He does have three rings. (But it was under Shaq’s leadership which he resented). Comparing the Shaq-Kobe and Jordan-Pippen tandem is very inaccurate. Jordan practically molded Pippen. I should know because this was my generation. During those days, Chicago wasn’t called the Bulls, but the Chicago Jordans because their talent level was so pathetic, Jordan was the only one making a difference… As a matter of fact, It was widely believed Jordan wasn’t concerned about winning a championship. He never believed in his team but he believed in breaking records…

Hey! it took seven years before he got his first Championship and this was primarily due to three factors, Jordan brought out the best in da Pip, Phil Jackson philosophy of ball control, and an aging Lakers. The Bulls grew to greater heights and they achieved their legacy in Basketball History and Im not even a Jordan fan to say this, But I do respect and admire him a lot.

Basketball Fans of the 70′s, 80′s and early 90′s clearly see the class acts of the stars then. But they also see the classless acts of todays players and Kobe leads that pack. A.I. second. “Practice? Talking about Practice?

Kobe’s fans simply come from this generation who adore players because of their tatoos and not their game. This is also a generation of Tatooed and Jeweled players with mediocore games. Nothing against the expressions.. But I do think the players today should realize their games should speak of themselves, not their personal effects.

This is the generation Kobe is making his mark. But instead of influencing it with his talent and example, He is allowing it to influence himself.

Kobe had all the options. All what was wanted of him was patience to wait for his time. The Patience to respect the legacy of Shaq, the Mailman and the Glove…

Had he have the maturity to realize this, He wouldn’t be in the situation he is right now, Image wise.

Sure he is talented, and people adore him for this, but once he starts diminishing his moves, once he starts slowing down due to age, What will be his excuse this time? Jeannie Buss? I expect his critics to write nasty books against him. I mean how can you discount Malone, Shaq and Glove as teammates without a championship? Absurd. Really Absurd.

The Lakers dont have a championship yet since the Post Shaq years.. Shaq has one with Miami and is not far fetched to get another one despite his obvious decline. This was the time Kobe was suppose to emerge with Shaq. Kobe without Shaq as of presstime has no titles. The Lakers are no longer Showtime.

Kobe has another chance with Gasol, Bynum, Odom, Fischer and a great bench with Turiaf, Walton and Sasha V.

I doubt however if he will ever win a championship again which will put his name in history in a more sullen light. If he does win one, It should be to the credit of Phil Jackson and Mitch Kuptchak. These two built the team together despite of a malcontent. Two individuals Kobe chastized and resisted publicly.

Jordan won championships with Cartwright, Longley, Perdue and even an aging John Salley. Kobe had to be equipped with the Gasols, the Odom’s, the Bynum’s and still couldnt establish a winning momentum, and Evidently, He is still not happy. Still a Whiner.

How do you deny a Tiger of his stripes and Leopard, of his spots.

Because Kobe is Kobe and will always be. I hope he proves me wrong.

KJ, so you were rooting for Utah? Ugh. Your Warrior fandom has been revoked.

The answer was probably just incompetence by Delaney, but as you point when the league plays “see no evil” with such an absurd call, these lingering questions sit and fester.

It seems last years success went to his head and he lost his hustle/hunger, which was all he had. If he cannot regain both and/or realize that he is not a star, or even a mid level guy , he will be better served.

Barnes was a scrapper who hustled and always tried outworking the opponent, then he became a cocky scrub.

and really, i like alots stars are whiners. paul pierce, d-wade, steve nash, amare, and so on and on. i guess it’s just the way it is these days.

but man, the lakers are strong. great ball movement and pretty good defense. with pau and bynum, that makes their interior defense even stronger. kobe and fisher are good perimeter defenders. odom is as versatile as any players in this league. just look at the way they clamp down on the w’s in the 2nd half of both games, esp ellis. no wonder jackson said they are the team to beat. they can definitely hang with anyone out west.

But He is not the better player than Jordan. Jordan is a leader while Kobe is a hater. Jordan never demanded great names for teammates, Kobe demands them with his endless pouting. He now got Gasol, who is also a whiner himself, yet they still could’nt figure out a clear identity for the team.

Jordan never tanked a game. He wants the blame for the loss of a game. Kobe, In my opinion and observance, tanked games before, that’s why they lost the Championship to Detroit. Kobe scores 40 to 50 one night then he suddenly dips into single digit scores.

Kobe can’t share the limelight, Jordan is secured of himself and makes it a point to his teammates that they do their best every game.

Kobe is just going to be one Talented kid, but I really doubt if he will produce a championship.