5 rangs / 2 Golds >>>> 5 rangs / Bronze/ 0 Golds

[LkrFan]

Not to mention, 4-2 H2H playoff advantage, when both players played. Is there anymore questions about the true player of his generation? I think not tbh.

[TDMVPDPOY]

lol coatriding shaq and pau, counting them as 5 of his rings he led team

[TrainOfThought5]

CROFLMAO counting non NBA achievements.

He also sold more jerseys in china. Wgaf

[poeticism707]

Not to mention, 4-2 H2H playoff advantage, when both players played. Is there anymore questions about the true player of his generation? I think not tbh.

:rollin :rollin :rollin

[Splits]

http://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.png

[Splits]

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[Mikeanaro]

CROFLMAO counting non NBA achievements.

He also sold more jerseys in china. Wgaf

[baseline bum]

Also has a 4-0 advantage in missing the playoffs

[Silver&Black]

#BuildTheWall

[spurraider21]

Also has a 4-0 advantage in missing the playoffs
1-0 in his prime

[Strategic]

Must be a futball fan.

[LkrFan]

http://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/EcDlBYu.png
Did I strike a nerve? :lol

[LkrFan]

Also has a 4-0 advantage in missing the playoffs

Plus a 1-0 "still has his wife and kids under 1 roof" advantage. There's another bunch in the oven right now. :lol

[LkrFan]

https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gifhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.sbnation.com/assets/2540973/howarddealwithit.gif

Yeah, he Maaaaaaaaad as fuck! :rollin :lmao :rollin

[LkrFan]

CROFLMAO counting non NBA achievements.

He also sold more jerseys in china. Wgaf

7x world champ when you really boil it down. 7x's his team was the best in the world. :)

[ambchang]

7x world champ when you really boil it down. 7x's his team was the best in the world. :)

Horry?

[140]

Horry?
Horry actually contributed to the titles he won unlike kirby who was just a coattail rider

[RGMCSE]

Splits got these laka fools trolling themselves. :lol

[Obstructed_View]

There never really was a question, tbh.

[Killakobe81]

Olympic play only counts for Manu around here tbh ...

When Robinson and Duncan are leaders of the two biggest Team USA losses of the past 25 years or so of course it does not matter.
But wait til Pop and Kiwi win gold.

The story will be very different.

[Sean Cagney]

LOL, has it really come to this?

[whitemamba]

Failing your country is disgraceful.

[baseline bum]

Failing your country is disgraceful.

Failing to make the playoffs is much moreso.

[LkrFan]

Horry?

Never was a 1st or 2nd option
Never made an All-Star team
Right team, right time
Very optimistic player

[LkrFan]

Failing to make the playoffs is much moreso.

Not when you're going to war with Kwame, Chris Mihm, Smush Parker, Luke Walton, and Lamar Odumb.

[LkrFan]

Olympic play only counts for Manu around here tbh ...

When Robinson and Duncan are leaders of the two biggest Team USA losses of the past 25 years or so of course it does not matter.
But wait til Pop and Kiwi win gold.

The story will be very different.

This. That's why they HATE Olympic talk :lol

[LkrFan]

Failing your country is disgraceful.

Indeed. 2 HOF players at that. Same franchise:

https://obnoxioustv.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/20140622-005240.jpg

[LkrFan]

There never really was a question, tbh.

:tu

[Clipper Nation]

Why does an illegal immigrant from Mexico care so much about Team USA's accomplishments?

[poeticism707]

Why does an illegal immigrant from Mexico care so much about Team USA's accomplishments?

:rollin :rollin :rollin

[LkrFan]

Why does an illegal immigrant from Mexico care so much about Team USA's accomplishments?

Just think, in a few weeks, even Harrison Barnes will have a Gold Medal. :lol at Jim's game not translating to FIBA play.

[ambchang]

Never was a 1st or 2nd option
Never made an All-Star team
Right team, right time
Very optimistic player

None of that was what you said in the post I responded to.

Also, key word being "second" in your response.

[ambchang]

Not when you're going to war with Kwame, Chris Mihm, Smush Parker, Luke Walton, and Lamar Odumb.
Laker fans acting like butler never existed and throwing under the bus again.

It's like saying Duncan won a championship with bateer, gold wore, Devon brown, Steve smith and robinsoft.

[Chucho]

This. That's why they HATE Olympic talk :lol

No, just tired of people grasping at straws. You can eat that horse now, that motherfucker was dead 5 years ago...kinda like the Lakers franchise. Talk whatever makes you feel better, still doesn't make your squad any sort of relevant now or in the next 5 years.

Or hop into a Dorlean and drive 88 mph...straight into a wall...like Kobe did with your franchise... #2simple

[ECOV]

Sad laker fans as always :rolleyes.
Always have some shit to say but doesn't make sense.

[Killakobe81]

Laker fans acting like butler never existed and throwing under the bus again.

It's like saying Duncan won a championship with bateer, gold wore, Devon brown, Steve smith and robinsoft.

Butler was a good player. But nothing special. loved Tuff juice's defense and demeanor. But if he was special he wouldnt have been traded so many times and sometimes for mediocre returns. he did get us Kwame which helped get us Pau though ...

Spur fan is full of shit here.
Obviously Laker fan is trolling ... but saying the Olympics means nothing is just as big a reach as saying because of the Olympics means Kobe is automatically greater than Duncan.
International play is why Manu has a shot at the HOF.
The Dream team is was one of the most iconic teams in basketball history.
The travesty of the 72 Olympic basketball squad gold medal game still gets mentions over 40 plus years later and those players still refuse the silver medal
As a youngster I remember seeing young Jordan and Ewing (not even pros yet) lead the US to Gold in 1984 and it's when I first said holy shit what a colossal mistake the Blazers made he was the best college player/rookie I had ever seen. (I did not see Magic/kareem in college) and I did not truly start watching NCAA until 1985

and I watched David lose to Russia and Duncan lose to a team from a US territory led by Carlos freaking Arroyo. CARLOS ARROYO!!!
Those all happened. We can make excuses for it just like Laker fans can make excuses for Kobe missing the playoffs year one post Shaq ...

Also true that Kobe was the leader of the Redeem team even if Lebron (or Arguably wade) was the best player that summer.

Excuses as they say are like assholes. Full of shit.

duncan's failure happened as did David's before him. They were the best players on their Olympic squads so they get the brunt of the blame ...
so does Kobe, missing the playoffs in his prime one year ...

Both sides (Laker/spur fans) just admit the shit and move on.
Both have a "pox" on a otherwise stellar HOF resume.

shit happens ... not even Jordan is perfect.

[Killakobe81]

In David's defense ...look at that roster (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_United_States_men%27s_Olympic_basketball_team #Results).
a lot of good college players, truly really good defenders but that is some horrid shooting. Even thunder Dan Majerle lacked the range he gained in the pros.
what a shit-fest. A bunch of high level college players I remember even watching Jeff Grayer light it up in college.
But so few HOF caliber players. Mitch richmond was the second best player along with Danny Manning.
Hell, Willie Anderson actually represented the US in 88.:lol
Not impressed? Also to be fair these were great college guys they are just utter shit in hindsight and because of the lack of pure shooters to protect David inside ...

Bimbo coles
JR Reid
Stacey "plastic man" Augmon
Charles soft layup smith
Charles Gtown Hoya Smith

Great job, Team USA!!:bobo

[Killakobe81]

Just think, in a few weeks, even Harrison Barnes will have a Gold Medal. :lol at Jim's game not translating to FIBA play.

a lame excuse.
David's sure translated in 1992, so did Ewing.
Neither was as good on the block as Duncan.
Those guys were better shooters? Maybe.
But back then Timmy had that automatic 15 foot angle bank shot ... could have murdered them on that play all day.

He failed. it happens. No player is perfect.

[LkrFan]

Laker fans acting like butler never existed and throwing under the bus again.

It's like saying Duncan won a championship with bateer, gold wore, Devon brown, Steve smith and robinsoft.

Tough Juice had an Al Jefferson type impact on those teams. Empty stats at best. -5 points son.

[LkrFan]

a lame excuse.
David's sure translated in 1992, so did Ewing.
Neither was as good on the block as Duncan.
Those guys were better shooters? Maybe.
But back then Timmy had that automatic 15 foot angle bank shot ... could have murdered them on that play all day.

He failed. it happens. No player is perfect.

Indeed. He quit though. Inexcusable in my book.

[LkrFan]

:cry No, just tired of people grasping at straws. You can eat that horse now, that motherfucker was dead 5 years ago...kinda like the Lakers franchise. Talk whatever makes you feel better, still doesn't make your squad any sort of relevant now or in the next 5 years. :cry

Or hop into a Dorlean and drive 88 mph...straight into a wall...like Kobe did with your franchise... #2simple :cry

Quit crying. Act like somebody son. :lol

[LkrFan]

None of that was what you said in the post I responded to.

Also, key word being "second" in your response.

Horry was on the right team at the right time. That's it and that's all.

[poeticism707]

Quit crying. Act like somebody son. :lol

:rollin :rollin :rollin

[Killakobe81]

Quit crying. Act like somebody son. :lol

This.
What does the Lakers sucking have to do with a Bronze medal?
Deflection.

[TDMVPDPOY]

saying caron butler is a fkn scrub, lol he was fine at miami heat b4 he was traded

[Clipper Nation]

Just think, in a few weeks, even Harrison Barnes will have a Gold Medal. :lol at Jim's game not translating to FIBA play.
Just think, Flavio: even Tim's bronze medal is better than anything Team Mexico has done in recent memory. That's why you have to bandwagon the U.S. in basketball, just like you did in life. :downspin:

[ambchang]

Butler was a good player. But nothing special. loved Tuff juice's defense and demeanor. But if he was special he wouldnt have been traded so many times and sometimes for mediocre returns. he did get us Kwame which helped get us Pau though ...

Not saying Butler is some all world player who makes anybody top 50 all time, but he is a solid 2nd/3rd option on any playoff team, the same with Odom. Butler was highly productive in LA, and even more so with the Wiz. Him, with Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison actually made the playoffs the following number of years. Sure it was the East, but we are talking about Kobe + Odom vs. Arenas + Jamison here. A guy who puts up 16/6/2 is a solid 2nd/3rd wheel on any team, and it's not like he did it because he was on a crappy team or something, he did even better with the Wiz who made the playoffs as a 2nd/3rd wheel role.

Odom, while not playing his best year, was productive as well. His advanced stats weren't great, but they were positive, and he did put up 15/10/4. Lebron James took players like Boobie Gibson and Mo Williams to the finals, and you are telling me Kobe can't even take a better cast to the playoffs? MVPau took a similar cast to the playoffs in the same year in the same conference, while the Lakers finished 11th, and 11 games behind the Grizzlies.


Spur fan is full of shit here.
Obviously Laker fan is trolling ... but saying the Olympics means nothing is just as big a reach as saying because of the Olympics means Kobe is automatically greater than Duncan.
International play is why Manu has a shot at the HOF.
The Dream team is was one of the most iconic teams in basketball history.
The travesty of the 72 Olympic basketball squad gold medal game still gets mentions over 40 plus years later and those players still refuse the silver medal
As a youngster I remember seeing young Jordan and Ewing (not even pros yet) lead the US to Gold in 1984 and it's when I first said holy shit what a colossal mistake the Blazers made he was the best college player/rookie I had ever seen. (I did not see Magic/kareem in college) and I did not truly start watching NCAA until 1985

and I watched David lose to Russia and Duncan lose to a team from a US territory led by Carlos freaking Arroyo. CARLOS ARROYO!!!
Those all happened. We can make excuses for it just like Laker fans can make excuses for Kobe missing the playoffs year one post Shaq ...

I semi agree, Olympics certainly meant something, and 04 was certainly a huge stain on Duncan's basketball legacy. But there are a few things though:
1) The 04 team was horribly constructed, there was no outside shooting to speak of, there were no real point guards, and the only guy who can create for others didn't really play (Lebron). It would be a great And1 tour team though, but on a basketball court? That team will lose to most NBA playoff teams in a series, especially given the circumstances (see 2)
2) Guards were having a field day on that team because the perimeter defense was horrible. The approach has always been "we are so much more talented than you so I will just outscore you". Didn't work at all. It was essentially AI and Starbury dribbling the air out of the ball and going 1 on 1 every freaking possession. Just horrible basketball overall
3) Duncan actually did well in the tournament, especially considering that he was surrounded by defense and hacked all day. As a C, you need guards to feed you the ball. Iverson and Starbury don't feed nobody the ball.
4) The Puerto Rico game was the first game they played. Practices and together times were minimal, there were no plays.
5) the 2004 Argentina would have won a game, or at least made it very close, with the 2000 and 2008 US teams. Classic case of sum > parts, and basically the polar opposite of the US teams from a team approach

As for the 88 team, they were boys amongst men. Robinson actually did pretty good in that tournament.

Over the course of the tournament, people make it sound like the US didn't make the tourny, or didnt' even get to the medal rounds. They did based on pure talent, but once they get to face up against similarly talented teams, their lack of team play and glaring weaknesses in team construction led to those failures. Much like how talented individuals will pretty much always make the playoffs in the NBA, but it takes team play to advance in the playoffs.


Also true that Kobe was the leader of the Redeem team even if Lebron (or Arguably wade) was the best player that summer.

Excuses as they say are like assholes. Full of shit.

duncan's failure happened as did David's before him. They were the best players on their Olympic squads so they get the brunt of the blame ...
so does Kobe, missing the playoffs in his prime one year ...

Both sides (Laker/spur fans) just admit the shit and move on.
Both have a "pox" on a otherwise stellar HOF resume.

shit happens ... not even Jordan is perfect.

Comparing not winning the gold to not making the playoffs is laughable. You have one team winning the gold, you have 16 out of 30 teams making the playoffs.

And no, Kobe wasn't the leader on the 08 team. Lebron was.

[ambchang]

Tough Juice had an Al Jefferson type impact on those teams. Empty stats at best. -5 points son.

Kobe pretty much personifies empty stats. Butler was a positive, both traditional and advanced stats wise.


Horry was on the right team at the right time. That's it and that's all.

Another Laker thrown under the bus by Laker fans. Keep acting like he didn't nail clutch shots after clutch shots for 3 different franchises.

[ambchang]

a lame excuse.
David's sure translated in 1992, so did Ewing.
Neither was as good on the block as Duncan.
Those guys were better shooters? Maybe.
But back then Timmy had that automatic 15 foot angle bank shot ... could have murdered them on that play all day.

He failed. it happens. No player is perfect.

Tough when you get swarmed every possession because it's perfectly legal to double a post player without the ball in FIBA ball. So you just gang around Duncan and let Marbury and Iverson shoot 35% from the field.

[UZER]

Why do people keep falling for these obvious troll threads?

[Killakobe81]

Not saying Butler is some all world player who makes anybody top 50 all time, but he is a solid 2nd/3rd option on any playoff team, the same with Odom. Butler was highly productive in LA, and even more so with the Wiz. Him, with Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison actually made the playoffs the following number of years. Sure it was the East, but we are talking about Kobe + Odom vs. Arenas + Jamison here. A guy who puts up 16/6/2 is a solid 2nd/3rd wheel on any team, and it's not like he did it because he was on a crappy team or something, he did even better with the Wiz who made the playoffs as a 2nd/3rd wheel role.

Odom, while not playing his best year, was productive as well. His advanced stats weren't great, but they were positive, and he did put up 15/10/4. Lebron James took players like Boobie Gibson and Mo Williams to the finals, and you are telling me Kobe can't even take a better cast to the playoffs?

MVPau took a similar cast :lmao to the playoffs in the same year in the same conference, while the Lakers finished 11th, and 11 games behind the Grizzlies.



I semi agree, Olympics certainly meant something, and 04 was certainly a huge stain on Duncan's basketball legacy. But there are a few things though:
1) The 04 team was horribly constructed, there was no outside shooting to speak of, there were no real point guards, and the only guy who can create for others didn't really play (Lebron). It would be a great And1 tour team though, but on a basketball court? That team will lose to most NBA playoff teams in a series, especially given the circumstances (see 2)
2) Guards were having a field day on that team because the perimeter defense was horrible. The approach has always been "we are so much more talented than you so I will just outscore you". Didn't work at all. It was essentially AI and Starbury dribbling the air out of the ball and going 1 on 1 every freaking possession. Just horrible basketball overall
3) Duncan actually did well in the tournament (mediocre for him), especially considering that he was surrounded by defense and hacked all day. As a C, you need guards to feed you the ball. Iverson and Starbury don't feed nobody the ball.
4) The Puerto Rico game was the first game they played. Practices and together times were minimal, there were no plays.
5) the 2004 Argentina would have won a game, or at least made it very close, with the 2000 and 2008 US teams. Classic case of sum > parts, and basically the polar opposite of the US teams from a team approach (speculative)

As for the 88 team, they were boys amongst men. Robinson actually did pretty good in that tournament.

Over the course of the tournament, people make it sound like the US didn't make the tourny, or didnt' even get to the medal rounds. They did based on pure talent, but once they get to face up against similarly talented teams, their lack of team play and glaring weaknesses in team construction led to those failures. Much like how talented individuals will pretty much always make the playoffs in the NBA, but it takes team play to advance in the playoffs.



Comparing not winning the gold to not making the playoffs is laughable. You have one team winning the gold, you have 16 out of 30 teams making the playoffs.

And no, Kobe wasn't the leader on the 08 team. Lebron was.


I can take you word for it or should I take the word of the coach of the 2008 USA team? :rollin
You guys are so fond of the term alpha here is one of the most successful college and US coaches telling you who WAS the alpha in 2008.
You should also know alpha does NOT mean best player. Tim hasnt been the Spurs best players since 2007 but he was still the alpha and the leader until he retired. Some of you guys really dont know shit about how team dynamics truly work ... you cant determine alpha males by looking at win shares and adjusted for pace real plus/minus.

In London, Kobe was also an integral part of what we were doing and a key guy,” Krzyzewski said at USA Basketball training camp on Tuesday.
“But if we lose in Beijing, you’re not interviewing me right now. So I recognize that.”
Coach K noted that Kobe was ‘The Mamba’ down the stretch of the Gold Medal Game against Spain.
He scored 13 points and added two assists in the fourth quarter, including a huge four-point play that shifted momentum after Spain had cut the lead to two points. Coach K also believes that Kobe’s impact is still being felt today as he set the tone for bringing all of the top stars together:
“He was the alpha dog during ’08,” Krzyzewski said. “And we had a lot of other aspiring alpha dogs: LeBron, Carmelo and those guys. So how do you get that era and this era together? They did. “And then in London, you start adding (Kevin Durant) and (Russell) Westbrook. Now you have three eras of alpha dogs, and they got it together. But Kobe set an example for that. He’s smart. Really smart and good. I love him.”

Amb I thought Kobe was a horrible leader and team-mate?!

As for missing the playoffs vs. bronze ...They are both a stain and you can rank which one is worse and I wont even argue with you because a- you may be right but b seriously wgaf? We arguing whose shit smells worse here?:lol

I will debate with you which one is more significant. That is definitely 2004. I can tell you this, most hoops fans remember the losses in 88, 90 and 2004. how many hoops fans remember what year Kobe missed the playoffs? It may be worse but definitely not more public a disgrace. Over 3.9 billion people watched parts of the Athens Olympic games ...

[baseline bum]

Not when you're going to war with Kwame, Chris Mihm, Smush Parker, Luke Walton, and Lamar Odumb.

Kwame and Smush weren't on that team Kobe first led to the lottery Pablo

[Killakobe81]

From Lebron himself via Cleveland.com

The first play of the game he ran through the chest of Pau Gasol and got a flagrant. And Pau Gasol was his teammate with the Lakers. I was like, "Yeah, this guy is on another level." I loved it. I mean, [Gasol] wasn't my teammate, but I was like, you guys can find that clip and you'll see what I'm talking about. It was one of the first plays of the game. I was like, "This guy's all about winning and whoever he's playing for or who he's playing with at that point in time." He really forgot Pau was his teammate. Like he really forgot that he was about to see him in like three weeks in L.A. I swear. It was crazy.

Kobe influencing Kyrie and LeBron tbh ...

[ambchang]

I can take you word for it or should I take the word of the coach of the 2008 USA team? :rollin
You guys are so fond of the term alpha here is one of the most successful college and US coaches telling you who WAS the alpha in 2008.
You should also know alpha does NOT mean best player. Tim hasnt been the Spurs best players since 2007 but he was still the alpha and the leader until he retired. Some of you guys really dont know shit about how team dynamics truly work ... you cant determine alpha males by looking at win shares and adjusted for pace real plus/minus.

In London, Kobe was also an integral part of what we were doing and a key guy,” Krzyzewski said at USA Basketball training camp on Tuesday.
“But if we lose in Beijing, you’re not interviewing me right now. So I recognize that.”
Coach K noted that Kobe was ‘The Mamba’ down the stretch of the Gold Medal Game against Spain.
He scored 13 points and added two assists in the fourth quarter, including a huge four-point play that shifted momentum after Spain had cut the lead to two points. Coach K also believes that Kobe’s impact is still being felt today as he set the tone for bringing all of the top stars together:
“He was the alpha dog during ’08,” Krzyzewski said. “And we had a lot of other aspiring alpha dogs: LeBron, Carmelo and those guys. So how do you get that era and this era together? They did. “And then in London, you start adding (Kevin Durant) and (Russell) Westbrook. Now you have three eras of alpha dogs, and they got it together. But Kobe set an example for that. He’s smart. Really smart and good. I love him.”

Leaders aren't shown when you are leading, it is shown in the face of adversity. It's easy for Kobe to be "I am alpha" on that team, he just crowbars himself in the situation because of his tenure in the league, and starts bossing people around. But when things turn sour, that's when try leaders step up. They don't go on a tirade demanding trades or throwing their teammates under the bus publicly, they work with them and make them excel in their roles. Kobe never did that.

You can call him the alpha when all he did was show Team USA how to win, when the team had way more talent than any other team, and there were actually thoughts in constructing the team this time around. Seriously, team USA would still have won without Kobe showing them how to. It's that simple.

And yes, Kobe is smart, extremely smart. He pulled himself from the stinking pile in 2004 when he knew that team was going to be horrible. Duncan just wanted to help turn a pile of crap into gold, but was able to turn it to bronze.


Amb I thought Kobe was a horrible leader and team-mate?!

Still do. The guys get to spend a few weeks with Kobe, young guys, enamored by the rings, even when they were beta rings. I don't blame them. Who else were they going to "look up" to? Of course they look up to the oldest guy. But did he provide any value to the team as a leader? Not really.


As for missing the playoffs vs. bronze ...They are both a stain and you can rank which one is worse and I wont even argue with you because a- you may be right but b seriously wgaf? We arguing whose shit smells worse here?:lol

A bronze isn't shit. Not being qualified for the tournament would be akin to missing the playoffs.


I will debate with you which one is more significant. That is definitely 2004. I can tell you this, most hoops fans remember the losses in 88, 90 and 2004. how many hoops fans remember what year Kobe missed the playoffs? It may be worse but definitely not more public a disgrace. Over 3.9 billion people watched parts of the Athens Olympic games ...

They remember because they are uneducated and unknowledgeable that a team actually needs some kind of construction. Was it shocking? Sure it was, because everybody expected the US to just waltz through the tourney based on pure talent, and underestimated the importance of team play. They still do, that's why they still put the blame on one person who played well, trying to drag the corpse of the other 11 members with him.


From Lebron himself via Cleveland.com

The first play of the game he ran through the chest of Pau Gasol and got a flagrant. And Pau Gasol was his teammate with the Lakers. I was like, "Yeah, this guy is on another level." I loved it. I mean, [Gasol] wasn't my teammate, but I was like, you guys can find that clip and you'll see what I'm talking about. It was one of the first plays of the game. I was like, "This guy's all about winning and whoever he's playing for or who he's playing with at that point in time." He really forgot Pau was his teammate. Like he really forgot that he was about to see him in like three weeks in L.A. I swear. It was crazy.

Kobe influencing Kyrie and LeBron tbh ...

Lebron just called him crazy. Of course he loves it because he can see MVPau having enough of this Kobe fake leadership and leaving the lakers, he can see Kobe throwing the real MVP under the bus to hog glory and break up a team that has the potential to win more championships. it weakens his opponents, and of course Lebron loves it.

And Lebron is right, Kobe forgot MVPau was his teammate, most of the time, Kobe forgot he had any teammates at all.

[Killakobe81]

Leaders aren't shown when you are leading, it is shown in the face of adversity. It's easy for Kobe to be "I am alpha" on that team, he just crowbars himself in the situation because of his tenure in the league, and starts bossing people around. But when things turn sour, that's when try leaders step up. They don't go on a tirade demanding trades or throwing their teammates under the bus publicly, they work with them and make them excel in their roles. Kobe never did that.

You can call him the alpha when all he did was show Team USA how to win, when the team had way more talent than any other team, and there were actually thoughts in constructing the team this time around. Seriously, team USA would still have won without Kobe showing them how to. It's that simple.

And yes, Kobe is smart, extremely smart. He pulled himself from the stinking pile in 2004 when he knew that team was going to be horrible. Duncan just wanted to help turn a pile of crap into gold, but was able to turn it to bronze.



Still do. The guys get to spend a few weeks with Kobe, young guys, enamored by the rings, even when they were beta rings. I don't blame them. Who else were they going to "look up" to? Of course they look up to the oldest guy. But did he provide any value to the team as a leader? Not really.



A bronze isn't shit. Not being qualified for the tournament would be akin to missing the playoffs.



They remember because they are uneducated and unknowledgeable that a team actually needs some kind of construction. Was it shocking? Sure it was, because everybody expected the US to just waltz through the tourney based on pure talent, and underestimated the importance of team play. They still do, that's why they still put the blame on one person who played well, trying to drag the corpse of the other 11 members with him.



Lebron just called him crazy. Of course he loves it because he can see MVPau having enough of this Kobe fake leadership and leaving the lakers, he can see Kobe throwing the real MVP under the bus to hog glory and break up a team that has the potential to win more championships. it weakens his opponents, and of course Lebron loves it.

And Lebron is right, Kobe forgot MVPau was his teammate, most of the time, Kobe forgot he had any teammates at all.

Lol again the coach of the team called him the alpha and the player you said (LeBron) was the leader... an aspiring alpha along with Melo.

You cannot win this one we have your wall of words and Kobe bias vs. a direct quote from Coach K.

I win.

[Killakobe81]

Leaders aren't shown when you are leading, it is shown in the face of adversity. It's easy for Kobe to be "I am alpha" on that team, he just crowbars himself in the situation because of his tenure in the league, and starts bossing people around. But when things turn sour, that's when try leaders step up. They don't go on a tirade demanding trades or throwing their teammates under the bus publicly, they work with them and make them excel in their roles. Kobe never did that.

You can call him the alpha when all he did was show Team USA how to win, when the team had way more talent than any other team, and there were actually thoughts in constructing the team this time around. Seriously, team USA would still have won without Kobe showing them how to. It's that simple.

And yes, Kobe is smart, extremely smart. He pulled himself from the stinking pile in 2004 when he knew that team was going to be horrible. Duncan just wanted to help turn a pile of crap into gold, but was able to turn it to bronze.



Still do. The guys get to spend a few weeks with Kobe, young guys, enamored by the rings, even when they were beta rings. I don't blame them. Who else were they going to "look up" to? Of course they look up to the oldest guy. But did he provide any value to the team as a leader? Not really.



A bronze isn't shit. Not being qualified for the tournament would be akin to missing the playoffs.



They remember because they are uneducated and unknowledgeable that a team actually needs some kind of construction. Was it shocking? Sure it was, because everybody expected the US to just waltz through the tourney based on pure talent, and underestimated the importance of team play. They still do, that's why they still put the blame on one person who played well, trying to drag the corpse of the other 11 members with him.



Lebron just called him crazy. Of course he loves it because he can see MVPau having enough of this Kobe fake leadership and leaving the lakers, he can see Kobe throwing the real MVP under the bus to hog glory and break up a team that has the potential to win more championships. it weakens his opponents, and of course Lebron loves it.

And Lebron is right, Kobe forgot MVPau was his teammate, most of the time, Kobe forgot he had any teammates at all.

So salty

[140]

Good stuff tbh amb :tu

[Killakobe81]

Good stuff tbh amb :tu

Sure but he still lost ...

[140]

Sure but he still lost ...
Says who?

[Killakobe81]

Says who?

He said Lebron was the leader Coach K said otherwise.
On that point he lost.
He knows it so the went back to the wall of words and his comfort zone ... his notebook on Kobe

[140]

He said Lebron was the leader Coach K said otherwise.
On that point he lost.
He knows it so the went back to the wall of words and his comfort zone ... his notebook on Kobe
Kobe wasn't the leader of that team, I know that much :lol

[Killakobe81]

Kobe wasn't the leader of that team, I know that much :lol

Your opinion doesn't matter more than Coach K's either neither does mine.
I also would have said Lebron was the leader ...

[140]

Your opinion doesn't matter more than Coach K's either neither does mine.
I also would have said Lebron was the leader ...
I highly doubt that's really his opinion though, tbh...it's just one of those questions they answer with something the media wants/expects to hear so they avoid creating a fuss. I mean recently coach K has said that Melo is this current team's leader :lmao

[LkrFan]

Just think, Flavio: even Tim's bronze medal is better than anything Team Mexico has done in recent memory. That's why you have to bandwagon the U.S. in basketball, just like you did in life. :downspin:

:lol

Mexico has as many Gold Medals as Jim :lol

[LkrFan]

From Lebron himself via Cleveland.com

The first play of the game he ran through the chest of Pau Gasol and got a flagrant. And Pau Gasol was his teammate with the Lakers. I was like, "Yeah, this guy is on another level." I loved it. I mean, [Gasol] wasn't my teammate, but I was like, you guys can find that clip and you'll see what I'm talking about. It was one of the first plays of the game. I was like, "This guy's all about winning and whoever he's playing for or who he's playing with at that point in time." He really forgot Pau was his teammate. Like he really forgot that he was about to see him in like three weeks in L.A. I swear. It was crazy.

Kobe influencing Kyrie and LeBron tbh ...

Coach K stated on many occasions that Kobe set the tone for that 2008 Olympic team. Kobe taught them how to defend, even in practice. He obviously influenced LeBron. Fact: I'll guarantee you LeBron didn't make one all defensive team prior to the 2008 Olympic games...and that was his 5th year in the association. Kobe? Made his first all defensive team after his 3rd year. #KOBEEFFECT

[LkrFan]

I highly doubt that's really his opinion though, tbh...it's just one of those questions they answer with something the media wants/expects to hear so they avoid creating a fuss. I mean recently coach K has said that Melo is this current team's leader :lmaoMelo has more Gold Medals than Jim :lol

[ambchang]

Lol again the coach of the team called him the alpha and the player you said (LeBron) was the leader... an aspiring alpha along with Melo.

You cannot win this one we have your wall of words and Kobe bias vs. a direct quote from Coach K.

I win.

You may have issues understanding what is meant by alpha and what is meant by a leader.

An alpha is the guy who comes in and gets his share no matter what. Doesn't necessarily means that they move a team forward and help out a team. You should know because you have seen Magic and Jabbar at work, two clear leaders. Of course, an alpha can be a leader as well, Jordan is a great example of that, but somebody being an alpha isn't necessarily a leader. It may be hard to comprehend for you, but alpha is a behaviour, leadership is a trait. Anybody can crowbar themselves and act all alpha with fake bravado and such, and notice Coach K didn't say leader, because he knew the difference.

Also, it's quite sad you have devolved to that I win you win junk. Win what? You got an award for it?


So salty

About what? That he submarined the Lakers franchise not once, but twice?

[ambchang]

Melo has more Gold Medals than Jim :lol

Thanks for telling the world how stupid your shtick is.

[140]

Melo has more Gold Medals than Jim :lol
Horry 7, MJ 6 etc...

Terrible :downspin:, you can do better than that Héctor

[DMC]

Coach K stated on many occasions that Kobe set the tone for that 2008 Olympic team. Kobe taught them how to defend, even in practice. He obviously influenced LeBron. Fact: I'll guarantee you LeBron didn't make one all defensive team prior to the 2008 Olympic games...and that was his 5th year in the association. Kobe? Made his first all defensive team after his 3rd year. #KOBEEFFECT
No one ever said Kobe wasn't a great player. They've said he was a piece of shit as a person, no one liked him and that's why he spent the last 4 years of his NBA life in NBA purgatory while the rest of his "peers" ate popcorn and watched him rot away.

The Lakers are likely fucked for the next 3 or 4 years. That's the real #KOBEEFFECT.

Of course coaches are going to praise him as long as they are getting paid still. His own coach called him uncoachable.

[DMC]

Melo has more Gold Medals than Jim :lol
So does Christian Laettner.

[Killakobe81]

You may have issues understanding what is meant by alpha and what is meant by a leader.

An alpha is the guy who comes in and gets his share no matter what. Doesn't necessarily means that they move a team forward and help out a team. You should know because you have seen Magic and Jabbar at work, two clear leaders. Of course, an alpha can be a leader as well, Jordan is a great example of that, but somebody being an alpha isn't necessarily a leader. It may be hard to comprehend for you, but alpha is a behaviour, leadership is a trait. Anybody can crowbar themselves and act all alpha with fake bravado and such, and notice Coach K didn't say leader, because he knew the difference.

Also, it's quite sad you have devolved to that I win you win junk. Win what? You got an award for it?



About what? That he submarined the Lakers franchise not once, but twice?

highlights:
Rooting for Kobe and Coach K is like rooting for the house in blackjack.
It never stops feeling wrong, and you never stop secretly wanting to turn on them. (for perspective)

Not one, not two but three festering Team USA weaknesses bubbled up.

First, they lacked a KG-like defender who could patrol the paint and fix every lapse on D, as well as a Bruce Bowen-like perimeter stopper to squash high screens. And guess what: The Swayzes worked over the Howard/Bosh combo, and Navarro killed the U.S. on the same high screen at least 45 times.

Second, Coach K kept starting a washed-up Jason Kidd (can't shoot, can't play slash-and-kick) over Chris Paul and Deron Williams (only the two best American point guards right now). This was the elephant in the room for two weeks.

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.
Had the Americans blown this one, the Choke Job Hall of Fame would have a new wing. Kobe, Bron, Wade and Coach K would have been stained forever {sound familiar I hate when I sound like Simmons} (not to mention Howard, whose stock slipped at a Bear Stearns speed in the medal round).

And that's why I hope neither NBA TV nor ESPN Classic ever replays this game. It belongs to me and the lucky few who watched it live and sweated it out. God bless America. Hell, I might even start rooting for Coach K and Kobe after this.

(On second thought … nah.)

even if BS is a colorful writer and tbh overrated he knows hoops. He hates Kobe and Coach K and still aligned with what I said and Coach K echoed the same.

You can spin this shit as much as you want ...

but it's clear Kobe was the alpha and ONE of the leaders of Team USA.

If that is not enough from Woj

http://20secondtimeout.blogspot.com/2008/08/difference-for-team-usa-was-kobe-bryant.html

Nike tried so hard to make LeBron James a co-star of these Games but failed miserably. He’s riding shotgun and doesn’t seem terribly thrilled about it. There’s no usurping Bryant in China. Bryant has won the respect of his teammates, but he doesn’t run in the big cliques on the team. LeBron is the ringleader of the young players, and Kobe goes his own way. He’s won his teammates over with his ferocity, his insatiable need to win, but no one ever gets close to Bryant. He’s a loner, but he learned to lead. When all hell was breaking loose in the semifinal victory over Argentina, it was Bryant working with Jason Kidd to bring his teammates back from the brink of losing composure. "We didn’t come to tussle," Bryant said. "We came to win a gold medal."

From Chris sheridan:

It was Kobe's presence on Team USA that upped the ante. While LeBron "led through his words and actions at practice and on the team bus," Chris Sheridan reported, "Bryant led through his work ethic." Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron got a firsthand view of Kobe's workout. The impression was lasting.

Again I could pull so many more ... but should I take your word as biased fan or the words of Woj, Simmons, Sheridan 3 accomplished writers with press credentials that Follow the NBA?

Again you cannot win this. Just take the L and move on. I have cited direct quotes on alpha and leadership.
you keep resorting to bringing up the Lakers or even dirt about Kobe but this is about Team USA 2008.

Kobe was the alpha of the Redeem team 2008.
Duncan was the alpha of the team that lost to Carlos Arroyo.

I am not saying this means Kobe is greater like the OP is. In fact I have Duncan slightly ahead of Kobe career-wise.
But Team USA wise it's not close and it goes the other way.


But these are the facts and I have cited plenty of supporting evidence while you post emotional opinions and went off track ...

[ambchang]

Very interesting especially considering you talked about this wall of text issue with me, but since you seemed to be OK with WoT now, I am game.


highlights:
Rooting for Kobe and Coach K is like rooting for the house in blackjack.
It never stops feeling wrong, and you never stop secretly wanting to turn on them. (for perspective)

So they are clear favourites from the get go despite what happened in 2004, thanks for clarifying.


Not one, not two but three festering Team USA weaknesses bubbled up.

First, they lacked a KG-like defender who could patrol the paint and fix every lapse on D, as well as a Bruce Bowen-like perimeter stopper to squash high screens. And guess what: The Swayzes worked over the Howard/Bosh combo, and Navarro killed the U.S. on the same high screen at least 45 times.

Dwight disagrees. Lebron, Tayshaun and Kidd disagrees.


Second, Coach K kept starting a washed-up Jason Kidd (can't shoot, can't play slash-and-kick) over Chris Paul and Deron Williams (only the two best American point guards right now). This was the elephant in the room for two weeks.

And Kidd was integral in a championship team 3 years later. Go figure.


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.

So Kobe ballhogs, we knew this.

And that one single game where Kobe actually contributed. he sucked overall in the tourny.


Had the Americans blown this one, the Choke Job Hall of Fame would have a new wing. Kobe, Bron, Wade and Coach K would have been stained forever {sound familiar I hate when I sound like Simmons} (not to mention Howard, whose stock slipped at a Bear Stearns speed in the medal round).

Yeah, it was a stain on Duncan in 2004, but so what? We already agreed to it. We are arguing about Kobe the leader.


And that's why I hope neither NBA TV nor ESPN Classic ever replays this game. It belongs to me and the lucky few who watched it live and sweated it out. God bless America. Hell, I might even start rooting for Coach K and Kobe after this.

(On second thought … nah.)

even if BS is a colorful writer he hates Kobe and Coach K and still aligned with what I said and Coach K echoed.
You can spin a lot of shit.

Yeah, he ballhogs and crowbars to take credit as a front runner, we knew that.


but it's clear Kobe was the alpha and ONE of the leaders of Team USA.

Kidd, Lebron, Wade, were leaders too if you want to. 4 leaders on a team of squeaked out a win vs. Spain is a career highlight for Kobe then. Good for you.


If that is not enough from Woj
http://20secondtimeout.blogspot.com/2008/08/difference-for-team-usa-was-kobe-bryant.html

Nike tried so hard to make LeBron James a co-star of these Games but failed miserably. He’s riding shotgun and doesn’t seem terribly thrilled about it. There’s no usurping Bryant in China. Bryant has won the respect of his teammates, but he doesn’t run in the big cliques on the team. LeBron is the ringleader of the young players, and Kobe goes his own way. He’s won his teammates over with his ferocity, his insatiable need to win, but no one ever gets close to Bryant. He’s a loner, but he learned to lead. When all hell was breaking loose in the semifinal victory over Argentina, it was Bryant working with Jason Kidd to bring his teammates back from the brink of losing composure. "We didn’t come to tussle," Bryant said. "We came to win a gold medal."

Doesn't work with his team, trying to do his own way. Not a leader at all.


From Chris sheridan:

It was Kobe's presence on Team USA that upped the ante. While LeBron "led through his words and actions at practice and on the team bus," Chris Sheridan reported, "Bryant led through his work ethic." Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron got a firsthand view of Kobe's workout. The impression was lasting.

He works hard! Great. So did Chris Mullin.


Again I could pull so many more ... but should I take your word as biased fan or the words os Woj, Simmons, sheridan 3 accomplished writers with press credentials that Follow the NBA?

You have serious comprehension issues with what is a leader. Some guy who ballhogs, undercut their teammates, got respect because he is the elder statesman and works hard isn't being a leader.


Again you cannot win this. Just take the L and move on. I have cited direct quotes on alpha and leadership.
you keep resorting to bring up the Lakers but this is about Team USA.

Leadership, where?


Kobe was the alpha of the Redeem team.
Duncan was the alpha of the team that lost to Carlos Arroyo.

I am not saying this means Kobe is greater like the OP is. In fact I have Duncan slightly ahead of Kobe career-wise.
But Team USA wise it's not close and it goes the other way.


But these are the facts and I have cited plenty of supporting evidence while you post emotional opinions and went off track ...

Kobe coattail rode the talent in 2008, Duncan dragged a deeply flawed team in 2004. Another example where people put Dennis Johnson as better than Stockton because one won the ring as the alpha, and the other didn't.

[Killakobe81]

From durant on Team USA via NBA.com

He was coming off a First Team All-NBA season that saw him rank second in the NBA in scoring with 27.9 points per game. As the elder statesman on a U.S. roster featuring the likes of Durant, Anthony and James, Bryant also deferred to the younger stars by taking only the fourth-most shots on the team.

“Kobe Bryant’s done so much in this league,” Durant said. “He didn’t have to play. He wanted to. He came out here and sacrificed everything. In 2012 he was just the greatest, man. He was a great leader. He didn’t care about shots — none of that stuff. He wanted to help us win and he was passionate about it.”

Spin that shit Amb !!!:lol

[Killakobe81]

Very interesting especially considering you talked about this wall of text issue with me, but since you seemed to be OK with WoT now, I am game.



So they are clear favourites from the get go despite what happened in 2004, thanks for clarifying.



Dwight disagrees. Lebron, Tayshaun and Kidd disagrees.



And Kidd was integral in a championship team 3 years later. Go figure.



So Kobe ballhogs, we knew this.

And that one single game where Kobe actually contributed. he sucked overall in the tourny.



Yeah, it was a stain on Duncan in 2004, but so what? We already agreed to it. We are arguing about Kobe the leader.



Yeah, he ballhogs and crowbars to take credit as a front runner, we knew that.



Kidd, Lebron, Wade, were leaders too if you want to. 4 leaders on a team of squeaked out a win vs. Spain is a career highlight for Kobe then. Good for you.



Doesn't work with his team, trying to do his own way. Not a leader at all.



He works hard! Great. So did Chris Mullin.



You have serious comprehension issues with what is a leader. Some guy who ballhogs, undercut their teammates, got respect because he is the elder statesman and works hard isn't being a leader.



Leadership, where?



Kobe coattail rode the talent in 2008, Duncan dragged a deeply flawed team in 2004. Another example where people put Dennis Johnson as better than Stockton because one won the ring as the alpha, and the other didn't.

Read the posts you quoted then come back and keep taking the L.
I dont have the comprehension issue you do.
Durant disagrees.
Melo too.
LeBron
Coach K
Simmons
Sheridan
Woj.

Again you are talking about Laker related shit. This is team USA. Without Kobe they lose. coach K said that himself.

[ambchang]

From durant on Team USA via NBA.com

He was coming off a First Team All-NBA season that saw him rank second in the NBA in scoring with 27.9 points per game. As the elder statesman on a U.S. roster featuring the likes of Durant, Anthony and James, Bryant also deferred to the younger stars by taking only the fourth-most shots on the team.

“Kobe Bryant’s done so much in this league,” Durant said. “He didn’t have to play. He wanted to. He came out here and sacrificed everything. In 2012 he was just the greatest, man. He was a great leader. He didn’t care about shots — none of that stuff. He wanted to help us win and he was passionate about it.”

Spin that shit Amb !!!:lol

Coming from one of the greatest beta in league history, it means nothing. Durant looks at anyone and everyone as a leader, because that's his trait.


Read the posts you quoted then come back and keep taking the L.
I dont have the comprehension issue you do.
Durant disagrees. Beta

Melo too. Where, must have missed that one.


LeBron Said he was a psycho and don't know his own teammates


Coach K Alpha != Leader


Simmons Ballhog


Sheridan Alpha != Leader


Woj. Alpha != Leader



Again you are talking about Laker related shit. This is team USA. Without Kobe they lose. coach K said that himself.

Coach K said without Kobe they lost? Could you requote, I must have missed that one.

[140]

Read the posts you quoted then come back and keep taking the L.
I dont have the comprehension issue you do.
Durant disagrees.
Melo too.
LeBron
Coach K
Simmons
Sheridan
Woj.

Again you are talking about Laker related shit. This is team USA. Without Kobe they lose. coach K said that himself.
:lmao

[Killakobe81]

:lmao

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/160719coachk-kobe/

You can disagree but Coach K said it himself.

[Killakobe81]

Coming from one of the greatest beta in league history, it means nothing. Durant looks at anyone and everyone as a leader, because that's his trait.

Beta
Where, must have missed that one.
Said he was a psycho and don't know his own teammates
Alpha != Leader
Ballhog
Alpha != Leader
Alpha != Leader


Coach K said without Kobe they lost? Could you requote, I must have missed that one.

Again plenty did not just say alpha there are plenty that say leader.
BTW, Why dont you read Blanchard's work on situational Leadership? There is not only one style of leadership or one way to demonstrate it.
Kobe has a directive style as default a micro manager. Apparently on the 2008 team he took a duncan like delegation lead by example role.
I posted plenty of evidence of this.
There are links for every article except sheridan but you can google it and find it.
Click on the links and you can find validation of every quote I posted.
But because it doesnt fit in your agenda you refuse to believe ... but that's Ok.

You lost this because again it's your word versus accomplished NBA writers, one of the mist successful coaches of all time and some of the best scorer and players in NBA history.
your opinion will not matter more than theirs no matter how many emotional words you write.

"Beta!!"
"ruined a franchise!!!"
"selfish!!"

You won Duncan>Kobe but you wont win this one ...

[scanry]

Kobe was coming off a great year. He had just won his first MVP, a finals trip and his Lakers looked like contenders for the next 5 years. But I will always remember him not having a good tournament in China. D Wade and LeBron were the top dogs tbh. Anyone who says otherwise didn't watch the games.

[ambchang]

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/160719coachk-kobe/

You can disagree but Coach K said it himself.

You really have severe issues with comprehension. Where did Coach K say without Kobe they lose in the article you linked? I am not even sure which quote you are supposedly attributing that comment to.


Again plenty did not just say alpha there are plenty that say leader. Durant, and .....

BTW, Why dont you read Blanchard's work on situational Leadership? There is not only one style of leadership or one way to demonstrate it.
Kobe has a directive style as default a micro manager. Apparently on the 2008 team he took a duncan like delegation lead by example role.
I posted plenty of evidence of this.
There are links for every article except sheridan but you can google it and find it.
Click on the links and you can find validation of every quote I posted.
But because it doesnt fit in your agenda you refuse to believe ... but that's Ok.

He took on a Draymond Green role where he yaps his gums but a few other guys did the heavy lifting. I don't agree Green was the leader for the warriors the last two years despite a few warriors coming out to say it as such.


You lost this because again it's your word versus accomplished NBA writers, one of the mist successful coaches of all time and some of the best scorer and players in NBA history.
your opinion will not matter more than theirs no matter how many emotional words you write.

"Beta!!"
"ruined a franchise!!!"
"selfish!!"

You won Duncan>Kobe but you wont win this one ...

Durant was the only one who said leader. You just kept confusing alpha with leader, and somehow thing being a pschopath is a leadership trait.

[Killakobe81]

Kobe was coming off a great year. He had just won his first MVP, a finals trip and his Lakers looked like contenders for the next 5 years. But I will always remember him not having a good tournament in China. D Wade and LeBron were the top dogs tbh. Anyone who says otherwise didn't watch the games.

He shot like shit and only took the 4th most shots.
No one disputes any of that.
But if you actually watched the Gold medal Game ... Simmons was right we were in very real danger of losing the momentum had shifted.
it is probably exaggeration by coach K to say they lost for sure sans Kobe but he said.
Almost universally all of those players credited not only Kobe's example for his work ethic but the writers and the coach who covered that game said when the game got late they all deferred and looked to Kobe to win it.

[Killakobe81]

You really have severe issues with comprehension. Where did Coach K say without Kobe they lose in the article you linked? I am not even sure which quote you are supposedly attributing that comment to.

Durant, and .....


He took on a Draymond Green role where he yaps his gums but a few other guys did the heavy lifting. I don't agree Green was the leader for the warriors the last two years despite a few warriors coming out to say it as such.



Durant was the only one who said leader. You just kept confusing alpha with leader, and somehow thing being a pschopath is a leadership trait.

No, the writers that posted all said leader as did some of the players.
I could post those as well but I could have Lebron on tape saying the same and it wouldnt matter so I wont bother.
Btw it's in the originally article I posted ...

"You are confusing alpha and leader!!!!"

Do you want me to pull up all the times you and others have used alpha in place of leader on here?
For years it was Shaq was the alpha so Kobe's first 3 rings did not count ...so dont come with that bullshit now.
But I show you articles with the word leadership and led but because it's work ethic related that is somehow invalid.

But the prosecution rests.
I gave you the bloody glove
The DNA evidence
The shoe print etc.

You prefer to believe what you wanna believe.

Duncan failed in 2004
Kobe was the alpha in 2008 and HELPED lead us back to a Gold and Tim did not.

PERIOD.

[ambchang]

No, the writers that posted all said leader as did some of the players.
I could post those as well but I could have Lebron on tape saying the same and it wouldnt matter so I wont bother.
Btw it's in the originally article I posted ...

"You are confusing alpha and leader!!!!"

Yes, please do.


Do you want me to pull up all the times you and others have used alpha in place of leader on here?
For years it was Shaq was the alpha so Kobe's first 3 rings did not count ...so dont come with that bullshit now.
But I show you articles with the word leadership and led but because it's work ethic related that is somehow invalid.

You mean how he kept working because he is socially isolated from everybody else? You think other players didn't work hard and started working ultra hard following Kobe?

And Shaq was the alpha and the leader. The other leader on those 3 peat teams was Jackson, and Fisher later on.


But the prosecution rests.
I gave you the bloody glove
The DNA evidence
The shoe print etc.

You prefer to believe what you wanna believe.

Duncan failed in 2004
Kobe was the alpha in 2008 and HELPED lead us back to a Gold and Tim did not.

PERIOD.

Glad you updated it to alpha. You can say whatever you want, but Kobe coattailed to another ring, only difference was Kobe had Lebron, Wade, Dwight and a decently constructed team to bail him out, while Duncan had AI, Starbury and Shawn Marion.

[UZER]

From durant on Team USA via NBA.com

He was coming off a First Team All-NBA season that saw him rank second in the NBA in scoring with 27.9 points per game. As the elder statesman on a U.S. roster featuring the likes of Durant, Anthony and James, Bryant also deferred to the younger stars by taking only the fourth-most shots on the team.

“Kobe Bryant’s done so much in this league,” Durant said. “He didn’t have to play. He wanted to. He came out here and sacrificed everything. In 2012 he was just the greatest, man. He was a great leader. He didn’t care about shots — none of that stuff. He wanted to help us win and he was passionate about it.”

Spin that shit Amb !!!:lol

:lol He also told Westbrook he was staying so we know what his words mean.

[UNT Eagles 2016]

lol at pussying out of 2004 bc media sensationalized "terrorism"

[Killakobe81]

Yes, please do.



You mean how he kept working because he is socially isolated from everybody else? You think other players didn't work hard and started working ultra hard following Kobe?

And Shaq was the alpha and the leader. The other leader on those 3 peat teams was Jackson, and Fisher later on.



Glad you updated it to alpha. You can say whatever you want, but Kobe coattailed to another ring, only difference was Kobe had Lebron, Wade, Dwight and a decently constructed team to bail him out, while Duncan had AI, Starbury and Shawn Marion.

you already lost so I will do no such thing.
The links are there so is Google.
I did not say much Coach K did ..
Lebron
Durant
Melo
Simmons
Woj

I could go on ... but you wont listen. And I already spent to much on a retired player from an Olympics almost 8 years ago.

[ambchang]

you already lost so I will do no such thing.
The links are there so is Google.
I did not say much Coach K did ..
Lebron
Durant
Melo
Simmons
Woj

I could go on ... but you wont listen. And I already spent to much on a retired player from an Olympics almost 8 years ago.

I clicked, found nothing of that sort.

Again Alpha != leader.

[Killakobe81]

I clicked, found nothing of that sort.

Again Alpha != leader.

When the truth is not what you want to see ..of course.

[LkrFan]

Why do people keep falling for these obvious troll threads?

Not trolling son. Stating facts. Neal with it.

[LkrFan]

Thanks for telling the world how stupid your shtick is.

Does Melo have even one Gold Medal? If so, STFU :)

[LkrFan]

Horry 7, MJ 6 etc...

Terrible :downspin:, you can do better than that Héctor

:lol

Not this shit again! :lmao

[LkrFan]

Kobe was coming off a great year. He had just won his first MVP, a finals trip and his Lakers looked like contenders for the next 5 years. But I will always remember him not having a good tournament in China. D Wade and LeBron were the top dogs tbh. Anyone who says otherwise didn't watch the games.

Kobe = 2x Gold Medal winner. Jim, not so muchPERI:)D

[LkrFan]

lol at pussying out of 2004 bc media sensationalized "terrorism"

No, he was facing 25 to life. Try again son.

[LkrFan]

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/160719coachk-kobe/

You can disagree but Coach K said it himself.

Great shit Killa. Keep regulating these farmers. :tu

[LkrFan]

From durant on Team USA via NBA.com

He was coming off a First Team All-NBA season that saw him rank second in the NBA in scoring with 27.9 points per game. As the elder statesman on a U.S. roster featuring the likes of Durant, Anthony and James, Bryant also deferred to the younger stars by taking only the fourth-most shots on the team.

“Kobe Bryant’s done so much in this league,” Durant said. “He didn’t have to play. He wanted to. He came out here and sacrificed everything. In 2012 he was just the greatest, man. He was a great leader. He didn’t care about shots — none of that stuff. He wanted to help us win and he was passionate about it.”

Spin that shit Amb !!!:lol

Man I'm still holding out hope that KD dons the P&G one day :lol

[UNT Eagles 2016]

No, he was facing 25 to life. Try again son.
Kobe was exonerated prior to the 2004 Finals...

[ambchang]

Does Melo have even one Gold Medal? If so, STFU :)
Yeah. Melo is on kobes level.

[ambchang]

When the truth is not what you want to see ..of course.

Why don't you quote where k said team USA would've lost without Kobe?

[LkrFan]

Kobe was exonerated prior to the 2004 Finals...

Now you blaming Kobe for Jim's failure? :lol

[LkrFan]

Yeah. Melo is on kobes level.

Yup, in Olympic play:

Kobe: 2 Golds
Melo: 2 Golds
Jim: :lmao

[LkrFan]

Sad laker fans as always :rolleyes.
Always have some shit to say but doesn't make sense.

Truth. A HOFer should never have a Bronze Medal around his neck. Although it happened to your 2 best players, it just doesn't make any sense. I'm genuinely perplexed about this shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! :rollin :lmao :rollin

[Silver&Black]

Yup, in Olympic play:

Kobe: 2 Golds
Melo: 2 Golds
Jim: :lmao

:downspin: this shit, Javier.

http://i.imgur.com/PQfV6CMl.png

[Silver&Black]

A HOFer should never have a Bronze Medal around his neck.

Or.....a rape charge, tbh.

[LkrFan]

:downspin: this shit, Javier.

http://i.imgur.com/PQfV6CMl.png

:lol

Pre-Colorado I guarantee you that 3x champ didn't get the short end of the stick by the Caucasian media. :)

[LkrFan]

Or.....a rape charge, tbh.

Rape charge proves he was a straight up Alpha. :toast

[Silver&Black]

:lol

Pre-Colorado I guarantee you that 3x champ didn't get the short end of the stick by the Caucasian media. :)

Yeah, but in that pic...that isn't the "Caucasian media" voting. That's everyday Americans like me and Mexicants like you.

Explain. Why did Jim win almost 2:1 with a majority in all 50 states? If it was say 52-48...I wouldn't even mention it. But, that's a landslide, Humberto.

[ambchang]

Yup, in Olympic play:

Kobe: 2 Golds
Melo: 2 Golds
Jim: :lmao

Your primary argument has been focused around Olympic gold

Kobe = melo according to you.

[Killakobe81]

Why don't you quote where k said team USA would've lost without Kobe?

Already did.

[LkrFan]

Yeah, but in that pic...that isn't the "Caucasian media" voting. That's everyday Americans like me and Mexicants like you.

Explain. Why did Jim win almost 2:1 with a majority in all 50 states? If it was say 52-48...I wouldn't even mention it. But, that's a landslide, Humberto.

:lol

[LkrFan]

Your primary argument has been focused around Olympic gold

Kobe = melo according to you.

No. Rangs and Golds as a combination. Melo (and Jim) doesn't measure up. :)

[ambchang]

Already did.

Didn't. Learn to read what you quote.

[ambchang]

No. Rangs and Golds as a combination. Melo (and Jim) doesn't measure up. :)

How about adding in points too?

Kobestans can only pull in coattailing as an advantage

[Killakobe81]

Didn't. Learn to read what you quote.

Did, learn to comprehend ...

[Killakobe81]

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/160719coachk-kobe/

You can disagree but Coach K said it himself.

Bump for those thst fail to comprehend ...

[ambchang]

Did, learn to comprehend ...

That coach K never said the US team would have lost without Kobe?

[ambchang]

Bump for those thst fail to comprehend ...



Krzyzewski Recalls Kobe's Impact On USA Basketball
by Joey Ramirez
Digital Reporter
Posted: Jul 19, 2016

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LAS VEGAS — Mike Krzyzewski has five national championships and 970 victories — the most in NCAA history.

But he says that if it weren’t for Kobe Bryant, he wouldn’t be able to add two Olympic gold medals (and possibly a third next month) to his resume.

“In London, he was also an integral part of what we were doing and a key guy,” Krzyzewski said at USA Basketball training camp on Tuesday. “But if we lose in Beijing, you’re not interviewing me right now. So I recognize that.”

That run at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 holds particular meaning for Krzyzewski, who recalled how the legendary Laker saved his team in the gold medal game against Spain.

In the fourth quarter, Bryant turned a one-possession game into a 118-107 victory by orchestrating one of the many clutch performances in his career. He scored 13 points with two assists in the final period, leading the “Redeem Team” to gold after the 2004 team came home from Athens with only bronze to show.

“With less than nine minutes to go, we’re up by two against Spain — there’s a lot of pressure on him,” Krzyzewski said. “He comes out and he was the Mamba.”

Krzyzewski implies that he might not have stayed on as the national team’s head coach if Bryant and Dwyane Wade hadn’t pushed the Americans to victory in China. After all, gold is the only medal that matters to the country that is not only the birthplace of basketball, but has won five of the last six Olympic titles dating back to the Dream Team in 1992.

Now, while preparing for his final Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Krzyzewski is able to look back on what Bryant brought to the program during his five years in red, white and blue.

Krzyzewski places Bryant on a list of current superstars who play the game with extraordinary intelligence that separates them from their competition. This common thread, he says, runs through the likes of Bryant, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving.

But Bryant’s influence didn’t stop now that Team USA is preparing for its first Olympics without him since that collapse back in 2004.

Krzyzewski credits his fellow two-time gold medalist with helping establish the group of stars that have continued to represent the country at the Olympics and FIBA World Cup.

“He was the alpha dog during ’08,” Krzyzewski said. “And we had a lot of other aspiring alpha dogs: LeBron, Carmelo and those guys. So how do you get that era and this era together? They did.

“And then in London, you start adding (Kevin Durant) and (Russell) Westbrook. Now you have three eras of alpha dogs, and they got it together. But Kobe set an example for that. He’s smart. Really smart and good. I love him.”

Where did coach K said the US would have lost? Where did coach K said Kobe was the leader?

[ECOV]

Truth. A HOFer should never have a Bronze Medal around his neck. Although it happened to your 2 best players, it just doesn't make any sense. I'm genuinely perplexed about this shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! :rollin :lmao :rollin Just call when the lakers will be good again until them stay off of spurstalk, you dont have the right to be here :toast

[Killakobe81]

You really cant comprehend ...the leader wasnt in this one it was 8n the others but again if u dont wanna see

[ambchang]

You really cant comprehend ...the leader wasnt in this one it was 8n the others but again if u dont wanna see
Which one other than beta King Durant?

[poeticism707]

:lol

Mexico has as many Gold Medals as Jim :lol

:rollin :rollin :rollin