Phil Jackson: Kobe desperate to surpass MJ (Scoring list)

[ChrisRichards]

Kobe gunning for MJ/Kareem



http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/20 ... ring-list/

Phil Jackson told the LA Times last season that even though Kobe Bryant publicly tries to play off the historic scoring milestones, he desperately wants to leapfrog Michael Jordan on the all-time career scoring leaderboard. This should surprise precisely no one: “With an indifferent expression, stony silence and a downplaying of each milestone, Kobe Bryant tried hard to show that he wasn’t preoccupied with climbing the NBA’s all-time scoring list. But not many believed him, including Phil Jackson. When I asked the former Lakers coach last season which player Bryant wants to pass on the scoring list the most, Jackson replied without hesitation, ‘Michael Jordan.’ Bryant argued that wasn’t true and continued touting his sole motivation entails trying to minimize the gap between Bill Russell’s 11 NBA les and his own five. Bryant isn’t lying when he says that’s his main motivation, but it’s misleading to act indifferent about it when teammates, media and the general public know he’s driven to be the best player ever.

[Donkeybong]

I like how you added "Desperate" to the story le.

4/10

[ChrisRichards]

^^^

Phil Jackson told the LA Times last season that even though Kobe Bryant publicly tries to play off the historic scoring milestones, he desperately wants to leapfrog Michael Jordan on the all-time career scoring leaderboard.

[Spur_Fanatic]

Well, article mentions he is desperate.

What I don't get is why the effort? He think people will instantly think he is better than MJ just for scoring more than him? If that were the case, Kareem and Malone would be the GOAT's on everyone's eyes now.

[lefty]

No



We all know he works hard in the offseason just so he can score in different ways, increasing his chances to get higher on the scoring list

Jordan worked hard to win

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

doesnt matter if his fg% drops below 40%.

[jag]

Sad times for Bean. Sad times, indeed.

[angelbelow]

Consistent with Kobe's personality. Not a bad thing, Kobe's always been driven by wanting to be the best. Surpassing MJ on the all time scoring list would definitely help his cause.

[SenorSpur]

I guess if you can't get that 6th le, try and bypass MJ's on the all-time scoring list. If Bean really wants to be ambitious, he should set his sights on Abdul-Jabbar.

[Dex]

Kobe gunning for MJ/Kareem



http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/20 ... ring-list/

Phil Jackson told the LA Times last season that even though Kobe Bryant publicly tries to play off the historic scoring milestones, he desperately wants to leapfrog Michael Jordan on the all-time career scoring leaderboard. This should surprise precisely no one: “With an indifferent expression, stony silence and a downplaying of each milestone, Kobe Bryant tried hard to show that he wasn’t preoccupied with climbing the NBA’s all-time scoring list. But not many believed him, including Phil Jackson. When I asked the former Lakers coach last season which player Bryant wants to pass on the scoring list the most, Jackson replied without hesitation, ‘Michael Jordan.’ Bryant argued that wasn’t true and continued touting his sole motivation entails trying to minimize the gap between Bill Russell’s 11 NBA les and his own five. Bryant isn’t lying when he says that’s his main motivation, but it’s misleading to act indifferent about it when teammates, media and the general public know he’s driven to be the best player ever.

If Kobe is trying to prove he is the "best player ever" by climbing the scoring list, shouldn't he be shooting to surpass Kareem, who is currently still ahead of him by more than 10,000 points? Beating Jordan's scoring record won't mean if he can't beat Jordan's le count.

[Dex]

I guess if you can't get that 6th le, try and bypass MJ's on the all-time scoring list. If Bean really wants to be ambitious, he should set his sights on Abdul-Jabbar.

Get outta my head, Double-S!

[Nathan89]

Only pussies & assholes care about the scoring list.

-for giuseppe

[Fabbs]

doesnt matter if his fg% drops below 40%.

Or 30%
or 20.
or....

[Kobe_5_Duncan_4]

MJ was desperate to pass Dr. J. Kareem was desperate to pass Wilt. Stockton chased Magic. This is what great players do... they chase those ahead of them.

That explains why Tim Duncan never chased anyone or anything. Bug eyed got should have chased Greg Louganis in the pool instead.

[midnightpulp]

That explains why Tim Duncan never chased anyone or anything. Bug eyed got should have chased Greg Louganis in the pool instead.

Magic already beat him to it.

[ChrisRichards]

Whats sad is Kobe really believes that if he passes MJ for the All time scoring record and wins a 6th le (doubtful) then people would put him above MJ.


Dude is just delusional. He needs to at least win 4 more Finals MVP, win about 8 Scoring les, win a DPOY and at least shoot better than 45% in the Finals to be even in the conversation.


I'll give him credit though. At season 16 its quite impressive he's still out there doing his thing. I thought his production by now would dip to ben gordon territory.

[Spur_Fanatic]

luva is right, stat padders are the worst.

Funny he is the fanboi of the greatest stat padder ever.

[dunkman]

Kobe has no shot at reaching Kareem, tbh. He needs 4k points to surpass MJ, it will take him 3 seasons. MJ scored at higher pace than Kobe, he missed several seasons between retirements and comebacks, so surpassing MJ on the scoring list won't do much for Kobe's legacy.

Kobe should re-focus on championships and finals MVPs. And he's not helping the Lakers shooting too much.

[Koolaid_Man]

Whats sad is Kobe really believes that if he passes MJ for the All time scoring record and wins a 6th le (doubtful) then people would put him above MJ.


Dude is just delusional. He needs to at least win 4 more Finals MVP, win about 8 Scoring les, win a DPOY and at least shoot better than 45% in the Finals to be even in the conversation.


I'll give him credit though. At season 16 its quite impressive he's still out there doing his thing. I thought his production by now would dip to ben gordon territory.

This isn't about MJ at all...it' about Wade and Lebron never catching Kobe in any dept...

[Koolaid_Man]

That explains why Tim Duncan never chased anyone or anything. Bug eyed got should have chased Greg Louganis in the pool instead.

He didn't have to chase...his college roommate lived with him for 4 yrs after college and he even let him stay with him when he "so called" got married...incidentally his college roommate living with him coincides with the time period of him having a tongue ring...disgusting if you ask me

[dunkman]

This isn't about MJ at all...it' about Wade and Lebron never catching Kobe in any dept...

LeBron will catch him in everything. Already has 2 MVPs.

[ElNono]

Phil Jackson trolling working a treat, par the course

[Koolaid_Man]

LeBron will catch him in everything. Already has 2 MVPs.

How will he do that...he has to share the ball now with Wade and e Bosh...maybe had he stayed in Cleveland

and @ MVP's...the couch potato award

[dunkman]

How will he do that...he has to share the ball now with Wade and e Bosh...maybe had he stayed in Cleveland

and @ MVP's...the couch potato award

He's more efficient, doesn't need so many shots to make his points. LeBron took his two potato awards in direct compe ion with Kobe.

One could say Kobe focused on championships, but keep in mind he's a weak finals performer that gets bailed out by other players.

[lefty]

MJ was desperate to pass Dr. J. Kareem was desperate to pass Wilt. Stockton chased Magic. This is what great players do... they chase those ahead of them.

so much fail in this post