OT: Kobe Bryant - TeamMatE

[pixburgher66]

I dunno, so many of the big NBA stars are just crappy teammates. Or at least they make poor statements often. I agree though that Kobe was right...but that's not a comment you make to the media. Bynum is the bigger idiot for his 'close out games are easy' comment.

 

[esls79]

My question is if Kobe was factually correct (and it appears we all agree he is), then why is it not ok to make the comment to the media? When you call out team mates, why does it have to be behind closed doors?

I also agree the question was slanted towards getting a response like this.

If the Lakers coach Mike Brown said the same thing in response to how his team played, would it have been different - are coaches allowed to call players out, but not the players themselves?

 

[elocomotive]

Michael Jordan quotes(Ripping his teamates) | Escobar300's Blog

"If I were a general manager, we’d be a better team."

Ooops.

 

[BF4L]

Kobe should still be serving about 15 yrs

 

[Slimpikins]

I find this discussion humerous as a Sharks fan. We constantly complain about the leadership of our team being apathetic and we would love to see some passion out of our guys. But if you are candid and try to give your teammates a kick in the ass you are viewed as a bad teammate and a poor leader.

As far as I am concerned if you are prone to getting your feelings hurt you shouldn't be in pro sports. I think Kobe was correct, and while maybe not tactfull, I think he is completely justified in his comments.

 

[Zwings40]

Obviously what he was saying in the locker room to his team wasn't helping... So he tried a different method in a do or die situation. I'm sure he doesn't want a repeat of last year with an early exit.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Kobe was right about what he said, however when you spend your career being a dick and known as a bad teammate things like this come off the wrong way. If a guy like Tim Duncan, Dwayne Wade, etc. came out and said this it wouldn't get the same negativity because those guys have earned the respect and the reputation as being the team leaders. Kobe is the best player on the team, but that doesn't make him a good leader.

 

[abaskin18]

My question is if Kobe was factually correct (and it appears we all agree he is), then why is it not ok to make the comment to the media? When you call out team mates, why does it have to be behind closed doors?

I also agree the question was slanted towards getting a response like this.

If the Lakers coach Mike Brown said the same thing in response to how his team played, would it have been different - are coaches allowed to call players out, but not the players themselves?

It's certainly fine for him to handle the media how ever he wants. But not going the diplomatic route by saying what he did instead of something like, "we all need to play better as a team" is going to elicit a reaction from the media, fans, and possibly his teammates. That reaction from his teammates (if any) could be good or it could be bad. It's just not something I'd want to risk heading into a game 7 with a team with questionable mental make up to begin with.

I don't think he's a dick for his comment. I just think it's a bad decision from a guy who should know better by now.

EDIT: One more thing to add: A wise man once said, "Don't answer the question you're asked. Answer the question you wish you'd been asked."

 

[Buckeye]

Asked if he felt his teammates had matched his heart, Bryant retorted, "No, of course they didn't."

What a punk.

 

[Slimpikins]

Sometimes being a leader means you have to be an ass. When your team doesn't want to follow you to glory you might have to grab them by the hair and drag them there.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Kobe should still be serving about 15 yrs

Would he be sharing a cell with the other seven dudes who's semen was found in that slut's panties?

 

[pixburgher66]

I lost respect for Kobe with the whole hotel room fiasco, but she was clearly in it for the money, and nothing more...same thing with other guys that think they're invincible (*coughBENcough*).

On what he said about his teammates again: I agree with most of you that calling guys out in the media can work...but I'm not sure that's the best idea with the guys he's calling out. For certain guys it'd work, because it'd piss them off in a positive way and they'd be motivated...I don't think Bynum is that kind of guy.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

I lost respect for Kobe with the whole hotel room fiasco, but she was clearly in it for the money, and nothing more...same thing with other guys that think they're invincible (*coughBENcough*).

On what he said about his teammates again: I agree with most of you that calling guys out in the media can work...but I'm not sure that's the best idea with the guys he's calling out. For certain guys it'd work, because it'd piss them off in a positive way and they'd be motivated...I don't think Bynum is that kind of guy.

Agreed. Kobe may be a piece of shit who cheated on his wife, but the gold digger who cried r*pe is a thousand times worse.

Someone told me Kobe was on IV bags to keep fluids in his body... I don't know man, I hold professional athletes to a higher standard when it comes class and image, but if I was so sick I needed IV bags to keep hydrated and I busted my ass up and down the court and I had to drag a bunch of slackers with me, I'd be ROYALLY pissed at the end of the night. Kobe shouldn't have said what he said, in theory, but me personally I would have said a lot worse.

 

[pixburgher66]

I mean, that could've been his Michael-moment...but when it comes down to it, Michael wouldn't have had that moment without a helluva good team around him.

 

[abaskin18]

Sometimes being a leader means you have to be an ass. When your team doesn't want to follow you to glory you might have to grab them by the hair and drag them there.

I don't disagree. I just personally wonder how Bynum, in particular but not exclusively, is going to respond next game. The immature folks I know don't like being called out publicly, but he might respond.

 

[IPostedWhat]

Sometimes being a leader means you have to be an ass. When your team doesn't want to follow you to glory you might have to grab them by the hair and drag them there.

Sounds like a tactic he tried back in '03 in Colorado?


Besides, Kobe is just pulling a Kareem?

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

granted they lost
granted he came up with 31 points after a game 5 46 points

but you dont fucking say that never ever ever. he's always been this way. hell always be this way. fuck he's good. fuck he's arrogant.

When you win Championships you can get away with being arrogant. LeChoke isn't the player Kobe is & he never will be.

Don't mistake me for a Lakers fan. I hope Denver Kicks their ASS!!

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

This douche fuck is cheering for the Kings. We're doomed.

What did you expect a professional athlete in LA to say, that he's cheering for the Yotes?

Besides Kobe is from Philly. The Kings are the Flyers West.