Originally Posted by DoubleJs07
Let me ask you all...why is it inconceivable (to some) that a player from TODAY'S NBA can arguably be better than someone who came before them in the 80's-90's. There are a lot of nostalgic folks, IMO, who have a hard time grasping that LEGIT arguments can be made when comparing players from two different eras of pro ball. I just wanted to throw that out there.
That being said, CP, I LOVE this idea for a thread. It should be great as we go thru the summer months, counting down the days when the lockout ends and the 2011-12 season starts. Hopefully, sooner...rather than later.
Let me talk about Kobe for a second. I'm going to get this out of the way, but I hate...and I mean HATE the Kobe/Mike comparisons (but I understand why they happen). What really made me appreciate Kobe was the Spike Lee short "Kobe Doin' Work." As a viewer, we got a great glimpse into the mind of Kobe as he dissected the game he plays. Hearing him speak, it was easy to see why he's so driven and a perfectionist. In that aspect, he's very much like Jordan in that they were both students of the game.
Now, there's a part of Kobe's game that I don't think is talked about nearly as much as it should be when discussing his legacy. We all know that with Scottie Pippen, no matter how much people praise his play, admire his status as a top-50 player in NBA history, the rings, etc., he has a blemish on his resume. I think you all know what I'm talking about. Yup, the moment when he decided to sit out the last play vs. the Knicks because Phil drew up the last shot for Kukoc.
This brings me back to Kobe. In 2006, there was a game 7 in the NBA playoffs vs. the Suns. LA was down by double-figures at the half, but Kobe made the decision to stop shooting. This was arguably the most dominant player in the NBA at the time and earlier in season he went off for 81 points vs. the Raptors. If anyone could lead a comeback of epic proportions in a game 7, you would think that Kobe could do it. Long story short, Kobe turned in one of the most SELFISH acts (even moreso than Pippen, IMO) that the NBA has ever seen.
You can compare Mike to Kobe till you are blue in the face. Go over the all-star games, MVP trophy, all-defensive team nods, RINGS, etc etc...but there is one thing that you can NEVER accuse Michael Jordan of doing. That is quitting. I'm sorry, but for a player of Kobe's makeup, you'd expect more.
Kobe is one of the greatest players that I've seen play...but this is a blemish on his resume that I can't ignore and wonder why it's overlooked. Am I reaching here? I know this isn't going to be a popular post with many Lakers fans, but there is nothing that bothers ME more than seeing an athlete "mail it in."