Lakers: Bryant praises himself for inspiring others

[Dunc n Dave]

FIBA = physical?

Possibly the stupidest thing I've ever read on any forum anywhere. FIBA's a guard's and shooter's league, which is why Carmelo Anthony loves it, which is why Manu Ginobili can lead Argentina to a Gold Medal, and which is also why it's beyond pathetic that Kirby couldn't even break 50% shooting when Wade and James were shooting 70%.

Kobe played like hot, steamy in the '08 Olympic, including the Gold Medal game in which he let NBA scrub Ruby Fernandez outscore him 22 to 20.

Doberman Defense

Exactly! Duncan spent most of the Olympics in foul trouble. He was tired of the ticky tack calls he kept getting where he'd get a clean block up top, but still be called for a foul because his off hand was touching the hip of the shooter. In FIBA, you are allowed ZERO contact on a block, otherwise it's a foul. That's what pissed him off the most about the FIBA rules.

[racm]

Didn't help that the US offense was letting Marbury and Iverson chuck. When they're your starting backcourt and Larry Brown sat LeBron/Wade/Melo, you're screwed.

[HeatChamps]

Didn't help that the US offense was letting Marbury and Iverson chuck. When they're your starting backcourt and Larry Brown sat LeBron/Wade/Melo, you're screwed.

One of the most baffling decisions ever. Some coaches have it in for young players. I don't get it but it seems they are harming more than helping that youngster.

[DMC]

Let me stop you Laker fan...Let's get one thing straight about Tim Duncan ....

Tim Duncan was the leader of the US National Bronze Team in the 2004 Olympics.

Duncan got exposed on the international stage and was an embarrassment to our Nation... he didn't like FIBA because it was too physical and he was intimidated by the presence of 7'4" Roberto Duenas. Duncan looked like he wanted out from the first game. Dude was a total failure on the Olympic stage...a quitter and seemingly borderline turncoat on his country...he said and I've quoted many times before that he's never play for Team USA again and had nothing to teach other players interested in international play...now if this isn't the Apex of selfishness then nothing is...

This was the year the nation was focused on Kobe's rape trial. Kobe was accused of rape in 2003, "Bryant was accused of sexual assault after having sex with a hotel employee in Colorado. In September 2004, prosecutors dropped the case after his accuser refused to testify. A civil suit was later filed and settled out of court." and "In the following summer, he had to withdraw from the Olympic team because of his legal case.^[191]" So you feel Kobe was saved from bronze by a rape trial. Solid logic.

This was the year Kobe cost his stacked team the ring. "in the following 2003–04 season, the Lakers were able to acquire NBA All-Stars Karl Malone, and Gary Payton to make another push at the NBA Championship.^[59] Before the season began, Bryant was arrested for sexual assault.^[60] (rape) This caused Bryant to miss some games due to court appearances or attend court earlier in the day and travel to play games later in same day.^[61]"

This was the year the Lakers lost to the Pistons, the same Pistons the Spurs beat the following year.

This was the year the Spurs won the Olympic Gold (Manu, Oberto). So sure, one Spur lost, but 2 won. How many Lakers won anything?

2004 is not a year any Laker fan should ever want brought up in conversation, much less should they initiate it. (I say Laker instead of Lakers fan because, though you are just a Spurs fan in a troll costume, you pretend to be a Kobe fan).

Kobe's 3 year period was as follows: Watching Tim hold up the Finals MVP trophy, Rape and watching Chauncey hold up the Finals MVP trophy, Watching Tim hold up the Finals MVP trophy.

These are things we all know, things that have been established here, yet you get right back in the belt line and strip down again for your beating.

[purplengold]

sausage fingers up there gettin antsy

[JRHernandez88]

Lmao @ this thread. s comedy