Does Kobe REALLY need to prove himself?

[Andrew]

I don't like the guy as a person, but the dude can ball and that has been known for quite some time now, I think he has proven to be in the HOF and stuff when he is done...but what I am hearing on every ESPN show, seems to be different.

Apparently the media still thinks the Shaq and Kobe feud is still strong, saying how he has to prove he can lead a team to a championship without #34, who was the MVP of all their finals victories.

Do you think that? They keep reporting this stuff like its important, even Bryant doesn't care, he just wants to win.

I guess if I am going by the media's logic, Shaq won the feud because he won without Kobe literally about 2 years after he left LA and Kobe STILL hasn't and it isn't a given he will this time. Plus, you can argue both can't do it alone, Shaq with D. Wade, Kobe with Gasol.

I hate ESPN's logic sometimes, they truly try to build up stuff when there is nothing there and yet I continue to watch...much like the rest of the world.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

it's a lot of hype

i think the main question is prove himself as what?!

he's a great talent with many flaws ....... however, he was a major contributor to a championship team - titles are seldom won alone, regardless of how strong the individual talent is

so what is left to prove? - that he can be the clear cut #1 option on a championship team? - sure

however, by doing this it doesn't disprove a lot of his character/basketball flaws

it just shows that he was able to successfully integrate into a certain group of guys in a certain winning formula ....... something he's already done before

 

[binkar]

Does anyone know where the Suns board went?

 

[boisesuns]

Seriously. Too much laker talk.

 

[dodie53]

magic will win the championship.
haha

 

[Darth Llama]

I guess if I am going by the media's logic, Shaq won the feud because he won without Kobe literally about 2 years after he left LA and Kobe STILL hasn't and it isn't a given he will this time. Plus, you can argue both can't do it alone, Shaq with D. Wade, Kobe with Gasol.

You mean by your logic? Because you have said this yourself many times. Just for the record, Shaq went to a Heat team where he was the last component needed for a run at a title. Kobe had the team around him blown up and had to be the center piece in a rebuilding effort. You can hardly compare the 2 situations. In 2005 Kobe was the only remaining starter from the previous year, that's about as "blown up" as a team can get.

Either way, it doesn't matter. Nothing Kobe ever does is going to change the fact that Shaq is one of the greatest big men ever to play the game. Nothing Shaq does will change the fact that Kobe is one of the best players of all time. They can count rings all they want, but it's ridiculous to compare a Center to a Shooting guard and try to figure out "who's better."

 

[mojorizen7]

Does Kobe REALLY need to prove himself?

Only in court.

 

[elindholm]

Just for the record, Shaq went to a Heat team where he was the last component needed for a run at a title.

That's one of the most bizarre statements I've ever read. The 2003-04 Heat went 42-40 and won one playoff series. Wade was a rookie. They then traded three starters for O'Neal. That's "the last component for a run at a title"?

 

[Darth Llama]

That's one of the most bizarre statements I've ever read. The 2003-04 Heat went 42-40 and won one playoff series. Wade was a rookie. They then traded three starters for O'Neal. That's "the last component for a run at a title"?

They paired Shaq with another dynamic young star and acquired many pieces that off season as well. Caron Butler was not a starter for the Heat, he was Odom's backup. The Heat were not a great team the previous season, but adding Shaq to team with Wade was a huge move. Don't forget, the Heat were playing great at the end of the year and made it to the Eastern Semi Finals with Brian Grant as a starter. Shaq was still a great player and had absolutely no rival in the east. The Heat added several player including Alonzo Morning to back up Shaq to compliment Wade, Haslem, and Eddie Jones. The Heat were far from a bad team in 2003, don't act like Shaq joined the Clippers.

 

[elindholm]

Caron Butler was not a starter for the Heat, he was Odom's backup.

He started 56 out of 68 games. http://www.nba.com/heat/stats/2003/index.html

The Heat were not a great team the previous season, but adding Shaq to team with Wade was a huge move.... Shaq was still a great player and had absolutely no rival in the east.

Well yes, obviously. But now you're arguing against yourself. You just finished describing O'Neal as the icing on the cake, like Bill Walton joining the 1986 Celtics. O'Neal transformed the Heat, as you now seem to acknowledge.

 

[Darth Llama]

You just finished describing O'Neal as the icing on the cake,

Wrong, I said he was the final component.

 

[Roca Dolla]

kobe is the definition of a sucka

 

[Roca Dolla]

Seriously. Too much laker talk.

do u know why? cuz 90% of suns fans in Phoenix are laker bandwagon fans stupid morons!

 

[Andrew]

I don't like the Lakers....

 

[arwillan]

I think Kobe wants to prove it to himself for his own reputation and legacy more than anything. And to be honest, I can't blame the guy. People always say shaq was the reason they won the rings they did, and rightfully so. Kobe has an ego, as well all know. He wants to prove that he can win without shaq so that he can go down in Lakers history on his own accord, not under the shadow of Shaq.

 

[Shogun]

Only the for the haters. Some fans let their opinion of Kobe the person contaminate what they think of Kobe the player, some are still so awestruck by MJ they are offended that some post-Jordan perimeter player might actually be great and could be mentioned in a similar breath as Michael, Magic and Bird; subsequently holding him to their extremely high standards and promptly crucify him if he falters). And then there's Shaq.

While winning a title solo would be great in defining him as an all-time great and quelch his critics, he doesn't exactly have to prove anything.

 

[D-Dogg]

Only the for the haters. Some fans let their opinion of Kobe the person contaminate what they think of Kobe the player, some are still so awestruck by MJ they are offended that some post-Jordan perimeter player might actually be great and could be mentioned in a similar breath as Michael, Magic and Bird; subsequently holding him to their extremely high standards and promptly crucify him if he falters). And then there's Shaq.

While winning a title solo would be great in defining him as an all-time great and quelch his critics, he doesn't exactly have to prove anything.