Wake Up and Smell the (Black) Coffee

Written by Daniel Buerge on 08/20/2010 in Editorials - 8 Comments

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However, the most important part of his game is his work ethic and will to win. When Kobe Bryant is determined, it’s scary. Just one look at that face and he’ll turn you into a believer. To me, that’s the most critical difference between LeBron’s game and Kobe’s game. Some nights, it just looks like LeBron is out there getting his stats. To him, it appears, getting stats is more important than helping the team win. Until LeBron learns that, he will never surpass the Black Mamba.

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant gestures while playing the Boston Celtics during the first half of Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals basketball series in Los Angeles, California, June 17, 2010. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

When people tell me Kobe would have no rings if it wasn’t for Shaq, it just makes me shake my head. Let’s get one thing straight, Shaq wouldn’t have those three rings if it wasn’t for Kobe. Every dynasty this league has seen always had a dynamic duo. Jordan and Pippen, Magic and Kareem.

Do you ever see people criticizing Magic that he would never have won without Kareem? No. Why? Because he is not Kobe. Like I said before, EVERYTHING this man achieves is diminished in every way possible nowadays. That’s just not right.

Either learn to respect greatness, or just don’t watch the game at all. Amen.

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About the Author

Daniel is the editor-in-chief for Lakers Nation. He's always doing his best to keep you informed and entertained. Follow Daniel on Twitter - @DanielBuerge_LA.

Comments

comments

http://www.richardsonshops.com RockitD

I second that AMEN!!! I was privileged to watch the Showtime era as a kid, was glued for the first 3peat and now the Back-to-Back Kobe reign. Everyone hates a winner. I couldn’t stand Jordan and the Bulls and non-Laker fans can’t stand Kobe. It’s all good…his legacy will stand the test of time.
http://www.richardsonshops.com RockitD

I second that AMEN!!! I was privileged to watch the Showtime era as a kid, was glued for the first 3peat and now the Back-to-Back Kobe reign. Everyone hates a winner. I couldn’t stand Jordan and the Bulls and non-Laker fans can’t stand Kobe. It’s all good…his legacy will stand the test of time.
Richard

Great argument my man. Living here in Denver, I have to listen to the all the sports radio honks go on about the Nuggets and one dude in particular admittedly hates Kobe. Why? Because, in his mind, Kobe isn’t his own player and has tried to copy Michael Jordan all the way down to his mannerisms. I called in the day after the Lakers clinched and asked him what’s he got to say now and he just flippantly said that he still needs to win one more to match MJ.

Whatever.

What’s wrong with wanting to model your game after the greatest ever? It really does boggle the mind that people can just dismiss KB’s greatness and for the dumbest reasons. Kobe is already one of the top 10 players of all time. When he’s done, he may break into the all-time starting five. There will never be another player like him.
Richard

Great argument my man. Living here in Denver, I have to listen to the all the sports radio honks go on about the Nuggets and one dude in particular admittedly hates Kobe. Why? Because, in his mind, Kobe isn’t his own player and has tried to copy Michael Jordan all the way down to his mannerisms. I called in the day after the Lakers clinched and asked him what’s he got to say now and he just flippantly said that he still needs to win one more to match MJ.

Whatever.

What’s wrong with wanting to model your game after the greatest ever? It really does boggle the mind that people can just dismiss KB’s greatness and for the dumbest reasons. Kobe is already one of the top 10 players of all time. When he’s done, he may break into the all-time starting five. There will never be another player like him.
Bigbear36

Dude you r right kobe is the greatest player after jordan but we all have to remember first three rings were shaq’s rings. Without Shaq kobe would have only two
Bigbear36

Dude you r right kobe is the greatest player after jordan but we all have to remember first three rings were shaq’s rings. Without Shaq kobe would have only two
Bigbear36

Dude you r right kobe is the greatest player after MJ as a guard but we all have to remember that first three rings were Shaq’s rings. Without Shaq kobe would have only two
Bigbear36

Dude you r right kobe is the greatest player after MJ as a guard but we all have to remember that first three rings were Shaq’s rings. Without Shaq kobe would have only two