David Stern: "Kobe is there with Michael"

[MiamiHeat]

STEVE KERR SAID XYZ

OMFG YOU GUYS SEE!!!!! you guys r just hating on kobe!!!! I KNEW ALL ALONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS A CONSPIRACY TO HATE ON KOBE AND SUPRESS THE TRUTH!!!!!!

right? smack yourselves in the face.

[TE]

Not even.

MJ had 6 rings, 6 finals mvps, 5 league mvps, etc.

Kobe got the first 3 as a role player to shaq. You can't count those as equal to MJ's.

Not to mention, Kobe is already in 14th season. MJ only played 13 seasons as a Bull to be the GOAT.

It's already over.

Not even to mention all the stats that prove which is the FAR SUPERIOR player....

it's really not even an argument. It's over. Kobe's career is on the downward slope now. It's done.

my self, you made Kobe sound like a there. So if anything, the arising question to you would be: who can be considered or should be considered (given time) near his airness? I honestly believe Kobe could get there if he won three more les. You have to consider also the roster Michael Jordan played in. He had his share of brilliant role players around him, as did Kobe. I cannot argue, however, against the factual standpoint that Kobe was Shaq's for his first three rings. The aforementioned fact therefore makes me tilt towards the notion that Kobe will never reach his airness. But I might be wrong.

[TE]

In 1980 Magic Johnson was the 4th option on offense for the Lakers yet his play was instrumental to winning. Magic doesn't get credit for that ring does he? In 1982 he was the third option. In 1985 he was the second option. In 1987 he was first option. In 1988 the third option.
Damn, Magic only has ONE ring!

Magic was never the one to look for his shots.

[MiamiHeat]

Kobe has more playoff games played than MJ, yet has about thirty less playoff games with 30+ points

Kobe has more nba games played than MJ as a chicago bull, yet still has a lot to go to catch MJ's scoring total

kobe never won a DPOY,

not to mention a DPOY and league MVP and scoring le in the same ing season. (and also the All-Star game MVP) in 1987-88 season

for all this garbage about kobe being a better scorer, kobe never scored 3000 points in a season, MJ did.

kobe never shot %50 in a single season, MJ shot %50 FOR HIS CAREER AVERAGE!!!!!!!!!! as a chicago bull.

mj 10 scoring les, nba record.

mj's averages go up in playoffs, kobe's all go down.

seriously, its not even ing close.

[namlook]

Magic was never the one to look for his shots.

That's not the point. In 1980 Kareem was the #1 option and the man. He was the League MVP that year and got all the accolades. Magic had not yet established he was a superstar and Hall of Famer. And yet the Lakers would not have won without Magic's incredible play. Anyone that feels Kobe doesn't deserve credit for his first three rings needs to go on the record as saying Magic and Bill Russell should have rings taken away too. Magic and Bill Russell were not always the #1 options on their teams, yet they were Hall of Famers and what they did was integral to winning.

[MiamiHeat]

^^there goes turd laker fan

"Anyone that feels Kobe does not deserve credit for this first 3 rings..."

I don't think ANYONE is saying he should NOT get any credit.

What people are saying is that if you want to compare it to MJ, you can't equate it as the same.

[TE]

Kobe has more playoff games played than MJ, yet has about thirty less playoff games with 30+ points

Kobe has more nba games played than MJ, yet still has a lot to go to catch MJ's scoring total

kobe never won a DPOY,

not to mention a DPOY and league MVP and scoring le in the same ing season. (and also the All-Star game MVP) in 1987-88 season

for all this garbage about kobe being a better scorer, kobe never scored 3000 points in a season, MJ did.

kobe never shot %50 in a single season, MJ shot %50 FOR HIS CAREER AVERAGE!!!!!!!!!! as a chicago bull.

mj 10 scoring les, nba record.

mj's averages go up in playoffs, kobe's all go down.

seriously, its not even ing close.

This, and remember, the league back then was different. Scorers were not given so much benefit of the doubt. You actually had to work to score your points and not depend on the zebras for bail out. I vividly remember back those 90's great defensive teams. Road Warriors Miami Heat, Bad Boy Pistons, San Antonio Spurs anchored by the defensive beast D. Robinson, New York Knicks anchored by P. Ewing, C. Oakley, J. Starks to name a few, Houston Rockets anchored by The Dream and his role players, just to name a few.

[TE]

That's not the point. In 1980 Kareem was the #1 option and the man. He was the League MVP that year and got all the accolades. Magic had not yet established he was a superstar and Hall of Famer. And yet the Lakers would not have won without Magic's incredible play. Anyone that feels Kobe doesn't deserve credit for his first three rings needs to go on the record as saying Magic and Bill Russell should have rings taken away too. Magic and Bill Russell were not always the #1 options on their teams, yet they were Hall of Famers and what they did was integral to winning.

Kobe gets credit. But he was Shaq's for the first three rings. Can you honestly argue that Shaq wasn't the best player on the team? He was every bit of the word unstoppable. Now lets shift to Jordan. Jordan was the MANNNNNN on his team for every championship. Ends here.

[MiamiHeat]

This, and remember, the league back then was different. Scorers were not given so much benefit of the doubt. You actually had to work to score your points and not depend on the zebras for bail out. I vividly remember back those 90's great defensive teams. Road Warriors Miami Heat, Bad Boy Pistons, San Antonio Spurs anchored by the defensive beast D. Robinson, New York Knicks anchored by P. Ewing, C. Oakley, J. Starks to name a few, Houston Rockets anchored by The Dream and his role players, just to name a few.

mother ing co-signed.

Steve Kerr even mentions this in that quote these laker fans are using

He says that "Michael was more physical" and that the Knicks could maul him because of the different NBA rules compared to today.

If MJ played in today's made era, he would average ing 50.

[Xevious]

Kobe's probably the second best SG. Not in MJ's realm though, not even close.

[MiamiHeat]

Kobe's probably the second best SG. Not in MJ's realm though, not even close.

this man speaks the truth

Kobe has claim to the 2nd best shooting guard spot legitimately.

[namlook]

Kobe gets credit. But he was Shaq's for the first three rings. Can you honestly argue that Shaq wasn't the best player on the team? He was every bit of the word unstoppable. Now lets shift to Jordan. Jordan was the MANNNNNN on his team for every championship. Ends here.

The offense ran through Shaq because he had a physical mismatch against everyone he played and any team would want to exploit that. Yet Shaq could not close out games. Kobe owned Shaq when in mattered and the game was on the line.

You don't penalize someone because of cir stances. Just like Magic isn't penalized because he played with Kareem. As I said earlier, If Jordan had played with Shaq in his prime the Bulls would have fed the post first too. And if Kobe played on the Bulls with Pippen he would have been the man every time.

[TE]

mother ing co-signed.

Steve Kerr even mentions this in that quote these laker fans are using

He says that "Michael was more physical" and that the Knicks could maul him because of the different NBA rules compared to today.

If MJ played in today's made era, he would average ing 50.

You know, I believe the league became guard oriented back in the year 2000 (Lakers win this year). Jordan had the opportunity to play in this new "guard oriented" league with the Washington Wizards. At the age of 38, 39, and 40, he had forty and fifty point games!!!!!! This statistical reality helps to further the notion that MJ would dominate the out of todays league.

[namlook]

Not in MJ's realm though, not even close.

Yeah right. I'm pretty sure Steve Kerr, who played with Jordan, and who is a GM of a successful team knows a little more about basketball than you do.

[TE]

The offense ran through Shaq because he had a physical mismatch against everyone he played and any team would want to exploit that. Yet Shaq could not close out games. Kobe owned Shaq when in mattered and the game was on the line.

You don't penalize someone because of cir stances. Just like Magic isn't penalized because he played with Kareem. As I said earlier, If Jordan had played with Shaq in his prime the Bulls would have fed the post first too. And if Kobe played on the Bulls with Pippen he would have been the man every time.

I'm going beside the point here, who do you think would win in a 7 game series between this years Lakers and the 96 Bulls (72 win team)?

[Xevious]

Yeah right. I'm pretty sure Steve Kerr, who played with Jordan, and who is a GM of a successful team knows a little more about basketball than you do.

Being second best ever isn't exactly a bad thing. And Kobe has a few years left to his career yet.

[cobbler]

Kobe is not even close to MJ, and the more you Laker fans try to push the issue, the more hate you bring on your boy. If Kobe truly was that good, he wouldn't need you to say it.

There isn't a conspiracy in the world. If Kobe truly deserved that honor, he would be given it without needing you to convince anyone.

And yet it's not just the Laker fans making comments and writing articles. It's the commish, it's players across the league, it's HOF players, GM's, scouts, coaches, the media, even the President has chimed in.

And yet it's you and your alter egos that post more about Kobe than all others combined. So who exactly is trying to convince who?

[MiamiHeat]

And yet it's not just the Laker fans making comments and writing articles. It's the commish, it's players across the league, it's HOF players, GM's, scouts, coaches, the media, even the President has chimed in.

It's the commish right now, and Steve Kerr.

There are also people who disagree.

Yet, you laker fans latch onto those opinions and run with it as fact.

Barkley believes Lebron is the best in the NBA, and Kobe can't hold MJ's jockstrap.

"OMFG YOU GUYS SEE, BARKLEY SAYS IT. ITS TRUE GUYS, YOU ARE JUST LEBRON HATERS, STOP TRYING TO SUPRESS THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!"

First of all David Stern only cares about $$$. If he can hype up his Finals, he will do that.

and Steve Kerr is just a GM. Pat Riley is a better GM, and he will let you know who is the far superior player.

What the is the point of this quote jock riding?

oh yeah, to suck on your laker kobe's .

Fact remains, majority of BBALL world doesn't agree with you, and the MORE YOU laker fans try, the more hate you pile on your boy.

[MiamiHeat]

Let's all ignore Jerry West, who not only believes Kobe is not on MJ's level, he doesn't even believe Kobe is better than LeBron.

Jerry West is on record, for several seasons now, saying LeBron is a better basketball player than Kobe.

but yeah, let's just cherry pick the quotes we want that support your "KOBE OMG!" garbage and then point to some sort of "HATERS ARE EVERYWHERE! CONSPIRACY!!!"

[cobbler]

It's the commish right now, and Steve Kerr.

There are also people who disagree.

Yet, you laker fans latch onto those opinions and run with it as fact.

Barkley believes Lebron is the best in the NBA, and Kobe can't hold MJ's jockstrap.

"OMFG YOU GUYS SEE, BARKLEY SAYS IT. ITS TRUE GUYS, YOU ARE JUST LEBRON HATERS, STOP TRYING TO SUPRESS THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!"

First of all David Stern only cares about $$$. If he can hype up his Finals, he will do that.

and Steve Kerr is just a GM. Pat Riley is a better GM, and he will let you know who is the far superior player.

What the is the point of this quote jock riding?

oh yeah, to suck on your laker kobe's .

Fact remains, majority of BBALL world doesn't agree with you, and the MORE YOU laker fans try, the more hate you pile on your boy.

If thats the case, then why you all butthurt over the articles?

I could give a . I just want the les. I dont happen to think Kobe or Jordan are the GOAT but that is my opinion. Difference is, I don't have to repeat it a gazillion times because it bothers me others don't share it.

And what is fact? les? Stats? Longevity? Offense? Defense? etc...

[cobbler]

Let's all ignore Jerry West, who not only believes Kobe is not on MJ's level, he doesn't even believe Kobe is better than LeBron.

Jerry West is on record, for several seasons now, saying LeBron is a better basketball player than Kobe.

but yeah, let's just cherry pick the quotes we want that support your "KOBE OMG!" garbage and then point to some sort of "HATERS ARE EVERYWHERE! CONSPIRACY!!!"

So let me get this straight. This is the same Jerry West you bring up when screaming collusion but now he's an ok guy cause he thinks LBJ is better than Kobe. OK. So Jerry has an opinion too.

I have Wilt as the GOAT. You have MJ. Others have Russell and some have Magic or Kareem. Others are fans of Kobe and have him penciled in.

Now why don't we see thousands of posts from all these people hating on the other guy? Just your daily ranting and raving with the Kobe obsession.

What is it you get out of it? Do you honestly think you have convinced one person to not be a Kobe fan? Does it torment you that much? Really? If so, you are going to have one rough summer should the Lakers win and Kobe continue along the pace he has.

[Flintstones32]

Kobe's the best player of his generation...that's all you can ask of anybody. None of the rest of the matters.

[peteee]

That evidently shows nothing but Stern's own awkward fetish for Kobe. He must consider his wife the prettiest too, though the fact is she isn't nice at all.

[cobbler]

this man speaks the truth

Kobe has claim to the 2nd best shooting guard spot legitimately.

I'm not convinced he is the 2nd best SG of all time. Kobe's scoring total is due to games played and years in the NBA. Look at the games played. A product of entering the NBA at 18, something the NBA never liked doing back then.

Jerry West (led the Lakers to NINE nba finals) and George Gervin can both lay claim to that too.

Well which is it? Make up your mind already

[Nahtanoj]

I'm not convinced he is the 2nd best SG of all time. Kobe's scoring total is due to games played and years in the NBA. Look at the games played. A product of entering the NBA at 18, something the NBA never liked doing back then.

Kareem's totals are due to games played and years in the NBA as well. Are you saying longevity is not greatness?

I always laugh when people start throwing out MJ's numbers or Wilt's numbers or whoever's.. watching (not just highlights) them play and comparing them is different to comparing numbers (e.g. Kobe's shooting %, PPG average vs. Jordan's). Fact is, the times are different, the games different, players have evolved (both physically and skillwise), rules have changed..

If Jordan had played with Shaq or in the zone era, would he have averaged as many points as he did earlier in his career? If Kobe had played by himself, in Jordan's illegal defense era, or 80s fastbreak era, could he have scored as many points as Jordan and be just as efficient (50% shooting)? It is possible... the Suns' play definitely resemble that of the 80s, except they played better defence and were allowed to zone. Look at Bryant's numbers versus them (50+% 33-8-7) in the WCF or even the last 5 years since Mike D'Antoni took over.

If Bryant had to start from the bottom like MJ did, maybe his numbers would've been as great if not greater (see 2003 Shaq injured, 2005 Bryant 29-7-7 before injury, 2006 35ppg, 2007 31ppg). Forget about all the "but the 90s and 80s had tougher defense, you could handcheck bla bla" business. If you weren't around then to witness the eras, then watch proper game tapes of matches in the 80s or 90s.. you're not telling me they played better defence than the current era? If you are, then you're delusional.

Players have evolved, they're stronger, faster, longer and defences have improved a lot as well - lanes are no longer wide open like they use to be because of the zone. Magic and co use to drive to the hoop with ease and with single coverage, helping on defence means you'd leave a player open longer than say you would in a zone.

Would Bryant have won 6 les in 13 years following in MJ's path? Maybe not. But he is on his own path. People should just enjoy the game and learn to appreciate the greatness that is Kobe Bryant (or the other great player of this era, Duncan), appreciate them while they're still playing.. because it won't be long before both he and Duncan is gone.