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Plastic Man · 03-10-2008, 05:04 PM

Here's something that was posted over at RealGM. Long but good read.

http://www.sportshubla.com/2008/03/0...-1-the-closer/

clien · 03-12-2008, 07:53 AM

Phil Jackson COY..that is also a deserved award, and would tickle me just as much as if Kobe were to win the MVP award that he should have already received in yrs past(IMHO)..this has to be Phils best year as coach considering the circumstances of the season

**Timmons** · 03-12-2008, 09:01 AM

I don't quite see how you annoint the MVP award to a guy who was demanding to be traded in the offseason and coasting through the first few months of the season (even though he was playing well, he wasn't playing like Kobe to start this season).

MVP = Most Valuable Player.
Kobe = not even wanting to be on the team! haha. Guy trashes Bynum and the organization then gets some surprising results as the season wears on and snags a 7-footer for nothing and states, paraphrased, WE HAVE THE BEST BENCH IN BASKETBALL.

Very weird season for Kobe...MVP he is not. I say give it to a player who is devoted to his team. Not just during the good times and yes, I realize Kobe played for some garbage teams recently and grew terribly frustrated, but he's not the MVP now just because he realized his team didn't suck as much as he thought it did so he started giving 110% again.

Plastic Man · 03-12-2008, 10:43 AM

LOL. Even Mitch Cupchak has complimented Bryant in his recent interview that he is impressed how he was able to put all the trade talk and things that were going on off the court to the back on his mind and play for the best of the franchise and the ball club and give it a 100%, so forgive me if I believe him rather than your "coasting through the first few months of the season" accusations. He gave his best in the very season opener for Christ's sake. Overcame the boos of his home crowd (justified I might add, since he demanded the trade) and turned them into cheers and chants again.

Anyway, all the things you say are completely irrelevant to him being or not being the MVP and have no base whatsoever. I'm surprised you didn't bring the "fact" that he drove Shaq out of town or the rape trial into the discussion as well.

"but he's not the MVP now just because he realized his team didn't suck as much as he thought it did so he started giving 110% again."

No you're right. He's not the MVP because of that, he's the MVP because he's lead his team to the 1st spot in the WC with only 18 games to play and has put up great numbers across the board. That's why.

p.s.: not that I condone "the tape", but it was blown way out of proportion. He said:"Ship his *** out." Oh, dear Lord, he really trashed him with that. I mean, who would possibly want to trade a future HOF poing guard for a backup center with flashes that he might become something in 5 years. He didn't say Bynum is stupid, ugly or doesn't know how to play basketball and is the next coming of Kwame Brown. He said... trade him. Get over it. By the way, did you happen to think about the possibility that the results (albeit being surprising) have came because the team overcame the off season distractions and played as a group. Yeah, I didn't think so.

p.s.: don't take this the wrong way, I'm just as eager to criticise Bryant when it comes to pointing out flaws he has on the court and why he should (not) win the award. Bringing totally unrelated stuff into the argument fires me up a bit though.

peace

clien · 03-12-2008, 11:56 AM

it is pretty obsured to say that kobe wasn't dedicated 100% to the lakers once the season started- he may have been unhappy but he didn't let it affect his play or anyone elses play..in-fact one could argue that it gave his teamates a kick in the ***..a little shot of motivation to prove Kobe wrong -i don't want to give Kobe GM of the year just the MVPLAYER

**Basel57** · 03-13-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Asked what his MVP ballot would look like, Bryant says, "I'm not even thinking about that." But when somebody mentions that the Cleveland Cavaliers' James is a favorite because he's a near one-man team, Bryant, who was averaging 28.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists through Sunday, snaps, "Put me in the East and see what happens."

http://www.kb24.com/news/article/534.html

Plastic Man · 03-14-2008, 02:50 AM

^^As much as I like Bryant, I don't know what to think of that response. Then again I do hate LeBron's smirky attitude and how he mentiones Bryant in every interview and plays a humble guy; so I also wouldn't like some fake praises, but I think he could've chosen a middle path. Honestly, I thought Bryant was past this "me and my accolades" stuff.. I hope I'm wrong.

Of course he could've been just upset by someone mentioning that James is a favourite, because he clearly is not

.

**CDRacingZX6R** · 03-14-2008, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plastic Man

LOL. Even Mitch Cupchak has complimented Bryant in his recent interview that he is impressed how he was able to put all the trade talk and things that were going on off the court to the back on his mind and play for the best of the franchise and the ball club and give it a 100%, so forgive me if I believe him rather than your "coasting through the first few months of the season" accusations. He gave his best in the very season opener for Christ's sake. Overcame the boos of his home crowd (justified I might add, since he demanded the trade) and turned them into cheers and chants again.

Anyway, all the things you say are completely irrelevant to him being or not being the MVP and have no base whatsoever. I'm surprised you didn't bring the "fact" that he drove Shaq out of town or the rape trial into the discussion as well.

"but he's not the MVP now just because he realized his team didn't suck as much as he thought it did so he started giving 110% again."

No you're right. He's not the MVP because of that, he's the MVP because he's lead his team to the 1st spot in the WC with only 18 games to play and has put up great numbers across the board. That's why.

p.s.: not that I condone "the tape", but it was blown way out of proportion. He said:"Ship his *** out." Oh, dear Lord, he really trashed him with that. I mean, who would possibly want to trade a future HOF poing guard for a backup center with flashes that he might become something in 5 years. He didn't say Bynum is stupid, ugly or doesn't know how to play basketball and is the next coming of Kwame Brown. He said... trade him. Get over it. By the way, did you happen to think about the possibility that the results (albeit being surprising) have came because the team overcame the off season distractions and played as a group. Yeah, I didn't think so.

p.s.: don't take this the wrong way, I'm just as eager to criticise Bryant when it comes to pointing out flaws he has on the court and why he should (not) win the award. Bringing totally unrelated stuff into the argument fires me up a bit though.

peace

Although I do not believe Kobes actions reflect his MVP status in the off season to me personally. (If anything, his anger at management, lack of moves, etc coming into the season didn't affect his level of play or effort. That should always be remembered. Kobe doesn't quit, will never quit and will want to win no matter what situation he is in).

Reality, if Kobe was the GM of this team we would suck. Kidd and Kobe? Future HOF'er, maybe we could get Kareem to come out of retirement to.

Seriously, that trade would have been awful. The Lakers were not going to trade Bynum, because they believed in his potential. Kobe's comments may have directly influenced Bynum to work harder in the off season, so Kudos. But it's not like Bryant had a master plan envisioned from the start. "Ok, I'm going to call the Buss family idoits, and tell them to ship Bynums *** out. That out to light a fire of trade moves, and player growth!".

Kobe trash talked because he was a cry baby. He desires his legacy to be higher than Jordan's one day, and knows if this team didn't get better and soon, that wouldn't have a chance. (I did agree with his complaints on lack of trades over the last few years, especially passing up potential deals like Baron Davis, etc).

Kobe has also been for lack of the better description, anti-social years previous to this. He has grown a little each year. I do commend him for that as he is truly looking like he is having fun out there. Something that he didn't seem to be doing before. He's also becoming that guy that hangs with the players after practice, and encourages them throughout the games. This is the Kobe the Lakers have needed the last four years.

For me his MVP status is valid because he is playing some of the best defence he's played in years. He's taking better shots for the most part, and distributing the ball well, and he also admitted that if he were the GM of this team, it would have resulted in bad moves. Kobe has grown up a lot this year, and deserves more respect.

Thats just my opinion of course.

Plastic Man · 03-14-2008, 06:03 AM

Good post.

Only this part bothered me; since you quoted me I'll assume that this part is intended for me

"Seriously, that trade would have been awful. The Lakers were not going to trade Bynum, because they believed in his potential. Kobe's comments may have directly influenced Bynum to work harder in the off season, so Kudos. But it's not like Bryant had a master plan envisioned from the start. "Ok, I'm going to call the Buss family idoits, and tell them to ship Bynums *** out. That out to light a fire of trade moves, and player growth!""

Yeah, hindsight it's clear that the deal wouldn't be good. But I'd honestly like to see how many fans wouldn't be okay with the trade going down at that point. Especially with the knowing of Kobe's desire to win some championships. Furthermore, I'm in no way implying that the result as we have it was Kobe's intent all along. I do not agree with his actions in the offseason and I think he could've been more subtle to say the least about his aspirations; it was very immature and unprofessional on his behalf, no matter how frustrated he's grown. I only wanted to point out that in the end some good has come out of the off season debacle = the team regrouped and is playing with great chemistry and a lot of fun. I'm not saying that's why Kobe is the MVP, but what's wrong is saying that unexpected player improvement happened, Kobe realised that and started giving it a 110% and that makes him less deserving of the award like that guy said. Anyway, what a strange turn of events indeed has happened during the past 9 months...
peace

**Timmons** · 03-14-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plastic Man

I'm not saying that's why Kobe is the MVP, but what's wrong is saying that unexpected player improvement happened, Kobe realised that and started giving it a 110% and that makes him less deserving of the award like that guy said. Anyway, what a strange turn of events indeed has happened during the past 9 months

I guess I'm "that guy" haha!
I liked your post and how you defended Kobe. Makes me think about a lot of stuff. Hasn't LeBron been just as vocal in saying he wants better players in Cleveland and was disappointed that Kidd didn't land there? I think he did. He hasn't gone as far as to demand a trade, but there are those out there that think Kobe said as much to motivate the team -- though the media thought it meant to Trade Him.

I guess off season stuff and off the court stuff can be seperated out, but I'm not quite sure how. But if you Laker fans think Kobe has been playing just as hard as he always has then I have to take your word for it...you know his game better than I.

I don't think it much matters who wins MVP - though I guess Kobe wants it for his Legacy. I think we all agree that the NBA Championship trophy is a much better award and means more.

So say Kobe gets the MVP and doesn't win the championship...isn't that a little bittersweet???

DaRizzle · 03-14-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmons

So say Kobe gets the MVP and doesn't win the championship...isn't that a little bittersweet???

**** the championship, all we want is for Kobe to win MVP!!

**Timmons** · 03-14-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaRizzle

**** the championship, all we want is for Kobe to win MVP!!

hahahaha! Nice joke!

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