Lakers: How Long Before Laker Nation Turns On Kobe?

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Who will save the Lakers from Kobe?
Bryant's 'hero ball' act in crunch time doing more harm than good for Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES -- After a recent blowout loss, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant talked about crime. Or, more specifically, Bryant talked about fighting crime, about being a hero.

His metaphor centered on his team trailing by double digits -- nothing new for the Lakers this season -- and the feeling that it was up to him to do something.

To Bryant, that "something" is taking shots -- a lot of shots.

"I'd rather not have to do that, but you can't sit back and watch crime happen in front of you," he said after the Lakers' 136-115 loss to the Golden State Warriors last week, a game in which Bryant shot 34 shots in 31 minutes, scoring a season-high 44 points in a beatdown so lopsided he didn't play in the fourth quarter.

"Hero ball" is best described as the biggest name taking the biggest shot, specifically when the game is on the line. As YouTube footage attests, Bryant has buried many such shots throughout his Hall of Fame career, now in its 19th season.

But his recent late-game misfires have drawn questions from teammates.

"Kobe is going to be Kobe, but somehow we've gotta find a way to put that ball in the hole with somebody else," Lakers guard Nick Young said after a 101-94 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11...rs-kobe-bryant

Tanking worked out well for you fellows. Perhaps we'll be as fortunate. In the meantime, Kobe gets his 25-5-5.

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rotoworld knows its coming




Kobe Bryant - G/F - Lakers

Kobe Bryant hit just 5-of-15 shots, two 3-pointers and 10-of-10 free throws for 22 points, four rebounds and two assists in Wednesday's loss to the Grizzlies.

Memphis is one of the league's best teams and plays solid defense, especially with Tony Allen guarding Kobe at times tonight. Bryant's shooting has been a disaster this season, but he's still been highly productive. And the fact he hit 10-of-10 free throws could mean he's getting some leg strength back. But once the Lakers fall completely out of the playoff race, [[[[[[[[[owners have to be concerned that he may shut it down for the season with a mysterious 'back injury.']]]]]]]]] With the Lakers playing so poorly, selling high on Kobe appears to be a forward-thinking plan.



Nov 27 - 3:02 AM

[They] needn't be thus concerned. He's gonna play all 82 and as many minutes as HE can muster.

You couldn't drag him away. 25-5-5

[ElNono]

Tanking worked out well for you fellows. Perhaps we'll be as fortunate. In the meantime, Kobe gets his 25-5-5.

Don't shoot the messenger...

But it's good to see you want your Lakers to be like us, tbh. It's a long way to the top though.

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Don't shoot the messenger...

But it's good to see you want your Lakers to be like us, tbh. It's a long way to the top though.

You made it because you tanked. Perhaps we'll be as fortunate.

[ElNono]

You made it because you tanked. Perhaps we'll be as fortunate.

I hope it works out, tbh... not even mad. I mean, watching you guys swallow the -sandwich whole the last 2-3 years have been top entertainment.

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I hope it works out, tbh... not even mad. I mean, watching you guys swallow the -sandwich whole the last 2-3 years have been top entertainment.

& you beholding to tanking for your total sustenance helps one cope.

[ElNono]

& you beholding to tanking for your total sustenance helps one cope.

you're not kidding anybody, old man... what you're going through right now is what I dreaded might happen to TD in the twilight...

you don't cope with that. you just stay miserable until somebody takes him to the back and puts him to sleep. you can't do it yourself, you gotta call cousin Sal and ask him to do it. Truly horrible stuff.

probably the only level of sympathy I feel for you s.

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you're not kidding anybody, old man... what you're going through right now is what I dreaded might happen to TD in the twilight...

you don't cope with that. you just stay miserable until somebody takes him to the back and puts him to sleep. you can't do it yourself, you gotta call cousin Sal and ask him to do it. Truly horrible stuff.

probably the only level of sympathy I feel for you s.

Nonetheless, you tanked to get your onions.

[ezau]

Arn

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Arn

[scanry]

Nonetheless, you tanked to get your onions.

Can't complain with 17 years of over 0.700. If only Shaq wasn't a Laker, we'd have 3 or 4 more chips tbh.

[Thebesteva]

I was a huuuuuuuuge Kobe fan. Everyone knew that about me on Lakersnation (under my other username) and LG. I just lost respect for the dude for how he acted this last few years.

I am ashamed to admit, you guys were right and I was wrong, he was a s bag selfish ballhog. Even though I think in his prime, when you have Phil+D. Fish and a great big man he will produce championships. You can't say that everyone could do what he did in that position, Tracy McGrady couldnt get past the ing first round with Yao, CP3 still cant get to the WCF with a stacked team and a decent coach, etc.

Even though I will always be a Kobe fan and admire all the memories, he really acted like a punk this last few years and I see why so many people hate him. When I was younger, I only saw the hard working obsessed winner and didnt get all the hate. I do now

[ambchang]

I was a huuuuuuuuge Kobe fan. Everyone knew that about me on Lakersnation (under my other username) and LG. I just lost respect for the dude for how he acted this last few years.

I am ashamed to admit, you guys were right and I was wrong, he was a s bag selfish ballhog. Even though I think in his prime, when you have Phil+D. Fish and a great big man he will produce championships. You can't say that everyone could do what he did in that position, Tracy McGrady couldnt get past the ing first round with Yao, CP3 still cant get to the WCF with a stacked team and a decent coach, etc.

Even though I will always be a Kobe fan and admire all the memories, he really acted like a punk this last few years and I see why so many people hate him. When I was younger, I only saw the hard working obsessed winner and didnt get all the hate. I do now

Put TMac, Iverson, Pierce or Carter next to Shaq and they would have won 3, maybe not three peated, but they would have won three. Put Lebron, Pierce, or Wade next to MVPau and Odom and they win b2b, or even 3 straight.

The only thing Kobe had going for him was longevity and quality of teammates. I admit that other than Pierce, there wasn't a perimeter player who was so good for so long, but as much as Kobe played, he broke up two dynasties in the making, and those teams ultimately performed below expectations.

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Can't complain with 17 years of over 0.700. If only Shaq wasn't a Laker, we'd have 3 or 4 more chips tbh.

& if you hadn't tanked you'd be with the Suns in Owen Land.

[midnightpulp]

& if you hadn't tanked you'd be with the Suns in Owen Land.

What's the plans for Turkey day, Cub?

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What's the plans for Turkey day, Cub?

I'm alone. I'm having a processed beef roast.

We'll have a turkey dinner on Sunday.

[midnightpulp]

I'm alone. I'm having a processed beef roast.

We'll have a turkey dinner on Sunday.

Girl going over to the mother-in-law's?

In any event, bet you'll enjoy having the joint all to yourself. Get to watch 10 straight hours of NFL games without a grandchild hugging your leg.

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Girl going over to the mother-in-law's?

In any event, bet you'll enjoy having the joint all to yourself. Get to watch 10 straight hours of NFL games without a grandchild hugging your leg.

No, she's with her lover.

[midnightpulp]

No, she's with her lover.

Is he black?

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Is he black?

No.

[midnightpulp]

No.

Why the open marriage?

[Buddy Mignon]

Keep shooting that mother a, Kobe. I got ya back... all the nerds and pussies.

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Keep shooting that mother a, Kobe. I got ya back... all the nerds and pussies.

Luva

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Why the open marriage?

It works for us.

[Malik Hairston]

Casual fans are sheep, tbh..

Turning on Kobe for this season is stupid..all these fans that blindly loved him, they would gotten on their knees for him in a second(literally), while ignoring all his flaws, both on and off the court..they're sheep, they are reacting this way because the mainstream media has turned on Kobe, that's the only reason..

Hating on Kobe for this season is illogical..this is the Lakers' plan for the season, it has been the same plan for a minute..anybody that knows anything about the NBA should have been fully aware that the Lakers' weren't trying to win games this year, their plan has always been to sell tickets and keep their draft pick..the best way to do that is to allow Kobe to chase points records, shoot all he wants, hire one of the worst coaches in NBA history, and surround him with mediocre players(including Lin, which was another PR hire, since he also has his own cult following)..

Being angry with Kobe for taking so much money, running off PedoDwight, etc is understandable, but blaming him for losses this season doesn't make any sense..the only difference between the Lakers and Sixers is that one of them is transparent and open about their tanking..