Kobe gunning for a scoring tittle?

[snaquille oatmeal]

I hate this, he should be going for it. Huge historical implications involved. So dumb, disappointed

what you mean historical implications?

[Lost Angel]

who has led the league in scoring after playing at least 15 years in the NBA?

....I like the decision to sit out. We want another ring.

[Imadogg]

I hate this, he should be going for it. Huge historical implications involved. So dumb, disappointed

what you mean historical implications?

Kobe's legacy is pretty set no matter what, but this still affects the record books for Kobe, Durant, Jordan..

7 players have been won the scoring title 3 times or more in NBA history. This year, Kobe would have become the 8th since he won it twice before. He would have become (correct me if I'm wrong) the second oldest player to win the scoring title (behind Jordan who won at 35), and the longest tenured player to win it (16th season).

Only two players ever have won the scoring title 3+ times in a row.. Jordan and Wilt. Now, Durant gets his 3rd scoring title (ahead of Kobe already and the 8th player to get 3) and he joins this rare list since he did it 3 times in a row. Had Kobe gotten in the way, KD would have had 2 and the streak would have had to have started over. Who knows now how many he can reel off in a row now.

4 players have gotten 4+ scoring titles. Wilt and Jordan hold the record for most in a row with 7, and MJ holds the most ever with 10. We'll see what KD reaches.

Last year (or 2 seasons ago?) Kobe said the fans play to watch him play, and he wouldn't sit any games out if he's able to play. What happened Kobe?

Now, there's obviously a chance Kobe doesn't get 38 to win the scoring title. And yea everyone is praising him now for being soo unselfish and sitting out so I guess it's a smart move to get on everyone's "good side" to prove a point.. but I just don't like it at all. George Gervin went head to head with David Thompson and won the scoring race with his 63 points in the last game. David Robinson scored 71 with some help from the Clippers in the last game to win the scoring title. Kobe doesn't even need that much.. I just wish he did it. Sure he can get hurt.. but he can get hurt any time ever. He doesn't play scared, he should go out there and put on a show for the fans and for history.

[tugs]

I'm torn with this. much more when the facts and figures were presented.

oh well, championship>singles accolade for Kobe right now it seems.

[Imadogg]

I also just don't get how playing in this one game and scoring 38 would somehow ruin our chances for a championship. Like Kobe is incapable of winning the scoring title and the championship in the same year?

[tugs]

you also said it. there's a chance of him getting injured in THIS game. we know we don't want Kobe sitting out in the first round. even if he does play, we'd rather have a 100% physically healthy Kobe than 100% all heart but hurting and worn out mamba.

[Jetset]

I don't really see a need to be even the least bit upset at him shutting it down. I thought he'd go guns blazing for it, but so what? As you've already said, his history is already set in stone what more is a scoring title going to do? It's about championships now, while I don't think this team can win one he does. So lets see what happens.

As far as injury is concerned, it's been said all day that he and the Lakers are very conscientious about his shin and that it could be something more complex than a shin injury. I don't really think this particular night and this particular game is worth him potentially agitating it and missing time in the playoffs. While this could happen anyway, the more rest for it the better. He doesn't need to play in this game, and I'm not even bothered that he didn't.