Kobe is just not a Finals performer

[midnightpulp]

He's not Bird, Magic, Shaq, Duncan, Hakeem, and definitely not Michael Jordan.

What is it about the Finals that troubles Kobe Bryant? Even during the 3 peat days, he didn't put in one great sustained series against the likes of the Sixers and Pacers. Like all of us knowledgeable fans claimed all along, the Lakers go as far as Pau Gasol will take them. He was amazing once again, but Kobe chose to disappear somewhat by committing stupid fouls and chucking up 7 3's instead of attacking.

Maybe he'll pick it up and prove all his naysayers wrong, but if history is any indication, that's not very likely.

[Killakobe81]

Dumb shit ..

dude shot 8 for 20 tonight ...had 5 fouls ...not great not horrible ...

Magic had aome shitty Finals games

Ditto Bird

Jordan's bad Finals games are rare ...Kobe is not as good as MJ ...

[eyeh8u]

Dumb shit ..

dude shot 8 for 20 tonight ...had 5 fouls ...not great not horrible ...

Magic had aome shitty Finals games

Ditto Bird

Jordan's bad Finals games are rare ...Kobe is not as good as MJ ...


8 for 20 is horrible, so is the 5 fouls

[Killakobe81]

Ron screwed up a close game he owes us ...

[Ghazi]

The 4th foul was BS though. Maybe the 3rd too, I forget.

Lot of lame calls tonight.

[Giuseppe]

Kobe was pressing from the start. 10 points down ain't the end of the world.

[Capt Bringdown]

I'm not a fan of Kobe, but these haters are ridiculous.
When Kobe wins, it's not due to his efforts. When he loses, it's all on him.
In other words, you hate Kobe.

[BRHornet45]

sons the refs actually called a fair game and didn't give Kobe his typical star treatment. Kobe can't handle it when the game is fair.

[Giuseppe]

Kobe was the catalyst for the defeat tonite nonetheless. His 2,3,4 fouls were mental lapses.

He failed to lead.

[4>0rings]

The thing is the refs just had the balls to call the fouls on Kobe tonight, unlike every other night.

[Giuseppe]

The thing is the refs just had the balls to call the fouls on Kobe tonight, unlike every other night.

:rolleyes

[Ashy Larry]

many of his fouls were brutal. The same could be said for Allen in game 1.

This game was lost after the 90-87 lead.

[Giuseppe]

many of his fouls were brutal. The same could be said for Allen in game 1.

This game was lost after the 90-87 lead.

Kobe performs best when it's business. When he makes it personal, like tonite, he can't get from A to B and the team suffers. It's a lesson he's not learned yet, and may be a character flaw, unable to be corrected.

[BRHornet45]

Kobe performs best when it's business. When he makes it personal, like tonite, he can't get from A to B and the team suffers. It's a lesson he's not learned yet, and may be a character flaw, unable to be corrected.

son that and the fact that whenever the game is actually called fair on BOTH sides, Kobe is fucked. he can't get away with his usual ball carrying every other possession, he can't get away with his constant fouling, he isn't given free points at the free throw line simply because he decided to run in the paint and throw the ball up and scream, etc.

[duncan228]

Updated.

No 4th quarter heroics for Kobe in Lakers’ loss (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-nbafinals-lakers)
By Beth Harris

For once, the fourth quarter didn’t belong to Kobe Bryant.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar picked up his fifth foul early in the final period, when Bryant’s defensive matchup, Rajon Rondo, carried the Boston Celtics to a 103-94 victory Sunday night that tied the NBA finals at a game apiece.

Bryant finished with 21 points, six assists and four steals in the Lakers’ first home loss of the postseason. They dropped to 9-1 at Staples Center.

Bryant committed five of the Lakers’ 15 turnovers.

Midway through the fourth, it looked as though Bryant was going to take over as he’s done countless times in his career. He scored five points in a row to extend the Lakers’ lead to 90-87 - their largest of the period.

“We fought pretty hard to get back in the game, and then we let the game slip away,” said a subdued Bryant in one of several clipped responses he gave.

But Rondo wasn’t finished. He keyed a game-ending 16-4 run on his way to 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in helping the Celtics tie the series. Game 3 is Tuesday night in Boston.

Bryant, meanwhile, began misfiring over the final 5 minutes. He missed a 3-pointer, then scored from long range after teammate Ron Artest’s haphazard dribbling led to an ill-advised 3-pointer that came up empty.

“It’s one of the more unusual sequences I’ve ever witnessed,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

Bryant missed again on a drive while double-teamed, then got stripped of the ball from behind by Rondo before missing another 3 in the closing seconds.

“Just causing turnovers down the stretch,” Bryant said.

Jackson noticed the Celtics forced Bryant to consistently drive left.

“They were not letting him come back to his right hand, shoving him to the left and then going to help when he started to push the ball,” the coach said. “That changed things up for him. He still figured it out pretty well towards the end, but couldn’t complete it.”

After Bryant’s one-man spurt, the Celtics ran off 11 unanswered points, with Rondo scoring six.

“We gave them too many easy baskets and blew too many defensive assignments,” Bryant said. “That’s it.”

His offensive foul led to his fifth 45 seconds into the fourth, when the Celtics outscored the Lakers 31-22. Jackson gambled and kept Bryant in the game. Boston never lured him into a sixth.

An irritated looking Bryant sat down after his fourth foul midway through the third, when he had just two points. He didn’t return until the fourth began.

“I wasn’t happy with those foul calls. Those were unusual calls,” Jackson said. “But he tried to play aggressively. Got called for it. Tried to limit his game a little bit because they were taking charges, and it really changed the complexity of this ballgame. They did a good job on him defensively, no doubt about that.”

Bryant wasn’t the only Laker on the wrong end of the referees’ whistles.

Lamar Odom picked up three fouls in the game’s first three minutes and ended up with five fouls and three points.

“I turned to my crew and said, ‘Do you think he can play through this?”’ Jackson said. “And as I was talking to them, he got his third foul. So obviously he couldn’t play through that sequence.”

Andrew Bynum also had five fouls in between tying his career playoff high with 21 points and swatting seven blocked shots. Artest fouled out with 47 seconds remaining in the game.

Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 25 points, eight rebounds and six of their finals-record 14 blocked shots.

[Fabbs]

son that and the fact that whenever the game is actually called fair on BOTH sides, Kobe is fucked. he can't get away with his usual ball carrying every other possession, he can't get away with his constant fouling, he isn't given free points at the free throw line simply because he decided to run in the paint and throw the ball up and scream, etc.
And rely on the other team to choke, ie miss free throws, stupid turnovers, back off on defense as if you were pair off (Jameer Nelson) all the while Kobme was getting slammed last year too, ie Turkolu stuffing his ass.

Yep, he just can't perform in the Finals.

[Ashy Larry]

No 4th quarter heroics for Kobe in Lakers’ loss (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-nbafinals-lakers)
By Beth Harris

For once, the fourth quarter didn’t belong to Kobe Bryant.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar picked up his fifth foul early in the final period, when Bryant’s defensive matchup, Rajon Rondo, carried the Boston Celtics to a 103-94 victory Sunday night that tied the NBA finals at a game apiece.

Bryant finished with 21 points, six assists, five turnovers and four steals in the Lakers’ first home loss of the postseason. They dropped to 9-1 at Staples Center.

Midway through the fourth, it looked as though Bryant was going to take over as he’s done countless times in his career. He scored five points in a row to extend the Lakers’ lead to 90-87—their largest of the period.

But Rondo wasn’t finished. He keyed a game-ending 16-4 run to help the Celtics tie the series. Game 3 is Tuesday night in Boston.

Bryant, meanwhile, began misfiring over the final 5 minutes. He missed a 3-pointer, then scored from long range after teammate Ron Artest’s haphazard dribbling led to an ill-advised 3-pointer that came up empty.

Bryant missed again on a drive while double-teamed, then got stripped of the ball from behind by Rondo before missing another 3 in the closing seconds.

Just keep Pierce under ten and stop dribbling ........ Ron is brutal.

[BRHornet45]

And rely on the other team to choke, ie miss free throws, stupid turnovers, back off on defense as if you were pair off (Jameer Nelson) all the while Kobme was getting slammed last year too, ie Turkolu stuffing his ass.

Yep, he just can't perform in the Finals.

co-signed

[Giuseppe]

son that and the fact that whenever the game is actually called fair on BOTH sides, Kobe is fucked. he can't get away with his usual ball carrying every other possession, he can't get away with his constant fouling, he isn't given free points at the free throw line simply because he decided to run in the paint and throw the ball up and scream, etc.

BR, you're like Kobe, you can't perform/post when it's personal. And with the Lakers, especially Kobe, it's personal with you, and many of the fellows here. You won't admit it, but, it's true nonetheless.

[Jacob1983]

MJ = 6 time NBA Finals MVP
Kobe = 1 NBA Finals MVP and 4 Finals appearances as Shaq's bitch.

[Giuseppe]

MJ = 6 time NBA Finals MVP
Kobe = 1 NBA Finals MVP and 4 Finals appearances as Shaq's bitch. Mavs = O & Forever.

tee, hee.

[BRHornet45]

MJ = 6 time NBA Finals MVP
Kobe = 1 NBA Finals MVP and 4 Finals appearances as Shaq's bitch.

son so much fucking truth in this ... yet Laker fans and most of the media turn the other cheek. they are so desperate to "create a superstar" that they completely ignore the FACTS.

[namlook]

MJ = 6 time NBA Finals MVP
Kobe = 1 NBA Finals MVP and 4 Finals appearances as Shaq's bitch.
Dirk = 1 finals appearance as Wade's bitch

[BRHornet45]

post of the fucking decade namlook

[bdubya]

I'd give a little credit to Boston for Kobe's shitty night. More than I'd give to the refs, anyhow....

[BRHornet45]

I'd give a little credit to Boston for Kobe's shitty night. More than I'd give to the refs, anyhow....

son the refs SURPRISINGLY called a pretty fair game tonight and probably the best called game of the playoffs this season. they honestly probably felt some heat with the constant criticism they receive so Stern had no choice but to allow them to call it down the middle at least ONCE in the series .... and look what happens. Kobe is next to nothing without them.

[Ghazi]

and CP3 isn't even a playoff performer.

tee, hee

[Giuseppe]

son the refs SURPRISINGLY called a pretty fair game tonight and probably the best called game of the playoffs this season. they honestly probably felt some heat with the constant criticism they receive so Stern had no choice but to allow them to call it down the middle at least ONCE in the series .... and look what happens. Kobe is next to nothing without them.

:rolleyes

[Jacob1983]

Kobe is suppose to be the next Jordan so it looks worse for him. Dirk is a white guy from Germany. Kobe is just not as good as Jordan. Plain and simple. Kobe dick suckers and lovers just need to admit it and move on. His only championship by himself was against a shitty Magic team that was led by an overrated center who can't make free throws to save his own life. Dirk only has 1 appearance in the Finals and it was a questionable Finals too. For the record, in order for the Heat to win, Wade had to play like his life depended on it and the Mavs had to suck ass. I'm biased but I've never thought the Heat's 2006 Finals victory was that impressive. The Heat played at their best for 4 games in a row while the Mavs sucked ass for 4 games and let's not forget that the Heat and STD infested Wade had a lot of things go in their favor during those 4 games.

[namlook]

Kobe is suppose to be the next Jordan so it looks worse for him. Dirk is a white guy from Germany. Kobe is just not as good as Jordan. Plain and simple. Kobe dick suckers and lovers just need to admit it and move on. His only championship by himself was against a shitty Magic team that was led by an overrated center who can't make free throws to save his own life. Dirk only has 1 appearance in the Finals and it was a questionable Finals too. For the record, in order for the Heat to win, Wade had to play like his life depended on it and the Mavs had to suck ass. I'm biased but I've never thought the Heat's 2006 Finals victory was that impressive. The Heat played at their best for 4 games in a row while the Mavs sucked ass for 4 games and let's not forget that the Heat and STD infested Wade had a lot of things go in their favor during those 4 games.

Dirk got owned by Wade in the finals then instead of bouncing back he followed that up by being a 1 seed losing to an 8 and then a 2 seed losing to a 7. I'm surprised Mavs fans can show their faces in any internet basketball forums after those abominations.

[Ghazi]

lmao weak smack

[tdunk21]

kobe is BS.....call it Gasol's lakers and not kobe's lakers.....

[Giuseppe]

You got what you deserved, faggot.

Luva is correct here. You got everything that was comin' to ya.

[Giuseppe]

Kobe is suppose to be the next Jordan so it looks worse for him. Dirk is a white guy from Germany. Kobe is just not as good as Jordan. Plain and simple. Kobe dick suckers and lovers just need to admit it and move on. His only championship by himself was against a shitty Magic team that was led by an overrated center who can't make free throws to save his own life. Dirk only has 1 appearance in the Finals and it was a questionable Finals too. For the record, in order for the Heat to win, Wade had to play like his life depended on it and the Mavs had to suck ass. I'm biased but I've never thought the Heat's 2006 Finals victory was that impressive. The Heat played at their best for 4 games in a row while the Mavs sucked ass for 4 games and let's not forget that the Heat and STD infested Wade had a lot of things go in their favor during those 4 games.

:rolleyes

[MaNu4Tres]

He's been to the finals 6 times and only has 1 Finals MVP to show for it..

OP is on to something..

:stirpot:

[BRHornet45]

He's been to the finals 6 times and only has 1 Finals MVP to show for it..

OP is on to something..

:stirpot:

but but but! .... sportscenter told me that Kobe is going to be better than Michael Jordan!!!!

[tdunk21]

but but but! .... sportscenter told me that Kobe is going to be better than Michael Jordan!!!!

MJ led his team to 6 championships.......kobe is nothing compared to MJ....

[JamStone]

Wilt Chamberlain had 1 NBA Finals MVP in 6 NBA Finals appearances.

He sucked too.

[Giuseppe]

Wilt Chamberlain had 1 NBA Finals MVP in 6 NBA Finals appearances.

He sucked too.

:rolleyes

[Jacob1983]

So since the Mavs choked, I should just abandon ship? Did you cocky Laker fans abandon ship from 2004 to 2007 when the Lakers were shitty? Some of you hopped back on the Lakers bandwagon back in 2008.

Kobe isn't Jordan. Never has and never will be. People need to end the Kobe-Jordan comparisons. There is no comparison. Jordan was 6 for 6 in the Finals. That's perfect. Kobe has lost 2 NBA Finals series, one as Shaq's bitch and the other as the main man.

[namlook]

There is no comparison. Jordan was 6 for 6 in the Finals.

LMAO. Yeah Jordan was perfect. Except all the other years he lost in the playoffs. :lmao

[Giuseppe]

Kobe isn't Jordan. Never has and never will be. People need to end the Kobe-Jordan comparisons. There is no comparison. Jordan was 6 for 6 in the Finals. That's perfect. Kobe has lost 2 NBA Finals series, one as Shaq's bitch and the other as the main man.

:rolleyes