Former Hornets GM Bob Bass Lives With The Decision Of Trading Kobe Bryant For Vlade D

[duncan228]

Former Hornets GM Bob Bass lives with the decision of trading Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac (http://blog.nola.com/hornetsbeat/2009/03/former_hornets_gm_bob_bass_liv.html)
by Jimmy Smith

Here's a trivia question: What do the following NBA teams have in common?

Philadelphia 76ers.

Toronto Raptors.

Memphis (Vancouver) Grizzlies.

Milwaukee Bucks.

Minnesota Timberwolves.

Boston Celtics.

Los Angeles Clippers.

New Jersey Nets.

Dallas Mavericks.

Indiana Pacers.

Golden State Warriors.

Cleveland Cavaliers.

Each passed on the opportunity to draft Kobe Bryant in 1996.

Why, then, do the Hornets get the majority of adverse publicity for drafting the 17-year-old high school player then trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Vlade Divac, a player who helped the then-Charlotte Hornets to back-to-back 50-win-plus seasons?

Former Hornets general manager Bob Bass, the man who pre-arranged this deal that not only helped put his team into the Eastern Conference playoffs two straight years but also paved the way for one of the most dominating big men in league history to move from the Eastern to the Western Conference, still bristles 13 years later when asked about the swap.

"Let's start out this way, " Bass said. "There had never been a high school player come into the league that didn't play in the front court."

Bass offered examples such as Moses Malone, Darryl Dawkins and Kevin Garnett.

"Secondly, 12 other teams passed on Kobe Bryant; 12 other teams said, 'I don't want him.' The Nets even got a workout. He refused to work out with us. He didn't work out with anybody. We had talks on the trade, but we didn't make it for about 3 1/2 weeks. We had a chance to get a 7-foot-(1) center who had been very successful in the league.

"You add all those three things together, that's why the decision was made. Plus, he couldn't make a jump shot when he first came into the league. We won 54 the first year Divac was there and 51 the next year. The only problem with that (Hornets) team was Michael Jordan was in his hey-day and Patrick Ewing had that great New York team. And we were in the Eastern Conference. That's what happened on that."

The first year the Hornets had Divac in the post, as Bass pointed out, they won a then-team record 54 games but ran into Ewing's Knicks in the first round of the playoffs and were swept in three games.

The next season, the Hornets won 51 games, beat Atlanta in the first round, but lost to Jordan's Bulls in the conference semifinals in five games.

In 1996, Lakers General Manager Jerry West was hoping to free the team's salary cap of the rest of Divac's $8.3 million salary over the next two years so the Lakers could make a play in free agency for Orlando center Shaquille O'Neal. The Lakers, who were mired in a funk, hadn't made a playoff run since the Showtime-era of Magic Johnson.

Bryant had shown up in Los Angeles, unannounced, to work out for the Lakers, who were auditioning Mississippi State's Dontae Jones, who had led the Bulldogs into that year's Final Four after a successful SEC Tournament in New Orleans.

The son of former NBA player Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant, Kobe had grown up in Italy where his father played after his NBA career ended, and he played for several years in Philadelphia at Lower Merion High School, where he finished as a 6-foot-5 shooting guard/forward who could jump but was an inconsistent shooter.

When Bryant got the better of Jones in the workout after having gone one-on-one against Lakers defensive specialist Michael Cooper, who tried to muscle the teen-ager and rattle him, West reportedly turned to an aide and whispered, "I've seen enough, let's go."

Armed with the knowledge that the Hornets were in the market for a post player, West made a pre-draft deal with Bass in which the Hornets would draft Bryant if he were still available and later swap his rights to Los Angeles for Divac.

"We had the deal, " Bass said, "but who in the world thought (Bryant) would be there at No. 13? And the Lakers, regardless of what they said after they had (Bryant), but they wanted space on the cap to sign Shaquille O'Neal. And devious as I am, I thought it would be a good way to get Shaquille out of the Eastern Conference. If we'd have gotten Michael and some others out, that would have been something."

Bryant canceled a workout with the Sacramento Kings, who had the No. 14 pick in the first round in 1996 and declined to work out for the Hornets. His agent, Arn Tellem, also told the Hornets, according to Bass, that Bryant did not want to play in a small market such as Charlotte.

Divac initially did not want to play for the Hornets, preferring to stay in L.A. where his wife was pursuing an acting career.

He subsequently changed his mind, as did the Hornets. Divac left the Hornets after the second season, opting to go back to California when he signed with Sacramento. In two seasons in Charlotte, Divac averaged 11.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.

For the past 13 years, Bass has lived with, and answered, the criticism of the 1996 swap that, along with other moves that re-made the Hornets roster, earned Bass the 1996-97 NBA Executive of the Year award.

"The biggest part about it when people start criticizing you . . . is what about those 12 other teams?" Bass said. "Look at who they took. They didn't get any Vlade Divac, I tell you that.

"Allen Iverson went No. 1 that year (to the 76ers) and the strange thing about it was (Bryant) grew up in Philadelphia and they saw him play in high school two years and they took Iverson ahead of him."

[Ghazi]

lol hornets

[JoeTait75]

Tough to bag on the Cavaliers for passing up on Kobe. If he wasn't willing to play in Charlotte, which was a pretty good team at the time, he sure as hell wasn't going to play in Cleveland. Besides, the Cavaliers did manage to get Big Z with the 20th pick, although they frittered away the 11th on "the Ukraine Train" Vitaly Potapenko.

I've always been more bitter about the 1995 Draft, when the Cavaliers passed up on Michael Finley to take Bob Sura.

[Roxsfan]

Rox pass on Michael Jordan for Hakeem Olajuwon >mistake than Hornets passing on Kobe for Vlade.

Houston and N.O. pass on two players that, combined won 9 titles -2 rox titles = 7 titles in the hole.:lol

Houston 2 titles - 6 Jordan/chicago titles = -4 titles in the hole.
N.O. 0 titles - 3 Kobe/LA titles = -3 titles in the hole.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38796000/jpg/_38796121_cryingget298.jpg
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/topstory/sports/olajuwon0803.jpg
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/PHOTOFILE/AABK030~Kobe-Bryant-with-2000-Championship-Trophy-Photofile-Posters.jpg
http://hoopedia.nba.com/images/a/a1/Act_vlade_divac.jpg

[dirk4mvp]

Divac was a damn good player and person. Those Sacramento teams earlier this decade were great.

[AussieFanKurt]

Roxsfan sig is so stupidly over the top

[Pelicans78]

Its hard to blame the GM for that move. Kobe didn't want to play in Charlotte. Divac helped the team win back-to-back 50 win seasons. I don't think Kobe would have helped that team win a championship.

[Rogue]

Kobe was a gift from God for the lakers, while it was also not a bad thing for the teams that missed Kobe... God believes in justice, he always intentionally add some flaws to make his gift imperfect. at these the

Philadelphia 76ers.

Toronto Raptors.

Memphis (Vancouver) Grizzlies.

Milwaukee Bucks.

Minnesota Timberwolves.

Boston Celtics.

Los Angeles Clippers.

New Jersey Nets.

Dallas Mavericks.

Indiana Pacers.

Golden State Warriors.

Cleveland Cavaliers.

didn't get a rapist.

[Allanon]

Every single one of those GMs knew Kobe was a bad-ass. Maybe not as good as he became but still pretty badass.

These are the GMs that REALLY F'ed up. (in bold)

1. Philadelphia Allen Iverson
2. Toronto Marcus Camby
3. Vancouver Shareef Abdur-Rahim
4. Milwaukee (1) Stephon Marbury
5. Minnesota (1) Ray Allen
6. Boston (from Dallas) Antoine Walker
7. LA Clippers Lorenzen Wright
8. New Jersey Kerry Kittles
9. Dallas (from Boston) Samaki Walker
10. Indiana (from Denver) Erick Dampier
11. Golden State Todd Fuller
12. Cleveland (from Wash.) Vitaly Potapenko
13. Charlotte Kobe Bryant

[Pelicans78]

Shareef was a really good player on a bad team.

[Allanon]

Shareef was a really good player on a bad team.

Yeah, I was a bit on the fence Shareef, he was a very good player, just not a franchise kind of guy.

I went with the fact that Kobe coming out of high school still had more talent than Shareef.

[Pelicans78]

If anything, the trade allowed Shaq to move to LA, which was much more important than Kobe. Kobe has been a franchise player, but he wasn't the main reason the Lakers won the championships. Lakers weren't doing much in the playoffs until Phil Jackson came which was 3 seasons after the trade. Kobe has never won a Finals MVP so obviously he was second fiddle to Shaq. Plus, he never wanted to play in Charlotte and the Hornets knew that.

[Pelicans78]

Yeah, I was a bit on the fence Shareef, he was a very good player, just not a franchise kind of guy.

I went with the fact that Kobe coming out of high school still had more talent than Shareef.

Shareef was a dominating college player and a top 5 recruit. He won Pac-10 player of the year in his freshmen season at Cal before bolting. I'm not sure how the Grizzlies would have done with Kobe. That franchise was a mess. Kobe would have probably demanded a trade once they moved to Memphis. Kobe's been the beneficiary of playing with Shaq and learning under Phil Jackson. His game needed serious polish before arriving where he is now.

[Rogue]

If anything, the trade allowed Shaq to move to LA, which was much more important than Kobe. Kobe has been a franchise player, but he wasn't the main reason the Lakers won the championships. Lakers weren't doing much in the playoffs until Phil Jackson came which was 3 seasons after the trade. Kobe has never won a Finals MVP so obviously he was second fiddle to Shaq. Plus, he never wanted to play in Charlotte and the Hornets knew that.
exactly, shaq was the real leader of the lakers and he won all his 3 rings with the lakers, Kobe at most was just a servant of shaq on that team.

[Allanon]

If anything, the trade allowed Shaq to move to LA, which was much more important than Kobe. Kobe has been a franchise player, but he wasn't the main reason the Lakers won the championships. Lakers weren't doing much in the playoffs until Phil Jackson came which was 3 seasons after the trade. Kobe has never won a Finals MVP so obviously he was second fiddle to Shaq. Plus, he never wanted to play in Charlotte and the Hornets knew that.

That is true. The Hornets helped the Lakers acquire Shaq. Kobe wouldn't bave won without Shaq. But at the same time, Shaq wouldn't have won without Kobe (ie. Penny Hardaway).

Of course Philip was also another excellent acquisition for the Lakers.

Whether or not Kobe wanted to play in Charlotte was irrelevant. Incoming draft players either play for their drafted team or they don't play in the NBA. Kobe would have played.

One of the greatest all-time trades for the Lakers. Probably one of the worst, if not the worst for the Hornets.

[Rogue]

in addition, as shaq's servant, Kobe's major job was just to clean shaq's ass.

[Rogue]

That is true. The Hornets helped the Lakers acquire Shaq. Kobe wouldn't bave won without Shaq. But at the same time, Shaq wouldn't have won without Kobe (ie. Penny Hardaway).

Of course Philip was also another excellent acquisition for the Lakers.

Whether or not Kobe wanted to play in Charlotte was irrelevant. Incoming draft players either play for their drafted team or they don't play in the NBA. Kobe would have played.

One of the greatest all-time trades for the Lakers. Probably one of the worst, if not the worst for the Hornets.
exactly, actually shaq hasn't won a championship since he left Kobe and LA in the summer of 04.

[Allanon]

Shareef was a dominating college player and a top 5 recruit. He won Pac-10 player of the year in his freshmen season at Cal before bolting. I'm not sure how the Grizzlies would have done with Kobe. That franchise was a mess. Kobe would have probably demanded a trade once they moved to Memphis. Kobe's been the beneficiary of playing with Shaq and learning under Phil Jackson. His game needed serious polish before arriving where he is now.

Kobe, regardless of Phil/Shaq, was destined to become one of the greatest players. And you could see that in high school. What separates Kobe from the rest is his work ethic. Even in high school and throughout his career, Kobe has worked relentlessly to become the best.

Kobe was already playing against NBA players during the summer time I think when he was 16/17.

Kobe was the Lebron of 1996. There was no question that he was extremely talented, everybody knew he was great. But they were hesitant to pull the trigger on a high schooler.

[Pelicans78]

I just don't think Kobe would have had the same impact. Who knows how his career would have turned out in Charlotte. I wasn't a Hornets fan back then, but I guess they would have started Geiger at center (assuming he was there, I really don't know). The Hornets acquired Bobby Phils the next season along with David Wesley at PG. Kobe would have been 6th man.

C Geiger
PF Mason
SF Rice
SG Phils
PG Wesley

6th man Kobe

The next season the Hornets traded Rice to the Lakers for Campbell and Jones. Maybe Kobe is starting by that time, but Jones and Phils were two really good players. The Hornets missed the playoffs and ened up in the lottery where they got extremely lucky and ended up with Baron Davis. Maybe with Kobe on the team, they don't end up drafting Baron Davis. Anyway, without Kobe, that team was looking really good with Campbell, Mason, Jones, Phils, and Davis/Wesley. With Kobe, he would replace Davis. It would have been interesting.

[Rogue]

Kobe, regardless of Phil/Shaq, was destined to become one of the greatest players. And you could see that in high school.

Kobe was already playing against NBA players during the summer time I think when he was 16/17.

Kobe was the Lebron of 1996. There was no question that he was extremely talented, everybody knew he was great. But they were hesitant to pull the trigger on a high schooler.
the only thing I can see in high school was his eyesight towards his young teachers who were very sexy, which was destined to make him the world's most rapist after he grow up.

At that time Kobe was only 16/17.

Kobe was the chamberlain of contemporary. :lol

[Allanon]

I just don't think Kobe would have had the same impact. Who knows how his career would have turned out in Charlotte. I wasn't a Hornets fan back then, but I guess they would have started Geiger at center (assuming he was there, I really don't know). The Hornets acquired Bobby Phils the next season along with David Wesley at PG. Kobe would have been 6th man.

C Geiger
PF Mason
SF Rice
SG Phils
PG Wesley

6th man Kobe

The next season the Hornets traded Rice to the Lakers for Campbell and Jones. Maybe Kobe is starting by that time, but Jones and Phils were two really good players. The Hornets missed the playoffs and ened up in the lottery where they got extremely lucky and ended up with Baron Davis. Maybe with Kobe on the team, they don't end up drafting Baron Davis. Anyway, without Kobe, that team was looking really good with Campbell, Mason, Jones, Phils, and Davis/Wesley. With Kobe, he would replace Davis. It would have been interesting.

Yeah, it is interesting. The Hornets back then were pretty good. The Phils tragedy was pretty bad and probably messed up Wesley.

But maybe Rice wouldn't have gotten injured and traded. Maybe Phils was at home resting for the next game since the Hornets were going somewhere.

Things might have been alot different, who knows. That could have been a pretty bad-ass team.

[BRHornet45]

blah ... sons nobody wants a rapist on their team.

[Allanon]

blah ... sons nobody wants a rapist on their team.

Sons, as hot as your chick Jamie is, I betcha even she wouldn't have spooge from 4 different dudes in her in 24 hours. :lol

[Rogue]

blah ... sons nobody wants a rapist on their team.
+1 :toast

Having Kobe on team is an extreme tragedy for any team, and it's also a very dangerous thing for any team to have Kobe on team, especially for LA where live many beautiful women like Halle Berry.

[Rogue]

Sons, as hot as your chick Jamie is, I betcha even she wouldn't have spooge from 4 different dudes in her in 24 hours. :lol
you know it that exactly? are you one of the 4 twin brothers, or the guy who fucked her and made her pregnant for the 4 dudes?

[Allanon]

you know it that exactly? are you one of the 4 twin brothers, or the guy who fucked her and made her pregnant for the 4 dudes?

It was in the court filings. When she went in for an examination, they found manjuice from four different guys in the last 24 hours.

She said she went up to Kobe's hotel room for an "autograph". :lol

[Twisted_Dawg]

Former Hornets GM Bob Bass lives with the decision of trading Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac (http://blog.nola.com/hornetsbeat/2009/03/former_hornets_gm_bob_bass_liv.html)
by Jimmy Smith

Armed with the knowledge that the Hornets were in the market for a post player, West made a pre-draft deal with Bass in which the Hornets would draft Bryant if he were still available and later swap his rights to Los Angeles for Divac.

"We had the deal, " Bass said, "but who in the world thought (Bryant) would be there at No. 13? And the Lakers, regardless of what they said after they had (Bryant), but they wanted space on the cap to sign Shaquille O'Neal. And devious as I am, I thought it would be a good way to get Shaquille out of the Eastern Conference. If we'd have gotten Michael and some others out, that would have been something."

What the writer failed to mention was that Bob Bass was Jerry West bitch anytime Jerry needed help making the Lakers stronger. Before the Kobe trade, Jerry got Bob to trade Mychal Thompson for Laker's Peter Guudmenson, Frank Brikowski andsome other stiff. And the year the Spur's joined the NBA, 1976, the Spurs first trade was to send their #1 pick in the 1977 draft to LA for the rights to a washed up ABA point guard named Mack Calvin. So begn the man-love affair between West and Bass.

[resistanze]

She was a tramp, and Mamba did her like any true player would have. Bend her over, give it to her anal, and bust a nut in her face... NOW LEAVE!!!:toast
Players don't cry and snitch in the interrogation room, homie.

[JoeTait75]

Kobe was the Lebron of 1996.

Which is why he went 12th as opposed to being the consensus top pick in the most loaded draft in two decades. Do you even believe half the crap you post?

[NBAdime]

I do not know why lakers fans still believe that 4 different male's ejaculation crap. It's a rumor, get over it. He raped the girl.

[Allanon]

Which is why he went 12th as opposed to being the consensus top pick in the most loaded draft in two decades. Do you even believe half the crap you post?

High School players like Kobe & KG paved the way for LeBron's #1. GM's were still gun-shy.

Let history be your guide.

[JoeTait75]

High School players like Kobe & KG paved the way for LeBron's #1. GM's were still gun-shy.

Let history be your guide.

Allanon, how many guys came to the pros straight out of high school before Kobe and KG? Three? I count Moses Malone, Bill Willoughby and Darryl Dawkins. If you can think of any more, let me know. There is no discernible trend based on that small of a sample size.

Kobe was regarded as a very good prospect coming out of Lower Merion. No shame in that. But LeBron was the greatest perimeter prospect in the history of high school basketball. The only comparison you can make is with big men- specifically, Wilt and Lew Alcindor. LeBron would have gone #1 had Kobe never existed.

[Obstructed_View]

Kobe, regardless of Phil/Shaq, was destined to become one of the greatest players. And you could see that in high school. What separates Kobe from the rest is his work ethic. Even in high school and throughout his career, Kobe has worked relentlessly to become the best.

Kobe was already playing against NBA players during the summer time I think when he was 16/17.

Revisionist history at its finest. Unlike KG, Kobe had the grades to go to college, yet chose not to. In addition to having no jumper, he was considered too small to be a 2 and didn't have the ball handling skills to be a point guard. Teams weren't sure what they could do with him, how he would develop, and how long it would take before he could contribute. All excellent reasons to pass on him. It was Kobe's work ethic that made him great, but nobody knew that when he was 17. He had a better chance to become the next Harold Miner than he did to become what he is.


Kobe was the Lebron of 1996.
Rookie year:

Kobe 7.6 ppg, 1.3 apg, 1.9 rpg
Lebron 20.9 ppg, 5.9 apg, 5.5 rpg

[dirk4mvp]

Rookie year:

Kobe 7.6 ppg, 1.3 apg, 1.9 rpg
Lebron 20.9 ppg, 5.9 apg, 5.5 rpg


:rollin

[Allanon]

Revisionist history at its finest. Unlike KG, Kobe had the grades to go to college, yet chose not to. In addition to having no jumper, he was considered too small to be a 2 and didn't have the ball handling skills to be a point guard. Teams weren't sure what they could do with him, how he would develop, and how long it would take before he could contribute. All excellent reasons to pass on him. It was Kobe's work ethic that made him great, but nobody knew that when he was 17. He had a better chance to become the next Harold Miner than he did to become what he is.

Nope. That's just anti-Kobe bias at its finest. Kobe's been 6'6 since high school. Size he could bulk up, you can't teach height.

Didn't have the ball handling skills to be a point guard? Hahah, that's a joke. Kobe had too much ball-handling skills and was considered to be too flashy.

The only knock on Kobe was his jumper. LeBron didn't have a jumper during the draft and he still doesn't have one now.



Rookie year:

Kobe 7.6 ppg, 1.3 apg, 1.9 rpg
Lebron 20.9 ppg, 5.9 apg, 5.5 rpg

Teammates. Kobe was brought up slowly. LeBron was brought in to be the man. Put Kobe on some crappy team in his rookie season and he'd average 20 a game.

Look at playing time, then come back with some stats.

[JoeTait75]

LeBron didn't have a jumper during the draft and he still doesn't have one now.

LeBron from three-point range, 2008-09: 114-of-339, 33.6 percent

Kobe from three-point range, 2008-09: 100-of-291, 34.4 percent

For a guy who doesn't have a jump shot, LeBron isn't exactly eating Kobe's dust from long range, is he?

[Allanon]

Allanon, how many guys came to the pros straight out of high school before Kobe and KG? Three? I count Moses Malone, Bill Willoughby and Darryl Dawkins. If you can think of any more, let me know. There is no discernible trend based on that small of a sample size.

How many of those went on to become the best basketball player in the NBA? Guys like Kobe and KG set the trend for great high schoolers.

It's no coincidence that LeBron got selected #1 right after Kobe had completed his 3-peat.



Kobe was regarded as a very good prospect coming out of Lower Merion. No shame in that. But LeBron was the greatest perimeter prospect in the history of high school basketball. The only comparison you can make is with big men- specifically, Wilt and Lew Alcindor. LeBron would have gone #1 had Kobe never existed.

We don't know that. If Kobe and KG were busts, who knows if LeBron would have gone #1.

[Allanon]

LeBron from three-point range, 2008-09: 114-of-339, 33.6 percent

Kobe from three-point range, 2008-09: 100-of-291, 34.4 percent

LeBron is improving but still isn't good in the mid-range. And from 3pt is still not as good as Kobe.

[Obstructed_View]

Nope. That's just anti-Kobe bias at its finest. Kobe's been 6'6 since high school. Size he could bulk up, you can't teach height.

And at the time, 6'6" wasn't considered adequate. Jordan's that height, but expecting a kid coming out of high school to be Jordan wasn't really a good way to use a lottery pick or to build a team.


Didn't have the ball handling skills to be a point guard? Hahah, that's a joke. Kobe had too much ball-handling skills and was considered to be too flashy.
Flash has nothing to do with being a point guard. Kobe's flash resulted in turnovers.


The only knock on Kobe was his jumper. LeBron didn't have a jumper during the draft and he still doesn't have one now.
I'm telling you what the scouting report on Kobe was at the time. I watched that draft on TV. I didn't make any of the above up. Kobe's one of the best three point shooters in the league, it's true, but that just bloats his scoring numbers if you're comparing him to James.


Look at playing time, then come back with some stats.
Basketball reference has per minute stats, and the first year Kobe put up stats similar to Lebron's was '02-03, his seventh year in the league and fifth year as a starter.

[Allanon]

I do not know why lakers fans still believe that 4 different male's ejaculation crap. It's a rumor, get over it. He raped the girl.

"The accuser arrived at the hospital wearing panties with someone else's semen and sperm in them, not that of Mr. Bryant, correct?" Mackey asked.

"That's correct," Winters responded.

"Was a Caucasian hair found in the woman's pubic hair?" Mackey asked.

"Yes," Winters replied.

Mackey suggested injuries found during the woman's exam could have come from having repeated sex, a contention she first made in court last week.

The defense contends the tests on the underpants provide Bryant with "compelling evidence of innocence."

"Bryant was checked at the hospital in his rape examination and there were no signs of any struggle," said 7NEWS Investgates reporter Tony Kovalesk



The prosecution of basketball superstar Kobe Bryant on rape charges was on the verge of collapse last night as prosecution sources told several media outlets they would ask the judge to drop the charges as early as today.

A DNA test traced hair and semen found in her underwear to someone other than Mr Bryant, indicating she had had more than one sexual partner around the time of the alleged assault.

The prosecution fought doggedly to keep that evidence out of the courtroom, arguing that the alleged victim's sexual habits and history were her own private business

[JoeTait75]

We don't know that. If Kobe and KG were busts, who knows if LeBron would have gone #1.

Kwame Brown was a bust at #1, yet that didn't scare off anyone in regards to LeBron.

[TheMACHINE]

sheesh Allanon...you've been in this forum for so long and you're trying to defend Kobe from these guy. Just be lucky we get to watch Kobe 82 games a year and let them hate. Whos the one missing out...not us.

[Allanon]

Kwame Brown was a bust at #1, yet that didn't scare off anyone in regards to LeBron.

Kwame Brown was Jordan's prospect and not on anybodys radar.

Bass said himself he was surprised Kobe was still there at #13.

[Allanon]

sheesh Allanon...you've been in this forum for so long and you're trying to defend Kobe from these guy. Just be lucky we get to watch Kobe 82 games a year and let them hate. Whos the one missing out...not us.

Hahah, true, but it's always fun to go fishin'

[JoeTait75]

Bass said himself he was surprised Kobe was still there at #13.

Probably because most of the teams picking 1-12 knew Kobe wouldn't play for them. Do you think Kobe would have wanted to play in a place like Cleveland? He would have bolted at the first opportunity.

Like I said, I have no regrets about the Cavaliers passing on Kobe. I'm just glad we got Big Z out of that draft.

[Spur-Addict]

Sons, as hot as your chick Jamie is, I betcha even she wouldn't have spooge from 4 different dudes in her in 24 hours. :lol


Just b/c she's a whore,doesn't mean he didn't rape her.


Players don't cry and snitch in the interrogation room, homie.

:toast

[TheMACHINE]

Probably because most of the teams picking 1-12 knew Kobe wouldn't play for them. Do you think Kobe would have wanted to play in a place like Cleveland? He would have bolted at the first opportunity.

Like I said, I have no regrets about the Cavaliers passing on Kobe. I'm just glad we got Big Z out of that draft.

speaking of "bolted"..where do you think James is gonna be in 2 years?

[Spur-Addict]

speaking of "bolted"..where do you think James is gonna be in 2 years?

Probably on a podium holding the Larry O'Brien.

[JoeTait75]

speaking of "bolted"..where do you think James is gonna be in 2 years?

In Public Square, right next to the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, brandishing our second consecutive Larry O'Brien. Nice of you to ask. :toast

[Allanon]

And at the time, 6'6" wasn't considered adequate. Jordan's that height, but expecting a kid coming out of high school to be Jordan wasn't really a good way to use a lottery pick or to build a team.

6'6 at that time was OVERSIZED or at worst standard size for a shooting guard. Even now 6'6 or < is standard for a shooting guard.

6'7 and above is the realm of Small Forwards and Kobe does spend time at Small Forward.



Flash has nothing to do with being a point guard. Kobe's flash resulted in turnovers.

Tony Parker has a gripload of turnovers, as does Nash. That does not make them bad point guards.



Basketball reference has per minute stats, and the first year Kobe put up stats similar to Lebron's was '02-03, his seventh year in the league and fifth year as a starter.

Let's talk about minutes.

LeBron rookie year: Started all 79 of his games, 40 minutes

Kobe rookie year: Started 6 games, averaged 15 minutes

[Allanon]

Unless Lebron bolts Cleveland, he's going to retire ringless.

The Cavs are good for the regular season but they're not built for the post-season.

[TheMACHINE]

Probably on a podium holding the Larry O'Brien.

ahh so i guess you give up on the Spurs winning champioships eh.

[TheMACHINE]

In Public Square, right next to the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, brandishing our second consecutive Larry O'Brien. Nice of you to ask. :toast

You're welcome

[JoeTait75]

Unless Lebron bolts Cleveland, he's going to retire ringless.

The Cavs are good for the regular season but they're not built for the post-season.

I really need to start saving your posts, Allanon. I have a feeling they're going to make great sig-lines in the future. That one about Roger Mason being better than LeBron is a classic, but I'm confident you'll top yourself down the road.

[Spur-Addict]

ahh so i guess you give up on the Spurs winning champioships eh.

Probably, meaning if The Spurs don't win (I'm of course hoping we do), LBJ and W/e team probably will.

[dirk4mvp]

I really need to start saving your posts, Allanon. I have a feeling they're going to make great sig-lines in the future. That one about Roger Mason being better than LeBron is a classic, but I'm confident you'll top yourself down the road.


Wasn't that SpursDynasty who said if Mason shot more shots, he'd be better than LeBron?

[Spur-Addict]

I really need to start saving your posts, Allanon. I have a feeling they're going to make great sig-lines in the future. That one about Roger Mason being better than LeBron is a classic, but I'm confident you'll top yourself down the road.

There are many floating around, it'll only add to the growing collection.

[Allanon]

I really need to start saving your posts, Allanon. I have a feeling they're going to make great sig-lines in the future. That one about Roger Mason being better than LeBron is a classic, but I'm confident you'll top yourself down the road.

I don't remember that Roger Mason being better than LeBron? Maybe clutch 3pt shooting, yes.

As for the others, yes, I stand by "LeBron won't win a championship in Cleveland". Nothing about LeBron, it's about the team.

The team is just not built right and it's the way they're doing it that's problematic.

If the Cavs DO win a ring anytime in the next 5 years, I'll personally apologize and bow to your greatness.

[SpursDynasty]

Kobe will get a lot of stats and scoring awards and MVPs, but he'll never lead a team to a championship.

[IronMexican]

So this thread has Kobe is a rapist and LeBron is gong to NY in two years? Has anyone mentioned the Spurs have four rings?

[Pelicans78]

4 rings bitch!

[Roxsfan]

Roxsfan sig is so stupidly over the top

fuck off.

[iggypop123]

everyone knows his agent told teams dont draft him or he will go to italy and that was a real possiblity.

[Obstructed_View]

Let's talk about minutes.

LeBron rookie year: Started all 79 of his games, 40 minutes

Kobe rookie year: Started 6 games, averaged 15 minutes

Conclusion:

"Kobe was the Lebron of 1996" = Fail.