Gentry: Kobe Is Best Closer Ever

[XFactor]

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...yant-suns.html

Phoenix Suns' Alvin Gentry says Lakers' Kobe Bryant is best closer ever

The Arizona Republic
How much respect does Suns coach Alvin Gentry have for Lakers star Kobe Bryant?

At his team's morning shootaround, Gentry said that if Friday night's game at US Airways Center came down to a final possession for the Lakers, Bryant would have to shoot "over three guys."


But by about an hour before tipoff, Gentry had upgraded, saying Bryant "will have to make a shot over four guys."

"He's the best closer in the history of the game if you ask me," Gentry said. "Yeah, that is including Michael Jordan. I just think what he's done this year, to have six game-winning shots that come on the last possession of the game, I don't know if anybody has ever done that.

"If that's the case, we have to try to make somebody else be that closer. That's not to say that he'll give it up. I've seen him make it over three guys, too. But as far as we're concerned, we have to try to get the ball out of his hands some kind of way."

Gentry noted that Bryant was on the floor at 4:45 p.m. putting up shots - and it turned out he actually had gotten out there about a half-hour earlier.

"I tell our guys, 'You want to be great?' That's how you become great," Gentry said.

And he said Bryant is especially scary at the end of the game.

"He cherishes the moment," he said. "He wants the game to be close.

"For making shots that mean a lot . . . there are great players that haven't made six in their careers. Great players. Hall of Famers."

Told that Gentry had rated him as the best closer ever, Bryant said, "Wow. Well, thank you. That's a huge compliment to say the least."

[JamStone]

De'Sean Butler >>>>>>>> Kobe Bryant

[ChrisRichards]

Gentry is an idiot. Melo>Kobe in game winners.

[MiamiHeat]

because 6 regular season game winners >>> all of jordan's playoff game winners? lol

[ChrisRichards]

because 6 regular season game winners >>> all of jordan's playoff game winners? lol

I dont even recall kobe hitting a game winner in a championship game. i think his best shot was the one vs phoenix which the lakers choked up anyway

[Delonte West]

Wow dude! This foo Gentry must be trippin balls on some magic mushrooms Cuz he has no idea what hes talkin bout. Michael Jordan is way above Kobes level and everyone will agree with me(Except laker fans).

[Darrin]

He's got some game-winners in the postseason.



And Jordan didn't always take the last shot.

[sook]

not too far from the truth. Kobe is clutch as

[21_Blessings]

And Jordan didn't always take the last shot.

Neither does Kobe

[ChrisRichards]

Whooptee in do. He hit the one against Phoenix. Lakers lost the series. He hit that one against Detroit. Lakers lost the series.


Jordan's "The shot"



97



98

[JustBlaze]

@ Kerr flipping the bird. Talk about icing on the cake.

[ChrisRichards]

Neither does Kobe

This one too

[HarlemHeat37]

* Bryant has made 26 of the 89 potential game tying or game-winning field goals he has shot over the last decade. That's 29.2%, which is slightly above League average.

[JamStone]

Kobe's really turned it around this season. 7-for-12 in those situations this season. Over 58% in those clutch shot attempts this year. Pretty impressive.

[lefty]

[HarlemHeat37]

He's having a great clutch season this year, no denying that..

[DJ Mbenga]

only the spurs were lucky enough to escape leaving horry open. same shot same position horry shot from during the LA series.

[angelbelow]

Didnt jordan hit 6 game winners as a wizard one season.

[HarlemHeat37]

You guys got 0.4, that's good enough..

[lefty]

only the spurs were lucky enough to escape leaving horry open. same shot same position horry shot from during the LA series.

Yeah like Jameer didn't tell Fisher: " go ahead shoot; I won't foul you; heck, I'm even giving you some room"

[mavsfan1000]

Jordan is the greatest closer ever. Blatant disrespect toward the GOAT of Basketball.

[TheMACHINE]

lol at the haters getting thier panties in a bunch.

[baseline bum]

only the spurs were lucky enough to escape leaving horry open. same shot same position horry shot from during the LA series.

Duncan made me mad as when he left him on that shot. Parker was smart enough to realize who it was, and made a mad dash to contest it. I was watching that game with about 15-20 Laker fans and all of them got excited as when he got that look. That game taught me to quit watching Spurs games with Laker fans (I was at work for the first 3 quarters and had to listen to it on the radio, but the Spurs were killing so I was ok with it. Then as soon as I got off and went to watch it with a bunch of LA fans I knew, Kobe went nuts and brought them back into the game )

[PublicOption]

I have never seen him close anyone out in a playoff series see (Steve Kerr, Steve Jackson, Robert Horry or Manu Ginobili)

You ain't until you do it when it counts.

[pauls931]

Fire him.