LAist: The LeBron v. Kobe Debate

nikki

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:48:23 -0800

it's bad enough tony's anti-kobe! do i have to post some kobe-luvvin' to make us true angelenos happy?

HumanityCritic

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:54:47 -0800

"First of all, I'm impressed that 25 people care enough about Kobe Bryant to bother defending him." I'm surprised as well, as it seems that most of the world tends to be Kobe Bryant critics - actually having the audacity to let things like a man's infidelity and other nonsensical drivel even escape their collective mandibles. "and it's true Kobe won a ring in his first trip to the Finals, but that was on Shaq's back." Shaq wouldn't have won those rings without Kobe as well.. Sure, Shaq won a ring with the Heat, but that sir was on the back of Mr. Dwayne Wade. "and we all know that Kobe will never win an NBA title without the Diesel." One thing that Kobe detractors have in common is this very pedestrian Nostradamus routine. Listen "Dead Zone", if you had real clairvoyant abilities you would have known that your article would make you look like a hack before you even wrote it. "Speaking of which, I was pretty surprised that anybody defended Bryant on the rape charges. Whether or not I think he did it, I would not stand up for a guy charged with rape, who admitted cheating on his wife anyway." ..like it makes a person who refuses to admit extramarital affairs seem like a better person?(*cough* Michael Jordan *cough*) Caring where another man puts his penis is such a retarded argument anyways, this tactic always exposes a person's lack of a respectable argument. That being said, the only person who has problems with a person defending a man they think is innocent is you - only because it supports your argument, one almost as flimsy as those rape allegations. "It's pretty unfair at this point to compare the careers of Bryant and James, because Kobe has six more years in the league." ..but its somehow fair to judge Bryant's off the court indiscretions when comparing him to James, even though James has a career worth of opportunities to make mistakes. By your logic, who knows what will happen in the next decade - for all we know Lebron might become a puppy torturer, or worse, a black republican. "In six years will LeBron's career outshine Kobe's? I'm betting yes." I'd say that's one bet all of your friends and loved ones would desert you for, what did Jay-Z say? "A wise man told me don't argue with fools/ Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who" "Kobe is six years older" ..but has a much better defensive game.. "has a serious attitude problem" ..this past season he seemed like the consummate teammate. "The smart move is to start your franchise with LeBron." Also, may I add, Kobe Bryant has ice in his veins and craves taking the last shot. Can't exactly say the same thing for Lebron.

anthony

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 20:25:13 -0800

Again a simple scenario about a person making his fellow better. Can anybody force a lazy person to go look for work if that person has already decided that he is too lazy to do it? Can you motivate a lazy person to work his butt if he have already decided that he is too lazy to lift his butt? My point is dont blame Kobe if his teammates doesnt seem to look good. Because it is their own responsibility to improve themselves. They are in the NBA. They are called professionals.

kobee

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:05:18 -0800

wow kobe blasting his teammm . . . . . thekobevideo . com

Kobe Beef

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 23:54:31 -0800

I just want you to know that Kobe reads Laist and that is the reason he wants to be traded.

Natalie

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 23:53:40 -0800

Kobe smells like gorgonzola, fo' sure!

dante

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 20:05:27 -0800

Anthony - no, it's never been a written rule that a single player is required to make those around them better... but that's why not everybody is a superstar... there are no excuses in basketball, Lebron took a team much less talented than the Lakers to the Finals...yes, the western conference is tougher, but if Kobe were a TRUE leader, a TRUE winner, or a Superstar who really wants to prove that he can win without the Diesel, then he will have at least been able to motivate his teammates enough to get a higher seeding in the regular season standings than 7th... ...in my honest opinion, Kobe Bryant is an awesome INDIVIDUAL player and a hell lot of fun to watch, no doubt, but in another honest opinion, the lakers could have had balanced scoring, development of good young players and a 42-40 record WITHOUT Kobe as well... Kobe is basketball's Usher; star entertainer with all the right moves...except Usher didn't have to worry about winning basketball games.. Dan (post#27) - Steve Nash overrated? why don't you hook me up with whatever you're smoking?...how about the Suns over the Lakers in 5? ... steve nash could probably take the Lakers and lead them to a better record than 42-40..'nuff said...

Anthony

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 16:55:42 -0800

I was watching the Final game between Spurs and Cav. During the last minutes Lebron made a three point shot and gave his team a chance to tie or beat the Spurs. And then Cavs where able to make a stop on the next possesion and so I said to myself "great we have a game". But then Bron fumbled with the ball and lost it. And that was the dagger that made the Cavs lose. I watched the whole finals game and I was actually rooting for Lebron. But I also observe how far he is from Kobe's caliber. Please don't compare Lebron to Kobe right now because they're level is light years away. Maybe Lebron would get better. That is something we may see in the future or never will. But until then don't compare them. Even Dwayne Wade is several notches better than Lebron. So how can you compare him to Kobe? People always blame Kobe because they say he does not make his teammates better. When has been the responsibility of a person to force his neighbor to get better if they don't want to do it themselves? Kobes teammates should take responsibility for themselves and make themselves better. They should practice and improve their weak areas. They should put in the hour and dedication that Kobe put to himself to make himself be the best basketball player that we know he is. Lastly, If you really watched the finals was there ever a time that you could say Lebron was dominant or atleast even a factor? During the finals Lebron looked pretty much like a bench player than a superstar. During the finals Lebron looked as if he doesn't even deserve to be the sixth man.

malingering

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 10:38:59 -0800

For the record, I also write for LAist and I'm a big Kobe fan. So quit with the "all LAist writers" blah blah blah. Thanks.

torqtump

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 09:32:02 -0800

Also, Kobe has a weird-shaped head. It kind of slopes back and fans out, and looks like a Brazil nut. James' head is much more natural-looking.

Bladius

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 06:33:33 -0800

Kobe was never convicted of rape. That's a fact. What's also a fact is that Lebron has two kids out of wedlock.

NB

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 04:45:12 -0800

At the end of the day defense wins games not offense. The team that can stop the other team from scoring will be victorious. That is currently what the Los Angeles Lakers are lacking; a strong defensive squad. Good defense creates offense. Kobe cannot defend an entire team by himself. The majority of your arguments are meaningless and I'm not even going to waste my energy addressing them. What makes individuals better than others is their heart and desire to win. If you want it bad enough you will get it. That is why Michael Jordon was so great. He wanted to win and would stop at nothing to do so. In that aspect, Kobe Bryant is more comparable to the most electrifying player to play the game (Jordon) than Lebron ever will. Henry Abbot of ESPN wrote an article that compared Michael Jordon to Lebron James and created a list of what made Michael Jordon the best and what Lebron lacks. The list follows: -From the second you wake up in the morning, until the the second you fall asleep at night, be obsessed with kicking a-- all over the basketball court. -What obstacles? Jumpshot a little spotty? Fix it. Footwork giving you trouble? Fix it. Teammates not pumped up? Fix it. Feeling a little winded? Fix it. A particular defender making things tough for you? Fix it. A whole team of Pistons making things tough for you? Fix it. -Listen to people who know what they're talking about. (For Jordan the list included Tim Grover, Phil Jackson, David Falk, and I'm sure many others.) -Every second the game is in session, whether you are on offense or defense, whether you are on the bench or in the game, be possessed, electric, aware, and active in your quest to win. Abbot just described Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant wants to win. He has dedicated his life to competing in a sport he loves and he will stop at nothing and will continue to train and learn until the day he hangs up his jersey. I don't see the same desire in Lebron. I believe Kobe is the closest thing to Jordan. An individual that can play offense and defense but more importantly an individual that wants to WIN and will stop at nothing to achieve that goal. He'll continue to train, he'll continue to work on his flaws until he can once again hold a trophy above his head. He may bitch and complain but that is only because he is one of the most competitive individuals in the professional sports world. This is not a job to Kobe Bryant, it is not a hobby, it is not a passion; it is his life. That is why Kobe Bryant is a better player than Lebron James.

dan

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:06:35 -0800

wow, can you guys not see that this guy has nothing else to do, just wants some internet attention, think about it, thats all these useful columnist do, they draw attention by putting the name KOBE in a blog alone can get you attention, i mean seriously how can you compare that off-balance broke jumper, intertwined with the air-balled freethrows, to an almost perfect jump shot, the most complete scorer in the NBA just insane...lets try to ignore ignorant columnist like these in the future, cheers to smart pple.

LT

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:38:12 -0800

You think everyone would start a franchise with James over Bryant but the U.S. national team is doing the opposite. They're complaining Lebron disrespected U.S. team's faculty, held the ball too long in the offense, had jealousy of his teammates, and tried to become a one man team in fourth quarters in order to improve his stats in games where he struggled! They also said they wouldn't mind if Lebron decided not too play for team USA, even though they asked for a 3 year commitment from all of their players. KOBE will be team USA's leader. Team USA picked KOBE over Lebron. He's the best player in the NBA, make that the WORLD. And cut the rapist trash talk, he wasn't convicted of nothing, and he's not the first person to cheat on his wife, he made a mistake and he apologized to her, she still with him and thats between them - stop judging and mind your own damn buisness. Real LA fans love Kobe Bryant, Lebron's the king but Kobe's the ACE!

sam

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:50:05 -0800

Lebron can not defend for the life of him. I don't see him winning any All-NBA defensive titles even with his "better stats." His teammates happen to have playoff experience and more consistency(ie Larry Hughes) and will allow for Lebron to get higher assist numbers. Kobe has teammates that disappear to eat Fruit Loops (Bynum) and point guards who get paid nothing and play like crap (Parker), not to mention the billion injuries they had. Kobe passes, they lose. We've seen that what, 500 times now? How could you blame him for shooting the ball? Kobe is nowhere near as harsh to his team as Phil Jackson or the LA Times is...

Jessica Roberts

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:07:45 -0800

To clarify, I never meant to call Kobe a rapist. There was an implication in that sentence, and I should have made it more clear. Consider it corrected. Oliver, I didn't mean to be condescending or smug -- I like messing with you guys and getting a debate started. There doesn't need to be any anger, just a little harmless, fun discussion -- including great points, like Nomad who thought to point out the very valid fact that LeBron's salary is about to shoot up. Totally ruins my money argument. Dante, I didn't say Kobe and LeBron couldn't be compared -- I said their careers couldn't be compared. Their value as players certainly can be, and that's what we're all doing... on LAist, which seems like a perfect place to discuss it, given all the Kobe fans who are reading.

ak

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:00:57 -0800

i ment to say that kobe does have an atittude problem. and he showed us how much he wants to win

ak

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:59:16 -0800

this is guys is something else. how are you comparing the salaryof a guy who has been in the leage for 3 years to a guy who has been playing for 11. let's see how much LB will make once he's contract runs out. and then all that nonsence about how Lb is a team player, and that's what got them to the finals is stupid. he's a team player and he has a lot of talent but you can't compare what he has around him with what kobe has. the only one that you can mention from the lakers is Odem. but even him, every once a while he gives you 25, and 15 and the rest of the time he's almost not there. not kobe does have an atittude problem, but anybody in his position would have one too. he does like the spot light and to be the center of attention. but i think he should us that he's willing to do anything to win agian. and for those who say that kobe won because Shaq, we'll you're right but Shaq had kobe too. then he had Wade. Duncan had Robinson, then parker and ginobli. one player might be able to win a few games but not a champoinship.

Dont worry

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:57:55 -0800

whats the d*mb a** smoking? The amount of criminal charges a player has or the style they portray on the court doesnt determine whose better. Lebron can't handle pressure..hes not clutch, he cant make freethrows. Kobe has made clutch shots since he started in this league, even the first time he won a championship. Kobe is a much more talented and better player. Don't get me wrong, Lebron is an amazing player and he will be great, but compared to kobe, he doesnt live up to his standards. Kobe can play excellent Defence, lebron cant. Kobe has a great mid range game, Lebron doesn't kobe cant shoot three all day, lebron doesn't shot them consistantly. The eastern conference is a big joke. The west is much better, kobe is better. Lebron will win two titles. The west will contain dominance like Oden and Amare. If the heat stay healthy next year and the bulls shape up, the cavs arent going to make the finals for a couple of years.

s

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:40:11 -0800

Go ahead a nd hate on Kobe for cheating on his wife. That is all he has done wrong no chargers were ever brought up. Ask Ray Lewis or OJ how they are. Not charged move on. The best player ever to play BBall MJ also cheated and had an affair on his wife does that make him wrong yes. But because it is Kobe it is wrong. MJ can do no wrong. Lebron is not better than KObe yet. Kobe can at least beat the spurs 2 times this year and his team is horrible. The east is a joke you put the cavs in the west they do not even make the playoffs and if they do they lose to the suns just like the lakers did. If kobe got to play the wizards (what a joke) and the nets he would have made it to the eastern finals. Not saying he would of beat detroit but who knows. as we all saw this past week the west is so much better that the east. So to win the east crown is like coming 7 or 8th in the west not a big deal. SWEEP

NH

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:37:49 -0800

In regards to the your question in the post I would have to know ... Do you want to win now? Or win later? ... If now, then you take Kobe. If later, then you take LeBron and pray.

Ahmad

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:37:26 -0800

Kobe is the best player and even LeBron admits that!!!

Dan

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:28:09 -0800

Just for the record i am a huge LBJ fan. I reconize that his 48 pt. preformance in game 5 vs. the Pisonts was one of the best in playoff history. The only point i am trying to make in this message is that RIGHT NOW Kobe is a better basketball palyer. He can score anyway he wants too as much as he wants to. Like Lebron he has a weak supporing cast, but we saw Lebron sturggle when the Spurs double or triple teames him. Kobe is doubled almost every game and he was able to score 50+ in 5 STRIAGHT games. He scored 81 against the Raptors last year. Nobody can score as much, as easily, and in all the diffrent ways like Kobe. I think he should have won NBA MVP honors for the past 2 years instead of Steve Nash who is overrated. Also Kobe is much better at defense. He is better at a halfcourt tempo as a perimiter player, and he can also antipipate and steal passes much better that LBJ. I know both of them are special players but in all fairness Kobe is the better player right now. We will see what LEbron is able to do in the next years. Also, u have to stop calling Kobe a rapist. Nobody know what happened, it could just be some lady who whated money so she lyed aobut that so whe could sue him, you dont know.

El Mackola

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:26:11 -0800

Seriously, this is the last straw. There have been a number of posts on laist in the last year that have really pissed me off but this latest spate of anti-kobe articles has completely convinced me never to read this piece of crap site again! For a site that is supposed to rep LA, this is some BS.

jay

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:57:55 -0800

im not even a kobe fan but this is the stupidest thing i have ever read. you are a disgrace to writers. did lebron pay you to write this or did kobe rape you? go find another job, please don't continue to embarrase yourself

tom

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:52:12 -0800

I would agree with most of the 10 reasons and I'm a diehard Kobe fan. BUT, I will say this, Kobe has more appeal in his fingertips than Lebron will have ever in his freakish man-child body.

Dante_Jubbo

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:15:02 -0800

Dearest fellow, basketball lovers... let's just put the name calling aside and respect what both players have done alright?.... here, learn from this guy... hoopsworld.com/article_22333.shtml Dear Jessica: you have every right to express your thoughts the way you did... but to label them as reasons that Lebron is better than Kobe, considering have of the were heavily subjective and dependant on personal point of view? (and posted on the LAist no less...?!?!?) you'r just ASKING to be flamed my dear... all said and done, i agree with your verdict, but the evidence you present is weak with a capital W... all you had to point out was that Lebron took a mediocre team to the NBA Finals... and they went through the Pistons to get there... however, Lebron James is by no means as talented as Kobe is as a player.. Bron Bron does bring out the best in his teammates though... also, like somebody above mentioned...you said that the two are not comparable given that Kobe has a 6 year advantage on Lebron.... that totally contradicts the whole basis of your argument... again, begging to be flamed... kobe backers: yes, kobe is more talented, yes he is the best one-on-one player in the NBA right now... no doubt...but fact remains he can't seem to make his team better... the only way he attempts to convince himself that he can make his teammates better is to score 50 or more 5 games (or whatever the exact number is) in a row... granted, his teammates haven't exactly been making a case for themselves, even when Kobe IS trying to get them involved...but making your team better is more than just passing the ball (something that kobe is guilty of sometimes when he's not dominating the ball)... it's drawing defenders to make room for your teammates, it's giving your teammates the ball when the game is on the line and you're being quadruple teamed, it's giving your teammates the confidence that they are as much part of the winning as you are, not the feeling like they can't live or win without you on the court.. ...Lebron's a great example of this last point.. all throughout the playoffs, every Cav player played with confidence cuz Lebron wasn't as dominating... then they got to the finals and they were all like, "how the F**k did we get here?" they started to think that it was all lebron, especially after game five of the conference finals, and that's why they haven't even been able to hold a candle to the Spurs... sure the eastern conference is weak, but any team who can beat the Pistons in a best of 7 is no shab... ...i see kobe being in jordan's shoes when jordan was 28...jordan was a great individual player who finally learned to lead his team and make them better when they won in '91...and the rest is history... the day kobe realizes what he has to do to get his teammates going, he'll win.. until then though, it's going to be the same old same old...say all you want about kobe's killer instinct.. but it won't help his team until he can effectively utilize his talents... and you can say all you want about lebron's lack of killer instinct.. but you have to respect the man for doing all that he's done at 22 years of age...and you have to respect his mentality towards the game and making his teammates better, which is why he is better than kobe at the moment... i apologize for the length of this comment... peace~

oliver

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:20:30 -0800

This post is smug, condescending and ultimately pointless.

joshd

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:41:31 -0800

Lebron himself even said that Kobes the best Charles has said Reggie even Jordan says Kobes the best right now so did Nash coach mike d'antoni Kenny the Jet I think they might no a little more about basketball than your dumbass. So if lebron acknowledges that kobes the best why are you hating I mean if you dont like the guy thats your opinion but you have to admitt hes great one of the best players ever if you played basketball youd know how hard it is to score 62 in three quarters 81 points in a single game and a 65 point game followed by two 50 point games and another 60 and averaging 40 points for a month.

josh

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:35:48 -0800

Whoa lebron is not gonna be better than Kobe if you had any sense you can clearly see in their game lebron has no killer instinct and please do not bring up the 48 point game becuase that was in DOUBLE OVERTIME I mean it was good but it was blown way outta proportion and kobe also scored 48 when he was the same age as lebron in regulation! O and Lebrons game is all athleticism no skill watch in like 5 years when lebron doesnt progress you'll be feeling like an ass!

KING KOBE

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:34:48 -0800

Who ever wrote this article is the dumbest s**t ever. "and we all know that Kobe will never win an NBA title without the Diesel." WHAT THE HELL ARE U SMOKING

yeahright

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:43:46 -0800

weak. once Lebron has won a few rings, then we can start this debate. until then this is just garbage. Kobe's proven clutch. Lebron - not yet.

Scott

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:07:47 -0800

If “it's pretty unfair at this point to compare the careers of Bryant and James,” then why would you write an article titled “Top Ten reasons LeBron is better than Kobe?”

cleopatra jones

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:52:16 -0800

taking this position on innocent until proven guilty is embarrasing to LAist. Today the guy who prosecuted the three duke guys who were charged with rape resigned from the bar...in shame. who was wrong? you should cherish that principle as it might be the united states's best contribution in terms of ideas. don't trash it -- you might be accused next. anyway, i think the point is that if lebron did half the things on the court that kobe does, there would be a holiday in his honor. nobody gets less credit for their skills on the court or their fierce competitiveness than kobe. lebron is wonderful...but he's got a long way to go to reach kobe and he likely will never get there. kobe is for better or worse the most exciting nba player on and off the court. fortunately for the lakers and laker fans he's also the best.

Gilbert

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:13:49 -0800

Ok... In this time we are living in... any girl that has sexual intercourse with an athlete will accuse of rape in order to get fame, money, and bring a man's career to an end... To call Kobe a rapist is unfair... where is the girl now?... spending the money Kobe gave her in order to keep his career, i believe everyone knows that that accusation was false, and that Kobe did not have forceful contact with her... Why would a guy making millions of dollars go out and rape a girl?... enough said about that... Just to let you know... your top 10 reasons why lebron is better than Kobe are pointless... Lebron is better because he wears a headband?... that is straight out ridiculous... Lebron has a better supporting cast, yes... but Kobe, by himself literally, has taken LA to playoffs... even is they lose in the first round.... If LA were in the east... they would also be considered "contenders".... The west is too talented to blame Kobe for not making it far into the playoffs with the team he has.... Also, Kobe has 3 rings, Shaq or no Shaq, he still has them.... Lebron is talented, but he is not Kobe comparison bound... I have always said, Lebron is overrated, since he entered the NBA... Yesterday's completion of the sweep proves my thoughts.... Overall... Kobe being is the best player in the game, after 11 seasons in the NBA... calling two or three defenders.... and still being that good... you have to show some respect for the man....

Aly Esmail

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:03:36 -0800

WOW! Your are an idiot. LBJ23 is under his rookis contract, which by the way is now expired so his salary jumps up to kobes range. Remind what lebrons shooting perchantage in the finals was. Until he wins a championship he can NEVER be brought up in the same convo as kobe. KOBE is a much, much better basketball player. And what the hell gives you the right to refer to kobe as a rapist?! Pleas make another brilliant article answering the following questions. 1)how many championships has lebron won? 2)how many scoring titles has lebron recieved? 3)how many dunk contest has lebron won? 4)how many times has lebron made nba 1st team? 5)how many times has lebron made the all defensive team?

Johnny

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:50:05 -0800

P.S. 1. Fan not liking Kobe. 2. Fan suggests how much better Lakers would be with out Kobe. Why wouldn't the LAist be the perfect place to discuss the topic. Keep writing Jessica.

james

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:47:00 -0800

Sure LeBron is a fine player, nobody disputes that, but he is not a great player which Kobe Bryant is.What separates the two is the winning mentality that kobe has.Like it or not Kobe is a great player for the sole reason that he wants to win more than anyone on the court at any game. You may call him selfish,but tell me whats more selfish;Kobe taking matters into his own hands,like M.J,Magic,Bird and all the other greats,or LeBron abdicating his resposibility as his team`s superstar just so that guys like you can preach to us how unselfish he is.Have you ever listened to how he describes his game as being unselfish?Only a selfish individual does that. For Lebron to be considered amongst the greats,he has to be consistent with his contribution and stop lecturing us about how unselfish he is.Jordan did what he had to do every night thats why he is the greatest to have ever played the game. One more thing;have you ever spent enough time around Kobe to know whether he is the prick you make him out to be?I have a problem with people passing judgement on the guy`s personality.You dont know him.I understand that you have to earn a living so you feel you must judge guys like him, but the bottom line is that you have no right what so ever to do so. So he got accused of rape.He was stupid to have even allowed the girl in his hotel room,he ought to have know better.But tell me,who gets raped and goes on to have sex with some other guy?Kobe being a celebrity, is a target for extortion and if you took the time to go over the case carefully, you would see that the girl was really after the money.Why did she refuse to cooperate with the prosecution and instead opt to go for a civil suit? Whether LeBron ever gets to be Dwayne Wade is questionable let alone comparable to Kobe Bryant.To be a winner you need to have courage,take the ball in your hands and run the show. Now people have been complaining about the fact that Kobe Byant has voiced his discontent with being on a bad team.Hell yeah.You try playing with guys that can`t catch a pass,point guards that dont play with passion,and 19 year old centers who are being told that they have all the time in the world to develop.What would you have Kobe do? Do as Kevin Garnett has in Minesota?Iverson tried being loyal but what did he end up doing?...Thats right he demanded to be traded.A champion names his price and Kobe has named his,he is not going to let the ``rebuilding`` cost him anymore than it already has. Let`s appreciate Kobe,because is a rare talent.Dont doubt him,crown him.

Johnny

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:43:09 -0800

I would consider myself a long time Lakers fan but a "Kobe hater". If I may speak for some of the "Kobe haters", the issue is not his basketball talents, he amazes me almost every game, but rather him as a person and a representative of LA. As all fans of sports know teams and their players tend to be reflections of the area they come from, weather this is right or wrong is debatable. Non-fans really hold the teams/players as representatives of their respective cities. Barkley, Malone, Rodman, even Jordan's personal problems (vices) have become topics in the past and not for the positive mostly, remember Worthy and his fling with a hooker??? Kobe's attitude trend tends to be very unlikable. I understand he doesn’t have to cater to me with what he does but then again I have the right to object and voice my dislikes about his very public attitude. After all it is the ticket buyers and fans that make up a big part of his career.

nessa

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:56:41 -0800

you are an idiot ..plain and simple

nessa

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:54:11 -0800

This was just a hateful article ...the charges against him were dropped ..this is about basketball ...do you not have anything better to do? then to slam on Kobe? that is just stupid ...any number of men in the league have cheated on their wives , i dont see you calling them out...and i would bet you my life kobe will get another ring ...Lebron cant even close a game ..have you forgotten what Kobe can do? you got a personal vendetta against the man ..its not becoming of you..leave the man alone

ike

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:46:14 -0800

i couldnt have said it any better than marc. just not the place for it

nomad12

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:43:55 -0800

opps... yeah it jumps to about $20 mil now (60 mil over the next 3).... now about that decision?

nomad

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:41:34 -0800

if you were to start an NBA team today both would be getting a max deal. and anyways that figure was Lebron's first contract which ran out yeasterday... end of this season. it jumps up considerably now that he's out of his rookie contact. learn about basketball please.

greg

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:41:22 -0800

My father was charged of rape. I believed in him and the truth came out and charges were dropped. Should my dad be considered a rapist? All LAist writers are rapists! LeBroom got swept. Only got to the finals because he's on the little league eastern conference. Poor shooting at 30% and 6 turnovers/game. Too much hype. LeBron James doesn't know how to play the game of basketball.

marc

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:28:57 -0800

i dont think the point is whether lebron or kobe is a better player. the point is that laist is not the right place to be arguing in favor of lebron.

Noah

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:20:50 -0800

Seriously. Stop. Calling Kobe a rapist is fucked up. You werent there, you don't know what happened. Leave it alone. Move on. I'm pissed at you for continually bringing this up. He has a wife and two daughters. Leave the guy alone. Enough is enough. This is beyond tasteless now.

ted

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:55:34 -0800

I won't judge you for supporting a rapist if you won't judge me. Sorry, but that's just wrong. Just because Kobe is a superstar doesn't mean you can defame him.

LAist Dave

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:48:14 -0800

For the record, count me as an LAist writer who is a huge Kobe supporter.