Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA hands down. The series that just took place between the Lakers and Celtics was a classic, from games 1 thru to 7. I was LAL since the start of the year and had written that they'd win at about the 1/2 way point of the season, but I did not anticipate they'd have a real hard time like they did against a solid Celtics team. First of all I had the Magic in the finals, and I'm still in shock that they didn't make it thru. I called the Cavs unraveling from time as well, but the Celtics were nowhere on my radar.
I don't wanna go on and on with a "I told you so rant" but its kinda hard not to at this moment. The series between the Celtics and Lakers was a classic, there is something between these two teams, that just brings out that '95 style ball which I love, and makes things for even the most casual of NBA fans watch and be intrigued. The Lakers were on the ropes from about game 2-6, seriously, if your a Laker fan then you were shaking in your Nike's at times in this series.
Game 7 alone, was cause for cardiac arrest, and to think that it was neck and neck the entire game, only to have the Lakers close them out at the end was a classic finish to one of the better finals series played in the last while.
Enter: Black Mamba.
If you read the blog then you guys (and gals) know I'm a huge KB24 fan, since I'd say 2001, when I sat back and said, "hmmmmmm, hmmmmm, hmmmm......" I didn't wanna give him those props so quickly but, his play in those Laker 3pete years was just crazy, regardless of Shaq playing with the Lakers at the time. The guy was just made to play this game, like the greats before him he does it with ease. I still love hearing a lot of peeps talkin Dwade/Lebron, Melo, etc as the best in the league. Ummm, not even in respect, if you ask anyone of those guys who they think is the best, ill pretty much bet on them sayin Kobe.
At this point Kobe has reached "OG" status in the L but what's really f'd up is, he's only like 31 or 30 perhaps. Next season he'll be even deadlier I'm convinced, in that all of his ailments (that he plays with constantly) should be sorted out. I mean the guy iced this finals for LAL with 6 functional fingers, 1/2 a knee and ankle, and being the top 2 guard in the L and playing for almost what, 13/14 seasons now, and making the post season for maybe 10 of those seasons, your body takes a f'n beating. But this guy just keeps on going and plays at a level only matched by few in the history of the game.
I'm already looking at taking a futures bet on a LAL championship next season, regardless of how things shape up with this looming free agency pending this week. The Lakers have a solid foundation, great players who understand D and the triangle, continuity and the best f'n player in the planet on their team, who will be a lot healthier next season then he has been over the last few years. So that means plain old trouble for the rest of the league.
Sure Kobe is getting a little older, and he's not the same athlete he once was when he was an eighteen year old kid winning the dunk off. But the greats in any sport find a way to get it done. Sticking on Basketball, look at how Jordan adjusted his game as he got a little older. He made a shot infamous....the post up fade, it was unstoppable, and you always had to respect him for the drive. Kobe similar to Jordan in this respect, has adjusted his game over the years to ensure his longevity and effectiveness. Kobe is a guy that is a true threat on the O end of the ball, not just for his perimeter game but the fact that he can slice and dice a D, work that triangle to his benefit and kill you another way. There's really no stopping him. On the defensive end of the court, he's mastered the art of footwork, body'n up and irritating another player to the point where you can't do anything. Chances are, that same guy is guarding him on the other end of the court and he's gas'ed. Kobe knows this and takes full advantage of that, and his conditioning is arguably the best in the league. How many guys with that much mileage on their bodies can light you up for 40 any given night of the week?? Seriously, who and how many!?
Kobe has the resume and watching the ABC coverage they kept on referring to his career as 'legendary' which just blows my mind. Cause I remember when he took Brandy to the prom lol and did a rap song with Tyra Banks. How things change with time eh....
Next time your out and that guy in the bar goes "lebron is the best, kobe's done....". Well I suggest you fire back with this:
"You got one game, and your life is on the line. You have 4 guys on your squad and you get to pick anyone you want as your fifth....who do you take with your life on the line?"
Any other day I'd take #23 but seeing as he's in his mid 40's now, I'd settle for #24, best closer this game has seen since 1998.....
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Kevin U
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