Me and Kobe

“Kobe Bryant the best player in the NBA” is a common quote I’ve heard for many many years. My relationship with Kobe as been a roller coaster. Mind you, I don’t know the guy personally but we definitely have had our ups and downs.

First he comes into the league straight out of high school. Back then I could not stand Teams drafting players that early. I felt that they weren’t ready and most weren’t. Players would spend roughly three years on the bench before seeing them turn into “something.” So from the beginning I wasn’t feeling Kobe because of the straight to high school thing, but I got over it.

Second, Kobe wanting be the star over Shaq in L.A. Sure they won Titles but really KB you were playing with Shaq…not the other way around. Shaq was the star. So Kobe’s “arrogance” yes that word is used a lot with Kobe, was another pet peeve I had against the guy.

Third, so Shaq leaves L.A. or gets pushed out…whatever and NOW Kobe has the team to himself. He’s the star! I still wasn’t on the Kobe bandwagon at this point. Yes he was a scoring machine. He can not be stop. But the Lakers weren’t winning as everyone had thought. So with the losing Kobe starts to change a bit. It seems as if he’s more humbled. Doesn’t seem as arrogant as he did when Shaq was on his team and they we’re winning championships. At this point my Kobe boycott was beginning to disappear. I was starting to give KB his props. Kobe was finally HUMBLED! or was he?

Flash-forward 2008 NBA Conference Finals Lakers vs. Spurs game 1. Now, I’m feeling good about KB. He’s humble, he’s thinking about his teammates. Giving them their props. I’m good with Kobe. But then, he brings it ALL back down. With the come from behind win in that game Kobe very “arrogantly” says “I can turn it on at anytime” WTF!

Dude you ruined it.