Phil: Kobe's Very First Words To MJ Was: "I Can Beat You 1 on 1"

[LkrFan]

6-24 in the biggest game of his life isn't really an ass whooping. Quite the contrary.

You conveniently left out the 15 rebs part, the fact that he played on a knee that needed draining twice just to make it through the playoffs, and he played with 9 good fingers. But it still counted for a back to back unlike you know who.

[midnightpulp]

You conveniently left out the 15 rebs part. But it still counted for a back to back unlike you know who.

When the Celtics and Lakers combine to miss like a 200 shots, I hope he can get 15 rebounds.

ty Finals performance, any way you it

[Giuseppe]

When the Celtics and Lakers combine to miss like a 200 shots, I hope he can get 15 rebounds.

ty Finals performance, any way you it

It resulted in Bryant passing Duncan.

ha, ha.

[BlackSwordsMan]

It resulted in Bryant passing Duncan.

ha, ha.

Try ing your mother some more.

[LkrFan]

Kobe's the master of scoring big in meaningless regular season games. Too bad the Mamba has never had one notable Finals series worth mentioning, unless you count the travesty in '04 as notable, which did make the Top Ten All-time worst list.

I seem to remember him winning 5 Finals. That's notable enough for me.

[Giuseppe]

Try ing your mother some more.

[DMC]

Dennis was one of them mother ers other players didn't even look at, didn't want to touch at all. He would hang all over them and you could see it in their faces, they hated it. They were distracted (maybe the wedding dress?)

He was a physical player, but physical players were welcomed then. It wasn't a big deal to clothesline someone on the fast break. No one went into the stands and tried to kill a fan.

[LkrFan]

When the Celtics and Lakers combine to miss like a 200 shots, I hope he can get 15 rebounds.

ty Finals performance, any way you it

Hey, I do around here dammnit!!

[midnightpulp]

Hey, I do around here dammnit!!

I know. I did it to mock you and your re ed posting style.

[LkrFan]

I know. I did it to mock you and your re ed posting style.

[midnightpulp]

That said, you still cool in my book. Even if you are a shameless homer.

[LkrFan]

That said, you still cool in my book. Even if you are a shameless homer.

Don't worry about me being a shameless homer. Worry about the Spurs pulling a 2007 Mavs. If the standings hold, you guys got the Grizzlies in the 1st round. 2-2 in the regular season matchup with them averaging 110 ppg on you guys in the last two. Good luck with that.

[Man In Black]

Don't worry about me being a shameless homer. Worry about the Spurs pulling a 2007 Mavs. If the standings hold, you guys got the Grizzlies in the 1st round. 2-2 in the regular season matchup with them averaging 110 ppg on you guys in the last two. Good luck with that.

What's funny is that you add the line:If the standings hold...knowing full well that the Grizzlies could move up a seed or 2 just as easily as they stay at #8 and what's delightful is that you guys have to play your asses off with no rest just to ensure a no worse than #3 seed

I also point out that it's intellectually dishonest of you to spout off that opinion whist neglecting the fact that Duncan didn't play game 4 and that Ginobilil got hurt in the 1st quarter of that same game.

I don't blame you really. I blame the in' 4 letter and their practice of SELECTIVE MUTISM. They're the same group who says that when the Spurs lost 6 games in a row(with Duncan missing 5 of those games) that the Spurs have way too many flaws, yet at the same time while the LAL is on a CURRENT 4 game losing streak, they say that the LAL has shown enough playoff mettle despite these minor setbacks. No wonder you guys sometimes come off as stupid.

[Budkin]

But, until Pippen arrived MJ couldn't ring, and never rang without him.

Bryant had no problem ringin' sans Daddy, not only once, but, Back-2-Back, sans Daddy.

Only after being given Pau Gasol. Before that see 2005, 2006, 2007...

And also, Pippen came into the league only 3 years after MJ. It's not like Michael had some string of failures before that.

[ElNono]

If MJ played with Shaq, PJ would have made him a 2nd option too. And way to bring up those numbers. How old was Kobe - 21 while posting those numbers? What about the 2nd le and the 3rd? Was he still at 21 ppg?

MJ had the refs in his backpocketPERIOD. There is NOTHING that MJ did that Kobe wouldn't have been able to do if Kobe were on those Bulls teams. MJ was before his time, playing against only about 3 players that could be considered his athletic equal or in the same stratosphere: Dumars, Drexler, Dominique. That's it. Kobe would have broke Craig Ehlo off for 69 points or Bird (who was guarding MJ anyway - Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge? ) for 63 points, and he wouldn't have had to push off on Bryon Russell.

MJ's legend grows by the day. Truth be told, Pippen guarded the opposition's best perimeter player probably 85-90% of the time which allowed MJ to do his thang offensively. Kobe didn't have that luxury until either Ariza emerged and then they brought in Artest. Otherwise, Kobe had to shut down his man and give LA 35 - especially post Shaq and pre-Gasol.

Oh, and MJ would NOT have won more than 3 rings without Worm signing with them. , he lucky Shaq bolted Orlando when he did. In 1994 they just finished off MJ's Bulls - prompting him to sign a bitter enemy just to have the chance to compete (Worm). Shaq, Penny, D Scott, Horace Grant , Nick Anderson, etc., were young, but getting ready to push MJ's in until Shaq went to LA. I think deep down you know this.

I'm anxiously awaiting the day when Kobe get's #7. It's gonna happen and when it does, there will be a lot of going on with the mediots and haters. It's gone be fun. If true greatness is measured by rangs, then you have to conclude that Kobe > MJ. Kind of gives you a sickening feeling huh?

MJ didn't need a 20/10 big - don't get it twisted. He did need defensive minded bigs: Oakley, Cartwright, Ho Grant, Worm. Then for good measure he had other less than stellar bigs like Wennington, Stacy King, Luc Longley, Will Perdue, etc. to deliver anywhere from 18-24 fouls per game on players like Shaq, Ewing, Brad Daughterty, etc. to lessen their effectiveness.

Now granted an MJ/Pippen defensive duo is probably the greatest defensive tandem in NBA history. They could guard PGs, SGs, and SFs like a mofo. That is invaluable because if you can dominate the backcourt defensively, put a ton of pressure on them offensively, and lessen the effectiveness of their bread and butter (centers, powerforwards) you win. PJ knew that that's why he used to sick a 21 year old Kobe on a perimeter's best player during Kobe's 1st 3peat. Couple that with MJ/Pippen's offensive ability - which could lead a Ewing into foul trouble, you have a recipe for success.

So I don't buy that crap that MJ won without bigs. He had plenty of them at his disposal on the defensive side of the ball. I already stated that MJ/Pippen were the best defensive tandem in NBA history. Then they added Worm - a player that was versatile enough to check MJ in one game and Shaq in the next. Then he could rebound like a mofo. Not looking at his numbers but I could guarantee you he doesn't average over 10ppg but he is a HOFer (finally) because of his versatilty defensively. You have 3 players that are the best at their positions and they are versatile enough to crossmatch against other players in varying positions - you know what the results were: 72-10.

So please stop with this notion that MJ didn't have help in the pivot. He did - it just was on the defensive side of the ball.

Now this is what I call an incredibly long tirade to try to justify the unjustifiable.

It's real easy: MJ >>>>>>>>>>>>> Bean. It's not even close at all.

[LkrFan]

What's funny is that you add the line:If the standings hold...knowing full well that the Grizzlies could move up a seed or 2 just as easily as they stay at #8 and what's delightful is that you guys have to play your asses off with no rest just to ensure a no worse than #3 seed

Just ribbing Spurs fans tbh. Truth be told, do you really think the Lakers care whether they play the Grizzlies, Blazers or Hornets? Lakers will win it all whether they are 1st seed or even 3rd (yes I'm confident).

I also point out that it's intellectually dishonest of you to spout off that opinion whist neglecting the fact that Duncan didn't play game 4 and that Ginobilil got hurt in the 1st quarter of that same game.

Did the Lakers make an excuse for Bynum missing the first 24 games?

I don't blame you really. I blame the in' 4 letter and their practice of SELECTIVE MUTISM. They're the same group who says that when the Spurs lost 6 games in a row(with Duncan missing 5 of those games) that the Spurs have way too many flaws, yet at the same time while the LAL is on a CURRENT 4 game losing streak, they say that the LAL has shown enough playoff mettle despite these minor setbacks. No wonder you guys you

Injuries are part of the game. All teams are banged up this part of the year. Quit making excusesPERIOD.

[LkrFan]

Now this is what I call an incredibly long tirade to try to justify the unjustifiable.

It's real easy: MJ >>>>>>>>>>>>> Bean. It's not even close at all.

When Kobe wins 7 rings, does your above statement still ring true? Let's be honest here, he has a damn good shot at 7 or 8 rings.

[Giuseppe]

Only after being given Pau Gasol. Before that see 2005, 2006, 2007...

And also, Pippen came into the league only 3 years after MJ. It's not like Michael had some string of failures before that.

Gasol is one who was a total playoff failure till Kobe took him in. Kobe had already rang without Gasol three times. Kobe then rang without Daddy twice. Kobe is the constant, as is Pippen. Jordan couldn't ring until Pippen showed up, be it 3 years, or not, Jordan never rang without him.

These are indisputable facts.

[Riddler]

Gasol is one who was a total playoff failure till Kobe took him in. Kobe had already rang without Gasol three times. Kobe then rang without Daddy twice. Kobe is the constant, as is Pippen. Jordan couldn't ring until Pippen showed up, be it 3 years, or not, Jordan never rang without him.

These are indisputable facts.

Kobe rang without Shaq because of Bynum AND Gasol. So he was not the constant, Bynum was, as was Shaq. Without Bynum, Kobe doesn't rang in 08, tee hee, or the years that followed. Kobe was consistently leading his team to first round exits/not even making the playoffs

[ElNono]

When Kobe wins 7 rings, does your above statement still ring true? Let's be honest here, he has a damn good shot at 7 or 8 rings.

Kome won't win 7... and it's irrelevant... Horry coattailed to 7 too, and nobody in their right mind thinks he's better than GOAT MJ...

[LkrFan]

Kome won't win 7... and it's irrelevant... Horry coattailed to 7 too, and nobody in their right mind thinks he's better than GOAT MJ...

Nice . Well played son.

[Giuseppe]

Kobe rang without Shaq because of Bynum AND Gasol. So he was not the constant, Bynum was, as was Shaq. Without Bynum, Kobe doesn't rang in 08, tee hee, or the years that followed. Kobe was consistently leading his team to first round exits/not even making the playoffs

But, Gasol couldn't ring until Kobe took him in.

Kobe is the constant.

[TampaDude]

When Kobe wins 7 rings, does your above statement still ring true? Let's be honest here, he has a damn good shot at 7 or 8 rings.

Honestly, this is probably Kobe's last good shot at another ring. The rest of the West is improving too much for the Lakers to keep winning les after this year. It's now or never for Kobe.

[Giuseppe]

Kome won't win 7... and it's irrelevant... Horry coattailed to 7 too, and nobody in their right mind thinks he's better than GOAT MJ...

No, he isn't right now. But, Jordan is locked at 6. Kobe is but 32. He has many years ahead of him. And I can tell you right now:::he's not "married" to the Lakers in the true sense that say your Duncan is "married" to the Spurs.

Bryant is a cold blooded borderline sociopath who will do whatever it takes to climb over Jordan's inert body at 6.

[ElNono]

No, he isn't right now. But, Jordan is locked at 6. Kobe is but 32. He has many years ahead of him. And I can tell you right now:::he's not "married" to the Lakers in the true sense that say your Duncan is "married" to the Spurs.

Bryant is a cold blooded borderline sociopath who will do whatever it takes to climb over Jordan's inert body at 6.

I'll take your word for it. Takes one to know one, tbh...