You might ask yourself who I am speaking of in the title of my posting: Yes, there is only one Kobe Bryant. Before you move away from my blog (again - I know, the last time you saw his name, you immediately headed for another website), try to be patient with me and read the article below. Yes, the author admits Kobe's past selfishness, but is optimistic and spotlights his athleticism:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-heisler-lakers-20100429,0,5310675.column
The series is currently 3-2, Lakers lead.
Game 6, at Oklahoma City, Friday, 6:30, Channel 9 (for those of you who live in southern California)
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I think someone once said, "It's rare that people change." I don't think Kobe is one of those rarities. He still possesses the ability to pout. And although he claims to involve his teammates, you can still see his selfish, centristic thoughts in his statement that he could have scored 50 points, but thought he would involve others....uh, yeah, what? That's someone who can't share the spotlight; he wants to take credit for Pau's strong game. (As if Pau couldn't have done it without Kobe's help.) Sounds like Kobe still has issues with sharing. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou may be right about people not changing, but I do think that most people are improving, Kobe included. Let's take the past 4 years for example - Kobe has improved on his "issues with sharing" (mikejolley) and his team has built him up to be the star. It is not just his mindset and his teammates are ok with this. For example, in the game against Phoenix during the second week of March, "Pau Gasol said afterward his occasions of public criticism of Bryant shooting too much in some Lakers losses this season are simply things anyone watching the game can notice — and are meant to be constructive.
ReplyDelete“It’s nothing against Kobe or individual,” Gasol said. “It’s all about our team’s success. Nothing (personal) like that. That’s why I think he understands.” I think that he and Gasol work well together, as we have witnessed in the playoffs thus far.
Another article about Kobe stating (or lack of) about Gasol's presence: "Bryant could come out and say that Gasol had never won a playoff game until arriving to the Lakers. He could tell Gasol that the Lakers still had the NBA’s best record without him for a month to start the season. He could tell him to make a free throw in the last minutes of tough games, tell him to toughen up. Truth be told, Kobe Bryant could tell Pau Gasol to simply shut the bleep up. Only, Bryant doesn’t do it. Tempted? Well, of course. Yet, the reason for such restraint is simple: The Lakers desperately need Gasol, and a public chastising of him would almost assuredly reduce his fragile psyche to rubble, costing Bryant the player he needs to catch Michael Jordan and his six championship rings." There you have it. Bryant understands and knows the value of having Gasol on the team.
Above reference: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-kobelakers031310
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