It's the proof of the death of the "team" in basketball.

Maybe the good days of the excitement of those late 80s teams may return some day, but I doubt it.

My son loves the game, but we have agreed to disagree.

Justin, 81 pts, whether you like him or not, is a big deal especially in the modern era and they did come from behind to win that game. In the season that Wilt scored 100 pts he was averaging 2 assist per game. That being said your hate for the dude is noted but the guy can play.

[mickeymao34]

Wow sounds like youre being a hater. Kobe was wayyyyyy more valuable than shaq and dominated the league for years. His playing ability and competitiveness was unmatched. You sound real salty and bitter. And the fact that you brought up the whole rape issue is just retarded imo

well said!

[Scott Garner]

There is no denying his extraordinary talent, and there were times when he shot because there was nobody worth passing to from what I could tell, but he had no class in my opinion. In that respect he did not hold a candle to Magic Johnson.

+1 Showtime, Baby!

[Dewey]

I'll say this, I'd almost rather watch Kobe's last game than watch Alex Wood try and throw a strike. Holy crap. First sign of Chris Hatcher and I'll switch to the Lakers.

[ooo-ribay]

Mike - tho it's hard for me to reconcile, I know you're a good guy and a Laker fan (((( shudder ))))). I will admit I'm biased....starting with the d**gers but definitely continuing to the lakers, I have always despised all LA teams. But, bias aside, I have always appreciated an unrepentant a**hole like Barry Bonds over these phony a**holes like kobe, arod, ray lewis, etc. Part of it is wishing Barry could have just been a little phony nice. Had he been, he may make the HOF.

[BBSD]

Watch the Warriors. Wondeful team basketball! And a bunch of solid citizens to boot.

[JoeyFarino]

I suppose you think it's OK to rape someone, as long as you're able to get away with it.

I sure hope you never have kids!


Steve

Dude im sorry but that was a ignorant response. You need to go to another forum with that BS

[mickeymao34]

Legendary Final game ! 60pts! Mamba feeds on your hate ! WoW gotta be GREATEST Final game for a player ever!

[sbfinley]

Amazing. 60. That is all.

[JoeyFarino]

Legendary Final game ! 60pts! Mamba feeds on your hate ! WoW gotta be GREATEST Final game for a player ever!

We should pitch in and buy steve D a kobe jersey...lol

[mickeymao34]

Mamba Out!

[mickeymao34]

We should pitch in and buy steve D a kobe jersey...lol

ICONIC.. Story book ending...Say what you want bout the dude but WOW! Hate on! I'm willing to pitch in!

[mickeymao34]

Dude im sorry but that was a ignorant response. You need to go to another forum with that BS

joey, haters will say anything so no surprise.

[Bestdj777]

And the fact that you brought up the whole rape issue is just retarded imo

Comparing someone to the mentally disabled, for any reason, is completely unnecessary and is insulting. No need to use that word.

[ullmandds]

WOW! What a way to go out for kobe. When I heard I assumed both teams "fed" kobe the ball the whole game...NOT THE CASE!

Kobe had flashes of curry last night!!

Here you go haters!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQYz0I5dE_A

[Steve D]

First off, Kobe Bryant is an excellent (perhaps all-time great) player. He just had probably the greatest final game in the history of pro sports, when only considering the individual performance. It was a great way to go out, although personally, I prefer the way Peyton Manning and John Elway went out in their last games.

That being said, it does make one wonder, where was Kobe the rest of the season. The Lakers finished the season 17-65. Last season, they were 21-61. They year before that, 27-55 (each season worse that the previous) Where was Kobe? One could wonder if he was simply saving himself for the final bow; that he was mailing it in the entire season...that he didn't care. He should have been elevating his teammates' performances, so that they could all feed off each-other.

That leads me to the biggest problem I have with Bryant on the court; that he is not a Leader. He does not, and never has, made any of his teammates better. He was/is all about himself. Michael Jordan, as great as he was individually, made his teammates better. Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc, Dennis Rodman, et al...became better playing with MJ. The San Antonio Spurs.....they get players who sacrifice for the TEAM; they make each-other better; and as a result, they win Championships!

Kobe Bryant is also the #1 reason Shaquille O'Neal left the Lakers! Kobe drove him away. Kobe couldn't handle having any teammate who competed with him for individual supremacy. Kobe didn't care about the TEAM! If Kobe would have worked with Shaq, each of them feeding off each-other, there is no telling how many championships the Lakers would have won! Instead, Shaq left, and the Lakers declined into an absolute laughing-stock.

Anyway, Kobe Bryant is now done, and the Lakers can get on with building a team that truly deserves to wear the purple and gold!

Steve

[Scott Garner]

First off, Kobe Bryant is an excellent (perhaps all-time great) player. He just had probably the greatest final game in the history of pro sports, when only considering the individual performance. It was a great way to go out, although personally, I prefer the way Peyton Manning and John Elway went out in their last games.

That being said, it does make one wonder, where was Kobe the rest of the season. The Lakers finished the season 17-65. Last season, they were 21-61. They year before that, 27-55 (each season worse that the previous) Where was Kobe? One could wonder if he was simply saving himself for the final bow; that he was mailing it in the entire season...that he didn't care. He should have been elevating his teammates' performances, so that they could all feed off each-other.

That leads me to the biggest problem I have with Bryant on the court; that he is not a Leader. He does not, and never has, made any of his teammates better. He was/is all about himself. Michael Jordan, as great as he was individually, made his teammates better. Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc, Dennis Rodman, et al...became better playing with MJ. The San Antonio Spurs.....they get players who sacrifice for the TEAM; they make each-other better; and as a result, they win Championships!

Kobe Bryant is also the #1 reason Shaquille O'Neal left the Lakers! Kobe drove him away. Kobe couldn't handle having any teammate who competed with him for individual supremacy. Kobe didn't care about the TEAM! If Kobe would have worked with Shaq, each of them feeding off each-other, there is no telling how many championships the Lakers would have won! Instead, Shaq left, and the Lakers declined into an absolute laughing-stock.

Anyway, Kobe Bryant is now done, and the Lakers can get on with building a team that truly deserves to wear the purple and gold!

Steve

+1

[Peter_Spaeth]

I don't care much for his persona, as posted, but I don't buy the criticism of him as a basketball player. He won five championships. He was an intense competitor. on both ends of the floor. From what I saw, he looked to score first mainly because there were times when that made sense for the team because he was surrounded by mediocrity. Jordan was just as much in people's faces. He won six, Kobe won five, so what's the basis for saying Jordan was a great team player but Kobe wasn't?

[Steve D]

I don't care much for his persona, as posted, but I don't buy the criticism of him as a basketball player. He won five championships. He was an intense competitor. on both ends of the floor. From what I saw, he looked to score first mainly because there were times when that made sense for the team because he was surrounded by mediocrity. Jordan was just as much in people's faces. He won six, Kobe won five, so what's the basis for saying Jordan was a great team player but Kobe wasn't?



How many more Championships would the Lakers have won/been in contention for, had Kobe been a team player? Just two more, and he'd have more than Jordan does.

I remember seeing/reading reports on ESPN where other players (free agents) basically refused to go to the Lakers because they didn't want to play alongside Kobe. They knew he was a ball-hog and only cared about himself.

Kobe kept the team from being able to sign the top talent. He's a huge factor in his teammates being mediocre.

Steve

[Huck]

Why all the hoopla for Kobe's scoring 60 points in his last game? Granted, 60 points is impressive, until one scratches the surface a little. Kobe took 50 shots! 50! He made 22 of the 50 shots. 50 shots folks, making 22, which is .440%. He was 6 of 21 from 3 point land for .286% and 10-12 from the free throw line.

[Huck]

Legendary Final game ! 60pts! Mamba feeds on your hate ! WoW gotta be GREATEST Final game for a player ever!

Any pro who takes 50 shots is bound to make half of them or in Kobe's case, less than half. Legendary? PUhleeze.....!

[Huck]

Amazing. 60. That is all.

Any pro who takes 50 shots is bound to make half of them or in Kobe's case, less than half. Amazing? I think not.

[Forever Young]

Any pro who takes 50 shots is bound to make half of them or in Kobe's case, less than half. Amazing? I think not.

EXACTLY. Congrats on win 17 Kobe! You set the record for most field goal attempts since 83/84, and extended your career record on most field goal's missed. Oh yeah.. and for being able to pay your way out of a rape. Kobe is a basketball talent. The same way as a good painter can duplicate a Monet. Kobe copied every single thing MJ did on the court. He even chewed his gum like him. I really cannot recall one move he invented/created or added to the game. Well, outside of arguing every call and using a gay slur on the court and getting fined 100k.
50 shots?????
The guy ONLY played for himself. Self proclaimed "Mamba out" buh bye...

[sbfinley]

I'll preface this by stating I've never been a Kobe or Laker fan.

First off, Kobe Bryant is an excellent (perhaps all-time great) player. Scratch perhaps. He just had probably the greatest final game in the history of pro sports, when only considering the individual performance. It was a great way to go out, although personally, I prefer the way Peyton Manning and John Elway went out in their last games.

That being said, it does make one wonder, where was Kobe the rest of the season. Old and Hobbled The Lakers finished the season 17-65. Hamstrung by line of bad contracts Last season, they were 21-61.Still Hamstrung They year before that, 27-55 Paying bad contracts (each season worse that the previous) Where was Kobe? Injured, Injured, then Old and Hobbled One could wonder if he was simply saving himself for the final bow; that he was mailing it in the entire season...that he didn't care. You do realize he shot 50 times just for giggles in his last game. He should have been elevating his teammates' performances, so that they could all feed off each-other.

That leads me to the biggest problem I have with Bryant on the court; that he is not a Leader. He was an assassin like Jordan, who well, was a dick too He does not, and never has, made any of his teammates better. He was/is all about himself. Michael Jordan, as great as he was individually, made his teammates better. He also tried to fight them all in practice, all of them, except Robert Parish who challenged him back and he stepped down Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc, Dennis Rodman, et al...became better playing with MJ. The San Antonio Spurs.....they get players who sacrifice for the TEAM; they make each-other better; and as a result, they win Championships! The Spurs are amazing to watch, I'll give you this one.

Kobe Bryant is also the #1 reason Shaquille O'Neal left the Lakers! Kobe drove him away. Kobe couldn't handle having any teammate who competed with him for individual supremacy. Same could be said of Shaq Kobe didn't care about the TEAM! If Kobe would have worked with Shaq, each of them feeding off each-other, there is no telling how many championships the Lakers would have won! Instead, Shaq left, and the Lakers declined into an absolute laughing-stock. You do realize they won two championships after Shaq left? Right? Two. After. Two.

Anyway, Kobe Bryant is now done, and the Lakers can get on with building a team that truly deserves to wear the purple and gold! The are currently hamstrung by a line of bad trades and draft picks that aren't looking solid. Unless something drastic happens they will struggle for the foreseeable future. Also you must not follow TMZ.

Steve

[Peter_Spaeth]

How many more Championships would the Lakers have won/been in contention for, had Kobe been a team player? Just two more, and he'd have more than Jordan does.

I remember seeing/reading reports on ESPN where other players (free agents) basically refused to go to the Lakers because they didn't want to play alongside Kobe. They knew he was a ball-hog and only cared about himself.

Kobe kept the team from being able to sign the top talent. He's a huge factor in his teammates being mediocre.

Steve

12 all defensive team selections. Guys who only care about their scoring stats don't play defense that hard. He was an intense competitor. He understood that he needed to score. Maybe the fact that he was an asshole kept people off the team but not that he was a ball hog. If he wasn't about winning, why was he constantly in his teammates' faces?

PS to draw any conclusions from a final tribute-type game is silly.

[chaddurbin]

having lived in socal all my life and experienced it first hand steve d is right on in everything he said. on top of that he's also a walking hypocrite, trying to do a 180 on his narrative this last year.

my best memory of kobe is when the colorado rape stuff started happening he sold out his own teammate and told the police how he should've paid off the women like shaq did...d'angelo learned from the best!

[djson1]

WOW! What a way to go out for kobe. When I heard I assumed both teams "fed" kobe the ball the whole game...NOT THE CASE!

Kobe had flashes of curry last night!!

Here you go haters!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQYz0I5dE_A

Agree! When I heard he scored 60 in his final game, I also thought maybe the other team was just laying down for his finale...but not at all. You can clearly see the opposing players guarding him and getting juked by the senior Kobe. Plus, the Jazz were still trying for that final 8th spot in the Western Conference so I don't think they would let it slip so easily.

Too many haters on here. Just let the guy retire and get the respect he deserves as a player. And for the record, it's not fair to accuse him as being a rapist with no solid evidence of what really happened. The whole story seemed fishy to me.

[FourStrikes]

.

having lived in socal all my life and experienced it first hand steve d is right on in everything he said. on top of that he's also a walking hypocrite, trying to do a 180 on his narrative this last year.

my best memory of kobe is when the colorado rape stuff started happening he sold out his own teammate and told the police how he should've paid off the women like shaq did...d'angelo learned from the best!

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/kobe-bryant-police-interview?page=0

.

[chaddurbin]

Jazz had nothing to play for...kobe is not a rapist in the same vein as oj is not a murderer.

Everybody showed up for his last game all of hollywood jack snoop kanye jay z his old running teammates horry fisher even shaq...so who wasnt there? His parents...thats all i need to know about the guy.

[JoeyFarino]

Any pro who takes 50 shots is bound to make half of them or in Kobe's case, less than half. Amazing? I think not.


HE'S BEEN IN THE LEAGUE 20 YEARS AND IS 37 YRS OLD!!! lol...Youre telling me he wasnt amazing almost all his career??? Come on man that was a ignorant statement

[FourStrikes]

Jazz had nothing to play for...kobe is not a rapist in the same vein as oj is not a murderer.

Everybody showed up for his last game all of hollywood jack snoop kanye jay z his old running teammates horry fisher even shaq...so who wasnt there? His parents...thats all i need to know about the guy.

+100 on the first, +1000 on the last.
.

[JoeyFarino]

Michael Jordan cheated on his wife several times, is known to be a real asshole and was as much self centered on the court if not more than kobe but no one hates on him. I didnt like kobe for a long time but its because I was hating that he was so good, plus Im not a laker fan. But what he did on the court was AMAZING and there hasnt been a player like him since Jordan. If you cant acknowledge what a great player he was you need help

[ooo-ribay]

Lakers sold $1.3M worth of Kobe merch during that game. Broke the previous record of the Led Zeppelin reunion.

I think the Jazz would have been trapping and double teaming if they really cared.

[Huck]

HE'S BEEN IN THE LEAGUE 20 YEARS AND IS 37 YRS OLD!!! lol...Youre telling me he wasnt amazing almost all his career??? Come on man that was a ignorant statement

My comment was directed at "amazing" being used to describe his last game. Kobe took 50 shots to score 60 points.

[JoeyFarino]

My comment was directed at "amazing" being used to describe his last game. Kobe took 50 shots to score 60 points.

:)

[steve B]

Great player ? Probably, although just how great will be debated just like every other great player.

Great guy? Ummm......no.

A bit more fuel for the discussion
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/instead-of-signing-young%e2%80%99s-shoes-kobe-threw-them-away/ar-BBrLV0D?li=BBnb7Kz

Steve B

[JoeyFarino]

Great player ? Probably, although just how great will be debated just like every other great player.

Great guy? Ummm......no.

A bit more fuel for the discussion
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/instead-of-signing-young%e2%80%99s-shoes-kobe-threw-them-away/ar-BBrLV0D?li=BBnb7Kz

Steve B

He's no doubt in the top 10 greatest. He was a asshole but so was Jordan. Some dudes are just that competitive.

[mickeymao34]

Great player ? Probably, although just how great will be debated just like every other great player.

Great guy? Ummm......no.

A bit more fuel for the discussion
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/instead-of-signing-young%e2%80%99s-shoes-kobe-threw-them-away/ar-BBrLV0D?li=BBnb7Kz

Steve B

Big deal Adidas suck and Nike is strict about those under contract not signing anything but Nike. MJ won't touch anything but Nike he caused the big stir with Reebok warmups during DT gold medal presentation. And Swaggy did get a signed pair of Nikes. Hell Brady won't sign anything NOT Under Armour, does that tarnish his golden image. Kobe is a competitive beast that spilled him onto the Ahole side, so what? He wanted to win..at least he didn't cheat in his craft to win trophys like some. This dumping the Adidas was in fun so lighten up. Your hate is noted.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtEP54CZ6Wg

[mickeymao34]

road KB8 rook

[mickeymao34]

KB8 rook wrmup

[Forever Young]

He's no doubt in the top 10 greatest. He was a asshole but so was Jordan. Some dudes are just that competitive.

I love how you try and compare Jordan and Bryant as human beings. There is no comparison other than being well, human beings.That is, from what we have been exposed to. RAPE is not equal to extra marital affairs. Lovi g you parents deeply is not the same as not talking to your parents. The list goes on.
That said, I guess I did bring mj into the comparison earlier.
Either way, glad Kobe is done so kids an start cheering for better role models(hopefully). Curry, so far, is a pretty good man on and off the court.

[mickeymao34]

Sat behind Laker bench during a game in 2011. It was my son Kobe's first ever NBA game. We were later able to procure this actual jersey. Photomatch via our own pics.

[JoeyFarino]

I love how you try and compare Jordan and Bryant as human beings. There is no comparison other than being well, human beings.That is, from what we have been exposed to. RAPE is not equal to extra marital affairs. Lovi g you parents deeply is not the same as not talking to your parents. The list goes on.
That said, I guess I did bring mj into the comparison earlier.
Either way, glad Kobe is done so kids an start cheering for better role models(hopefully). Curry, so far, is a pretty good man on and off the court.

Agree about curry...he seems to be a pretty down to earth guy

[mickeymao34]

Hate or love him, Kobe has his place in NBA history. Last 3 years really blah but overall a fine NBA career. IN 15-20 years he will be mentioned as a great much how Ali is now. Ali was lambasted up and down during his boxing years and now looked kindly on. Dude was never convicted and it was DA's doing to drop the case. The girl refused to testify upon reflecting upon that night. Don't make her to be a angel she aint no nun fosho. If all the knocks on him is this dropped case then its all bout da hate,,, nothing more. Argument about him being a hypocrite? I don't see it in all honesty he was a true arrogant aHOLe from year 3 on and never let up. So he stayed true to that. He doesn't deserve any citizenship honors but lets face it dude had game. I'm looking upon him as a iconic player and what he brought to the court and to the game. Majority of these posts has nothing to do with what he brought to the game of BBall just something that happened and dropped 12 years ago. Haters hang onto that cuz that is all you got.

[mickeymao34]

First off, Kobe Bryant is an excellent (perhaps all-time great) player. He just had probably the greatest final game in the history of pro sports, when only considering the individual performance. It was a great way to go out, although personally, I prefer the way Peyton Manning and John Elway went out in their last games.

That being said, it does make one wonder, where was Kobe the rest of the season. The Lakers finished the season 17-65. Last season, they were 21-61. They year before that, 27-55 (each season worse that the previous) Where was Kobe? One could wonder if he was simply saving himself for the final bow; that he was mailing it in the entire season...that he didn't care. He should have been elevating his teammates' performances, so that they could all feed off each-other.

That leads me to the biggest problem I have with Bryant on the court; that he is not a Leader. He does not, and never has, made any of his teammates better. He was/is all about himself. Michael Jordan, as great as he was individually, made his teammates better. Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc, Dennis Rodman, et al...became better playing with MJ. The San Antonio Spurs.....they get players who sacrifice for the TEAM; they make each-other better; and as a result, they win Championships!

Kobe Bryant is also the #1 reason Shaquille O'Neal left the Lakers! Kobe drove him away. Kobe couldn't handle having any teammate who competed with him for individual supremacy. Kobe didn't care about the TEAM! If Kobe would have worked with Shaq, each of them feeding off each-other, there is no telling how many championships the Lakers would have won! Instead, Shaq left, and the Lakers declined into an absolute laughing-stock.

Anyway, Kobe Bryant is now done, and the Lakers can get on with building a team that truly deserves to wear the purple and gold!

Steve

Steve, Kobe was a big part of Shaq's departure but not the whole reason. Shaq was in contract year and a demanded a enormous figure and would not budge on it. Diesel even went public ridiculing Dr.Buss for not having contract finalized. Kobe was also a free agent that same summer. Put yourself in Dr.Buss's shoes do you sign a older player at MAX dollars and limit yourself to a younger FA? So to say Shaq left for the sole reason of Kobe beef is not 100% accurate. Shaq would have stayed if $$$ were on the table but to give him that kind of loot and also trying to sign Kobe at max dollars made that difficult.

[chaddurbin]

probably the first and hopefully be the last time someone compares kobe to ali.

[mickeymao34]

you totally interpreted this wrong. It is a fact that Ali was hated during his fighting days and became more of an iconic figure later in life. Leave your hate aside.

[Forever Young]

you totally interpreted this wrong. It is a fact that Ali was hated during his fighting days and became more of an iconic figure later in life. Leave your hate aside.

He interpreted it perfectly.

Ali was disliked for things he stood for. Kobe stands for nothing but himself. Kobe is disliked for justified reasons.
This "hater" stuff is crap. I would suggest you let go of being a fan boy of such men.

[Scott Garner]

Fan boy. I love it! ;)

[JoeyFarino]

Im not a fan of kobe off the court but what he did in regards to basketball was phenomenal. He was the lakers and there hasnt been anyone like him since Jordan. Either way as far as his basketball career he's definitely a Top 10 player of all time. He had millions of fans most who were kids and regardless of his selfish attitude they looked up to him because his playing ability which is what most players wish for

[Forever Young]

Im not a fan of kobe off the court but what he did in regards to basketball was phenomenal. He was the lakers and there hasnt been anyone like him since Jordan. Either way as far as his basketball career he's definitely a Top 10 player of all time. He had millions of fans most who were kids and regardless of his selfish attitude they looked up to him because his playing ability which is what most players wish for

You have stated the same thing.

The point is, he is put in a position for kids to look up to and failed miserably. They should not look up to someone like him.
He certainly shouldn't be heralded and defended by "adults".

[JoeyFarino]

You have stated the same thing.

The point is, he is put in a position for kids to look up to and failed miserably. They should not look up to someone like him.
He certainly shouldn't be heralded and defended by "adults".

Thats YOUR opinion and other people can have theirs. Let me guess you hate Michael Jackson too

[Forever Young]

Thats YOUR opinion and other people can have theirs. Let me guess you hate Michael Jackson too

It sure is. It doesn't surprise me where you stand on the issue Joey Forino.

[JoeyFarino]

You have stated the same thing.

The point is, he is put in a position for kids to look up to and failed miserably. They should not look up to someone like him.
He certainly shouldn't be heralded and defended by "adults".

He may have BUT millions of kids idolize him and probably have no clue about his past since it was never brought to trial and settled out of court.

[JoeyFarino]

It sure is. It doesn't surprise me where you stand on the issue Joey Forino.

Lol....that was a dumbass statement and im not surprised it came out of your dumbass mouth. I NEVER said what he did was okay at all. I stated everything based solely on his playing ability but you wanna be a douche and get personal just because you have a hard on for kobe..smh

[Forever Young]

Lol....that was a dumbass statement and im not surprised it came out of your dumbass mouth. I NEVER said what he did was okay at all. I stated everything based solely on his playing ability but you wanna be a douche and get personal just because you have a hard on for kobe..smh

My dumbass mouth? Wow. Why are you still allowed on this board is beyond me. You are what is bad with this hobby.

[JoeyFarino]

My dumbass mouth? Wow. Why are you still allowed on this board is beyond me. You are what is bad with this hobby.


Oh god quit crying!

[Forever Young]

Oh god quit crying!

You and Kobe do have something in common Joey! Please retire from collecting and do everyone a favor. It would be good for you too I am sure. :)

[JoeyFarino]

You and Kobe do have something in common Joey! Please retire from collecting and do everyone a favor. It would be good for you too I am sure. :)

Lol....ben the fact that you turned this into something personal when everyone was debating about kobe shows what a baby you are. Do me a favor and Piss off (british accent). JOEY OUT!

[dhernandez]

He interpreted it perfectly.

Ali was disliked for things he stood for. Kobe stands for nothing but himself. Kobe is disliked for justified reasons.
This "hater" stuff is crap. I would suggest you let go of being a fan boy of such men.

Not taking sides but was just looking at your FB store page and you apparently know what it is to be a Fan Boy,, an Ali Fan Boy. And by the way he was hated by many for being arrogant and a Big mouth in the day aka The Mouth. His saint like status came years later (and helped by promotions via Upperdeck and $$$ generated) as stated by the previous poster.

[Forever Young]

Lol....ben the fact that you turned this into something personal when everyone was debating about kobe shows what a baby you are. Do me a favor and Piss off (british accent). JOEY OUT!

Bye..

[Forever Young]

Not taking sides but was just looking at your FB store page and you apparently know what it is to be a Fan Boy,, an Ali Fan Boy. And by the way he was hated by many for being arrogant and a Big mouth in the day aka The Mouth. His saint like status came years later (and helped by promotions via Upperdeck and $$$ generated) as stated by the previous poster.

Umm.. Ok. Looking at your favorite teams and location, completely objective for sure. No picking sides. Got it. :) yikes. Apparently we have different definitions of fan boy. We also Disagee on comparing Kobe and Ali(ridiculous). Mr. Forino, meet Mr. Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez, meet Mr. Farino.
My hands are now clean.

Thanks for looking at my FB page!

[JoeyFarino]

Umm.. Ok. Looking at your favorite teams and location, completely objective for sure. No picking sides. Got it. :) yikes. Apparently we have different definitions of fan boy. We also Disagee on comparing Kobe and Ali(ridiculous). Mr. Forino, meet Mr. Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez, meet Mr. Farino.
My hands are now clean.

Thanks for looking at my FB page!

Ben you just dont quit. I know you love being a douche but dont u ever take a break. Everything coming out of your mouth is sh&t. Now go change your panties since u like acting like a little girl

[dhernandez]

Umm.. Ok. Looking at your favorite teams and location, completely objective for sure. No picking sides. Got it. :) yikes. Apparently we have different definitions of fan boy. We also Disagee on comparing Kobe and Ali(ridiculous). Mr. Forino, meet Mr. Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez, meet Mr. Farino.
My hands are now clean.

Thanks for looking at my FB page!

You are welcome! Looking further at your FB page you note that you have OJ Simpson pics in your collection and you give him some props. Glad to see that you are ok with murder and ok with collecting athletes that have been accused of murder. But in your book a supposed rape is worse than a supposed murder. And you did note that OJ was a fine athlete and I would say Kobe is also a outstanding athlete; that is what this thread was intended to be about, the person as a athlete. But you pick and choose who to cross personal life with the athletic ability of the person of topic of this thread. Thank you for being non biased!

[jason.1969]

Man, I'm just trying to admire the OP's incredible Kobe collection...fantastic stuff!

I was lucky enough to make it to Kobe's Chicago farewell. Had a blast. No doubt he's not the same player he was in his prime, but who is?? Look how bad Peyton Manning sucked this past season, including the Super Bowl...Father Time still undefeated.

And regarding the rape allegations, Manning is also a good comparison. His incident with the trainer at Tennessee definitely taints (no pun intended) his legacy. Of course, Manning superfans will note he was never convicted, that it wasn't actual sex, that it was just a prank, that the accuser had issues, etc.

Going back to the Mamba, he and Duncan are the two greatest of their era. Kobe's last game was epic...I wasn't seeing any lack of D from the Jazz. What I did see was the Lakers wanting Kobe to take a ton of shots, which obviously helped him rack up his points. Still, show me even 10 other players in the league today who could get to 60 in those same circumstances and one EVER who could do it at 37 years old.

There is a reason nearly every young NBA star idolized Kobe growing up. There is only one Mamba, absolutely one of the greatest players ever.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[Forever Young]

Ben you just dont quit. I know you love being a douche but dont u ever take a break. Everything coming out of your mouth is sh&t. Now go change your panties since u like acting like a little girl

I thought you were leaving? What a wonderful, well thought out and stable post. The board was so nice for an hour.

[Forever Young]

You are welcome! Looking further at your FB page you note that you have OJ Simpson pics in your collection and you give him some props. Glad to see that you are ok with murder and ok with collecting athletes that have been accused of murder. But in your book a supposed rape is worse than a supposed murder. And you did note that OJ was a fine athlete and I would say Kobe is also a outstanding athlete; that is what this thread was intended to be about, the person as a athlete. But you pick and choose who to cross personal life with the athletic ability of the person of topic of this thread. Thank you for being non biased!

I would agree with the athlete part and believe I stated that about Kobe. There is no denying that. My posts here are directed to those celebrating lhim as a hero. The oj post, if memory serves me right, was more of a post on history and our society. It is you who are crossing the two. ??
All of this said, Kobe was a great basketball player. We can agree on that. We can also agree that the thread should be about Kobe(good or bad), not about childish name calling behind a computer.
Like Kobe.. Love Kobe. Whatever you want. It's a free country(for now..;) h I(and many people on this thread seem to agree)look at Kobe in a different light. That's all.
Again, thanks for taking the time to look at my Facebook page!

[steve B]

Big deal Adidas suck and Nike is strict about those under contract not signing anything but Nike. MJ won't touch anything but Nike he caused the big stir with Reebok warmups during DT gold medal presentation. And Swaggy did get a signed pair of Nikes. Hell Brady won't sign anything NOT Under Armour, does that tarnish his golden image. Kobe is a competitive beast that spilled him onto the Ahole side, so what? He wanted to win..at least he didn't cheat in his craft to win trophys like some. This dumping the Adidas was in fun so lighten up. Your hate is noted.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtEP54CZ6Wg

No hate, just an opinion that he could have been a bit more polite to a team member.

And if you read the article, swappy or whatever the heck the guy is called didn't get signed Nikes, he got a signed box score.

I will give the other guy some credit for being cool about it on what was really Kobes night. Any other time it might be different?

The quality or lack of quality of the shoes doesn't matter at all. And for the record, both brands are massively overrated and overpriced. (Ok, maybe a bit of hate there, but really, no sneaker is worth 200+ unless .......nah, lets not get into who wears then to your house to deliver them:D )

Steve B

[mickeymao34]

Forget the article .. Says it right there at 1 min mark in video when asked what he got signed "yeah he signed some Nikes"

[steve B]

Ah, ok. First time I watched I heard it more like " yeah he signed .....umm....He said somebody go get some Nikes I'm not signing any Adidas" Which seemed more like saying he got something signed but not really saying what.

Second time through, yeah, maybe he did get some Nikes.

[Leon]

Kobe is/was a great basketball player. As a person, he doesn't seem quite as great.

[mickeymao34]

52k each ..wow. pretty amazing for regular season jerseys

http://www.greyflannelauctions.com/4_2_2013_Kobe_Bryant_Los_Angeles_Lakers_Game_Used_-LOT36473.aspx

http://www.greyflannelauctions.com/3_23_2008_Kobe_Bryant_Los_Angeles_Lakers_Game_Used-LOT36466.aspx