Let me preface this with I hate the Lakers and I severely dislike Kobe (but I do respect him alot as a player)

This article got me thinking
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&page=wojciechowski/100708&sportCat=nba

About halfway through he talks about how Kobe must be seething right now. It got me thinking about this question-- Could Lebron/Wade/Bosh's decision seriously alter Kobe's legacy?

Working on this Premise--The Lakers behind Bryant take down the Heat for Kobe's 6th Championship

1. Kobe now has as many rings as MJ
2. The strongest argument against Kobe being on MJ's level are how Jordan took down Barkley, Magic, Isaiah, Ewing, Malone, Stockton, Payton, etc. All these all time greats that Jordan took down. Well, if the Lakers take down a Heat juggernaut, doesn't that argument kind of get flipped on it's face?
3. Kobe has alot of haters for 3 reasons: People hate the Lakers, He ran out a very popular Shaq, and the Colorado incident. Well, if they took on Miami, I think alot of people who always rooted against Kobe would root for him and begin to appreciate what he's done.
4. The NY, Chicago, and LA media would all be pro Lakers because of what happened tonight. That's alot of positive press from the major media outlets.
5. Kobe is the most competitive player in the league right now. It's not even close. I'm sure right now he is fuming about all this attention when he just won his 5th ring. He won't just want to beat the Heat, he will try to destroy them. We can all argue about who is or isn't an alpha dog in Miami---Well the biggest Alpha Dog in the NBA resides in LA. And quite frankly, he may use all of next year as an opportunity to mark his territory. I'm actually kind of excited to see what he's capable of.

quote:

---

Kobe has alot of haters for 3 reasons: People hate the Lakers, He ran out a very popular Shaq, and the Colorado incident.

---

He also acts like an ass a lot. Cheap shots. The Bubba Gump lip. Wearing t-shirts with a giant picture of your face.

I agree that getting his 6th title would really cement his legacy, especially if he beats a healthy Heat team to do it. It doesn't seem like the Lakers have much to get better with. Blake is nice, but he isn't a game changer.

Remember that Kobe has already crossed 1200 games and 45000 minutes, PLUS all his international stuff. That's a ton of ticks on the odometer. I thought he would have a tougher time this season, but I think he pulls a little Spurs and coasted a bit more this season so he could play hard in the playoffs.

The match-ups aren't as bad you might think after the LeBronathon either:

PG-Fisher/Blake vs. ??
SG-Kobe vs. DWade
SF-Artest vs. LeBron
PF-Gasol vs. Bosh
C-Bynum vs. ??

Bench-Odom vs. ??

quote:

---

It doesn't seem like the Lakers have much to get better with. Blake is nice, but he isn't a game changer.

Remember that Kobe has already crossed 1200 games and 45000 minutes, PLUS all his international stuff. That's a ton of ticks on the odometer. I thought he would have a tougher time this season, but I think he pulls a little Spurs and coasted a bit more this season so he could play hard in the playoffs.

---

I think this is why a title now could bring him into the MJ range.

It wasn't until MJ fought off the Shaq/Penny, Payton/Kemp, Zo/Hardaway teams that second time around that he went from Great to Trancendent.

Kobe in the twilight of his career holding off a team comprised of 2 of the top 5 players in the league in the prime of their careers and 3 of the top 15. That knocks him up a notch. That brings the MJ/Kobe conversation from ridiculous to okay maybe we can talk about it. Beating a "happy to be there" Orlando team and an aging Celtics team doesn't do that.

kobe is top 10 all time, but call me when he's winning a title at 37-38 yrs old

^
Jordan's last title in 98 I believe was his 13th year in the league. Even if you count the two years he was gone it would have been his 15th pro season

Next year will be Kobe's 15th year in the league, unless I'm mistaken

Jordan also was not 37 or 38 when he won his last title, He was 35

Yeah, seriously are you trying to hold Kobe to a Kareem standard? 'cause Jordan didn't win anything at 38.

I'm a Lakers fan, but I can admit that Kobe is no Jordan and never will be. He may very well be the 2nd best player ever, and could have an even better career than MJ.

Kobe Sucks

Sorry, after reading all that I've written on this thread I just had to add this in for my own sanity.

We will now return to level headed discussion

Even though Kobe has played two years more than Jordan at this point, you do have to remember he started a grand total of 7 games his first two years and never averaged more than 26 mpg in those years. He didn't even become a full-time starter until midway through his third year (and even then due to an injury). He was the kid brother chomping at the bit on the bench those two-plus seasons, something that likely will give him a little more time at this end -- and he's still only 3 years older than Wade.

no matter what Kobe does, he will never be on the level of jordan.

Jordan WAS basketball.

I'm just saying Kobe isn't finished and people shouldn't just hand the Heat the next five trophies. I agree Jordan is the better overall player.

kobe and the lakers has gained a fan (if the mav's get knocked out) because there is no way in heck I am going to root for lebron/wade/bosh in MIA.