I think at the peak of his abilities LeBron can be a better all-time player than Kobe, but he simply hasn't done it enough when it matters the most. Rings really do matter cause why else play the game if you don't want to win? I think the exception for ringless players are guys from the Jordan era (Stockton and Malone namely) because well Jordan is Jordan.
Kobe is interesting because I think had they lost the second Finals against Boston, his legacy would be viewed differently. He had just a horrible game (I'll always remember, 6-24) but they won that imporant 5th title. I'd also say its insulting to say Gasol and Bynum are decent secondary players. Kobe needed both of them, as obviously he wasn't doing so great on his own. He needed Gasol more than Bynum, but without them both in 08 they lost to the Celtics. I'm guessing LeBron would have a ring with two pretty talented 7 footers. I'd say top 5 is almost impossible for Kobe to get to without another ring (MJ, Bird, Magic, Wilt, The Big O), but top 10 for sure. LeBron will need at least 3 to be in the conversation.
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"Think I'm gonna be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Sheeee......."
I think at the peak of his abilities LeBron can be a better all-time player than Kobe, but he simply hasn't done it enough when it matters the most. Rings really do matter cause why else play the game if you don't want to win? I think the exception for ringless players are guys from the Jordan era (Stockton and Malone namely) because well Jordan is Jordan.
Kobe is interesting because I think had they lost the second Finals against Boston, his legacy would be viewed differently. He had just a horrible game (I'll always remember, 6-24) but they won that imporant 5th title. I'd also say its insulting to say Gasol and Bynum are decent secondary players. Kobe needed both of them, as obviously he wasn't doing so great on his own. He needed Gasol more than Bynum, but without them both in 08 they lost to the Celtics. I'm guessing LeBron would have a ring with two pretty talented 7 footers. I'd say top 5 is almost impossible for Kobe to get to without another ring (MJ, Bird, Magic, Wilt, The Big O), but top 10 for sure. LeBron will need at least 3 to be in the conversation.
I just don't think rings are the be all and end all when comparing players. if someone of Lebron's talent never does win a ring, certainly that would tarnish his career like nothing else.
But Steve Nash is still an incredible point guard, clutch, has had great playoff performances but doesn't have a ring. It doesn't make him any less of a HOF'er.
Have been really impressed with Boston. They keep fighting and fighting. Kevin Garnett is a phenomenal player even at age 36. What a warrior. I think Boston needs to to win at home in game 6 because I think Miami would win in game 7. I think OKC is winning the championship this year though. Best team left IMO.
I find it funny the hate for Kobe. Only he gets 5 championships discounted because he played with shaq. As if he was contributing 5 points a game. He did just as much to get those teams to championships as shaq did. Then he carried two more squads to titles. Yeah he's a ass, but Jordan was a bigger one. No one talks about how Jordan ruined kwame brown.
I'm pretty sure Kwame sucking is what ruined Kwame. Kobe like LeBron makes it exceptionally easy to hate him. Remember when he used to get pissed off when anyone besides him took the final shot? Yeah thats pretty a pretty big a-hole move to me. And no Kobe did not have as much to do with those first three titles. Shaq was playing at a level only guys like Wilt and Kareem have ever played at. At that time Kobe was more like Pippen, an incredible secondary option, but that offense ran through Shaq for a reason.
Mike is only hateable because he likes to gamble a lot and pretty much sucks as an executive, but nothing he did on the court made me hate him like Kobe or LeBron. I mean 93 Finals is a perfect example of the difference between the 3. Kobe would have jacked up a wild three at the end of Game 6, and LeBron wouldn't even have touched the ball. But there's Jordan, by far the best player in the game, passing it off to....John Paxton.
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"Think I'm gonna be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Sheeee......."
I find it funny the hate for Kobe. Only he gets 5 championships discounted because he played with shaq. As if he was contributing 5 points a game. He did just as much to get those teams to championships as shaq did. Then he carried two more squads to titles. Yeah he's a ass, but Jordan was a bigger one. No one talks about how Jordan ruined kwame brown.
Wade has heart? Wade has shown much less heart these last two games then Lebron and coming back slow and lazy on the defensive end has hurt the Heat a lot.
