What is Kobe's problem?

[nuccionino]

He seems to like blaming his teammates a lot lately. Looking in the mirror would help. Last night; Kobe was the worse in +/-, shot a worse FG %'s then anyone else, and shot what 1 for 7 in the fourth. Paul or Andrew need to step up and say something, they just let Kobe walk all over them. I don't get it.

[natbornkiller]

god complex?
ego?

[Orangejello727]

This is common to always blame the main guy when they lose. Its also common to attribute the win to the main guy when they win as well. But not for kobe. If the lakers win, its because of the team. If the lakers lose, its kobes fault.

Kobe might jack shots and take chances, but its very clear that the rest of his team wont. What is he suppose to do? Sit around watch? If I was kobe, I would be livid with my team if they show up one day and take a back seat another. Its frustrating as hell to watch a team not want to win when they can because they are lazy and dont want to do anything.

[1eyed_jack]

eh, kobe had a bad 4th quarter and still had a good game stat wise.

i think he was just gassed from a back-to-back and with how much he went to the line the last few games there's no doubt he's going 100%. whether or not he was able to finish, doesn't change the fact that he tried.

gasol on the other hand got out-rebounded by bryant which should never happen, and in one of the key plays on the game passed up and open shot and turned the ball over.

i can deal with players playing poorly and losing, but if it looks like they aren't even giving it their all then it's a problem, i feel like watching gasol, he leaves an awful lot on the court at the end of the game

[1eyed_jack]

This is common to always blame the main guy when they lose. Its also common to attribute the win to the main guy when they win as well. But not for kobe. If the lakers win, its because of the team. If the lakers lose, its kobes fault.

Kobe might jack shots and take chances, but its very clear that the rest of his team wont. What is he suppose to do? Sit around watch? If I was kobe, I would be livid with my team if they show up one day and take a back seat another. Its frustrating as hell to watch a team not want to win when they can because they are lazy and dont want to do anything.

Kobe has to be one of the most disrespected superstars ever. At halftime yesterday, Barkley and Kenny Smith were knocking him, because he drove to the rim, got blocked and OKC scored on the other end.

REALLY??? A guy is being aggressive and getting to the rim, what more do you want besides finishing obviously? They were making it sound like he shouldn't be driving, he should only give it to bynum. It's getting a bit out of hand.

[crazymj]

Andrew Bynum is the youngest star on the lakers and he really should have been the energetic guy due to the back to back game, bu. they just didn't bring it. I mean Kobe is pretty old and still playing so hard.

[1eyed_jack]

Andrew Bynum is the youngest star on the lakers and he really should have been the energetic guy due to the back to back game, bu. they just didn't bring it. I mean Kobe is pretty old and still playing so hard.

It's kind of sad, I mean, he can still be a great player, but he just can't do it like he could when he was younger, but he's not letting up one ounce.

[nuccionino]

How about Kobe in game 2 throwing the ball away, then complaining about not getting the ball for the last shot when he wasn't even open? Heck, I think it was Bynum was way more open then Kobe (if Blake threw the ball down low). Plus when Blake missed, there was like 3 seconds left and Kobe was too busy throwing his arms around rather then fouling.

[nuccionino]

It's kind of sad, I mean, he can still be a great player, but he just can't do it like he could when he was younger, but he's not letting up one ounce.

No one is saying he is letting up, Kobe has more drive then most players in any sport. Just stop blaming other people, maybe say, "yea I sucked in the fourth." Not, "Pau shouldn't of thrown the ball away." If Kobe didn't suck in the fourth, they never would of been in that position.

[1eyed_jack]

No one is saying he is letting up, Kobe has more drive then most players in any sport. Just stop blaming other people, maybe say, "yea I sucked in the fourth." Not, "Pau shouldn't of thrown the ball away." If Kobe didn't suck in the fourth, they never would of been in that position.


there's a very big difference between missing shots and passing up an open one to throw it to the other team.

[nuccionino]

there's a very big difference between missing shots and passing up an open one to throw it to the other team.

Okay, again, if Kobe made some shots then the Pau pass never happens. It doesn't even matter, just why is Kobe blaming everyone but himself? Why can't he take the blame for the loss?

[SelfDestruct808]

This game could have been easily 3-1 Lakers as well. If it wasn't for key Turnovers late in the game in game 2 it could have been 1-1 heading to LA. And if they didn't let their 13 pt lead vanished in the fourth of last night game, 3-1 LA. Or it also could've been a sweep by the thunder. I bet MIA FT's attempts today will be the same for what the lakers got in game 3. Stern WANTS the heat to come out the east now that the lakers are in jeopardy.

[1eyed_jack]

Okay, again, if Kobe made some shots then the Pau pass never happens. It doesn't even matter, just why is Kobe blaming everyone but himself? Why can't he take the blame for the loss?

I don't think I've ever seen kobe get on teammates for missing shots. that's part of the game. I think he's more upset when teammates make mental mistakes or aren't trying

[nuccionino]

This game could have been easily 3-1 Lakers as well. If it wasn't for key Turnovers late in the game in game 2 it could have been 1-1 heading to LA. And if they didn't let their 13 pt lead vanished in the fourth of last night game, 3-1 LA. Or it also could've been a sweep by the thunder. I bet MIA FT's attempts today will be the same for what the lakers got in game 3. Stern WANTS the heat to come out the east now that the lakers are in jeopardy.

I agree with how this series could be 3-1 LA. The series has been real good.

[sunsfan8]

ESPN LOS ANGELES Video: Watch Sports Videos and Highlights Online - ESPN Los Angeles (http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/video/clip?id=7951417)

[SelfDestruct808]

I agree with how this series could be 3-1 LA. The series has been real good.

yes it has. But how close some of OKC games so far in the playoff having the ball bounce their way late in games, compared to how the spurs are handling things, i think the spurs will come out west. But hopefully the lakers can have a miraculous comeback.

[Burt-Reynolds]

No one is saying he is letting up, Kobe has more drive then most players in any sport. Just stop blaming other people, maybe say, "yea I sucked in the fourth." Not, "Pau shouldn't of thrown the ball away." If Kobe didn't suck in the fourth, they never would of been in that position.

for the record kobe wasn't the only one that sucked in the 4th qtr, not one player decided to step it up and take on the moment. also don't mention the fact that kobe put the team on his back for most of the game. you can't fault the guy for being exhausted at the end of the game at this age. not saying kobe did it perfectly and is completely blame free either, he made mistakes just like everyone else did.

however in a crucial moment kobe trusted the third best player on the team and hit him with a wide open pass off a double team, and what did he do? promptly threw it directly to kevin durant. he was too scared to take that shot in that moment and step up. that in a nutshell has been the lakers problems for the last 2.5 years, and is the reason kobe so often chooses to go it alone in the 4th qtrs of games like this. the play of gasol only reinforces to kobe that he is doing the right thing, whether it is or not.

the whole team deserves the blame for this loss no doubt, but gasol absolutely deserves the lions share right now, every ounce of criticism he is receiving from fans, media, and kobe is justified. because kobe is willing to accept that burden, he will take that shot every time and live with the venom and hate from the media, fans, and players if he misses.

[mmbtvs]

It's because he's still the same rapey douche that he's always been.

[SacGWYNN19]

This is common to always blame the main guy when they lose. Its also common to attribute the win to the main guy when they win as well. But not for kobe. If the lakers win, its because of the team. If the lakers lose, its kobes fault.

Kobe might jack shots and take chances, but its very clear that the rest of his team wont. What is he suppose to do? Sit around watch? If I was kobe, I would be livid with my team if they show up one day and take a back seat another. Its frustrating as hell to watch a team not want to win when they can because they are lazy and dont want to do anything.

eh, kobe had a bad 4th quarter and still had a good game stat wise.

i think he was just gassed from a back-to-back and with how much he went to the line the last few games there's no doubt he's going 100%. whether or not he was able to finish, doesn't change the fact that he tried.

gasol on the other hand got out-rebounded by bryant which should never happen, and in one of the key plays on the game passed up and open shot and turned the ball over.

i can deal with players playing poorly and losing, but if it looks like they aren't even giving it their all then it's a problem, i feel like watching gasol, he leaves an awful lot on the court at the end of the game

The OP was referencing Kobe's historical disrespect for his teammates. Good job on trying to change the subject.

Kobe has always been an ass and nothing will change that. He cried like a #@#@#@#@#@#@ at the end of game two for not getting the ball, then cost his team 3 valuable seconds by crying. ME, ME, ME.......ME - this is what I see on the back of Kobe's jersey, not Bryant. Thunder in 5 was the easiset prediction of the playoffs for ME, ME, ME>>> :)

[1eyed_jack]

The OP was referencing Kobe's historical disrespect for his teammates. Good job on trying to change the subject.

Kobe has always been an ass and nothing will change that. He cried like a #@#@#@#@#@#@ at the end of game two for not getting the ball, then cost his team 3 valuable seconds by crying. ME, ME, ME.......ME - this is what I see on the back of Kobe's jersey, not Bryant. Thunder in 5 was the easiset prediction of the playoffs for ME, ME, ME>>> :)

you must hate michael jordan and are probably a lebron fan, right?

[SacGWYNN19]

for the record kobe wasn't the only one that sucked in the 4th qtr, not one player decided to step it up and take on the moment. also don't mention the fact that kobe put the team on his back for most of the game. you can't fault the guy for being exhausted at the end of the game at this age. not saying kobe did it perfectly and is completely blame free either, he made mistakes just like everyone else did.

however in a crucial moment kobe trusted the third best player on the team and hit him with a wide open pass off a double team, and what did he do? promptly threw it directly to kevin durant. he was too scared to take that shot in that moment and step up. that in a nutshell has been the lakers problems for the last 2.5 years, and is the reason kobe so often chooses to go it alone in the 4th qtrs of games like this. the play of gasol only reinforces to kobe that he is doing the right thing, whether it is or not.

the whole team deserves the blame for this loss no doubt, but gasol absolutely deserves the lions share right now, every ounce of criticism he is receiving from fans, media, and kobe is justified. because kobe is willing to accept that burden, he will take that shot every time and live with the venom and hate from the media, fans, and players if he misses.

you must hate michael jordan and are probably a lebron fan, right?

Michael would always pass the ball if double teamed, not once in 2.5 years. Lebron is the opposite actually, he needs to taker over like he did vs Boston and Chicago last year...then laid an egg v. the Mavericks.

for the record kobe wasn't the only one that sucked in the 4th qtr, not one player decided to step it up and take on the moment. also don't mention the fact that kobe put the team on his back for most of the game. you can't fault the guy for being exhausted at the end of the game at this age. not saying kobe did it perfectly and is completely blame free either, he made mistakes just like everyone else did.

however in a crucial moment kobe trusted the third best player on the team and hit him with a wide open pass off a double team, and what did he do? promptly threw it directly to kevin durant. he was too scared to take that shot in that moment and step up. that in a nutshell has been the lakers problems for the last 2.5 years, and is the reason kobe so often chooses to go it alone in the 4th qtrs of games like this. the play of gasol only reinforces to kobe that he is doing the right thing, whether it is or not.

the whole team deserves the blame for this loss no doubt, but gasol absolutely deserves the lions share right now, every ounce of criticism he is receiving from fans, media, and kobe is justified. because kobe is willing to accept that burden, he will take that shot every time and live with the venom and hate from the media, fans, and players if he misses.

Gasol was probably shocked that Kobe passed. Let's be honest here, Kobe rarely passes in that situation and Pau wasn't prepared. Why was he not prepared, because Kobe....for the last 2.5 years, has chosen to go it alone at the end. He finally decides to pass and then calls the guy out after the game. You want Pau to be ready, pass him the ball in that situation a couple of times in the past 2.5 years. Kobe is a deuche, plain in simple. I don't know how Pau and Bynum even put up with the guy.

[murrke03]

It's because he's still the same rapey douche that he's always been.

is rapey a word?

and i love how everyone says he blew three seconds off the clock when he could have fouled. oh like that was the reason they lost the game. not the missed shot by blake?

[nuccionino]

is rapey a word?

and i love how everyone says he blew three seconds off the clock when he could have fouled. oh like that was the reason they lost the game. not the missed shot by blake?

But Kobe was mad he didn't get the ball when he wasn't open. Then he wants to call out his teammates for "not trying" and yet he wasn't trying to foul there so he wasn't trying.

Again, the point I was making is you don't need to call out your teammates when you aren't doing well yourself. People just turned this thread into something else haha.

[SacGWYNN19]

But Kobe was mad he didn't get the ball when he wasn't open. Then he wants to call out his teammates for "not trying" and yet he wasn't trying to foul there so he wasn't trying.

Again, the point I was making is you don't need to call out your teammates when you aren't doing well yourself. People just turned this thread into something else haha.

Finally back to the point of the thread....who cares what actually happened on the court, game over 3-1 Thunder. The fact that Kobe is an asshat, time and time again, is what has yet again been confirmed!

[murrke03]

Finally back to the point of the thread....who cares what actually happened on the court, game over 3-1 Thunder. The fact that Kobe is an asshat, time and time again, is what has yet again been confirmed!

The fact that Kobe is top 10 ever, time and time again. :)

[SacGWYNN19]

The fact that Kobe is top 10 ever, time and time again. :)
Top 10 ever at being a deuch to his teammates, indeed.

[murrke03]

Top 10 ever at being a deuch to his teammates, indeed.

haters will hate.

you don't think he's top 10 ever?

[1eyed_jack]

Umm...Michael Jordan punched teammates in practice. He told teammates not to pass it to certain players on the team.

Do some research!

Jordan was the best ever, he was also a huge dick

[nuccionino]

Umm...Michael Jordan punched teammates in practice. He told teammates not to pass it to certain players on the team.

Do some research!

Jordan was the best ever, he was also a huge dick

I wasn't old enough for his time, did he call teammates out? This has nothing to with anyone BUT Kobe however. I don't care if you are Kobe Bryant, one of the best ever to touch an orange ball, or Reggie Evans. No one should call out teammates when the person calling them out has his own issues.

[SacGWYNN19]

Umm...Michael Jordan punched teammates in practice. He told teammates not to pass it to certain players on the team.

Do some research!

Jordan was the best ever, he was also a huge dick

LOL, who hasn't punched a teammate....do some research. Show me how many times MJ through his teammates under the bus after the fact. Maybe Kobe should throw down w/ Pau in practice instead of being an asshat during a postgame interview. Kobe has how many rings? Kobe has how many MVP's in the finals? Kobe road SHAQ's coattail for his 1st three rings. Shaq left and Kobe got back to the finals four times, won two of them(thanks Pau). Kobe will never be Jordan, please refrain from the comparisons.

[murrke03]

you are mistaken it was garnett who punches teammates...

[1eyed_jack]

LOL, who hasn't punched a teammate....do some research. Show me how many times MJ through his teammates under the bus after the fact. Maybe Kobe should throw down w/ Pau in practice instead of being an asshat during a postgame interview. Kobe has how many rings? Kobe has how many MVP's in the finals? Kobe road SHAQ's coattail for his 1st three rings. Shaq left and Kobe got back to the finals four times, won two of them(thanks Pau). Kobe will never be Jordan, please refrain from the comparisons.



sorry, didn't read your post though, I knew it was unintelligent just a handful of words in!

[SelfDestruct808]

Umm...Michael Jordan punched teammates in practice. He told teammates not to pass it to certain players on the team.

Do some research!

Jordan was the best ever, he was also a huge dick

Some quotes from Jordan about/to his teammates

"...I call them 'the Looney Tunes.' Physically, they were the best. Mentally, they weren't even close."

"I hope there's a jumpshot in there." - Michael to Stacey King who was walking into the locker room with a box

"I hate when I have to read that in the papers the next day, that I couldn't do something. It wasn't my fault."

"They don't need a ticket to watch you sitting on the bench. They can go to your house for that." - Michael to Charles Davis who was sorting through his tickets for his family and friends

[Burt-Reynolds]

I wasn't old enough for his time, did he call teammates out? This has nothing to with anyone BUT Kobe however. I don't care if you are Kobe Bryant, one of the best ever to touch an orange ball, or Reggie Evans. No one should call out teammates when the person calling them out has his own issues.

players call out teammates all the time in the media and locker room. not sure of the point you're trying to make here, because every player has his own issues. kobe was mad that pau didn't take the shot in that critical moment, and his aggressiveness has been a issue all year. kobe has every right to call out a teammate as a leader and captain of the team no matter what kobe's issues may be. fact is kobe is willing to take that shot and take the good and bad of the results. all he wants is for pau to do the same as a teammate. pau is supposed to be one of the co pilots of this team. it is his responsibility to help move this team along with kobe. he's simply not carrying his share of the weight and that is the issue that kobe has, and was making in his interview. it was completely justified, stop trying to make mountains out of mole hills.

[paul06901]

If it weren't for the refs, I don't think Kobe or Wade would have ANY points in this post season ;) ;)

[justdagoodstuff]

He seems to like blaming his teammates a lot lately. Looking in the mirror would help. Last night; Kobe was the worse in +/-, shot a worse FG %'s then anyone else, and shot what 1 for 7 in the fourth. Paul or Andrew need to step up and say something, they just let Kobe walk all over them. I don't get it.

Can you blame him? Pau is a indecisive 7 footer who takes 18 foot jumpshots and you never know he is going to show up, or not show up. Bynum can be good, he can also be incredibly lazy. I think what Kobe is trying to say is that he wants them to be as hungry for winning a champtionship as he is and wants to them to play with more assertiveness and consistentcy.

[justdagoodstuff]

players call out teammates all the time in the media and locker room. not sure of the point you're trying to make here, because every player has his own issues. kobe was mad that pau didn't take the shot in that critical moment, and his aggressiveness has been a issue all year. kobe has every right to call out a teammate as a leader and captain of the team no matter what kobe's issues may be. fact is kobe is willing to take that shot and take the good and bad of the results. all he wants is for pau to do the same as a teammate. pau is supposed to be one of the co pilots of this team. it is his responsibility to help move this team along with kobe. he's simply not carrying his share of the weight and that is the issue that kobe has, and was making in his interview. it was completely justified, stop trying to make mountains out of mole hills.


This ^^^^^

[justdagoodstuff]

Kobe Bryant is undoubtabley the 2nd best player who's ever played in the NBA behind the obvious No. 1

[Burt-Reynolds]

Some quotes from Jordan about/to his teammates

"...I call them 'the Looney Tunes.' Physically, they were the best. Mentally, they weren't even close."

"I hope there's a jumpshot in there." - Michael to Stacey King who was walking into the locker room with a box

"I hate when I have to read that in the papers the next day, that I couldn't do something. It wasn't my fault."

"They don't need a ticket to watch you sitting on the bench. They can go to your house for that." - Michael to Charles Davis who was sorting through his tickets for his family and friends

i'm not gonna lie those are all hilarious quotes and i would of been laughing my ass off in the locker room if i was there.

jordan was the best ever no doubt, but he was also a hugely arrogant self confident player. you could just as easily call jordan a "douchey player" but he is a loved figure and isn't polarizing like kobe is currently.

jordan also had his share of "issues" on and off the court. he was notoriously hard on his teammates and chided everyone constantly he was a taskmaster and a perfectionist. dude also was/is a degenerate gambler. there were even rumors that his fathers death were tied to his gambling problems that got swept under the rug quickly similarly to kobe's rape case.

here's a great story detailing mike's gambling problems.
The Michael Jordan conspiracy theory - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6676299/13652550)

also look as recently to his hof induction speech. that was pure "douche" at it's finest. dude is still carrying around grudges against players and spitting venom almost 10+ years since he's played a meaningful basketball game.

point is it's all in the eye of the beholder, and i have a feeling history will look back at kobe as well as it does jordan currently. at least i hope it does.

[blackbears86]

look, I love Kobe, collect his auto's, etc, but the dude is getting old. his shooting percentage this series has been pathetic...Let's just admit OKC is the better team and move on.

[1eyed_jack]

i don't think anyone thinks the lakers are better than okc

[SacGWYNN19]

sorry, didn't read your post though, I knew it was unintelligent just a handful of words in!

wow, way to drop the hammer....rook

[freethrowtommy]

Kobe Bryant is undoubtabley the 2nd best player who's ever played in the NBA behind the obvious No. 1

You aren't serious? You CAN'T be serious?!

Kobe is good, but 2nd best ever? Not even #@#@#@#@ing close. He isn't even the best Laker of all time.

[SelfDestruct808]

You aren't serious? You CAN'T be serious?!

Kobe is good, but 2nd best ever? Not even #@#@#@#@ing close. He isn't even the best Laker of all time.

Shaq, Jerry West, & i think even Magic Johnson said kobe is the best laker ever. If they disagreed, they could've just said "one of the best" if asked who they think was the best laker ever.

[freethrowtommy]

Shaq, Jerry West, & i think even Magic Johnson said kobe is the best laker ever. If they disagreed, they could've just said "one of the best" if asked who they think was the best laker ever.

Pretty sure you missed one...

I don't see Kareem on that list.

At the VERY least, Kareem and Magic are ahead of Kobe.