Thanks goodness that season is over, and for all the folks that like to complain about the baseball playoffs going too long into the night-that finals ended about midnight eastern standard time.

So much for this debate. I tried, Kobe. You gave me nothing to work with.

 

He did what he had to do and got another ring, so I'm sure you are happy.

 

But, you are right. I don't think that he did much to help you or him in this conversation. Some of his shots in the first quarter were just terrible.

I think Kobe needed a legendary performance to elevate his status in this MJ debate. He didn't deliver. So, in that sense he missed an opportunity.

 

However, it didn't "hurt" him, because I've never viewed him as Jordan's equal anyway.

 

And, to be honest, I was impressed with Kobe as the game wore on. Despite struggling (I thought he looked a little tired or something), he grabbed 15 rebounds, made some plays for his teammates, and he continued to compete on both ends and played great defense. That defense, by the whole Lakers team, is ultimately what won them another title. Also, he stepped up and made a big shot or two in the 4th, along with knocking down the key FT's. It wasn't his greatest performance, but it may have been his most gritty, and in many ways it was impressive to me.

It's like several have pointed out before. The Lakers are generally better when Kobe isn't at his best.

It's like several have pointed out before. The Lakers are generally better when Kobe isn't at his best.

 

I wouldn't say that. I think the Lakers play better when they get contributions from everyone. Kobe in general does not get alot of assist when he goes off for a lot of points and teammates don't get involved. If Kobe has 30 points on 18 shots the Lakers are tough to beat because it usually means others are involved in the offense.

I wouldn't say that. I think the Lakers play better when they get contributions from everyone. Kobe in general does not get alot of assist when he goes off for a lot of points and teammates don't get involved. If Kobe has 30 points on 18 shots the Lakers are tough to beat because it usually means others are involved in the offense.

 

:thumb:

 

It's not about Kobe being at his best. It's about the supporting cast playing well. Kobe's role in that is to get them involved and keep the ball moving. There are times when he dominates the ball and brings the offense to a halt, but for the most part, he moves the ball around. Obviously, he doesn't typically have 40 or 50 point games when the other guys have it going because it isn't necessary. It doesn't mean he's not at his best though.

 

He had some nice scoring games in each of the last two finals, but I don't feel like Kobe played his best in either of those series.

I am sorry, ya'll are right, I worded it wrong. What I meant is that the Lakers play better when Kobe doesn't feel like needs to completely take over a game. I believe it was game five, when Kobe went off during the third quarter. The rest of the team only had four shots and then seemed somewhat uninterested for the rest of the game.

I am sorry, ya'll are right, I worded it wrong. What I meant is that the Lakers play better when Kobe doesn't feel like needs to completely take over a game. I believe it was game five, when Kobe went off during the third quarter. The rest of the team only had four shots and then seemed somewhat uninterested for the rest of the game.

 

:thumb:

 

Now, that I agree with. I knew Game 5 was a lost cause when Kobe got on that roll. Nobody's good enough to beat a championship caliber team before.

 

The problem is affects their defense. In Game 5, the other guys start standing around offensively and their defense suffers as well. And, in that game, while Kobe was rolling off 20+ straight, Boston was matching him point-for-point for the most part. If the supporting cast could maintain the rest of their game while Kobe takes over the offense, it would work out OK. But, typically they cannot.

 

Also, as a general rule, Kobe doesn't do that unless he feels its necessary. That means those guys are already playing bad.

I am sorry, ya'll are right, I worded it wrong. What I meant is that the Lakers play better when Kobe doesn't feel like needs to completely take over a game. I believe it was game five, when Kobe went off during the third quarter. The rest of the team only had four shots and then seemed somewhat uninterested for the rest of the game.

 

I've always felt that what you've mentioned is the difference between Kobe and LeBron and LA & Cleveland. They take over the game differently, but Kobe just doesn't have a mode to where he scores a boatload of points and still gets everyone involved. Often times less is more for Kobe shooting wise IMO until they need a big bucket. To be honest with you I'd take last night over Kobe's game 5 anyday, he played a much more complete game.

At this all isn't a stab at Kobe, but that was even evident during the first quarter or half of this game. The Lakers weren't playing as well and that could be because Kobe was taking a lot and some terrible shots.

This is funny. He went 6-24. You can spin that however you want, but he was terrible in the biggest game of his career. Terrible. MJ didn't lay eggs in must win games. It just didn't happen. Kobe didn't do what it took to win Gasol did. Kobe supporters are funny.

This is funny. He went 6-24. You can spin that however you want, but he was terrible in the biggest game of his career. Terrible. MJ didn't lay eggs in must win games. It just didn't happen. Kobe didn't do what it took to win Gasol did. Kobe supporters are funny.

 

He also won. No spinning that.

This is funny. He went 6-24. You can spin that however you want, but he was terrible in the biggest game of his career. Terrible. MJ didn't lay eggs in must win games. It just didn't happen. Kobe didn't do what it took to win Gasol did. Kobe supporters are funny.

 

:thumb:

 

 

 

 

He also won. No spinning that.

 

His team won, HE didn't win. Overrated big time.

Jordan in the series clinching win in 96 had 22 points and shot 26% from the field. Gosh he is terrible. Glad his TEAM won that game for him.

Jordan in the series clinching win in 96 had 22 points and shot 26% from the field. Gosh he is terrible. Glad his TEAM won that game for him.

 

They also won that game by about 30 didn't they?