Cocky Kobe Bryant is the Best Kobe Bryant
Kobe, NBA, Video January 12th. 2012, 9:31amAs I’ve written many times on this site, I haven’t liked Kobe Bryant since he ran Shaq out of LA and ruined one of the greatest 1-2 punches the NBA has ever seen. But Kobe’s getting ornery in his old age, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the combative attitude he’s put on display the last few weeks. He’s always had a habit of flashing a wry grin after a slick remark, but lately, said remarks have had much more bite than usual.
After he dropped 47 Tuesday against Phoenix, Kobe took a comical jab at some list ESPN compiled in the offseason: “Not bad for the seventh-best player in the league.”
Kobe went for 40 against the Jazz Wednesday. Noted rival Raja Bell went back-and-forth with Kobe all night. Kobe needed 31 shots to score 40 points, which Bell noted to reporters after the game. Shot back Kobe: “He can’t stop me. He knows that. But he’s good enough to make it interesting.”
Does the divorce – with no prenup – have Kobe permanently salty?
Previously: Kobe Bryant’s Wife Vanessa Filed For Divorce and The Couple Has No Prenup
Previously: Defiant Kobe: I’m Not Shooting Less, I Do What I Do, and It’s Not Going to Change
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71 Responses to “Cocky Kobe Bryant is the Best Kobe Bryant”
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January 12th, 2012 at 9:36 AM
Why include this?
January 12th, 2012 at 9:36 AM
I can’t believe people on this site honestly think Magic Johnson is a better Laker than Kobe.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Kobe respects the hell out of Raja. He’s one of the few that’s ever stood up to him and he tried to lure him in free agency last year.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:41 AM
Also very cool watching Kobe hit 11/11 from the free throw line in tight win, while LeBron goes 9/17 in tight loss. Does anyone really see that much of a different LeBron this year?
January 12th, 2012 at 9:41 AM
There is no other Kobe Bryant
January 12th, 2012 at 9:43 AM
If he can sustain somewhere near this level of play (average around 30ppg for the season on 46%+ shooting), it’s really good for the NBA. That game against the Suns was fun to watch- 48 points on 58% shooting with only 12 FTs and no 3′s.
Unfortunately, it seems like he may be going too strong too early. I’d be shocked if he didn’t get burnt out.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:44 AM
There is no other Kobe Bryant
Agree. He’s always been sort of a cocky asshole. And a really really great basketball player. He’s just playing with shit this year.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:46 AM
Hmm, turns out Kobe could see the writing on the wall with Shaq and he ended up with more rings. Life’s funny like that.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:49 AM
The one guy in the NBA you don’t put money against is Kobe.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:50 AM
I do hate Kobe Bryant, and his obnoxious apologists even more, but damn if I don’t respect him. Great player, and a throwback to the days when all the best players weren’t so buddy-buddy.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:51 AM
Does the divorce – with no prenup – have Kobe permanently salty?
Why include this?
‘Cause it’s probably true. I can see Vanessa sitting on her rump cheering him on, since it may mean more money down the road. She can always hire another lawyer and attempt some sort of re-assessment of benefits, child support, etc.
Ain’t fair, and it may vary from state to state, but divorce stinks like that.
/takes some deep breaths
//looks at Shakira pic again
January 12th, 2012 at 9:51 AM
I miss this in the NBA. It made for a much better product.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Cocky Kobe Bryant is the Best Kobe Bryant
He’s my favorite Kobe too-Vanessa’s Divorce Lawyer
January 12th, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Kobe vs Magic- wow, I would take Magic still.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Kobe’s best attribute is his rabbit ears. Kobe’s worst attribute is his rabbit ears.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:54 AM
“He can’t stop me. He knows that. But he’s good enough to make it interesting.”
Gives Raja a burn and respect. Love it.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:54 AM
It’s conjecture and guess work. Just seems like a classic, “make your own conclusions” move by Jace.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:55 AM
I haven’t liked Kobe Bryant since he ran Shaq out of LA
Link?
I can’t believe people on this site honestly think Magic Johnson is a better Laker than Kobe.
I’ve seen both play in the absolute prime of their careers. Not only is Magic the greatest Laker of all time, Magic is the 2nd best basketball I’ve ever seen play. Also the worst late night talk show host, and NBA Studio Anaylist.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:56 AM
If Vanessa goes out on a date w/ Shaq, just give the Lakers the title.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:58 AM
I can’t believe someone would even think to type this.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Seems like everyone is getting a little hyperbolic on this one.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:01 AM
His team’s better. Just meaningless regular season games though.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:01 AM
I have no dog in the fight. But there’s a good chance somebody would have straight up murdered Kobe if you put in in the NBA in 1982 as a rookie. Maybe not murder. 3rd degree manslaughter.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:04 AM
I love Kobe. But Magic was better, even though he’s gracious enough to say Kobe is.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:04 AM
That negative energy has to go somewhere. Might as well channel it into your work or career.
/personal experience
January 12th, 2012 at 10:05 AM
how old are you?
January 12th, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Hey at least he was attempting shots in the fourth last night against the Clippers.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:05 AM
‘Cause it’s probably true.
It’s conjecture and guess work. Just seems like a classic, “make your own conclusions” move by Jace.
Admittedly, my divorce experience and those of close friends has me a bit jaded. Once D-I-V-O-R-C-E is inserted in a relationship, people go nuts.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:07 AM
I agree. But having grown up with the Bad Boy Pistons, I prefer my NBA filled with hate.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:08 AM
A more relevant question might be “how many games have you watched in which Magic Johnson played?”.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:10 AM
The improvement in his shot selection alone is significant.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Though a very fun team, they (and Riley’s Knicks/Heat) ruined the NBA in this regard.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Frank Martin is pissed this headline is so similar to his post yesterday.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:10 AM
The best Laker of all time is Nick Van Exel. Game. Set. Match.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:11 AM
Dude is shooting 57% from the field, and is attempting less than a 3 a game. So yes – I absolutely see a difference in LeBron this year.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Buss wasn’t re-signing Shaq and Kobe, so he chose the kid with the bigger upside. If you really think that Kobe coming off a rape accusation was in a position to throw around enough weight to get rid of Shaq…………never mind, you’re a Gossip Girl fan.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:12 AM
I think Kobe’s Dad was still playing in 1982.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:13 AM
The best Laker of all time is Nick Van Exel. Game. Set. Match.
That cat was cold-blooded. Would take and make shots late in games.
In college (Cincinnati), it seemed he always took the game-winner against Memphis, and he broke our hearts over and over. He only played college ball a couple of years, I think, but he did a lot of damage.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Cedric Ceballos thinks this is bullshit.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Nick Van Exel made sure you knew when he was shooting free throws. That’s what I remember about him.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:15 AM
I agree with the Knicks, not the Pistons though. Pistons were a very good team that needed a little toughness to become an elite team. Knicks didn’t have the same talent.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Yeah, the style of play was ugly. I was just saying I loved the hate aspect. They didn’t like anybody, and nobody liked them. Well, except for the whole Zeke and Magic gay buddy thing.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:15 AM
All of this right here.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Fixed.
And the greatest Laker of all time was Travis Knight.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Mark Madsen was a hilarious Laker
January 12th, 2012 at 10:25 AM
The stupidity of this statement is astounding. I can’t believe any alleged fan of the NBA still thinks this is true.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Kurt Rambis’ spectacles should be in the HOF.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Eddie Jones would like a word with you all.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Its all about perception. If the Knicks at that time was a team full of White guys playing their style, they’d be known as a gritty, gutty, overachieving team with 1 superstar, because thats what they were, a blue collar team.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:32 AM
I also think a lack of (relative) success is a factor. Michael Jordan ballhogging didn’t ruin the NBA, but people who tried to unsuccesfully emulate him certainly didn’t help things. The Pistons’ style of play should have taken them to 3 straight championships, and did take them to 2.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Age is relevant. Someone older may say, I saw “West and Baylor play”. Someone even older may say Mikan.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:37 AM
i used to think this too, but that was before i realized how big of an asshole shaq is. i mean, he’s like legendary when it comes to being an ass.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:40 AM
He’s on a purposeful mission to show everyone it’s not going to affect his game.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:40 AM
i realized how big of an asshole shaq is. i mean, he’s like legendary when it comes to being an ass.
For as big of a man as he is, he has incredibly thin skin and seems to love throwing people under the bus.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:41 AM
that’s the problem with synocphants…it’s like nobody told him his kazaam schtick is tired as fuck.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Shaq ran himself out of LA (and every other town he’s ever been in). Blaming Kobe is childish.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Let’s agree they’re both self-consumed dickheads and call it a day.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:45 AM
The Pistons are the most underrated great team in NBA history IMO. What other team do you know in midstream decided to change their style of play as drastically? They were a squad of all offense with Kelly Tripuka, John Long, etc. and decided they needed to D up to win rings. Then they go out and draft players like Rodman, Salley, and Dumars and eventually win rings.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Smush.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:50 AM
It’s not as relevant for Magic, given that an avid fan could watch a lot more game tapes of him than someone like Mikan (not saying that commenter did this, but some of us do). I just think asking someone their age to make a point in a basketball argument can be a little cheap.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:51 AM
lets call it metal mursday.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Agreed, but I feel the need to correct moronic, gossip-y statements like the one mentioned above. It’s just lame. But it appears that inflammatory statements and often outright lies can double as headlines or post material these days. Sad to see it happening.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:52 AM
I’ll agree with this as long as we can also agree that it’s really idiotic to blame Kobe for Shaq leaving LA.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:53 AM
thats fair
January 12th, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Bad Boys are properly rated. Great team in maybe the greatest decade of NBA. Should have tried to call a T.O. instead of a hurry-up inbounds play.
“And, now there’s a steal by Bird! Underneath to DJ who lays it in! Right at one second left! What a play by Bird!”
January 12th, 2012 at 10:54 AM
i blame society.
January 12th, 2012 at 11:00 AM
If Shaq had Kobe’s work ethic he would have been the greatest Big Man of all time, by a wide margin…
January 12th, 2012 at 11:04 AM
see, i just don’t know about that…that’s a lotta stress for a big man to handle. there’s always the chance if shaq worked more, he’d have been like a 12-year old great dane by the time the three-peat was over.
January 12th, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Traded Dantley, too.
January 12th, 2012 at 11:09 AM
see, i just don’t know about that…that’s a lotta stress for a big man to handle. there’s always the chance if shaq worked more, he’d have been like a 12-year old great dane by the time the three-peat was over.
Factor in he would be AT LEAST 30 lbs lighter and in better shape, that would add up to a lot of miles…
January 12th, 2012 at 1:09 PM
As I’ve written many times on this site, I haven’t liked Kobe Bryant since he ran Shaq out of LA and ruined one of the greatest 1-2 punches the NBA has ever seen.
except, Shaq ran himself out of town demanding 30 mil a season and never being in shape