Dec 1, 2015

No that's the other Aussie @Ordinary Joel But yeah I am a big fan of Ben Simmons.

 

Dec 1, 2015

I wanna start by saying MJ is the undisputed GOAT.

In defense of Kobe, he didn't even average 25 min per game until his 2nd season. He was the 1st player bench player to be voted to start the all star game. He's also the only player in NBA history to have 30k points & 6k assists (I'm sure Bron will be there someday).

Regarding Shaq, he was a vet when he got to the Lakers, Kobe's "big brother". As a young guy, of course you're going to defer to some degree to Shaq, at the end of the day it's all about championships. I've just always despised the idea that Kobe was any less dominant than Shaq. It's easy to forget Kobe averaged 30 and close to 30 in those finals and absolutely took charge against Indiana in 2000 as a 21 year old when Shaq got hurt.

 

Dec 1, 2015

I be d---ed if I like Lebron, BET I DONT LIKE LEBRON!!

 

Nov 30, 2015

Some of my favorite Kobe games in no order and a summary of them:

Kobe scores 42 in the 1st half in MJ's last appearance at staples center. Kobe was absolutely on fire here, at one point he scored 23 points in about 5 minutes. He had 40 points on 8/9 from 3 pointers and 14/16 overall with 5 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, just ridiculous. At one point he just pulled up about 4 or 5 straight possessions and drained a 3.



The Lakers were down 7 with 3 minutes left in this next game, then Kobe set up Nash for a 3. They were still down 5 with less than 2 minutes left and this is when Kobe rescued them, he hit 3 3's in a row to send the game to OT. All 3 shots were ridiculously hard, but the 3rd one especially impresses me since Kobe had to work his a--- off to even get open. 3 different raptors were watching him, 2 at first and then a 3rd stepped in. It was tough but Kobe finally managed to get open and get the ball, he pump fakes and one defender flies by him, another guy's still right in his face as he steps backs and shoots.....swish! Kobe scored 9 points in less than 2 minutes and kept them alive, they eventually won the game in OT. Guess who also got the game winner in OT? Lol... Kobe also had a great all around game as he ended with 41 points, 6 rebs and 12 assists.




So Kobe set the all time record in this game with 12 3 pointers, and he didn't even get his 1st 3 pointer until 5:30 left in the 2nd quarter. 3 and a half minutes later he already had his 5th 3 pointer. He ended up making 9 3's in a row at one point and of course finished with the NBA record 12 3 pointers.



I can't find the full highlights for this one unfortunately but they do have the full highlights for this series (which some have said is his best playoff series ever) on youtube, so feel free to check that one out too if you have time. This was a must win for the Suns or their year was over and to their credit, they fought really hard and kept rallying again and again. But every time they cut it close, Kobe hit a huge shot to quiet the crowd. He must have killed at least 3 or 4 different Suns rallies by just hitting impossible shots over perfect defense basically.




This next one's another great playoff performance, he basically dominated scoring for about 3 quarters and did a great job setting others up for about a quarter or so. He finished with 49 points and 10 assists, basically controlled and dominated the whole game.




This last one I'm gonna post for now is basically a full offensive arsenal from the black mamba, it seems he makes every kind of shot and play happen in this one. So many great plays here, he finished with 60 points and this was his 3rd game in a row with at least 50 points. Only MJ and Wilt have ever done that before, I believe his next game he also got 50 points but then the streak ended there at 4.





I'm still leaving out some of my favorite Kobe games (actually probably 2 or 3 total of my top 5) but there's so many to list..I'll post more some other time but thought this would be a good start for some of you who haven't watched him a ton, or a good catch up for those who are already fans.

 

Nov 30, 2015

lmao "help is on the way"

 

Nov 30, 2015

Kobe put it beautifully. Everyone is focusing on the inevitable end when they should be reflecting on his brilliant journey and the memories he's given us. A true marvel of the game.

 

Nov 30, 2015

KD ripped the media for the way they've treated Kobe lately.

Kobe announced his retirement last night. He’s a guy you grew up watching and got to know. What was your first thoughts when you heard this would be it for him?

Kevin Durant: “I did idolize Kobe Bryant. I studied him, wanted to be like him. He was our Michael Jordan. I watched Michael toward the end of his career with the Wizards and I seen that’s what Kobe emerged as the guy for us. I’ve been disappointed this year because you guys (media) treated him like s---. He’s a legend and all I hear is about how bad he’s playing, how bad he’s shooting, time for him to hang it up. You guys treated one of our legends like s--- and I didn’t really like it. Hopefully now you can start being nice to him now that he decided to retire after this year. It was sad the way he was getting treated. He had just an amazing career, a guy who changed the game for me as a player mentally and physically. Means so much to the game of basketball. Someone I’m always gonna look to advice for anything. Just a brilliant, brilliant, intelligent man. Sad to see him go. He put his mark on the game.”

 

Nov 30, 2015

His slam on Porzingis was brutal.

 

Nov 30, 2015

Reactions from around the league.













paugasol #ThankYouKobe

theofficialai3 Congratulations on a great career from one of your biggest fans. You've always been a top competitor with a big heart. Much love, AI

teamswish One of the most under appreciated players to ever play is saying goodbye to the game he gave his all! Everyone has their own opinion on him, his game, how many shots he shoots, he's the reason why Shaq left or whatever! He always remained true to the game! Extra shots✔️ Weight room ✔️ treatment for his body✔️watching film✔️ true student of the game! Goes without saying 1 of the GREATEST TO EVER DO IT! #ThankYouKobe

g_hender09 I'll let the cat out of the bag finally....Kobe was my favorite player growing up..... Shocker? lol Kids, make sure you are your favorite player first but it's always good to have someone else to look up to #RESPECT#SALUTE#KOBE

willthethrillb5 The only basketball player I ever idolized, wanted to be like, & play like. Thanks for everything you taught me. How to be a champion, how to overcome adversity, how to dedicate ya self to your passion. Watching ya highlights got me through high school, college, & even gets me motivated to this day. The things you went through in your personal life showing you are still human when I thought you were a supreme being & came out stronger helped me realize you don't have to be perfect to accomplish ya dreams & you can bounce back from anything if you are determined. Ya determination & will is second to none & I'll always admire that about you. I'll never forget our conversation & cherish it forever .....Thanks for everything to the greatest basketball player of all time Kobe Bryant. The game will never be the same.

Wayne Ellington:
As a kid growing up in Philadelphia, Nets guard Wayne Ellington had a special connection with Bryant, who began to make his legend at Lower Merion High School in the Philly suburbs. But that connection only grew stronger last season, when Ellington spent the year playing alongside Bryant with the Lakers.

“It meant a lot,” Ellington said after the Nets beat the Pistons in Brooklyn Sunday night. “He’s a guy that inspired me, honestly. As a young kid, to get out there, I used to be out there on the court trying to be Kobe. Man, it’s crazy that he’s going to hang it up, but at the same time, he’s leaving a legacy that’s unbelievable. Especially just his generation.

“Kobe is, in my mind, the best player in our generation, our era so far, so it’s crazy that he’s going to go out, but at the same time, it’s a blessing. I’m sure he’s happy and he’s ready to spend some time with his family and relax. When we played them [earlier in November], though, he told me. I said, ‘I see I’ve got the family with you.’ He said, ‘Yeah, I’ve got the family. This is my last go-round.’ So that took me back a bit, too.”

Rondae Hollis Jefferson:
Another Net with Philly ties, rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, got the chance to live out his own personal dream during that Nets-Lakers game. Hollis-Jefferson, who had been hoping to meet Bryant for years, finally got the chance to do so.

“It was great to be in his presence, to hear from him,” Hollis-Jefferson said. “[For him] to tell me that he’s watching, he’s noticing … it means the world. It gives you a sense of hope that you can be something special. That’s all I’m trying to be, something special.”

Dwight Howard:
Not everyone, however, was celebrating Bryant’s announcement. Houston center Dwight Howard, who had a contentious relationship with Bryant during their one season together in Los Angeles before Howard left the Lakers in free agency, was asked after Sunday’s Rockets-Knicks game what he’d learned from Bryant during their year as teammates.

“Did I learn something from him? Howard said, followed by a laugh and an uncomfortable pause. ”Oh, man … we’re going to go to the next question now.”

Prior to that, though, Howard was complimentary of Bryant, extolling his many accomplishments throughout his 20-year career.

“Oh, man. Kobe is one of the greatest to ever play the game,” Howard said. “He had an amazing career … it all comes to an end for all of us. He was somebody we all grew up watching. Seeing him go from the Afro to changing to another number to all that stuff … 81 points, he just had a very good career.

“He paved the way for so many players coming out of high school, and his work ethic, everything that he stands for on the court has been great. For, what, 20 years? That’s amazing, to play this game for a long time. I know it’ll probably be tough because he loves this game so much, but all of us have to face that reality one day, and I just wish him well.”

James Harden:
“A legend,” Harden said in describing Bryant’s game. “I grew up watching him. He was my ‘MJ.’ Just for him to be done, for his last go-round, it’s sad. That’s the end of a dynasty. He had a really good run, but it comes to an end. He’s a monster. He’s a beast.

“He’s a warrior, man. He’s a competitor. I don’t think there will ever be another guy like him. The way he did it, he willed his teammates to victories, championships, things like that. It was a great story.”

Kevin Durant: “I did idolize Kobe Bryant. I studied him, wanted to be like him. He was our Michael Jordan. I watched Michael toward the end of his career with the Wizards and I seen that’s what Kobe emerged as the guy for us. I’ve been disappointed this year because you guys (media) treated him like s---. He’s a legend and all I hear is about how bad he’s playing, how bad he’s shooting, time for him to hang it up. You guys treated one of our legends like s--- and I didn’t really like it. Hopefully now you can start being nice to him now that he decided to retire after this year. It was sad the way he was getting treated. He had just an amazing career, a guy who changed the game for me as a player mentally and physically. Means so much to the game of basketball. Someone I’m always gonna look to advice for anything. Just a brilliant, brilliant, intelligent man. Sad to see him go. He put his mark on the game.”

ygtrece MOTIVATION! #MambaMondays

 

Nov 29, 2015

Bought laker at denver tickets instantly.
Ill be behind the laker bench

 

Nov 29, 2015

That would be great. I tried to do that at the end of Iverson's career when he came back to Philly. Spent hundreds of dollars on box seats and a party bus and then he didn't even play.

 

Nov 29, 2015

Hopefully Duncan, KG, Pierce, VC, and Ray Allen all officially retire so they can go into the hall together.

 

Nov 29, 2015

I was always a Kobe hater growing up, but it wasn't until later in his career where I understood that Kobe wasn't here to be liked or be the fan favorite, he came to win. His passion won me over and that's why I have so much respect for him. His love for the game was unmatched and he was a true student of the game. We all knew this day was going to come but d---.. End of an Era

 

Nov 29, 2015

Kind of weird for Kobe to have that "giving up" mentality... Anyways, h--- of a career. Easily top 10, maybe top 5 ever to play. Pleasure to see him play. Gonna be a weird league without Kobe, but it's time. Wish he coulda had the proper going away gesture in Miami. Might have to see him play in Minnesota, Chicago, or Milwaukee this year now.

 

Nov 29, 2015

Legend of the sport.

It's hard watching him struggle to s---t now.

 

Nov 29, 2015

I cry everytime