Support NeoGAF

[giri]

Kobe isn't MJ. He will never be MJ. I don't see anybody currently playing that will reach that first tier of great players, including Kobe, and especially LeBron. The media is looking for something that doesn't exist.

The only one who has a shot at it is durant, IMO.

He's the only one left who can make him self a legacy like Jordans.

DMC is the only young big that i can see leaving a legacy as good as Shaqs too. But he's much further away from that.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

The only one who has a shot at it is durant, IMO.

He's the only one left who can make him self a legacy like Jordans.

DMC is the only young big that i can see leaving a legacy as good as Shaqs too. But he's much further away from that.

Durant has a chance of being in the argument of a top 10 player since he is young, he's a scorer, plays on a team that has the potential to run off a string of titles, and to do it in a city that has never won a championship before. I agree.

 

[sf2fanatic]

You really want to go down this road?

Telling me if Magic didn't get hurt you think Bulls would still cake walked to the title that year?

 

[Emwitus]

The kobe hate is strong here.

 

[Touch]

durant has a chance to be compared to kobe not jordan. kobe is the only being that can be in the realm of discussion of jordan. facts non-fiction

 

[Syphon Filter]

The only one who has a shot at it is durant, IMO.

He's the only one left who can make him self a legacy like Jordans.

DMC is the only young big that i can see leaving a legacy as good as Shaqs too. But he's much further away from that.

Agree on Durant,he seems to be growing and learning at a good pace.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Telling me if Magic didn't get hurt you think Bulls would still cake walked to the title that year?

It was Byron Scott and James Worthy that were injured.

 

[giri]

durant has a chance to be compared to kobe not jordan. kobe is the only being that can be in the realm of discussion of jordan. facts non-fiction

Here's another "Fact". Durants 23. He's not even in his prime yet. And he's added to his game every year.

I think by 23 Kobe had been on Shaq's three-peat team, or they were on their run at the time?

But thats the only negative.

He really has that potential.

But i aint crowning his ass, he's got a lot to prove about late game situations still him self. And i dont remember a series where i thought "wow, durant was by far and away the best player in the series"

 

[Syphon Filter]

I heard bynum got fined for not wanting to talk to them media.

 

[marathonfool]

It was Byron Scott and James Worthy that were injured.

LOL. Rest my case. They got injured Game 4 too.

 

[Jeff-DSA]

I heard bynum got fined for not wanting to talk to them media.

Bynum? More like Finehim, amirite?

 

[giri]

Bynum? More like Finehim, amirite?

soriteithurts

 

[Emwitus]

Here's another "Fact". Durants 23. He's not even in his prime yet. And he's added to his game every year.

I think by 23 Kobe had been on Shaq's three-peat team, or they were on their run at the time?

But thats the only negative.

He really has that potential.

But i aint crowning his ass, he's got a lot to prove about late game situations still him self. And i dont remember a series where i thought "wow, durant was by far and away the best player in the series"

Kobe is a great player and is arguably the closest to jordan we are ever going to get in a long time. (Same position and all). Until durant wins a title, Lebron will claim the spotlight until durant is in his prime....And lebron's on crutches, cause right now, lebron is still on another level.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Here's another "Fact". Durants 23. He's not even in his prime yet. And he's added to his game every year.

I think by 23 Kobe had been on Shaq's three-peat team, or they were on their run at the time?

But thats the only negative.

He really has that potential.

But i aint crowning his ass, he's got a lot to prove about late game situations still him self. And i dont remember a series where i thought "wow, durant was by far and away the best player in the series"

Here are some other interesting tidbits to think about:

Kevin Durant could very well run off 3-4 more years in a row of being scoring champ. The only person who has been close to him is Kobe and Kobe is on his last legs.

Kevin Durant could have been drafted by the Blazers but instead they drafted a big man

Kevin Durant can win a chip for a franchise that has never won it before

Just interesting.

 

[sf2fanatic]

It was Byron Scott and James Worthy that were injured.

Ok Thanks for the clarification. Losing 2 big stars...

Other than the reign with Shaq, Still think Most of Kobe's rings he had to work the hardest compare to MJ and maybe Leborn. As far as Talent..

Scottie Pippen-dammit he shattered dreams with his D...

 

[Touch]

the best thing durant has going for him is the fact he has many "could be" ahead of him. kobe turned his could bes into "does". that whats makes him great and in the talks with jordan.

 

[jordan0386]

Here's another "Fact". Durants 23. He's not even in his prime yet. And he's added to his game every year.

I think by 23 Kobe had been on Shaq's three-peat team, or they were on their run at the time?

But thats the only negative.

He really has that potential.

But i aint crowning his ass, he's got a lot to prove about late game situations still him self. And i dont remember a series where i thought "wow, durant was by far and away the best player in the series"

He had 41 in the close out vs Denver last year.

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Kevin Durant thinks that downloading Doodle Jump takes up as much bandwidth as streaming a game.

 

[MorisUkunRasik]

Kevin Durant thinks that downloading Doodle Jump takes up as much bandwidth as streaming a game.

Hahahah

 

[scorcho]

Durant the next Jordan? Surely we all realize that Westbrook is the gogo juice for Oklahoma City. How could he be the next Jordan when he isn't even the alpha on his own team? OKC live and die of Bestbrook's J and penetration. Take him away and all Durant would have is another early round exit and Harden's beard hogging all his shots as a starter.

Bestbrook and his Sally Jessy glasses make me holla.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Durant the next Jordan? Surely we all realize that Westbrook is the gogo juice for Oklahoma City. How could he be the next Jordan when he isn't even the alpha on his own team? OKC live and die of Bestbrook's J and penetration. Take him away and all Durant would have is another early round exit and Harden's beard hogging all his shots as a starter.

Bestbrook and his Sally Jessy glasses make me holla.

To be fair, Scottie was the gogo juice for Chicago in that his defense, his wing play, his ability to be second fiddle was invaluable. MJ was the Godfather, no doubt, but Scottie's peerless abilities put fear into the opposition.

 

[The Chosen One]

durant has a chance to be compared to kobe not jordan. kobe is the only being that can be in the realm of discussion of jordan. facts non-fiction

Ever since the days of Harold Minor when the search for MJ's heir-apparent began, Kobe is the only one who can be in the discussion without laughing out loud profusely. And even still Kobe falls well short, but so far he's come the closest in the post-Jordan era. He has the championship rings and he's managed to adjust/improve his game to where he can still enter Demi-God mode despite having lost a lot of his athleticism. It's crazy that he almost won the scoring title this year at his age and with his wear and tear. Kobe is also hyper-competitive like the classic 80s players. He's not buddy-buddy texting and twittering with other players. His single focus is getting more championships than MJ. Not becoming a global marketing icon.

I don't know if Durant is going to get up to Jordan's level. I want to see if Durant will improve other areas of his game such as his defense and developing a better interior game. Jordan just wasn't a scorer. He basically maxed the sliders on ALL his attributes.

 

[Touch]

the only reason why westbrook is getting any attention is because rose is out.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Ever since the days of Harold Minor when the search for MJ's heir-apparent began, Kobe is the only one who can be in the discussion without laughing out loud profusely. And even still Kobe falls well short, but so far he's come the closest in the post-Jordan era. He has the championship rings and he's managed to adjust/improve his game to where he can still enter Demi-God mode despite having lost a lot of his athleticism. It's crazy that he almost won the scoring title this year at his age and with his wear and tear. Kobe is also hyper-competitive like the classic 80s players. He's not buddy-buddy texting and twittering with other players. His single focus is getting more championships than MJ. Not becoming a global marketing icon.

I don't know if Durant is going to get up to Jordan's level. I want to see if Durant will improve other areas of his game such as his defense and developing a better interior game. Jordan just wasn't a scorer. He basically maxed the sliders on ALL his attributes.

Agreed. LeBron is the most and best equipped athlete that has ever arrived on an NBA court BUT he is missing that key ingredient that the greats, the true greats were born with. Can't be taught. Can't be developed. Can't be bought. Can't be produced in a lab. You either have it or you don't and he doesn't have it.

 

[SUPREME1]

To be fair, Scottie was the gogo juice for Chicago in that his defense, his wing play, his ability to be second fiddle was invaluable. MJ was the Godfather, no doubt, but Scottie's peerless abilities put fear into the opposition.

Pippen > Harden > YNB > Wade

 

[jordan0386]

Or maybe because he is just as good.

 

[Prototype-03]

The kobe hate is strong here.

Kobe's unfortunate that he doesn't have freakish physical attributes. Jordan was able to cover the whole ball when both his hands touched the ball, making it impossible to steal. Kobe gets stripped ALL the time. He also can't palm the ball as well. LBJ is a physical freak. So is Durant.

Kobe got to that level by sheer willpower and skill *

*This does not mean that LBJ, Durant and Jordan did not have will power; he just did not have the physical advantage

 

[Liquidsnake]

If Lebron wins 3 chips, he will never get respect, because of how he went about it. When Lebron's legs get heavy his career is finished.

Durant signed a 5 year extension..................

Kobe will never get the respect he deserves, because some of you made up your mind that you just don't like him.

1)Kobe
2)Jordan
3)Magic

 

[Vyer]

Lebron has the physical gifts and skillset to be up there, but doesn't seem to have much of the drive, will or confidence that would have to go with it. Durant is impressive on what he has done at his age, but I agree with giri that he's still got some work to do.

 

[DY_nasty]

the only reason why westbrook is getting any attention is because rose is out.

Naw, he's been playing well. His biggest flaw has always been the fact that he's an idiot, but he's managed to either hide that or stay hot throughout these playoffs.

If Lebron wins 3 chips, he will never get respect, because of how he went about it.

Durant signed a 5 year extension..................

Kobe will never get the respect he deserves, because some of you made up your mind that you just don't like him.

1)Kobe
2)Jordan
3)Magic

I love Kobe. That doesn't mean that he's free from criticism though.

This ain't realgm.

And what does signing an extension have to do with anything?

 

[obijkenobi]

Did you guys ever read this story on Pop not being the Coach for Team USA? There's more to the article, but apparently it Pop and Colangelo hate each other. I never knew this. This was from 2007

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-popovich103107

There's one thing that Popovich has a hard time getting over, one thing beyond the Spurs universe that desperately appealed to him: Coaching Team USA in the 2008 Olympics. He wanted the job badly, yes, but he could live with the disappointment of Jerry Colangelo passing him over for Mike Krzyzewski. This had nothing to do with the Duke coach's credentials, sources said, but everything to do with Popovich's belief that the Team USA managing director, Colangelo, a past Phoenix Suns CEO, had needlessly cast doubt on the sincerity of something that Popovich held sacred.

First of all, sources say Popovich was frustrated two years ago that he never had a chance to sit down and meet with Colangelo about the Olympic job. They had one telephone conversation, and Popovich had been told that a face-to-face discussion would follow it. Yet Colangelo traveled to see Krzyzewski, and the coach that Colangelo confesses now was always "his first choice" was soon chosen for the USA reclamation project.

In explaining his choice of Krzyzewski over Popovich, sources say, Colangelo infuriated the Spurs coach with the public suggestions that he wasn't as enthusiastic about the job as Duke's coach, that he didn't seem to want it as badly.

The residue of Larry Brown's embarrassing behavior as coach in Athens didn't help Popovich's case, either. For USA Basketball, though, Popovich was the voice of reason on the bench in those Olympics, an anchor for a Brown on the lunatic fringe. In this instance, his association to Brown was no benefit to his immediate future with Team USA.

Just this summer, Colangelo told me, "I think (Popovich) had a bad taste in his mouth regarding his most recent experiences with USA Basketball, some bitterness, and that came out in my conversation with him. He seemed burned out by it. … He just wasn't as enthusiastic as Mike."

Popovich wanted to respond to those assertions over a year ago, but resisted the urge. Then, this summer, Colangelo started telling those tales again, and Popovich was irate, sources said. Popovich was an Air Force Academy graduate, a Russian studies major who did tours of duty as an intelligence officer in Eastern Europe and Russia. As a coach, he had spent several summers of his professional career on USA Basketball staffs. So, the last thing that he was willing to accept was a public perception that, somehow, he was ambivalent over the opportunity to coach the U.S. in the Olympics.

Finally last month, Popovich ripped off a stern letter to Colangelo, copying it to the highest levels of the NBA hierarchy. Those who have seen the letter say that Popovich's message to Colangelo was clear: Stop talking about USA Basketball and me. Popovich told him his side of the story, and told him that he didn't need to respond. Just knock it off.

 

[Dominican Power]

To be fair, Scottie was the gogo juice for Chicago in that his defense, his wing play, his ability to be second fiddle was invaluable. MJ was the Godfather, no doubt, but Scottie's peerless abilities put fear into the opposition.

All those years of Jordan being solely the go to guy on his team yielded him virtually nothing. No one wins championships by themselves, not Micheal and definitely not Magic, even though they were the catalysts.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

If Lebron wins 3 chips, he will never get respect, because of how he went about it. When Lebron's legs get heavy his career is finished.

Durant signed a 5 year extension..................

Kobe will never get the respect he deserves, because some of you made up your mind that you just don't like him.

1)Kobe
2)Jordan
3)Magic

smh.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Did you guys ever read this story on Pop not being the Coach for Team USA? There's more to the article, but apparently it Pop and Colangelo hate each other. I never knew this. This was from 2007

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-popovich103107

There's one thing that Popovich has a hard time getting over, one thing beyond the Spurs universe that desperately appealed to him: Coaching Team USA in the 2008 Olympics. He wanted the job badly, yes, but he could live with the disappointment of Jerry Colangelo passing him over for Mike Krzyzewski. This had nothing to do with the Duke coach's credentials, sources said, but everything to do with Popovich's belief that the Team USA managing director, Colangelo, a past Phoenix Suns CEO, had needlessly cast doubt on the sincerity of something that Popovich held sacred.

First of all, sources say Popovich was frustrated two years ago that he never had a chance to sit down and meet with Colangelo about the Olympic job. They had one telephone conversation, and Popovich had been told that a face-to-face discussion would follow it. Yet Colangelo traveled to see Krzyzewski, and the coach that Colangelo confesses now was always "his first choice" was soon chosen for the USA reclamation project.

In explaining his choice of Krzyzewski over Popovich, sources say, Colangelo infuriated the Spurs coach with the public suggestions that he wasn't as enthusiastic about the job as Duke's coach, that he didn't seem to want it as badly.

The residue of Larry Brown's embarrassing behavior as coach in Athens didn't help Popovich's case, either. For USA Basketball, though, Popovich was the voice of reason on the bench in those Olympics, an anchor for a Brown on the lunatic fringe. In this instance, his association to Brown was no benefit to his immediate future with Team USA.

Just this summer, Colangelo told me, "I think (Popovich) had a bad taste in his mouth regarding his most recent experiences with USA Basketball, some bitterness, and that came out in my conversation with him. He seemed burned out by it. … He just wasn't as enthusiastic as Mike."

Popovich wanted to respond to those assertions over a year ago, but resisted the urge. Then, this summer, Colangelo started telling those tales again, and Popovich was irate, sources said. Popovich was an Air Force Academy graduate, a Russian studies major who did tours of duty as an intelligence officer in Eastern Europe and Russia. As a coach, he had spent several summers of his professional career on USA Basketball staffs. So, the last thing that he was willing to accept was a public perception that, somehow, he was ambivalent over the opportunity to coach the U.S. in the Olympics.

Finally last month, Popovich ripped off a stern letter to Colangelo, copying it to the highest levels of the NBA hierarchy. Those who have seen the letter say that Popovich's message to Colangelo was clear: Stop talking about USA Basketball and me. Popovich told him his side of the story, and told him that he didn't need to respond. Just knock it off.

God I love Pop.

 

[Vyer]

Kevin Durant thinks that downloading Doodle Jump takes up as much bandwidth as streaming a game.

lol.

 

[Liquidsnake]

Naw, he's been playing well. His biggest flaw has always been the fact that he's an idiot, but he's managed to either hide that or stay hot throughout these playoffs.


I love Kobe. That doesn't mean that he's free from criticism though.

This ain't realgm.

And what does signing an extension have to do with anything?

Hes going to stay in OK, not go to NY or some other big market to chase. Like Mr. James.

Lebron could have become a legend with one trophy in Cleveland. Instead of three in Miami.

Which I don't think he will get.

 

[DY_nasty]

Hes going to stay in OK, not go to NY or some other big market to chase. Like Mr. James.

Lebron could have become a legend with one trophy in Cleveland. Instead of three in Miami.

Which I don't think he will get.

LBJ signed an extension with Cleveland too.

I could really care less about LBJ's public perception anymore. He's the best player in the league by far - just sucks because it doesn't translate to showing up big in big games like it should.

 

[Touch]

Naw, he's been playing well. His biggest flaw has always been the fact that he's an idiot, but he's managed to either hide that or stay hot throughout these playoffs.

he just doesn't have the iq right now. and him being an idiot i don't think he will ever get it. lots of players play well, hell lots of players get spot light games like he did the other day. that doesn't make him the driving force of the team. that can get them a couple games but most of the time that isn't enough.

lets see how he does tonight. i think he will have a poor game but maybe he has the switch now and its flipped to on, who knows. we will see though.

 

[marathonfool]

Durant will never be up there because he can't dribble nor pass the ball. He's a great scorer off the pass and break, but his dribbling and passing ability is a huge weakness when talking about the pantheons of basketball. Westbrook and Harden make up for Durant's weaknesses.

 

[Black Mamba]

the first extension is meaningless. You're an RFA getting matched no matter what.

And you don't take the 1 year deal for $7 million with $80 million on the table. No matter what. That kind of risk is stupid.

 

[Liquidsnake]

LBJ signed an extension with Cleveland too.

I guess being from LA I am just used to our stars playing here for 10+ years, and having their jerseys up in the rafters.

LBJ signed an extension with Cleveland too.

I could really care less about LBJ's public perception anymore. He's the best player in the league by far - just sucks because it doesn't translate to showing up big in big games like it should.

That kind of tells me all I need to know about him as a person. Ill take Kobe heart over James skill anytime.

 

[reilo]

Kevin Durant thinks that downloading Doodle Jump takes up as much bandwidth as streaming a game.

I'd rather play Doodle Jump, anyway.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

I guess being from LA I am just used to our stars playing here for 10+ years, and having their jerseys up in the rafters.



That kind of tells me all I need to know about him as a person. Ill take Kobe heart over James skill anytime.

I don't think most will disagree with taking Kobe over Lebron but when you elevate Kobe above MJ that is when you will be laughed at.

 

[DY_nasty]

I guess being from LA I am just used to our stars playing here for 10+ years, and having their jerseys up in the rafters.

Outside of Kobe, does that apply to anyone from this generation?

he just doesn't have the iq right now. and him being an idiot i don't think he will ever get it. lots of players play well, hell lots of players get spot light games like he did the other day. that doesn't make him the driving force of the team. that can get them a couple games but most of the time that isn't enough.

lets see how he does tonight. i think he will have a poor game but maybe he has the switch now and its flipped to on, who knows. we will see though.

He's still an idiot. He's just playing well. I fully expect him to torch LA because they have no one in their regular rotation that can guard him. He's no MVP or anything... he just hasn't shot his team in the foot yet and he's played exceptionally well.

I fully expect Pop to awaken the dormant dumbass within though.

Durant will never be up there because he can't dribble nor pass the ball. He's a great scorer off the pass and break, but his dribbling and passing ability is a huge weakness when talking about the pantheons of basketball. Westbrook and Harden make up for Durant's weaknesses.

He's going to have to branch out sooner or later. His presence on the court is... he doesn't control things the way most big scorers have in the past.

I guess being from LA I am just used to our stars playing here for 10+ years, and having their jerseys up in the rafters.



That kind of tells me all I need to know about him as a person. Ill take Kobe heart over James skill anytime.

Kobe heart shoots you out of a game or leaves you looking stupid and lost in Cleveland.

But lets act like Kobe was never a dick in LA.

 

[Liquidsnake]

I don't think most will disagree with taking Kobe over Lebron but when you elevate Kobe above MJ that is when you will be laughed at.

Sorry. I just know he was handed 2 championships by stern, and I think he was over rated.

He played during the most corrupt time of the NBA.

 

[Emwitus]

I guess being from LA I am just used to our stars playing here for 10+ years, and having their jerseys up in the rafters.



That kind of tells me all I need to know about him as a person. Ill take Kobe heart over James skill anytime.

Kobe doesn't need lebron's skill, just his body. I think kobe is arguably the most skilled offensive player to ever play the game.

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Lebron is not as skilled as Kobe. Lebron is more athletic, but Kobe is more skilled. Easily.

 

[Liquidsnake]

Kobe doesn't need lebron's skill, just his body.

Yeah. That is more correct of a statement.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Sorry. I just know he was handed 2 championships by stern, and I think he was over rated.

He played during the most corrupt time of the NBA.

Wait, what? What championships were handed to him? And most corrupt? Come on man. He played during such a greater era than the 2000s when Kobe won. I am a Lakers fan and huge Kobe fan but MJ's championships are much more impressive IMO than Kobe's.

 

[Vyer]

Lebron was wasting his time in Cleveland. Comic Sans gave him nothing for teammates and Mike Brown for a coach. I still laugh at how people tried to pretend that Cleveland had good teams around Lebron.

I had no problem with him leaving Cleveland. I did have a problem with doing it in the most douchebag way possible.