Why doesn't Kobe ever have any spectacular dunks like before?
336014
because in his mind, he's been there and done that. everyone knows he's a flashy and entertaining dunker. now, he's more matured and wants to be labeled as a player who wants to win, not show-boat...btw, i am not a kobe fan, but i would love to have him on my team which is the Warriors.
683919
they prob. are retarded, the only reason why people dont wanna say kobe is the best is cuzz of all the scandal around him. Jordan was the embodiment of an athlete
555721
All I have to say is I like the Lakers but they do need a rebounder/shot blocker like Ben Wallace and some pure shooters off the bench like Steve Kerr was before they can compete for a championship. See as good as Kobe is the game was lost on defense. People say Kobe shoots too much that is bull. He can have 90 or 10 and they could still lose. Because when you have a defensive pressence in the paint it's not as easy to drive in and dish out because the other team knows that they got someone in the paint ready to block the shot so they have more time to guard the perimeter too. Then they don't have pure shooter who can drain over 50% night in and night out if Kobe were to dish it out after he drives.
177101
The dunk is overrated. I can dunk.
285101
I gotta say that Kobe will easily be in the top 10 by the end of his career.  He's already setting records and people don't even think he's peaked yet.  Comparing him to Shaq is unfair...  Shaq = most dominant player in the NBA, Kobe = best player in the NBA.  The only legit person I'd compare him to is Jordan (not that I think he's as good as Jordan).  Just compare the size of both guys and their game.  Kobe's still leading the league in points per game and most of the time he's double (or even triple) teamed.  He has already been nominated in the "next top 10" list during the all-star break, ahead of players like Wilkins or Iverson.  I'd bank on him even breaking top 5.\n\nMatt
516684
I watched Jordan played since 82-84 @ North Carolina thru the years in Chicago until his career ended at the Wizards. Jordan was "The Best" period. There are similarities in their style of play. The difference is that Kobe was probably more consistence on the outside with his jumper and 3-point shot. Jordan was a nightmare when he took the ball to the hole and doing so without that much dribbling when he drove to the basket. When Jordan elevated to the basket it was pretty much a sure 2 points. Although Kobe has skills to get pass his opponent driving to the basket, Kobe did not and will never have the explosiveness as Jordan. Physical attributes are somewhat important in the NBA. Both had similar physique, but Jordan had 2 gifts which were his big hands and powerful legs.Both were outstanding scores, but Jordan's defense was much stronger than Kobe's.  Jordan played with tenacity especially thru the championship years. Jordan brought fear with him, looking into his opponents eyes when he stepped on the court and anyone that guarded him had to worry and think constantly on both ends of the court for 40 mins guaranteed. I believe its safe to say that Kobe was a better dribbler than Jordan but not by much and outside shooter, again not by much. Jordan all around game was far more superior than Kobe's. From career blocks, steals, assist, points, FG%, rebounds to truly being a basketball genius. Checkout the Career stat of both players and see for yourself. Although stat does not say much when it comes to  courts smarts, strategies, control of the game, team leadership and respect on the court. Jordan had it all. Hey, let's ask Coach Phil Jackson 10 years from now to give an "honest" assessment of both players. The reason I said 10 years from now is that I dont think Phil has the balls to tell the truth right now. A few years back a topic came up asking if kobe was better than Jordan when they were the same age 24.Phil said kobe was better, I said Phil must be smoking "Crack". No disrespect to Phil which is a great coach, but let's be serious. Phli only said it to help build up Kobe's confidence going in the playoffs and to win a championship. Finally, we will never know how great a player Jordan truly was until 10, 15, 20 years plus from now. So let's us enjoyed the memories of a living legacy.\n\n                                     Truly, Harrison, C.
243479
kobi bryant is famous because of he is good in making dunks. but we also know that kobi is not the only player that can execute dunk. so i can say that all of the players that can do dunk are all good. you cant say that they are wack cause they are all nice.
1148599
You would be creaming your pants if you found out that Kobe had been traded to your favorite team. Don't lie.\n\nAs for who he has made better, I would honestly say that Kwame Brown has become a much better player. Watching him in that Lakers/Suns series, he looked a lot better out there.\n\nIt's idiotic to say that Kobe sucks, when the man has 3 rings. Shaq or no Shaq, he is a damn good player.
419647
Kobe has skills so he seems better. But lebron doesn't take enough chances to prove himself!
386394
I found it to be indicative of my impression of Bryant and the entire league's current style of play: taking a difficult path himself instead of giving the ball to a teammate for an easier play. I counted at least two viable options other than going over Nash. \nThat said, it was an amazing athletic display of superior leaping ability and strength... that had a decent chance of been called a charge if it wasn't the Lakers.
190701
1\nwhen it comes to numbers (scoring and rebounding) chamberlain is king. when it comes to being all-around, oscar robertson is at the top, even averaging a triple double for one season. \nstill, most people including me consider jordan the greatest of them all because he was a combination of talent, skill, desire, success, fortitude and timing. \ntalent and skill-scoring title, mvp trophies, all-star status, defensive player of the year.\ndesire-competitive streak, the willpower to tilt the game outcome to his team's side. takes every game seriously. \nsuccess-three-peat not accomplished by modern greats bird, magic, hakeem. doing it twice just stresses the point. \ntiming-storybook career: jumpshot to win an ncaa title. being beaten by everyone before finally succeeding after a 7 year struggle. \n\n2\ngiven time, some of the new stars today will almost reach the pinnacle of jordan's popularity and success. but IMO, no one will. he was everything at once. kobe will always lack the charisma. iverson will never be a three-peat winner nor become a defensive player of the year. lebron does not have the killer instinct and will YET. sorry, but carmelo is just not on the same league as kobe, james and wade. \n\n3\nyes, he would have won with another set of players. if his sidekick was not pippen, then he would have had another super partner. people will compensates                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 \n\nif he did not have grant, then he had rodman. if he did not have paxson, he had kerr and kukoc. he and whoever his teammates then would learn how to compensate.
1118491
Yes he definetly did dunk!!* Do you not watch the dunking competition... he was on there as a judge and they had a video of him dunking!!* Watch some television once in awhile!!*
467351
YES KOBE DESERVES IT WAY MORE!!! More proof...\n\nOutrageous scoring spree (45+ in 4 games???)\n*81 point game against Raptors\n*Takes record for total points in one season by a Laker\n*Outscoring Dallas in three quarters\n* Most points in one half by a Laker\n*43.4 points averaged in January \n*Scoring 40 or more in one season- 27\n* Games of 20 or more in a season (in a row): 62\n* One of only two people to score 80 or more in one game.\n*One of two players in NBA history to average 40+ in one month in two occasions (one this year)\n*Only player in NBA history with at least 2,800 points and 180 three-point field goals made in one season. \n*One of only two players in NBA history to score 35-plus points per game for 13 consecutive games\n*Scored 30 points in one quarter against Dallas
645371
Kobe Bryant has the same moves as Michael, scored more than Michael, had game winning baskets like Michael. He rocks just like Michael.
351235
Kobe is not an MVP, end of story. He captured lots of attention for his stellar play, but no one will win when they have a ball hog on their team. Yes he did drop 81, but look where his team is now!! 7th spot of the playoffs! Wow! Great job! With out a doubt he is going to score 40 points a game in the series against Phoenix, but he will not win. An MVP is someone who makes players around him better, and helps his team reach new heights.
447346
First of all, Kobe Bryant is the best player since Michael Jordan, and even in their primes, if they played one on one...I would lean towards Kobe...he plays a totally different game than anyone else...he takes it to the rim when he has to, he dishes it out when he needs to, he goes up for the rebounds, and most importantly of all...he puts the team on his shoulders and and carries them to victory...\n\nPeople will tend to say that without shaq Kobe wouldn't have gotten those rings...that may be true but without Shaq, the Heat wouldn't be the number two team in the Eastern Conference...he's a one in a 100 years player, there won't be another like him anytime soon (shaq that is...) Kobe can't do it all, all the time though...he's proved he can win games squarely by himself...ala 81 point games and numerous 60 point outings as well...one more player would make the Lakers a true title contender as well...The thing about Jordan was that he made the players on his team better...well if you look at the players around Kobe, he makes them better as well, Lamar Odom is good but he's not almost triple double average good...Kwame Brown never really produced until he got to LA, now he's almost averaging a double double, smush parker is an up and coming point guard...wonder why?  They need a true big man to push them over the top...\n\nI'm glad you asked this question because I feel the exact same way, but I've gotten used to all the Kobe haters.  He's a one in a life time player and everyone knows that, it's just that he got a bad rap after the whole rape incident and it was proclaimed that he ran phil jackson out of town, but miracuously he is back coaching them...it was "supposedly" his doing was the reason Shaq wanted a trade...people just don't understand, Jordan came around and was a one in life time player that never made mistakes...except reportedly using drugs...but everyone looked past that because he was a nice guy...that's not the case with Kobe, he's not a jordan esque player, but he's just as good....\n\nOh by the way, just tell whoever comes at you with this arguement...ask them who else averages 35.0 points a game...see what they say about that...
472198
Sonic I have to agree with you. All these people who disagree with you are being hypocritical. Because on one side they say Kobe is a selfish ball hog for averaging so many points so he doesn't deserve MVP but have no way of arguing why Jordan averaging well over 30 did deserve it in a similar situation. They say Jordan passed. Jordan might of had like 1 more assist a game. They are being kind of ridiculous. Jordan was considered the best ever because he won scoring titles every year so everyone wanted to be like Mike. Kobe wins it once and he's the biggest ball hog ever and a rapist. Give me a break. Kobe seemed pretty unselfish to me at his talent level letting Shaq get most of the glory in the finals after he dropped 44 to beat the Spurs in the conference finals.