Gordan Hayward breaks leg

[GatorAZ]

I've always been a Kobe fan when he's not playing the Suns (notorious Suns' killer).

 

[Chaplin]

Terrible teammate, cheap shot artist, IMO incredibly overrated as a player and he seems to generally be a crappy person.

I agree with that all except the "incredibly overrated as a player" schtick. I know you said in your opinion, but what reason do you have other than bitterness that he usually tore the Suns a new one?

 

[Phrazbit]

I agree with that all except the "incredibly overrated as a player" schtick. I know you said in your opinion, but what reason do you have other than bitterness that he usually tore the Suns a new one?

That he stopped trying on defense and still kept getting voted to all defensive teams, that he was considered to be so clutch despite that his stats in the clutch were not only "unclutch" but pretty freaking bad, people remember him hitting big shots but its because he was literally taking ALL the shots down the stretch of games, his panache for playing like complete trash when the Lakers were faced with elimination and that I generally think if you'd swapped the opportunities and teammates Kobe had with other high profile guards from his era that they'd have as much team success as he did... maybe more given Kobe's habit of driving players away from the Lakers.

 

[Chaplin]

That he stopped trying on defense and still kept getting voted to all defensive teams, that he was considered to be so clutch despite that his stats in the clutch were not only "unclutch" but pretty freaking bad, people remember him hitting big shots but its because he was literally taking ALL the shots down the stretch of games, his panache for playing like complete trash when the Lakers were faced with elimination and that I generally think if you'd swapped the opportunities and teammates Kobe had with other high profile guards from his era that they'd have as much team success as he did... maybe more given Kobe's habit of driving players away from the Lakers.

Well, we'll just agree to disagree on that one. Maybe he was voted to a few defensive teams that he wasn't deserving of, but all the other accolades were well-earned, even if we hated him for it.

 

[Mainstreet]

When Kobe appeared to quit in game 7 of the 2006 playoffs against the Suns, he solidified my dislike for him. I can't respect a player that quits.

For those who are not familiar.

With the Lakers up three games to two, Kobe scored an impressive 50 points on 20/35 shooting, however, L.A. still failed to come away with the victory. With the series heading to a win or go home Game 7, people started criticizing Bryant, calling him selfish and a ball hog. Kobe responded to the critics by practically refusing to shoot the ball. In fact, KB only took three shots in the entire second half. Three!

Bryant finished with 24 points on 8/16 shooting from the field. And while his performance may have been a response to the people who said he didn't get his teammates involved, Kobe didn't do much to hush those individuals since he only ended up one assist on the night.

http://www.complex.com/sports/2014/05/kobe-bryant-awol-game-7-against-suns

 

[GatorAZ]

When Kobe appeared to quit in game 7 of the 2006 playoffs against the Suns, he solidified my dislike for him. I can't respect a player that quits.

For those who are not familiar.





http://www.complex.com/sports/2014/05/kobe-bryant-awol-game-7-against-suns

Nobody said he wasn't a diva. That game was a direct shot at the front office that Smush Parker, Sasha Vujacic and Kwame Brown aren't starters. Granted Kobe didn't want Shaq around so you could put some of the blame on him to begin with for that mess of a roster. Crazy that they took Phoenix to 7 games.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nobody said he wasn't a diva. That game was a direct shot at the front office that Smush Parker, Sasha Vujacic and Kwame Brown aren't starters. Granted Kobe didn't want Shaq around so you could put some of the blame on him to begin with for that mess of a roster. Crazy that they took Phoenix to 7 games.

I understand those who respect Kobe's game. He was a great player. No one can diminish his talent and achievements.

Perhaps if I had not watched the game I could dismiss it. His stats were very good.

However, I was shocked when Kobe mostly shut it down in the second half of that playoff game diva or not. Actually more than shock, I could hardly believe it. The way Kobe could score no lead was safe. IMO, no excuses in a game 7 playoff series.

 

[elindholm]

Crazy that they took Phoenix to 7 games.

Yes, but wasn't that the series where the refs overlooked several obvious Laker violations on the final play of one game, including Luke Walton handling the ball with his entire foot out of bounds?

 

[GatorAZ]

Yes, but wasn't that the series where the refs overlooked several obvious Laker violations on the final play of one game, including Luke Walton handling the ball with his entire foot out of bounds?

Yes and apparently Nash called a timeout as well.

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[Ronin]

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