Before I get to the central premise of this post, I have two simple questions I'd like our four remaining readers to answer objectively:
1) How certain are you that someone who wants to be the richest man in the world and who wants to optimize his exposure on an international level will actually sign an extension to stay in Cleveland, Ohio?
2) In all honestly, who would you rather have in an NBA finals to help win you a title RIGHT NOW against a team that will flat-out not allow you to get to the basket? A 22 year-old specimen who lacks a mid-range game who would continue to "get guys involved" even if he was playing in a coed wheelchair basketball league, or a seasoned vet with rings and an ability to score 35 points a game on jump shots alone who refuses to let a weak supporting cast cost him games when they're not hitting?
My answers:
1: Not very
2: Kobe Bryant
We learned something very important during the playoff run: The Cavalier supporting cast is much better than they've been getting credit for. Think about it. LeBron's shooting percentage during the entire post-season was an unimpressive 41% - and that includes his fluky 48-point game 5 performance against the Pistons. (And by the way, LeBron was one of the worst three-point shooters in the NBA this season. Once the playoffs started, it got historically bad - he shot 28%. This aspect of his game just should just NOT be part of his arsenal. Keep in mind, that teams are giving him this shot b/c they are rightly terrified about his ability to get to the hole). Yet despite his poor shooting and equally bad decision making, the Cavaliers continued to win.
Now back to the alleged "bad" supporting cast. The same supporting cast that had a second round draft pick step up and outplay LeBron in San Antonio. How many rookies in the league have EVER done that in the NBA finals on the road?
How about an undersized power forward who shot over 50% and nabbed 6 rebounds a game while playing only half the minutes, while also shutting down Detroit's power forwards late in the series both mentally and physically? AV's pretty good, and when paired up with Drew Gooden, the Cavaliers get a very solid 48 minutes of power forward play a night.
While Larry Hughes' injuries clearly caught up to him, he outplayed LeBron in the Wizards series (each game was much closer than they should have been, and Hughes was the guy hitting shots down the stretch).
And don't forget about Z and how he single-handedly dismantled the Wiz and had his moments in the Detroit series while giving them fits on the boards.
So this team obviously has some talent and is closer to a championship than so many of us thought they were. LeBron is a huge part of this - if not the biggest (although I could write 5000 words on why Mike Brown was more important, but then you'll call me Skip Bayless and then I would threaten to fight you).
So given the fact that I'm not willing to risk losing LeBron b/c Cleveland isn't exactly a haven for "global icons," - LeBron's poorly chosen words, not mine, and given the fact that Kobe is still the best player in the game and the most annoying guy to defend in the league (other than the tuberculosis guy), I think the Cavs organization would be crazy not to pursue a LeBron James for Kobe Bryant trade, all salary cap restrictions considered. The Cavs could even throw in Gloria's yellow plates to make the deal work!
Think about it how unique this opportunity would be in the history of sports. When could you add the best player in the game to a team that just made it to the finals? I know the concept is sacrilege to Clevelanders, who are myopic enough to believe the city of Cleveland could actually be able to retain a young, talented employee.
40 comments:
"kids, big ben, parliament"
does this mean I have to give up my nursery with the merry-go-round and petting zoo?
(staring into space)
check that....
Kobe!
This post has BSmith written all over it and I agree with you, right now, I'd take Kobe over Lebron any day of the week. But I do have some problems with your post and since no one gave you anywhere near a sober, coherent response, I will..
A) a seasoned vet with rings and an ability to score 35 points a game on jump shots alone who refuses to let a weak supporting cast cost him games when they're not hitting?...Kobe's weak supporting cast has cost him numerous games since Shaq left whether they are hitting or not for years.
B) LeBron's shooting percentage during the entire post-season was an unimpressive 41% - and that includes his fluky 48-point game 5 performance against the Pistons...you are not going to shoot much better than 41% in the NBA unless you are 7 feet and only dunk all game. And to call that phenomenal performance a fluke is wrong.
C) The same supporting cast that had a second round draft pick step up and outplay LeBron in San Antonio...did we watch the same series? Daniel Gibson was non-existant in many games and I don't see how one could say he outplayed Lebron in the series. Don't get me wrong I love Boobie, but Tony Parker made him look foolish.
D) I'm not even gonna copy and paste the part where you talk about how good the supporting cast is and I'm gonna pretend you never said it. Not even gonna comment on it due to the fact I'm speechless after reading it. Please dont ever tell me that Larry Hughes and Z and Mike Brown are the reason why the Cavs did what they did this yr. Excellent post though.
King Nick, thanks for the coherent response - and why are you still reading this?
I really do think the Cavs supporting cast is just downright underrated. Are they one of the top 5? No. But they are much, much better than people thought. Quite obviously, when they hit shots, the Cavaliers won games, not just any games...EASTERN FINALS games. That's all you could have asked from such a supporting cast. Are they championship caliber? No. But how many teams have that?
And yes, I do feel that LeBron's game 5 performance has to be considered "fluky." I just haven't seen LeBron ever get remotely that hot, in a regular season game or a pre-season game. His 50 point performances have looked nothing like that effort, in which he was hitting step back threes (the same shot NOBODY wants to see him shoot ever). God was on his side that day...which never hurts.
LeBron's outside shooting came right back down to reality in the NBA finals.. Hence me calling it fluky.
And just for the purpose of debate...how much better do you honestly think Detroit's supporting cast looked in that series? Or their coaching for that matter? I'd say Cleveland's cast was right there, and Mike Brown was the far superior coach.
Were talking about the same supporting cast that includes ESnow, DJones, Donyell Marshall and an injury prone, weak Larry Hughes as intricate parts right? It's not the worst cast in the league but you can't ever win championships with it. They looked like a college team compared to the Spurs.
Nick, on paper, it looks like they have a horrendous supporting cast (on names alone). Then how did they get this far? LeBron did not flat-out dominate the playoffs. He has his moments of domination, but there were many games were he was non-existent in the first half, or passive for the entire game (not a descriptor I want for my superstar by the way).
So if the supporting cast is so lousy and LeBron didn't single handedly dominate all these games, then does Mike Brown deserve some credit? Of course he does - one of the preeminent defensive minds in all of basketball. Just imagine him with some experience!
Also, I love E. Snow, so disparaging remarks about his game will go ignored. He was their team leader this year, despite what LeBron constantly says. It was E. Snow who showed these guys how to carry themselves, it was E. Snow who was the guy giving the speeches in the huddles. It was E. Snow who played the best one-on-one defense (and even team defense) all season long.
It was E Snow who has a worse jumper than my 11 yr old sister. It was E Snow who is an offensive liability when he's on the court.
E. Snow made more jumpers than LeBron in the NBA finals. So what does that say about LeBron's jumper?
and on a totally unrelated note...is your 11-year old sister single?
Well I thought BSmith wrote this article but if the last post doesn't SCREAM Anthony Lima I don't know what does. Lima, I think we all know who has the sister who everyone wants to be hooked up with.
Can anyone name a Global Icon that doesn't reside in New York or LA. Take Kobe for the run now, by the time we untangle our salary cap mess our window of opportunity will be over.
I agree Anthony's sister is HOT.
yeah Lima's sister is hot
lebron for kobe??? you are dumb. kobe is an old 28, has already reached the zenith of his career, has legal baggage, not to mention the "me-first and to hell with the team" attitude and you actually would consider trading lebron for him??? exactly what have you been smoking??? not only is lebron 6 years younger than kobe, when all is said and done, eventually he will have more championship rings on his fingers than kobe ever will.
"kobe is an old 28, has already reached the zenith of his career, has legal baggage, not to mention the "me-first and to hell with the team" attitude and you actually would consider trading lebron for him???"
I hate to say it, but you do have a point. Kobe is an old 28, he did have knee tendinitis in his 3rd season, not to mention back spasms at age 22. Oh wait...that was LEBRON JAMES!!! So I think what you meant to say was, "LeBron James is an ancient 22."
So yeah, Kobe is doing just fine in the health department. Furthermore, Kobe has missed 7 games in the past two season (four of which on suspension...so if you want to get technical, Kobe has been even more durable than LeBron James in the past two seasons, but it's pretty much a wash).
"exactly what have you been smoking??? not only is lebron 6 years younger than kobe, when all is said and done, eventually he will have more championship rings on his fingers than kobe ever will."
I will concede your point about LeBron being 6 years younger - Chronologically, his existence on Earth certainly originated later than Kobe's - so you definitely won that argument. However, if you reexamine my post again - I make it painstakingly obvious that I don't feel LeBron is sticking around too long. So your age argument becomes irrelevant in the context of my original premise (See question 1) - which is what you were responding to.
Since I feel LeBron isn't sticking in Cleveland, I feel that Cavaliers have about a 5 year window with this core of players. Given the fact that Kobe is a better scorer and a better defensive player (not to mention - his overall b'ball IQ is far superior) - it's pretty clear that the Cavaliers would have a better chance to win a championship in that window with Kobe Bryant instead of LeBron James.
"me-first and to hell with the team" attitude and you actually would consider trading lebron for him??? "
Hmm...I don't remember anyone talking about this alleged attitude problem when he was deferring to Shaq during three championship seasons in which he was the go-to player late in countless playoff games. Seems like he could co-exist well enough to win titles.
Oh and for the "legal baggage." The case was dropped by the prosecution..
Do the Duke Lacrosse players have all sorts of "legal baggage?" How about LeBron James, who ALLEGEDLY never repaid a $115,000 loan. Guess what? Lot's of celebrities get sued or go to trial over allegations. And guess what, many get dropped when they're unsubstantiated.
Lima, you and Smith are so crazy (not Martin Lawrence crazy) about this. Im not gonna go into rebutting each one of your paragraphs, you obviously spent a lot of time trying to sell this garbage to people.
I'll just say this post was insanely stupid and base it upon the conclusion itself.
I'm not even sure you believe this or just do it to piss Sedney and I off.
I'll give you this though, KOBE IS A BETTER OUTSIDE GUNNER THAN LEbRON!!! YAY!!!
Now back to the alleged "bad" supporting cast. The same supporting cast that had a second round draft pick step up and outplay LeBron in San Antonio. How many rookies in the league have EVER done that in the NBA finals on the road?
Why did cursedclev rip this supporting cast all year until it suddenly helps you make your point? You guys have wanted Z to die for the last 3 years and always rip Snow. Also, in answer to your question, Sam Cassell.
While Larry Hughes' injuries clearly caught up to him, he outplayed LeBron in the Wizards series...And don't forget about Z and how he single-handedly dismantled the Wiz
How did Z single-handedly do anything if Larry played so sweet? Do you mean he dribbled the ball by himself and shot with his own two hands? If so, I agree.
Lebron's sweet supporting cast was so sweet that they were basically scared to touch the ball in the 4th quarter and OTs of the 48 point game. Well except for Sasha, who was not scared to kick the ball off of his foot out of bounds multiple times.
Did Lebron have a less than LBJ-like finals? Yes, of course he did. Did he get any help from the above mentioned sweet teammates? No, they couldn't hit a shot to save their lives. Other superstars have had sub-par finals. Shaq got pwn'd by Hakeem and the Pistons had Kobe's number.
It just doesn't seem logical to trade a guy who hasn't even entered his prime for a guy who maybe has 3 years of his prime left, especially when you consider that Lebron is essentially on par with Kobe already. His jumper is only gonna get better, and we already know he can get to that basket almost at will.
"Why did cursedclev rip this supporting cast all year until it suddenly helps you make your point? You guys have wanted Z to die for the last 3 years and always rip Snow."
You'll have to produce my columns (SBT) where I ripped the supporting cast. B. Smith ripped certain players at certain times? There's a difference between critiquing when necessary and "ripping." As for Z, I wad dead set against re-signing him, after seeing his regression over the past few years, I think it's pretty clear that I should have made more noise at that time.
"How did Z single-handedly do anything if Larry played so sweet? Do you mean he dribbled the ball by himself and shot with his own two hands? If so, I agree."
Excuse me for using hyperbole, a grammatical device you never see on blogs these days! I will amend my original statement to read "Z and Larry single handedly beat the Wiz."
"Lebron's sweet supporting cast was so sweet that they were basically scared to touch the ball in the 4th quarter and OTs of the 48 point game."
I never said his supporting cast was "sweet." I did however use the adjectives "Narly" and "radical to the maximum." Look, they were better than the LeBron apologists give them credit for. Obviously they weren't championship caliber, and if this team was in the west, they likely would have lost in the first round. But, to act as if LeBron had to carry this hapless team is just not reality. They were certainly a formidable supporting cast.
"It just doesn't seem logical to trade a guy who hasn't even entered his prime for a guy who maybe has 3 years of his prime left, especially when you consider that Lebron is essentially on par with Kobe already."
It does seem logical if you're operating under the assumption that LeBron won't re-sign here. Since that is my genuine belief (and nationally, that's not exactly such a controversial opinion). And I'm not considering that LeBron is "essentially" on par with Kobe. He's not. He's a darn good player, but Kobe is the best this league has seen since Jordan as far as perimeter players go. He may have a better overall skill set than Jordan - although time will certainly tell. LeBron's defense, shooting, and late game decision making have a long, long way to go before I'll put him on the same level as Kobe.
Yea his late game decision making needs a lot of work considering when he was 21 in 05-06 for anybody over 20 attempts in 3 point games or less with under 2 minutes to play he led the league in FG % while Kobe was LAST. LBJ also threw multiple game winning dishes.
He easily could have averaged 18 assists per game in the 2 home finals games if that sweet supporting cast could have made WIDE OPEN looks. Even Z wasn't hitting his 15 footer.
At least Lima finally realized defense is 50% of the game, up until this past year he only used "defense" when hearing that "Kobe was 1st team all 'defense'" - for all the people who want Mike Brown fired, go send in your applications to coach that group after watching games from the 02-03 season to the 04-05 season.
And yea there is a TON of evidence LeBron hates Cleveland and wants out considering he's always said he wants to lead the Cavs to a championship. AND he happens to not be getting any sponsorship deals these past 4 years here in Cleveland, people outside Cleveland have NO IDEA who he is. I didn't know our television here in Northeast Ohio only get local channels like sportstime Ohio. Did they only show the finals on FSN Ohio and FSN SW?
Lastly, Kobe (who doesn't have near LeBron's upside and is not close to Jordan) would never ok a trade to Cleveland considering we'd have to give up LeBron and he clearly now realizes he can't win unless he is the 2nd option. We don't have a Jason Kidd or KG that can carry him.
The Lakers GM would die and go to heaven if Ferry called offering LBJ (which Ferry would never because it is insane). I don't hear LeBron demanding a 2nd 1st Team all NBA teammate.
Lets all just realize that LeBron will be excited to sign another deal when his current one is up (I'll wager money on this if the opposite is your GENUINE opinion).
And lets laugh at all the Laker fans who think they have a shot at getting the best playmaker in the game. The guy best suited to make his teammates better by getting them nonstop wide open looks, the 22 year old LeBron James.
Let's say that Kobe was on the Cavs team this year in place of #23 (I'm not even sure what his name is. I don't live in Cleveland [yet], so I don't get any exposure to him. I think a global brand like Nike or someone should really start marketing him. Would probably do wonders for his awareness, but I digress.) Does anyone honestly believe a Kobe-led team would have made the Eastern Conference Finals last year? At one point in his career, Kobe was a great defender, but those days are long gone. If you have seen more than 2 Lakers games this year (something I doubt), you would know that he devotes ALL of his energy and effort to the offensive end of the court and slacks on defense. Now, considering the Cavs, by most accounts, have the worst offense in the league, Kobe will be asked to do EVEN more on the offensive end in a Cavs uniform. Therefore, do you really think he'd have the energy to effectively shut down Prince all game, then switch to Billups in crunch time? I'm guessing absolutely not.
And speaking to Ross's point about crunch time scoring, that is the difference between #23 getting to the rim for game tying and game winning lay-ups and dunks (or passes to wide open teammates) versus Kobe always, always, always settling for 19 foot fadeaway turn arounds. Hence, the huge disparity in shooting percentages. But I will give you this, when Kobe does make those game winning fadeaways, it's much prettier than Lebron's simple layups. The problem is that it happens at a much smaller fucking rate.
Also, if you think Lebron is leaving in 2 years, then you have to think without a doubt Kobe will opt out as soon as humanly possible. And if you think the supporting cast the Cavs have now is enough to win a title with Kobe fucking Bryant, you are batshit insane.
You guys act like LeBron has made a career out of late game heroics...he hasn't, Kobe has. Sure on paper it sounds really, really good to say LeBron will take it to the basket and Kobe will settle for a jumper. We both know that's not reality. Kobe "settles" for free throw line jumpers, while LeBron often distributes the ball, whether the percentages say to do so or not.
I love how Ross found the flawed statistic from last season that John Hollinger or 82games.com posted as a definitive measure on who is "clutch." Firstly, it used the final five minutes as its metric. I don't know about you, but the last minute of a game is way, way different from the 43 minute mark. Also, a shot was only considered "clutch" if a team was down or up 5. I don't know about you, but I don't think LeBron hitting a three pointer with his team up 5 is really "clutch." What I do think is clutch is Kobe Bryant hitting a game winning shot in the NBA finals, while the other team was guarding him. As for clutchness...we saw exactly what LeBron was made of in the NBA finals when he was actually being guarded, unlike the Detroit series (which he didn't even play that well in except for his fluky game 5 performance...remember all the critics after the first two games?).
As for Kobe's defense lacking, it's the COACHES who vote for first team defense, not the media. I think the coaches, who actually scout games and break down every play and basketball set have a little better grasp on who's doing what and who's overrated. If the coaches voted for MVP, Kobe would have 3 by now. Instead, the media does and the award is rendered irrelevant.
As for the marketing of LeBron, some of you have to get out of Cleveland or Columbus and go see bigger cities. Sure, LeBron can take a jet somewhere, but that is a demand on his time and energy. When you're in LA or New York, the marketing aspects are so much easier and practical. When some big time production studio needs LeBron, they can have him there in 10 minutes...not an hour. There's a difference. You think LeBron's going to become a global icon opening up Synergy in Cleveland? Umm, no. Again, there's a big difference.
As for Kobe opting out? Why would he. He's in the east and he'd get to the finals..that's all he wants. LeBron on the other hand hasn't asked for a contract extension even though he already said he wants to see how the franchise is progressing. Yet, they get to the finals and he's still not content. what's it going to take to please this egomaniac??
Historically, the coach's vote for the All-Defensive team is behind the times. It takes a player a few year to get the respect of the coaches, then those coaches vote for player X. So in that regard, yes, I will agree with the coaches. Kobe is a first-team all defensive player (2 or 3 seasons ago)
Firstly I'd like to point out that I do nothing and have absolutely no life whatsoever.
Lima, if you are gonna rely on that Spurs series to define LBJ's career against a couple games when Kobe hit game winners(none bigger than "the shot" which I powned you about back at OSU) then yea the argument is over, Kobe is way way way way better.
But the fact remains you put Shaq in his prime as Zs replacement and the Cavs beat the Spurs unlike what happened to Kobe and the Lakers 4 years ago. Kobe had a 1st team all NBA guy that demanded double teams and he looked like total garbage. So yes, if you want me to admit LeBron didn't do enough against San Antonio, then you got me.
The fact remains LeBron makes his teammates better and is a more efficient offense player, and demands more of an opponents defense that has to keep him out of the lane. Kobe is happy to stay out of the lane for a majority of games and not as willing or as skilled of a passer.
And LBJ was great on defense during the playoffs I would say. And that criticism of LBJ after games 1 and 2 was ridiculous and I said that at the time along with predicting we'd still win the series. LBJ CARRIED the Cavs in that series - yes I said it (without Shaq in his prime).
I realize the pistons lacked ben wallace, but prince and the rest remained (and McDysse and Maxiell are good on D).
Stop minimizing what LeBron has done. This team (and I love the entire team) probably doesn't make the playoffs if you replace LBJ with the 15th best (the average) SF in the league.
Kobe knows he needs a stud to win now.
And who signs an extension when they have 3 years left on a deal?
Go Cavs.
I can't wait until we go into LA and win again and ESnow bottles up Kobe
kobe has arguably a top 10 SF in lamar odom, and yet is still unsatisfied with his teammates. lebron has arguably THE bottom 5 at point guard, bottom 15 at PF, bottom 15 at SG, and probably top 7 or 8 at center, and not a peep out of him. now who's the egomaniac?
How does LeBron make his teammates better and Kobe doesn't? They both get their guys open shots, and Kobe makes his teammates way better on defense? Stop using boring cliches that don't mean anything.
Also, why don't you tell us Ross where Kwame Brown, Smush Parker and Luke Walton show up on their respective position hierarchies? I'll tell you - Smush is the worst pg in the league. Kwame is the worst starting pf in the NBA (i'd rather have mikki moore) and almost anyone else. And Luke Walton is a nice player...but nowhere near middle of the road at the 3 position. The Cavs had more depth as well, and had better coaching this season. The Lakers also played in the far, far better western conference, so I think it's pretty clear who had the easier road, yet the Lakers still made the playoffs with Kobe putting his team on his back like we've never seen before in the NBA.
Kobe tried the whole "getting his teammates involved thing," but when it looked like they were going to miss the playoffs, he played better than Jordan could have ever dreamed.
As for the coaches voting for defensive player of the year, what makes you think they'd be behind the times? You do realize they scout on a daily basis...not three years prior? Kobe's a seven-time all-nba defensive team player, deal with it and stop diminishing just to feed the hate. You obviously have an agenda! LeBron's a top five player in the league, just not in Kobe's world yet.
This is the last straw...
"Kobe tried the whole "getting his teammates involved thing," but when it looked like they were going to miss the playoffs, he played better than Jordan could have ever dreamed."
I'm sorry but that's more ridiculous than Fine and Elliott saying the Cavs would make the playoffs before the opener the year they won 15 games. You obviously don't have the NBA package.
Kobe "better than Michael" Bryant
averaged 33 PPG his last 16 games in "leading" the Lakers to a 5-11 finish and backing completely into the playoffs.
I'll admit he doesn't have much of anything besides Odom and Walton, but neither does LBJ.
I'm sure Michael Jordan who averaged 37 PPG,5 Reb, 4.5 ast, 3 STEALS and 1.5 BLOCKS for AN ENTIRE YEAR was NEVER as good as Kobe was in those last 16 Lakers games. I guess Jordan isn't much of a dreamer, but more of an actual NBA legend (who I absolutely despise, but that's because I watch games and am a Cavs fan). I will say, in my wildest dreams as a kid (who I am kidding I am still a kid), I could dream up a scenario where I back my team into the playoffs scoring 33 per game and launching up jacks. But yea, when his team needed him most, Kobe was better than Jordan could have ever dreamed.
Just like 2 years ago in GAME FUCKING 7 against Phoenix in the 2nd half when his team needed it most they got pistol fucked - he did try the getting his teammates involved and he and they were awful
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=260506021
The fact is, its not me with any type of agenda. Lima is simply a huge Kobe Bryant fan (nothing wrong with that) and thinks he is better than he is because sportscenter shows way more of his highlights than his lowlights and we here in Cleveland see everything LeBron does wrong (he is not near perfect and can still improve his game greatly in my opinion).
Just to conclude, when his team needed him more than ever this season... "the Lakers still made the playoffs with Kobe putting his team on his back like we've never seen before in the NBA."...
Kobe in the Lakers last 16 games averaged 33 points per game and the Lakers went 5 and 11, yes, thats 5-11. You are correct, Jordan could never have dreamed of leading a playoff contender in such a fashion.
If you are going to come back with "LeBron played bad against San Antonio," I think we've already established that.
LeBron in that series played bet... um... DIFFERENT than Michael Jordan could have ever dreamed (he won 6 finals MVP's in 6 Finals (Kobe has 0 just like LBJ).
As I survey the NBA landscape, I couldn't imagine a more dream scenario than waking up in Cleveland with Z, Boobie Gibson, and Sasha Pavlovic as my wingmen. I would definitely waive my no-trade clause in a heartbeat.
Also, I love when people evaluate my career going by what they show on the 30 at 30 on ESPN. That way people see that I average a sick amount of points (yet still less than MJ would in an entire season) over a 5-11 campaign where I "clutch" my team into the playoffs with my grit and determination. I'd much rather people evaluate me that way than fork over the $179 to actually watch a few of my games on the Pass.
Sincerely,
Kobe Bryant
Preparation is the key to success. We scout players every day. But when it comes time to vote for meaningless post-season awards, we could give a rat's ass.
Sincerely,
The American League coaches who gave a Gold Glove (MLB's version of 1st team All-D) to Raffy Palmeiro when he played 28 games at 1B and 135 at DH
Ross - Kobe had 23 points in the first half of that game and they were down 15. What more could he have done? LeBron would have been passive in the first half and the game would have been stopped at half time. You want to talk about game 7's in 2006? I don't think you do.
And Ross, don't act like I don't watch Laker games, you know I pretty much plan my nights around Cavs games, Laker games, and late night internet chats. So please.
And you conveniently chose the last 16 games...are those the only ones that count? I notice you failed to mention him going for 65,50, 60, 50, and 43 in late March...something Jordan could have only dreamed of. Something we'll never see again. All that while playing all-NBA first team defense (first team). I mean, the guy goes 31, 5, 5, takes an awful team to the playoffs in the superior west (Cavs would have lost in the first round in the west) and yet this is a basis for criticism?? It should go down in nba history as one of the best seasons ever - although his 2006 season was right up there and is certainly in the discussion.
So then should we discredit Michael's appearance on the all-nba all defensive team? Or just Kobe's. Oh I get it, only Jordan's accolades count. AGENDA!!
The guy running this website sounds like a combination between Skip Bayless and Jemele Hill. Stop stealing those genius' material.
I just had a dream that I played like Kobe, well actually more like a nightmare. If I ever willed my team to a 5-11 record to begin my vaunted playoff run, I would probably kill myself. You see 65 or 81 or 5 straight with 50 really doesn't mean shit to me. My two favorite number are 72-10 and 6 (as in rings).
Sincerely,
The Greatest Winner of the last 30 years
We're new to the blogosphere. Just wanted to say no one has ever called us the Greatest Center of All time.
Cheers and love the blog!
Bill Wennington
Scott Williams
Bill Cartwright
Luc Longley
The Artist Formerly Known as Bison Dele
Hey could you "Cleveland fans" keep bashing LeBron please? If Wade is gonna fall down 15 times and not get up anymore like this last year, I need another young superstar 1st option on offense to get me a championship. After my prime ended I had to stop being the 1st option and Kobe failed miserably in 2003 (when I was still fairly young and healthy), similarly to Penny earlier in my career when I was too young.
Its pretty apparent if every player was thrown on the board every single GM would take LeBron and Wade before that gunner whos 3 rings come thanks to me.
Although LeBron has not acted like an egomaniac yet and demanded a trade (like the 2nd option on my title teams), maybe if his own people keep bashing him he will want to carry me to a title like wade did.
I'm absolutely disgusted with the ignorant talk in this comments section. Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league, if you don't agree with that statement then don't read this blog, don't read anything about sports, instead go read a celebrity gossip site because you have no business pretending to be a sports fan anymore. This is a widely known fact across the country, except of course for the homers here who still think Lebron is going to lead the Cavs to a championship (NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN....sorry guys, that was the second worst roster to ever play in an NBA finals...second only to Iverson's 76ers, who yes I know managed to steal a game from Kobe's Lakers, and I don't see any impact free agents on their way to Cleveland by the time Lebron opts out). I can't even believe that I'm reading Ross and Big Drew talk about Lebron being a better clutch player than Kobe, when Lebron had ONE INCREDIBLE LATE GAME OUTBURST, and Kobe does this all the time (have you ever heard commentators worry about Kobe's ability to make decisions in the clutch? I seem to remember the entire sports world buzzing about Lebron during that Pistons series until he had the most ridiculous game I've ever seen...).
The difference is that when Lebron shoots jumpers intelligent Cavs fans go NOOOOOOOOO, Kobe shoots jumpers and nobody who cheers for the Lakers even bat an eye. The fact is, the best players in their respective sports are typically not well-liked by others, and are very complex individuals who are scrutinized by the media (Michael Jordan, Ray Lewis, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez just to name a few.) Kobe is the most competitive person in sports, has a work ethic that is second to none, and will fucking fight you if you have a problem with him or anyone on the Lakers during a game. Lebron doesn't practice free throws, I doubt he spends any time in the gym aside from what's required, and would rather hug everyone on every other team and have everyone love him than stand up and be a fucking man.
I guarantee you that if you took Lebron off that team and put Kobe on it in the Finals, Kobe would have single handedly won at least one game against the spurs, maybe two. Lebron played a disgusting series, as he always does when teams show him new things on the defensive end.
Finally, on the defensive end, the comment about Kobe not being a good defensive player and only getting first team because of the coaches might be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. When the Lakers were winning titles, not only did Kobe take over the games down the stretch on the offensive end, but he also did this while guarding the other teams' best player and shutting them down. Just because Lebron steals a couple of lazy cross court passes a game doesn't make him a good defensive player.
I understand being a complete homer, but the act is getting old. The fact is that while Lebron's supporting cast isn't that good, Kobe's is absolutely awful, and was plagued by injuries all year. What he did to get that team into the playoffs was absolutely ridiculous, and if you think he doesn't see double and triple teams JUST LIKE LEBRON does then you are stupid. The difference is he can shoot over them and when he gets hot you can put 5 guys on him and he can't be stopped.
One final thought, these are all opinions, both mine and Limas, and the rest of yours. We are all entitled to them, and since none of us are worldy reknown as great sports minds, theres no way to say who's right or wrong. Have a nice day!
Check these numbers out, and lets not assume all of LeBron's FG makes are with the Cavs up 5 with 45 seconds to go - that's just completely ridiculous.
Let me know if numbers are biased or have an opinion as well.
And Kobe was a great defender at one point in his career and is still above average - but he aint no 1st team all defense in the opinions of those watching every guard in thee association lace them up every night.
http://www.82games.com/0607/06CLE9E.HTM
http://www.82games.com/0506/05CLE10E.HTM
http://www.82games.com/0607/06LAL7E.HTM
http://www.82games.com/0506/05LAL7E.HTM
Now argue with those numbers using something other than "they don't mean anything." Numbers DO NOT LIE and that is a large enough sample size and a more than large enough disparity between FG % late in close games. Kobe's degree of difficulty is just too much for him to be more efficient than LBJ. Sorry
ESnow was better on defense this past season than Kobe.
Sincrely,
Fred McLoud
P.S. We only show at maximum 2 Laker games per season here on FSN Ohio North. Although I think TNT and ABC had those 2 Cavalier victories this past season.
And lets not forget LBJ's game winning assists the past 2 years.
I watch One Tree Hill and The O.C. so I OBVIOUSLY know a ton about sports. When you're mad at the world you see things way clearer. Trust me guys, Kobe is better.
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