Lakers or Celtics?

[sike]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

That's how it works with the media (and in this case the fans too). They build you up to tear you down. I don't think Kobe ever compared himself to Jordan but because he's about the same height and plays a similar game, it's his cross to bear.

Agree. Kobe has gone on the record and begged not to be compared to MJ..."Let me be me"...yet the comparison's continue.

[GermanDunk]

Originally Posted by sike

Agree. Kobe has gone on the record and begged not to be compared to MJ..."Let me be me"...yet the comparison's continue.

My comparison with C. Ronaldo was indeed wrong. Kobe is arrogant and i don´t like him but he absolutely is not that dumb. And maybe in a decayed torso - there is somewhere a good heart...sometimes

[Dirkadirkastan]

This will not actually impact Kobe's reputation in the long run.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

This will not actually impact Kobe's reputation in the long run.

I am most definitely sure of that.

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

This will not actually impact Kobe's reputation in the long run.

Depends on what happens from here on out. If he goes on to win a title then it won't. If he never makes it back then this will definitely be a black mark on his legacy.

[Janett_Reno]

Great win Celtics. James Posey is one heck of a basketball player. I never thought anyone could do that to kobe in crunch time. That man needs a raise. Him and Bowen keep getting it done at any age. Celts was huge on that back line and PJ Brown can still play at his age. They had to play defense and they did. Pierce was simply great and i never knew he was this good and i always knew Garnett was and he showed it.

Not many teams can stop the Lakers penetration but they did. Kobe was so frustrated and Posey guarding him so tuff, at times he would just jack it up from 35 feet because that is all Posey would let him have. Kobe is great and even shooting 35 and 40 footer's he is dangerous but not like driving for layups and dunks.

Bynum needs to come back and the Lakers need to pick up a Gino pg, Parker, Harris, Chris paul, Williams from Utah type pg. To where it will make it easier for Bynum, Gasol, Kobe and even a couple 3 point shooters, to drive and kick. Fisher is good but they need a young penetrater. Great win for the Celts and they did what i didn't think they could do, shut Kobe down in the clutch. Great defense guys.

[WayOutWest]

The Celtics did to Kobe what the Pistons did to Jordan back in the 89 and 90. The Pistons completely focused on MJ and dared the rest of the Bulls to beat them. Two years in a row MJ's team mates let him down. Kobe played well enough to win but with little support from the rest of the squad but the Lakers went down in flames just like the Bulls in 89 and 90. When the rest of the Lakers step up like the Bulls did in 91 they will have more success. The problem of the Lakers is they do not have the personnel with the same defensive mindset of the starting suporting cast of the Bulls.

IMO the Lakers are not going to go out there and find the missing piece, the current rosters has to commit to becoming better players. Gasol nees to spend most of the summer in the weight room and Bynum is going to have to come back healthy and be a presence in the middle.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by WayOutWest

The Celtics did to Kobe what the Pistons did to Jordan back in the 89 and 90. The Pistons completely focused on MJ and dared the rest of the Bulls to beat them. Two years in a row MJ's team mates let him down. Kobe played well enough to win but with little support from the rest of the squad but the Lakers went down in flames just like the Bulls in 89 and 90. When the rest of the Lakers step up like the Bulls did in 91 they will have more success. The problem of the Lakers is they do not have the personnel with the same defensive mindset of the starting suporting cast of the Bulls.

It wasn't just teammates - Jordan stepped his game up as well... MJ was still pretty young when the Pistons put the clamps on, but he eventually figured out how to beat the Jordan Rule and went on to sweep the Pistons in the '91 Eastern Conference Finals before winning his first ring...

Kobe has no excuse for getting locked down... Sure, his teammates need to step up, but when they don't, Kobe (like Mike) needs to throw down 40+ points and hope his team shows up the next game...



Sure, Pippen/Grant/Cartwright/Armstrong/Paxson is a better supporting cast than Gasol/Odom/Fisher/Radmanovic/Walton (hell, you could toss Bynum in there too)... BUT look at the teams each cast had to overcome:

90-91 Lakers - Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Sam Perkins, Vlade Divac, A.C. Green

07-08 Celtics - Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, James Posey, Kendrick Perkins



Kobe will NEVER be like Mike!

[WayOutWest]

Originally Posted by Underdog

It wasn't just teammates - Jordan stepped his game up as well... MJ was still pretty young when the Pistons put the clamps on, but he eventually figured out how to beat the Jordan Rule and went on to sweep the Pistons in the '91 Eastern Conference Finals before winning his first ring...

Kobe has no excuse for getting locked down... Sure, his teammates need to step up, but when they don't, Kobe (like Mike) needs to throw down 40+ points and hope his team shows up the next game...



Sure, Pippen/Grant/Cartwright/Armstrong/Paxson is a better supporting cast than Gasol/Odom/Fisher/Radmanovic/Walton (hell, you could toss Bynum in there too)... BUT look at the teams each cast had to overcome:

90-91 Lakers - Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Sam Perkins, Vlade Divac, A.C. Green

07-08 Celtics - Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, James Posey, Kendrick Perkins



Kobe will NEVER be like Mike!

I don't think MJ figured out the "Jordan Rules" as much as the rules did not work once Pippen/Grant/Cartwright/Paxson started pulling their own weight. I do think Kobe could and SHOULD have done more at the games at home. I think he went off for 38 in one game but I was really disappointed in his inability to close out game 4. MJ would have found a way to win that game after his team mates could not hold on to a 24 point lead.

Kobe is not as good as MJ, Kobe does a few things better but overall MJ has a more complete package and 6 rings which put him above Kobe. Kobe is not MJ but he is the closest thing we will probably see unless LeBron decides to play consistent defense. If LeBron were to become a very good defender he would be better than both Kobe and MJ, the guy is amazing. Since MJ's retirement there has not been as good a back court player as Kobe, the challengers came and went, Carter/T-Mac/Wade/etc.., only King James has the ability to surpass Kobe and possibly MJ IMO.

[dirno2000]

The Celtics did to Kobe what the Pistons did to Jordan back in the 89 and 90.

No they didn’t. The Pistons kicked Jordan’s ass in the late 80’s. You can’t play defense like that on perimeter players anymore.

The other thing I’d point out is that those battles against Det. were Jordan’s first taste of big time playoff basketball. Kobe’s been there, done that and even been shut down before (Tayshun Prince - 2004).

I’m hearing a lot of this “oh, the Celtics threw the kitchen sink at Kobe”. I didn't see it. They played defense and he settled for a lot of jump shots. Hell, I think they forced they ball out of Joe Johnson’s hands more than they did Kobe’s.

Kobe played well enough to win but with little support from the rest of the squad but the Lakers

You have a very liberal definition of well enough to win. The MVP and unquestioned best player on your team shooting 40% is not playing well enough to win in my mind. Now they could have won if his teammates carried him but it’s not supposed to work that way.

Kobe underperformed on the biggest stage of his career and he should be called out for it.

[ty]

It's not Kobe's fault his teammates didn't score 40 points to win Game 6...

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

Kobe underperformed on the biggest stage of his career and he should be called out for it.

Choker.

[horse900703]

Good Job Boston~ Next Season lakers!

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by horse900703

Good Job Boston~ Next Season lakers!

Dammit Horse!

Next Season MAVERICKS!!!

[WayOutWest]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

Kobe underperformed on the biggest stage of his career and he should be called out for it.

No argument here but I would not call it a choke. Lakers choke for sure and the Celtics had a lot to do with that.

[ghazi]

Originally Posted by horse900703

Good Job Boston~ Next Season lakers!

god dammit horse.