AP: Kobe named Athlete of the Decade

[An Unbiased Fan]

The United States had been losing games like this for years.
With the 2008 Olympic gold medal on the line, the heavily favored Americans were in jeopardy of another international embarrassment. Spain had outplayed them for much of the fourth quarter, slicing the U.S. lead to five points with 3 1/2 minutes left.
They needed to respond, and with their choice of NBA superstars, the Americans kicked the ball out to Kobe Bryant.
He nailed a 3-pointer as he was fouled, pressing his finger to his lips after his follow-through as if to tell the rowdy Spanish fans behind the basket — and maybe all those U.S. basketball critics — that it was time to quiet down.
Bryant's four-point play helped the Americans hold on, ending their eight-year gold-medal drought.
All it took was finally getting the world's best player in uniform, someone so good he deserves to be considered among the candidates for The Associated Press' Athlete of the Decade.
"One thing that's been obvious throughout his career is that he's been a fierce competitor and many people in basketball would say he's the closest thing that we've seen to Michael Jordan's competitiveness," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said. "And he's a winner."
That Bryant and his teammates would want the ball in his hands in such a huge spot wasn't a surprise: That's exactly where many NBA experts say it should be.
In NBA.com (http://nba.com/)'s recent survey of general managers, 89.7 percent of the respondents picked Bryant as the player they would want taking a shot with the game on the line, up from 88.9 percent last year. Try finding any other situation in sports, other than perhaps picking Tiger Woods to take the do-or-die putt or Mariano Rivera to close out a World Series game, where so many would come down on the same side of the debate.
"I really have no fear of those situations," Bryant said. "I enjoy those moments, they're fun. I look forward to those situations."
Bryant had plenty before he was even 25. He'd already accumulated Hall of Fame credentials during the Lakers' run of three straight championships from 2000-02, scoring 29.4 points per game during their 15-1 playoff stampede in '01 that was as dominant as any postseason in sports history.
Plenty of greats who never won a title would have happily settled for that. Not Bryant.
He posted some of his best statistical years after Los Angeles traded Shaquille O'Neal in 2004, averaging 35.4 points in 2005-06 — highlighted by his 81-point night that ranks No. 2 on the NBA's single-game list — and 31.6 the next season.
But he was seething, so angry that the Lakers couldn't put together a team that could even get out of the first round of the playoffs that he said he wanted to be traded in 2007.
"I've had my long years, countless sleepless nights, just hoping and praying that we'd be able to get a team here where I could have some bullets in the gun to kind of go to war with, and I just wanted the opportunity to try to get back to winning the championships," Bryant said. "And to their credit, they put together a great team that meshed very, very well."
The Lakers won another title in June and began this season as the favorites to repeat, which means everything to Bryant. Reaching the top has never been enough for him. He needs to stay there.
"It is about longevity," Bryant said. "I don't want to be a player that had a hot two or three years there, or four or five years. I wanted to be able to sustain that over the course of a career."
He's done it with a ruthless focus, scoring 2,300 more points than any player from 2000-01 through the start of this season while shaking off everything from a feud with O'Neal to a sexual assault accusation against him in Colorado — a case that collapsed once the accuser decided not to testify and a civil suit was settled for an undisclosed amount in March 2005.
Nor did those issues permanently damage his worldwide popularity, which may be unmatched among active athletes. Bryant's jersey is the NBA's top seller in the United States, Europe and China. Even he was a bit embarrassed by the thunderous "Kobe! Kobe!" chants as the Americans marched during the opening ceremony in Beijing.
"Even LeBron (James) and Dwyane (Wade) and Carmelo (Anthony), those guys were going, 'What are we, potted plants?'" U.S. assistant coach Mike D'Antoni said. "But it was unbelievable the response that he had, it really was."
His competitive fire and fearless clutch play have earned Bryant comparisons to Jordan, which he shies away from. But it speaks to his greatness that of all the players who have been bestowed the "next Jordan" title, Bryant is the only one it's really stuck with for much time.
During a preseason ESPN telecast of a Lakers game, Jeff Van Gundy noted that if Jordan is the best player ever, and Bryant is the best since Jordan, then Bryant could go down in the top handful of all-time greats if he wins a couple of more titles. Charles Barkley said they've had the same discussion on TNT.
"He's like in the top 10 to 15 right now," Barkley said. "If Kobe wins a couple more championships, he'll be close, in the top five or 10."
Only 31 and surrounded by perhaps his strongest supporting cast yet, there's still plenty of time for Bryant to finish carving out his place in NBA history.
His place in the last 10 years is secure.
"His desire and will to win is just greater than anybody's I've ever seen personally," teammate Derek Fisher said. "And so you look at what he's accomplished in terms of the championships and what he's done individually, I think it'd be hard to argue that there's been a better individual within the last 10 years."
Bryant was on top when the decade started, and he still is when it ends.
Not even Jordan could say that.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gTa4eCu3uriK3kASO_Elpum8Wk0QD9CH6D3O0

Congrats to Kobe. I like the fact that the article starts with the 2008 Olympics which was a defnining moment for Kobe & USA basketball. It was about redemption for him, and the USA teams that failed in 04' & 06' under Duncan/Iverson and then Wade/Bron/Melo.


Discuss.

[Culburn369]

This'll go over like a fart in church.

[Venti Quattro]

Who will give her the trophy? Katelyn Faber?

[lefty]

Kobe athlete of the decade?

What ? :rollin

[Venti Quattro]

Kobe athlete of the decade?

What ? :rollin

Why not?

[2Cleva]

Considering he had a rape case this decade - pretty remarkable.

Tiger needs to become his best friend to get his image rebuilt. That and focus on winning Majors and the Ryder Cup.

[Venti Quattro]

Considering he had a rape case this decade - pretty remarkable.

Tiger needs to become his best friend to get his image rebuilt. That and focus on winning Majors and the Ryder Cup.
In all fairness to Kobe he had one offense of adultery. Tiger has.. wait, what's the last count as of this writing? But yeah, Kobe went to hell and back so Tiger really needs Mamba.

[2Cleva]

In all fairness to Kobe he had one offense of adultery. Tiger has.. wait, what's the last count as of this writing? But yeah, Kobe went to hell and back so Tiger really needs Mamba.

Only one offense? Please. Who told you - the tooth fairy?

Kobe too had hoes coming out the woodwork when he got blasted. Difference between Kobe and Tiger is that Kobe was facing criminal charges - so unless anyone could claim he too assaulted them - it wouldn't fit.

Tiger's problem is its just him being unfaithful (a common thing) and he brought money into it when the reports of him paying his wife to stay.

[Fpoonsie]

Makes sense.

I'm tempted to argue the point simply because of the idiotic OP, but whatevs...

[MiamiHeat]

Wade was the best player on the 2008 Olympic team, fact.

Kobe wasn't the best on the team.


lastly,

Duncan and Shaq have a better resume than Bryant does for the decade.

Shaq has 4 rings in the 2000's

These are Shaq's accolades of the 2000's
1 MVP
3 Finals MVP's
Made All-Star team 9 out of the 10 years this decade
1x Scoring champ
7 time NBA All-First team
3x NBA All-Star game MVP



Kobe Bryant accolades of 2000's

1 MVP
1 Finals MVP
All-Star team every year this decade
2x Scoring champ
7 Time All-NBA first team
3x All-Star Game MVP



Looking at that resume, Shaq > Kobe.

Shaq led a three-peat dynasty, while kobe only has 1 finals mvp.

I won't even mention Tim Duncan!

Article full of shit, flavor of the moment. Bryant's agent is trying real hard, but full of fail

[2Cleva]

Wade best on team? Please. I'll let a Kobe hater like Simmons sum it up:

Third, for most of the Games, Team USA had an alpha dog issue. Was this Kobe's team or LeBron's? Fast-forward to 8:13 left: Fernández's three cuts the lead to two; the crowd is going bonkers. Spain's bench reacts like a euphoric 15-seed during a March Madness upset, and the U.S. calls timeout. All along, my biggest fear had been a tight game and multiple USA guys saying, "I got it!" Instead, everyone deferred to Kobe, who made some monster plays to clinch it. Know that in the history of the NBA we have never had the best-player-alive argument resolved so organically. Incredible. Kobe, you have the Lord of the Flies conch. Use it wisely.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3575385

As for your comparison between Shaq/Kobe - only thing Shaq has and edge on is Finals MVP - and everyone knows LA doesn't get out of the West any year without Kobe's clutch plays against Port, SA, and Sac.

As for Duncan - the argument can easily be made. But he only has 3 rings this decade and what hurts him more is he's not much of a story.

[jacobdrj]

Tiger with some bad timing...

[IronMexican]

Suh should get it.

[TheMACHINE]

Finals MVP is a joke...they need to change it to Playoffs MVP.

[Culburn369]

This'll go over like a fart in church.

Told ya's so.

tee, hee.

[Fpoonsie]

Finals MVP is a joke...they need to change it to Playoffs MVP.

Agreed.

[lefty]

Considering he had a rape case this decade - pretty remarkable.

Tiger needs to become his best friend to get his image rebuilt. That and focus on winning Majors and the Ryder Cup.
Actually, that's why he was named Athlete of the Decade

[Rummpd]

Only on one team in a decade was Kobe considered to be the man - he is a great player but this is sublime = Shaq or Duncan, Duncan or Shaq the truth starts and ends with those two for the last 10 years.

[mogrovejo]

:lmao

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:mWs_T6KMVC5RhM:http://famosos.bicodocorvo.com.br/blog/wp-content/gallery/zinedine-zidane/foto-zinedine-zidane-12.jpg
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:eJuGNkuEKSydBM:http://blog.taragana.com/sports/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/roger-federer1.jpg
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:hGmLmjNKRil7kM:http://themehybrid.com/demo/hybrid-news/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/tiger-woods.jpg
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:PYnW6rC4rl70hM:http://kevinliebl.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/lance_armstrong_7_23_051.jpg

Who's Kobe?

[djohn2oo8]

Shaq calls bullshit

[jacobdrj]

Brett Favre is so angered that HE was not selected as the AP's Athlete of the Decade that he has decided to immediately retire, out of pure spite.

[MiamiHeat]

you know what

this poll says ATHLETE of the decade, not nba player of the decade

so you have Duncan and Shaq, both above Kobe


then you have the NFL..... Tom Brady is above Kobe, who else in the nfl?

lol. i wonder how much bryant's agent bribed the writer

[MiamiHeat]

Wade best on team? Please. I'll let a Kobe hater like Simmons sum it up:.

You didn't watch the olympics then

Wade was the best player on that 2008 Beijing team.


In fact, in an NBA poll, Wade was the Olympic MVP. you don't know shit.


How about YAHOO ANSWERS from 1 year ago, with people like you and me discussing this?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080824143133AADh7Y0


or how about the tons of articles on it?

And lastly, you might have noticed while watching Team USA men’s basketball that the best and most exciting basketball player on the planet is still… Dwyane Wade?

Don’t Call it a Comeback

Let’s forget that Dwyane Wade was the leading scorer on Team USA, a team with stars like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant. Let’s even ignore the fact that D-Wade took over games offensively and defensively and was doing it coming off the bench. What we can’t ignore is the fact that the 2006 NBA finals MVP Dwyane Wade is back on top of the basketball world stage. But should we really be surprised or even impressed? Have we already forgotten what this man has done? Take a quick glance at Dwyane Wade’s resume and you will quickly discover remember that D-Wade, aka Flash, is already one of the most clutch and dominant basketball players we have ever seen.

Wade is the same baller who saddled up the Marquette Golden Eagles on his back and led them to the Final Four in 2003. (Quick, name another player that was on that team!)

It’s not the Comeback Kid, it's Dwyane Wade, the same guy who almost single-handedly led the Miami Heat back from a 0-2 deficit against the Dallas Mavericks to win their first NBA championship. The man straight up averaged 34.7 points per game in the NBA finals. That’s not only bananas, it’s—well, for a lack of a better adjective—Jordanesque. Wade’s performance was ranked by NBA.com as the greatest finals performance of all time.

http://sports.bodog.com/articles/team-usa-wins-olympic-gold-and-dwayne-wade-is-back-39407.html

----------

or the Polls around the websites that declared Wade the best olympic player?

[21_Blessings]

Shaq calls bullshit

Shaq hasn't been an 'athlete' since 2002.

[2Cleva]

You didn't watch the olympics then

Wade was the best player on that 2008 Beijing team.

In fact, in an NBA poll, Wade was the Olympic MVP. you don't know shit.

LMAO.

When the going got tough who led Team USA to the W? Who took the toughest defensive matchup nightly? Who was the one Coach K said inspired the team? Who was the player every other star came back talking about his work ethic?

Game. Set. Match.

I like Wade but you really should STFU about this one.

http://www.blogcdn.com/nba.fanhouse.com/media/2008/08/kobe-tz-425.jpg

[redzero]

:lmao

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:mWs_T6KMVC5RhM:http://famosos.bicodocorvo.com.br/blog/wp-content/gallery/zinedine-zidane/foto-zinedine-zidane-12.jpg

Nobody cares about diveball.


http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:eJuGNkuEKSydBM:http://blog.taragana.com/sports/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/roger-federer1.jpg

Nadal's bitch.


http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:hGmLmjNKRil7kM:http://themehybrid.com/demo/hybrid-news/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/tiger-woods.jpg

>implying that golf is a sport.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:PYnW6rC4rl70hM:http://kevinliebl.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/lance_armstrong_7_23_051.jpg

Steroids and only has one testicle.

[Culburn369]

Shaq hasn't been an 'athlete' since 2002.

21, with the goods.

[MiamiHeat]

Kobe Bryant, averaged 23.6 minutes per game

- shot 46% in the 2008 Olympic games.
- scored 120 pts
- shot 32% from 3pt
- 2.8 RPG, 2.1 APG

Dwyane Wade, averaged 18 minutes per game

- shot 67% from FG
- scored 128 pts OFF THE BENCH
- shot 47% from 3pt
- 4.0 RPG, 1.9 APG

Wade > Kobe in the olympics, IN LESS TIME PLAYED

and by the way, LeBron > Kobe in the olympics too.

[MiamiHeat]

and also

Wade didn't have ATROCIOUS games like Kobe did during all of the olympics

like the one USA vs China

Kobe stats, 27 mins played :

6-14 FG
1-7 from the 3pt
42% FG

Wade in the same game? USA vs China, 20 minutes played :

7-7 FG
5-5 from the FT

[MiamiHeat]

how about the very next game? USA vs Angola

Bryant stats, in 18 mins played

-shot 30% FG
- 4-13 FG
- 0-8 from the 3pt
- 8 pts scored

Dwyane Wade, same game in 16 minutes played :

- shot 75% FG
- 6-8 FG
- 2-3 from the 3pt
- 19 pts scored



SHOULD I CONTINUE?

Kobe Bryant sucked monkey balls in the olympics, save for a few games. While Wade and LeBron were amazing

[21_Blessings]

^^ So what?

Kobe closed the deal the for the US that's all that matters. Without the Mamba Wade would have brought home yet another (Le)Bronze.

[MiamiHeat]

^^ So what?

Kobe closed the deal the for the US that's all that matters. Without the Mamba Wade would have brought home yet another (Le)Bronze.

there goes your argument against Shaq's 3 finals mvps

"but but, kobe was the reason the lakers could get past the spurs and the other guys in the playoffs on the way to the finals games!!"

[resistanze]

^^Dayum.

[ploto]

Roger Federer

[MiamiHeat]

^^ So what?

Kobe closed the deal the for the US that's all that matters. Without the Mamba Wade would have brought home yet another (Le)Bronze.

Oh, and I'M NOT DONE

Here are the stats for the Medal game

Dwyane Wade, 27 minutes played :

9-12 FG's, 4-7 from 3pt, 4 steals, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 27 pts scored

75% FG shooting


Kobe Bryant, 27 minutes played :

7-14 fg's, 3-8 from 3pt, 0 steals, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 20 points scored

50% FG shooting




Wade > Kobe in the Medal game as the stats PROVE


THANK U COME AGAIN

[djohn2oo8]

Oh, and I'M NOT DONE

Here are the stats for the Medal game

Dwyane Wade, 27 minutes played :

9-12 FG's, 4-7 from 3pt, 4 steals, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 27 pts scored

75% FG shooting


Kobe Bryant, 27 minutes played :

7-14 fg's, 3-8 from 3pt, 0 steals, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 20 points scored

50% FG shooting




Wade > Kobe in the Medal game as the stats PROVE


THANK U COME AGAIN

:owned

[JamStone]

When Spain made it a game in the second half and everyone else on Team USA started pissing their collective pants, Kobe single-handedly turned that game around back in Team USA's favor. You can spew all the Olympic stats you want, everyone and their mama who actually watched the game knows that Kobe was the reason Team USA brought home gold particularly against Spain in the Gold Medal match. Kobe didn't shoot great the whole Olympic tournament. That's true. But, when a leader and a clutch go-to guy was needed when it mattered most, it wasn't LeBron or Wade that came through. It was Kobe.

[ginobili's bald spot]

I can tell MiamiHeat is very hurt by this article. :lol Writing in the size 6 font bro? :lol

[Muser]

And rightfully so.

[YellowFever]

Miamiheat is right in the sense that Wade had a better overall Olympics than Kobe did but as pointed out by Stone, they are flying back from China with the Silver if Kobe didn't carry them in the last 7 plus minutes of the final game.

And WTF does this have to do with athlete of the decade anyways? Are you really trying to convince us that Wade should get it before Kobe?

Edit: sorry Miami, you weren't implying that. I misread it.

[MiamiHeat]

Garbage.

Bryant hit a big three, but don't lie. He didn't carry shit. Team USA played good ball overall.

Basically, this is akin to saying

"Yeah, Duncan was the better player in the Finals vs Detroit, but Robert Horry carried them towards the end with that 3pter."

Bryant was a role player in the olympics, and made a big play in the medal game. He didn't carry shit, however.

[ginobili's bald spot]

A role player that Wade and LeBron looked to bail them out and take over the game when it mattered. They knew who the Alpha dog was. They gave way to the closer.


9g0RHgfuugs

[Killakobe81]

Kobe wins rightfully so. Many make great points here
Wade was better overall in the Olympics TRUE.
shaq on the three titles they played was the main man ...
Duncan was the model of consistency
BUT... Kobe was the most clutch in both the Olympics and his 1st title in both cases Lakers dont win in 2000 without Kobe's OT game 4 performance...ditto 4th quarter Gold medal game ...
Fact is Kobe started the decade as sports brightest young star struggled a bit in the middle scored 81, and closed it out with a MVP season, and Finals MVP season ...

I dont believe it's clear-cut ...but to argue shaq that is crazy ...it's either Kobe, Duncan, Brady, or Tiger ...anyone else is irrelevant

[Killakobe81]

When Spain made it a game in the second half and everyone else on Team USA started pissing their collective pants, Kobe single-handedly turned that game around back in Team USA's favor. You can spew all the Olympic stats you want, everyone and their mama who actually watched the game knows that Kobe was the reason Team USA brought home gold particularly against Spain in the Gold Medal match. Kobe didn't shoot great the whole Olympic tournament. That's true. But, when a leader and a clutch go-to guy was needed when it mattered most, it wasn't LeBron or Wade that came through. It was Kobe.

dude even biased ass Bill Simmons pointed this out after the gold medal game it probably hurt ... but he admitted it.

[Killakobe81]

And I would consider Fedderrer even though Nadal owned him for a few years EXCEPT most of america (world) doesnt follow tennis. And that is why I discount Brady it's really Tiger, Kobe and Duncan ...

[Allanon]

Kobe went through the lows of lows in Colorado and now is all the way back on top. Both LeBron and Wade were more universally liked a few years ago.

Pretty damn amazing career so far by Kobe.

[MiamiHeat]

A role player that Wade and LeBron looked to bail them out and take over the game when it mattered. They knew who the Alpha dog was. They gave way to the closer.

Wade was a Finals MVP and his CLUTCH performance in the NBA Finals to lead his team to victory was ranked by ESPN as the greatest NBA FINALS performance in NBA History.

So I would say you are full of shit and still trying to lie in favor of your lakers

Wade don't need to look upon anyone,

especailly since Wade had a better game than bryant.

[Culburn369]

Kobe went through the lows of lows in Colorado and now is all the way back on top.

He got inside the wire with those 2 hellcats (his lawyer & his wife) and they took 'em as they came in.

[YellowFever]

Garbage.

Bryant hit a big three, but don't lie. He didn't carry shit. Team USA played good ball overall.

Basically, this is akin to saying

"Yeah, Duncan was the better player in the Finals vs Detroit, but Robert Horry carried them towards the end with that 3pter."

Bryant was a role player in the olympics, and made a big play in the medal game. He didn't carry shit, however.

In the last 7 and a half minutes, Kobe:

Drove to the hoop for a lay up/tear drop for 2

Drove the lane again to suck in the defense and a pass out to DWill
for a 3.

Drove again, sucking in the defense again, and handed the ball to Howard for a dunk.

Nailed a three pointer from the corner.

Nailed a three from the wing with a foul on Fernanadez.

And finally, drove again with the little one handed jumper.

While Kobe was doing that, Bron had 1 lay up and Wade hit
a three pointer.

Now if you think that was just one play or one three pointer, I can't help you.
You live in a fantasy world.

[21_Blessings]

The fact that bitter non-Lakers fans actively try to disparage Kobe's legacy because he played next to a great player is really funny. It's like Kobe's first three peat doesn't even count. Despite the fact that he was the clear go to guy over Shaq in the 4th, best defender on the team (arguably best perimeter D in the L at the time) and facilitator of the triangle. It was a 1a/1b type of relationship - and you'd only realize that if you actually watched those teams play (which 80% of the posters here never did it seems).

Kobe could have easily put up around 30 a game during his early twenties. Instead he deferred to Shaq for the first 3 quarters and dominated the 4the en route to 3 straight. Put that into perspective. 3. in. a. row. Timmy couldn't even shit out a measly repeat.

[Chieflion]

Yes, just because D-Wade put up a great performance to put the US into a position where Kobe could take over the ball game. Ya, but Kobe was the best US Olympics player. Carry on.

Shaq carried the Lakers throughout the first 3 quarters, then Kobe took over. Sounds familiar? Shaq was the better player then.

[YellowFever]

Add: I just happened to watch the last quarter on my hard drive
two days ago so I remember it well. Doug Collins even said, "Kobe Bryant is responsible
for the last 15 points score
by team USA"......or something to that effect.

[Culburn369]

Hey, Chief, how bout the part where "Timmy couldn't even shit out a measly repeat."?

[Chieflion]

Hey, Chief, how bout the part where "Timmy couldn't even shit out a measly repeat."?
I was talking about the Olympics, not the NBA.

[MiamiHeat]

Kobe had horrible games, ATROCIOUS GAMES like vs China, Angola, etc..., and if not for WADE, then USA would not have won those games and had enough points to even BE in the medal game

how about that?

[YellowFever]

Yes, just because D-Wade put up a great performance to put the US into a position where Kobe could take over the ball game. Ya, but Kobe was the best US Olympics player. Carry on.

Shaq carried the Lakers throughout the first 3 quarters, then Kobe took over. Sounds familiar? Shaq was the better player then.

Dude, if you know that little about basketball, I can't help you.

Shaquille was a monster which no other teams had an answer for. That doesn't make him a better player. Ask any knowledgable Spurs or Sac fan who did more damage to their teams during those battles.

[MiamiHeat]

Dude, if you know that little about basketball, I can't help you.

Shaquille was a monster which no other teams had an answer for. That doesn't make him a better player. Ask any knowledgable Spurs or Sac fan who did more damage to their teams during those battles.

So Shaq demands double and TRIPLE teams back then, leaving kobe and other Lakers open, and room to make plays

but you don't give the credit to shaq? lol

[Chieflion]

Dude, if you know that little about basketball, I can't help you.

Shaquille was a monster which no other teams had an answer for. That doesn't make him a better player. Ask any knowledgable Spurs or Sac fan who did more damage to their teams during those battles.
Cause being more dominant does not make you a better player with more impact. Amuse me. Kobe > Shaq?

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't care for this argument anymore, Kobe fans are severely outnumbering everybody on the internet right now, just like the old days..go to RealGM, pretty much every poster that has registered in 2009 is a Lakers fan..pretty much every media outlet is doing the same..

All I'm going to say is that Kobe is BY FAR the biggest beneficiary of revisionist history of all-time..of any sport..if you were a die-hard NBA fan earlier in the decade, you would agree..it's just funny to me how people look back and view the Lakers 3-peat now, Shaq has been shitted on badly in comparison..my team was a rival, I watched all of those games..Kobe had some huge games against the Spurs and other teams at the times, he was a monstrous part of the 3-peat, but the guy rarely saw a fucking double-team..it's as if people forget how much attention Shaq used to draw..he was arguably the biggest mismatch in NBA history..

in every year that the Lakers get better or win a title, Kobe's old days start looking better to his fans and the media..every year they think we're going to forget as they tweak their previous arguments..

[YellowFever]

Cause being more dominant does not make you a better player with more impact. Amuse me. Kobe > Shaq?

OK, so the criteria has changed. It's who had a bigger impact, huh?

I'll give you Shaq on that one, for the simple reason the offense was designed around him as opposed to Kobe.

[HarlemHeat37]

Also, LOL @ the mention of Kobe raping a girl, as if it had any effect on his image..people forgot about it a year later, which is absolutely ridiculous when you consider how horrible raping somebody is..

The guy benefited from having $ and playing for the most popular franchise in all of sports..people even ignored the fact that his own coach said he wasn't surprised if Kobe did something like that..

Kobe is BY FAR the biggest beneficiary of media hype, revisionist history, second chances, excuses and double standards..nobody even comes close..

[YellowFever]

I don't care for this argument anymore, Kobe fans are severely outnumbering everybody on the internet right now, just like the old days..go to RealGM, pretty much every poster that has registered in 2009 is a Lakers fan..pretty much every media outlet is doing the same..

All I'm going to say is that Kobe is BY FAR the biggest beneficiary of revisionist history of all-time..of any sport..if you were a die-hard NBA fan earlier in the decade, you would agree..it's just funny to me how people look back and view the Lakers 3-peat now, Shaq has been shitted on badly in comparison..my team was a rival, I watched all of those games..Kobe had some huge games against the Spurs and other teams at the times, he was a monstrous part of the 3-peat, but the guy rarely saw a fucking double-team..it's as if people forget how much attention Shaq used to draw..he was arguably the biggest mismatch in NBA history..

in every year that the Lakers get better or win a title, Kobe's old days start looking better to his fans and the media..every year they think we're going to forget as they tweak their previous arguments..

Welcome to the real world.

When MJ was playing, everyone hated his ass and they all called him selfish.

[Chieflion]

OK, so the criteria has changed. It's who had a bigger impact, huh?

I'll give you Shaq on that one, for the simple reason the offense was designed around him as opposed to Kobe.
The criteria has never changed. A better player almost always has more impact than a lesser player.

[MiamiHeat]

Welcome to the real world.

When MJ was playing, everyone hated his ass and they all called him selfish.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wow laker fans are the worst.

MJ was the most beloved athlete in sports history. period

[MiamiHeat]

When MJ was playing, everyone hated his ass and they all called him selfish.

b0AGiq9j_Ak

Gatorade used to sell their products with a simple slogan :

"Be Like Mike.

Drink Gatorade. "

and it worked.

Michael Jordan also single-handedly raised Nike to where it is today.

[O.J Mayo]

Fact: In the Olympics, I would have scored more points than Kobe Bryant on higher field goal percentage and more assists. That is why I am the greatest player. If I were on the Lakers, I would get as much cock sucking. Then again, yours truly, da Juiceman does not want anything to do with the Los Angeles Lakers.

[cobbler]

Kobe Bryant, averaged 23.6 minutes per game

- shot 46% in the 2008 Olympic games.
- scored 120 pts
- shot 32% from 3pt
- 2.8 RPG, 2.1 APG

Dwyane Wade, averaged 18 minutes per game

- shot 67% from FG
- scored 128 pts OFF THE BENCH
- shot 47% from 3pt
- 4.0 RPG, 1.9 APG

Wade > Kobe in the olympics, IN LESS TIME PLAYED

and by the way, LeBron > Kobe in the olympics too.

Excellent of you to capitalize the "off the bench" noting that DWade played a majority against the 2nd stringers! :toast

[Chieflion]

Excellent of you to capitalize the "off the bench" noting that DWade played a majority against the 2nd stringers! :toast
With this logic, it is as if Wade could not pull this off against the starting lineup. Of course, this cannot be disproved.

[dallaskd]

Go Mavs.

[cobbler]

With this logic, it is as if Wade could not pull this off against the starting lineup. Of course, this cannot be disproved.

Im just messing with Miami. Wade is a great great great player. Of course he would have done well against any lineup. Did Wade have a better olympics overall... yes. Did Kobe come through in the gold medal 4th... yes.

I think if you asked all the players on that team who the learned from the most during thier experience... it would almost be a unamimous Kobe. Players defensive attitudes and work ethics all increased post GOLD.

[21_Blessings]

Shaq carried the Lakers throughout the first 3 quarters, then Kobe took over.

Yeah Kobe just stood there the first 3 quarters while Shaq carried him. Do you actually know how basketball works?

Never saw Shaq win a ring when he had an all-star team 96-98. It wasn't until Kobe emerged as the best shooting guard in the league did the Lakers start collecting rings.


Sounds familiar? Shaq was the better player then.

Not defensively he wasn't. Which is 50% of the basketball. Shaq certainly wasn't a better closer and was an actual liability on the floor at times due to his FT shooting.

You remember how MJ was the obvious closer for the Bulls? Sound familiar? :lol

Fact: Kobe winning 3 straight rings with Shaq on the team can not be used to disparage his legacy. It makes you look absolutely clueless when you do.

[Chieflion]

Yeah Kobe just stood there the first 3 quarters while Shaq carried him. Do you actually know how basketball works?

Never saw Shaq win a ring when he had an all-star team 96-98. It wasn't until Kobe emerged as the best shooting guard in the league did the Lakers start collecting rings.



Not defensively he wasn't. Which is 50% of the basketball. Shaq certainly wasn't a better closer and was an actual liability on the floor at times due to his FT shooting.

You remember how MJ was the closer forthe Bulls? Sound familiar? :lol

Fact: Kobe winning 3 straight rings with Shaq on the team can not be used to disparage his legacy. It makes you look stupid when you do.
Idiotic post made by troll. Never make false claims. Fact: Shaq was better than Kobe.

[HarlemHeat37]

Kobe sharing the ball with Iverson and Marbury would have been comedy at it's finest..

[jmill]

So Shaq demands double and TRIPLE teams back then, leaving kobe and other Lakers open, and room to make plays

but you don't give the credit to shaq? lol

Actually while this is true, it's interesting that Kobe had his best individual seasons AFTER Shaq left.

[jmill]

BTW, I think Kobe over Shaq for the decade is fine, only because Shaq got a bit unlucky in the sense that 6 years of his prime was in the 90s. If this was 95-05, or the first 5 years, I'd say Shaq no question. There is no understating his dominance in his prime.

But as good as he was during the 3 peat (and he was a BEAST), he started declining after the first 4 years of the decade. In year 5-7 he was still good, but had a clear dropoff from his prime, in years 6-9, he wasn't even close to the same player. He was barely relevant in those years.

While Kobe may not have had much team success w/o Shaq until Pau got there, he WAS still dominant as an individual, and that counts for something to alot of people, even if it doesn't to you. Not everyone measures the best athlete over a time period by team success. Was Jim Mcmahon better than Dan Marino?

Basically I think it was a perfect storm for Kobe in that his prime as an individual has lasted throughout nearly the entire decade. And no matter how much you may hate him, he's been unbelievably good, and consistent.

[Chieflion]

Actually, it is athlete of the year, which says Kobe is better and more dominant than Tiger Woods and Roger Federer at their respective sport? Really....

[MiamiHeat]

jmil, you're a laker fan

nobody gives a shit what your biased ass thinks.

[Banzai]

http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10071/n655915433_3129942_723.jpg (http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10071/n655915433_3129942_723.jpg)

[MiamiHeat]

Lol @ the article's last sentences

"Bryant was on top when the decade started,"

LOL.

Shaq, Duncan, and a lot of other guys were above.

[jmill]

jmil, you're a laker fan

nobody gives a shit what your biased ass thinks.

MiamiHeat,

breathe man, breathe. It's going to be okay.

It's interesting that you choose to call me biased though when:

a. I've already said I think Wade was better than Kobe last year
b. I think Wade was the most valuable player on the olympic team
c. You routinely act emotional and irrational towards anything related to Kobe
or the Heat. Very similar to a female.

Think about it. I constantly give Wade a ton of credit, whereas you constantly try to downplay anything remotely positive about Kobe. While I tend to look at these things objectively (mostly because it's just a game, and I don't take this stuff that serious), you are the very definition of biased, and irrational.

Although the irony is delicious. http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[jmill]

Actually, it is athlete of the year, which says Kobe is better and more dominant than Tiger Woods and Roger Federer at their respective sport? Really....

It's extremely difficult to compare an athlete in a team sport to one in an individual sport for obvious reasons. Just so many variables.

[jmill]

Also, Tim Duncan doesn't get enough credit for what he's done in the NBA, and is absolutely underrated by the casual fan. In contrast to Kobe, who can be overrated by the casual fan to an extent. Which is insane considering what Duncan has accomplished.

[Culburn369]

Also, Tim Duncan doesn't get enough credit for what he's done in the NBA, and is absolutely underrated by the casual fan. In contrast to Kobe, who can be overrated by the casual fan to an extent. Which is insane considering what Duncan has accomplished.

One must brand Duncan with the TAINT for not repeating.

[FkLA]

Get the fuck out with the never repeated shit, you act as if the circumstances are even remotely similar...Duncan won a three titles this decade with a team who had one of lowest salaries, a team that when blessed with huge cap room was only able to entice the likes of Trasho Nesterovic and Robert Horry, a conservative team when it came to anything and everything, and with noone even remotely close to being as good as Shaq was from 2000-2003--btw this ridiculous notion that Kobe>Shaq from 00-03 because he closed games is absolutely retarded, does that make Ginobili>Duncan? Shaq was the MVP of the entire playoffs each and every one of those three years too, yall talking about how it should be Playoffs MVP and not Finals MVP as if Kobe wouldve got the nod over Shaq in that case haha. Ridiculous.

But if you want to taint Duncan for not repeating, dont overlook Kobe not reaching the playoffs. That is much worse...and I hope a Laker fan brings up the players he had that year and proclaim 'what did you expect' that way we can compare it to some of the players Duncan didnt just make the playoffs with but won a fucking title with.


http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10071/n655915433_3129942_723.jpg (http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10071/n655915433_3129942_723.jpg)

Is that Hermoine Granger?

[TDMVPDPOY]

about lance armstrong umm didnt he have strong bike riders on his team for all those 7 runs?

how about compare him in individual comps, is he successful without his team?

[jmill]

But if you want to taint Duncan for not repeating, dont overlook Kobe not reaching the playoffs. That is much worse...and I hope a Laker fan brings up the players he had that year and proclaim 'what did you expect' that way we can compare it to some of the players Duncan didnt just make the playoffs with but won a fucking title with.


It's like you're trolling yourself : /

[Chieflion]

Either way, this article is only showing Kobe's case for athlete of the decade, it is not to crown Kobe as athlete of the decade. A biased fag is just blowing this out of proportion.

[Culburn369]

But if you want to taint Duncan for not repeating, dont overlook Kobe not reaching the playoffs.

There has never been a TAINT for not reaching the playoffs. There has always been a TAINT for not repeating though. Well, there was until Daddy & Kobe repeated and then it got kinda quiet about tainting & repeating. I'm renewing the patent on the TAINT for not repeating. And Duncan ain't repeated. Ipso facto, TAINT upon Duncan.

[wanggi]

If the Colorado Rapist can be named Athlete of the Decade, anything can be happened in this immoral world.

[Culburn369]

If the Colorado Rapist can be named Athlete of the Decade, anything can be happened in this immoral country.

Zip has arrived.

[Culburn369]

O & 41!

[wanggi]

cubby don't forget that Kobe refused to play for USA once in Olympics and once in Man World Basketball Game.
He pretended he was still injured.
"Kobe named Athlete of the Decade"?
It's a shame.

[Culburn369]

Then Nash bested him by refusing to play for Porter, sabotaging the team and conspiring with others to mutiny.

Now I got company.

Stings, don't it?

tee, hee.

[wanggi]

Yer off topic cubby.

Nash can be named Athlete of the Decade in Canada, not in USA.
And, don't forget Nash is as white as ya(I thought yer racist when you called black people "######".)

[Culburn369]

Yer off topic cubby.

Nash can be named Athlete of the Decade in Canada, not in USA.
And, don't forget Nash is as white as ya(I thought yer racist when you called black people "######".)

Uh, uh. Nash quit and on this Forum, Wangi, he gets held to accounts daily.

Let us proceed...

[wanggi]

0 & 54.damaged ass'o.

[Culburn369]

lmcontrollinao!

[Kobe™]

Wade was the best player on the 2008 Olympic team, fact.

Kobe wasn't the best on the team.


Dwayne Wade:
“Kobe Bryant Is Still The Best Player In The Game”
http://dimemag.com/2009/06/dwyane-wade-kobe-bryant-is-still-the-best-player-in-the-game/

[angelbelow]

Well deserved.

[Kobulingam]

Tiger Woods and Roger Federer. Not Kobe.