Lakers: David Stern says Kobe Bryant is NBA’s best-ever world champion

[mudyez]

Kobe Bryant is the greatest NBA champion there has ever been, according to the sport’s former commissioner, David Stern, who also criticised the five-times winner Tim Duncan for not being good enough.

Stern, who was referring to the player’s ability to promote the sport as well as his talent on the court, said: “Bryant has been the best world champion we’ve had. Apart from the fact he’s talented, he’s a good guy, he gets out on the street and supports and promotes Basketball.”

When someone pointed out that Bryant sometimes spoke impulsively, Stern replied: “It doesn’t matter, it’s always good whatever he says, even if it’s silly. It’s great for the sport.”

“I told Tim: ‘You should be doing what he’s doing.’ Doing the job of world champion. He was the champion and got paid money for that, and these guys think their only job is winning Basketball games. It goes a bit further than that.”

“What these guys don’t think about is that today Michael Jordan is still making quite a bit of money and he hasn’t been on the court for quite a few years. It works because he’s looked after his image and he still does a good job. Perhaps these guys think when they stop ‘that’ll be it.’”

Sterns’ comments rounded off a mixed day for Kobe, who topped the afternoon practice session despite having his running severely restricted by injuries.

“Whenever you lose a season – and pretty much half of the second – it definitely doesn’t help,” he said. “But the team did a great job to rebuild with Robert Sacre, Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer and that was crucial.”

Bryant also revealed on social media that he had had a special shoe made for a game on Christmas but has not been allowed to wear it because of new rules introduced this season.

“I had a special shoe made the Christmas holidays to celebrate the Lodge and Spa at Cordillera and the state of Colorado as I love it to love there,” Kobe wrote on Instagram. “But due to the NBA’s new rule of not allowing players to change their shoe designs, I couldn't wear it.”

Bryant goes into his 1281th career game, if he ever makes it back on the court, looking for his sixth championship. Not that he knew either statistic until he was told this week.

“It’s pretty amazing! 1280 games so far,” he said. “It doesn’t really mean anything to me, 1200, 1300, 1700, but it’s pretty crazy because I remember my first NBA Game, coming out of the tunnel and seeing my dad there. It’s crazy to think 1280 games in the NBA.”

After nineteen seasons can he do another nineteen? “It’ll be tough. I think Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] has done it. I can’t see it, but in the next four years I might laugh and stay another four years after that and so on. Just keep tht checks coming.”

“The thing is there’s nothing beyond it that’s ever going to come close, apart from having sex in Colorado. But even that is different, isn’t it? There’s nothing that’s going to come close to that sensation of a playoff series, working with the team, working with the coaches, shooting the ball. After that, it’s all downhill I’m pretty sure. Some people have tried to eke it out as long as possible but fortunately I’m not in a position to have to make that decision right now.”

Bryant looks a great deal more relaxed than twenty years ago, when he came into this league beeing drafted by the Charlotte Hornets. His decision to join Lakers has never looked better.

He shook his head like a rather impatient schoolmaster when he was asked about how Jerry Buss had talked him into joining the team following the '96 playoffs.

“Honestly, I have to keep correcting people,” he admonished, before pointing out that it was the Lakers master builder Jerry West who had talked him into stabbing the Hornets into the back.

“It was several weeks before the draft. Jerry came to my house and explained what process the team was in. People say I signed for the fame, but it wasn’t the case. Jerry came to me and explained the improvements the Lakers were making, the direction they want to go in. He had this file. He had a plan. And he sold it.” Jerry left the Lakers at the end of 2001 but his influence was felt even as GM of the Memphis Grizzlies.

[Uriel]

Did you write this entire article by yourself?

[mudyez]

Did you write this entire article by yourself?

here is the link.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...g-promoting-f1

[horsielove]

[TDMVPDPOY]

so he had a shoe made for cmas that promotes some in colorado? lol once again...didnt get to finish the product

[Thread]

^You got no in' room. Your Neal raped as well. Then you signed him. Then.

[DMC]

He's so good Stern nixed the CP3 trade which sent Kirby into a tail spin to the land of the lost, where Chaka and that Sleestak Durant rule.

[DMC]

^You got no in' room. Your Neal raped as well. Then you signed him. Then.

But he played, and you wanted him then... and it wasn't for 50 million over two years... and we hit the Finals with him, and we shed ourselves of him, and we won. You? Not so much.

[mavsfan1000]

David Stern

[Malik Hairston]

He's correct that Timmy, and the Spurs as a whole, don't promote the game or do anything to appeal to viewers, of course..

Kobe is one of the greatest self-marketers in the history of pro sports, tbh..

[DMC]

He's correct that Timmy, and the Spurs as a whole, don't promote the game or do anything to appeal to viewers, of course..

Kobe is one of the greatest self-marketers in the history of pro sports, tbh..

He was before the rape. It kinda went south after that. He was kilin' it before however. That's some expensive sloppy 3rds.

[Mitch]

He's right, he rescued the NBA after the decline during 2003-2005 and 2007. A soulless time saved Bryant and my masterful acquisition of Pau

[Obstructed_View]

"Champeen"

[DMC]

He's right, he rescued the NBA after the decline during 2003-2005 and 2007. A soulless time saved Bryant and my masterful acquisition of Pau

He was also right when he nixed the CP3 trade.

[Mitch]

He was also right when he nixed the CP3 trade.

We had a point guard at the time in Bryant, I was glad he made it happen in hindesight.

[DMC]

We had a point guard at the time in Bryant, I was glad he made it happen in hindesight.

Me too. Stern adding the bacteria needed to promote the rot of the dead black snake, nothing wrong with that.

[TDMVPDPOY]

everybody loves a sucker

[Thread]

^Cept Amy, she ran her's right into the ter.

tee, hee.

[Venti Quattro]

5x NBA champ
2x Olympic Gold Medalist (not Bronze)

Jew Stern seems to be reasonable here, imo.

[Arcadian]

It's just factually incorrect. The greatest champion was Bill Russell, then Michael Jordan. There is no argument to be made that Bryant was the best at anything. Sorry.

[Splits]

Laker fan thinking this is a real article

[Venti Quattro]

There is no doubt that this article is real, tbh. Correct and very much on point. On the other hand, David J. Stern is the best commissioner of a professional sports league.

[313]

It's just factually incorrect. The greatest champion was Bill Russell, then Michael Jordan. There is no argument to be made that Bryant was the best at anything. Sorry.

[313]

Larry and Magic saved the league too. Kobe just filled in after Michael, but there's no argument that he's the greatest champion ever. Even on a commercial level.

[313]

Lebron will probably make more money for the league when it's all said and done