A Different Kobe...

[JimMurray]

I posted this on the Gen board. What do you guys think?

I'm getting a different read from Kobe this year. Last year he had a look of focus, of determination, of resolve, a knowing understanding of what last years run meant, and that he had the capacity to carry it through. This year, all though the facial expressions are similar, it's a look of retreat, of resignation, of fear. He has the look of the old alpha male who's ruled the lion pack for years coming to the realization that the young male challengers have possibly surpassed him in strength, and the insecurity of whether or not he can hold them off for much longer. He has the look of trepidation that his days of utter dominance are over.

His comments regarding his injuries are the most telling. He never acknowledges his injuries, or that they may possibly deter him from doing what he wants to do. The press conference after game one is the first time I can recall where he acknowledged that his injuries are making it more difficult. In years past his responses would have been something to the affect of "Doesn't matter, I'm still Kobe, that ass is still mine". Not this year. To me, that tells me that there is an ambivalence in his mind regarding whether his struggles are the result of injuries, or simple physical decline associated with his biological age. His reticence at admitting that his injuries are a hindrance suggest he's hoping for the latter, and fearful of the truth that it may be coming to an end.

Whichever of the two might be truth, the pending internal struggle has left his confidence in shambles. I've never seen Kobe nothing less than arrogant. Now, for the first time, I see doubt in his eyes......fear even. Having followed him since his rookie year, it's strange to be sure, even sad. One truth I hold to be accurate...If Kobe isn't Kobe...the Lakers might get passed the Thunder, they might get past Utah / Denver, they might make it out of the west, but they're not beating the Cavs.

[crazyeights]

I saw something like that as well, though it conflicts with what you said in the first paragraph about not being in his facial expression...after the game I saw Kobe smiling, looking like a great weight was off his shoulders or that he was just happy to be there. I remember seeing him last playoffs when he was the exact opposite.

On the other hand, I disagree that it necessarily has to be our demise...because I also saw something that I don't remember ever seeing: I saw Andrew Bynum with a fire in his belly that seemed to say he believed that he is the difference maker.

Last year, before the playoffs, we all said if only we had Bynum against the Celtics, if only, if only, over and over again, but when the playoffs came around Bynum was just okay. Solid at times, but not a high impact player.

Even though he hardly scored double figures, I saw a determination and a confidence, a swagger that I've never seen in AB. It's early, but I think, and have always hoped that if Kobe can age gracefully, that he will be declining just as Drew begins his ascent.

And then there's always good ol' Pau Gasol....

[supaflash]

I agree about Bynum, love his attitude lately. He had that quote about asking the coaches what they needed and how they needed him to rebound and alter shots to really affect the game and how he watched tape to see exactly how he was doing that. He was as physical and as aggressive going after shots as I've seen him since the first injury.


Kobe though... I'm not seeing fear or lack of confidence, his swag is still there. I do see a bit of weariness and a more subdued focus, like he knows he's fighting through this finger and his legs and maybe a tiny bit of hesitation or frustration on his role. I think he still believes in himself, but is in a somewhat internal struggle whether or not to really try and be the man or not. Not a fear that he can't, but a hesitation on taking a step back and being more of a facilitator this time around.

The Kobe I saw a couple weeks ago still had an aura about him of supremacy, but the look on his face just seemed to be more of a determined focus on how to beat his current circumstances. He's still Kobe, he's just searching for his best possible game right now imo.

[Pablo Escobar]

Look at the beginning of the season when his finger was good he was dominating but once he messed up that finger it was hard for him to do the things he wanted to do, and with Kobe age doesn't matter he doesn't rely on his athleticism he relies on fundamentals and those will always be there, if his finger was good this topic wouldn't exist and he would be the mvp

[fareweatherfan]

lmfao at kobe showing fear...and you go ahead and feel "sad" for kobe...lest the league do so he'll rip their hearts out on his way to another chip.

nothing personal and i mean no disrespect bud, but this thread is garbage.

[magic1fan]

lmfao at kobe showing fear...and you go ahead and feel "sad" for kobe...lest the league do so he'll rip their hearts out on his way to another chip.

nothing personal and i mean no disrespect bud, but this thread is garbage.

+1

[TruSkool]

there are guys now that can hang with kobe....thats the only problem he sees...before it was kobe then everybody else....now there are other players in the league like melo and rose who are dropping big digits night in and night out...he is now in the 'mix' of the best...not the 'lonesome' best which he was the last 3-4 years

[TruSkool]

3-4 seasons ago he had the ability to carry a crappy team and make noise in the playoffs....now he needs a cast....but then again, who doesnt need a cast to be successful?
even jordan, magic and bird did.

[chefy]

Look at the beginning of the season when his finger was good he was dominating but once he messed up that finger it was hard for him to do the things he wanted to do, and with Kobe age doesn't matter he doesn't rely on his athleticism he relies on fundamentals and those will always be there, if his finger was good this topic wouldn't exist and he would be the mvp

[chefy]

people ignore kobe when hes playing great...and puts him on a microscope when hes struggling

early in the season when kobe was healthy and averaging 30+, 5, 4 in 480-490% shooting. and the lakers were number 1 in standings...people were just ignoring it, no one was saying "hes the best in the league" etc...

[Dr Aki]

kobe's just frustrated. its not fear, kobe's never been one to look over his shoulders, he just concentrates on moving forward.

of all the injuries, this is one injury he still hasnt been able to adjust. his bread and butter is rimming out, bouncing short due to that broken finger.

[JimMurray]

lmfao at kobe showing fear...and you go ahead and feel "sad" for kobe...lest the league do so he'll rip their hearts out on his way to another chip.

nothing personal and i mean no disrespect bud, but this thread is garbage.

No it isn't, and if you've payed attention to Kobe over the last 13 years you'd understand that he operates on fear. Nobody has the work ethic Kobe does without fear seething out of his bones. If you have no fear, you can't be great. And if you don't think Kobe's scared, you probably think your dad is the strongest man in the world too.

When I fought, I was scared to death of the guy standing across from me, because I didn't want to lose. It didn't matter who it was, or how bad they were. If we were in the box together, I was scared to death, and that fear drove me to victory. It's the same reason Lebron fears Kobe. If you're going to be great, you have to first fear that you can't be.

[JimMurray]

people ignore kobe when hes playing great...and puts him on a microscope when hes struggling

early in the season when kobe was healthy and averaging 30+, 5, 4 in 480-490% shooting. and the lakers were number 1 in standings...people were just ignoring it, no one was saying "hes the best in the league" etc...

Bullsh**. When Kobe was doing that I was the main guy in the MVP threads making Lebron fans cry because of how much better Kobe was playing than Lebron. If anyone's entitled to acknowledge this stage of Kobe's career, it's me. I've been in the trenches....I know what I'm looking at.

[fareweatherfan]

lmfao at kobe showing fear...and you go ahead and feel "sad" for kobe...lest the league do so he'll rip their hearts out on his way to another chip.

nothing personal and i mean no disrespect bud, but this thread is garbage.

No it isn't, and if you've payed attention to Kobe over the last 13 years you'd understand that he operates on fear. Nobody has the work ethic Kobe does without fear seething out of his bones. If you have no fear, you can't be great. And if you don't think Kobe's scared, you probably think your dad is the strongest man in the world too.

When I fought, I was scared to death of the guy standing across from me, because I didn't want to lose. It didn't matter who it was, or how bad they were. If we were in the box together, I was scared to death, and that fear drove me to victory. It's the same reason Lebron fears Kobe. If you're going to be great, you have to first fear that you can't be.

Now that you're done proving how philosophical you can be...what the hell does your response have to do with your original post or my response to it???

There is a distinction you are missing...in your OP you said you see fear in Kobe's facial expressions..."its a look of retreat, of resignation, of fear" to quote you exactly. We all fear something, I get that. But Kobe isn't showing it any fear and he never has...I sure hope you didn't when you were in the "box." If you did, you would have had your ass handed to you...come to think of it...that might explain the completely unfounded and ridiculous claims you're making about Kobe (one too many shots to the head?).

You, as a laker fan, clearly fear that Kobe is no longer able to lead us to the chip.

You, as a laker fan, clearly fear that Kobe is losing/has lost spot as the NBA's alpha male.

You are the one showing fear, not Kobe.

[JimMurray]

lmfao at kobe showing fear...and you go ahead and feel "sad" for kobe...lest the league do so he'll rip their hearts out on his way to another chip.

nothing personal and i mean no disrespect bud, but this thread is garbage.

No it isn't, and if you've payed attention to Kobe over the last 13 years you'd understand that he operates on fear. Nobody has the work ethic Kobe does without fear seething out of his bones. If you have no fear, you can't be great. And if you don't think Kobe's scared, you probably think your dad is the strongest man in the world too.

When I fought, I was scared to death of the guy standing across from me, because I didn't want to lose. It didn't matter who it was, or how bad they were. If we were in the box together, I was scared to death, and that fear drove me to victory. It's the same reason Lebron fears Kobe. If you're going to be great, you have to first fear that you can't be.

Now that you're done proving how philosophical you can be...what the hell does your response have to do with your original post or my response to it???

There is a distinction you are missing...in your OP you said you see fear in Kobe's facial expressions..."its a look of retreat, of resignation, of fear" to quote you exactly. We all fear something, I get that. But Kobe isn't showing it any fear and he never has...I sure hope you didn't when you were in the "box." If you did, you would have had your ass handed to you...come to think of it...that might explain the completely unfounded and ridiculous claims you're making about Kobe (one too many shots to the head?).

You, as a laker fan, clearly fear that Kobe is no longer able to lead us to the chip.

You, as a laker fan, clearly fear that Kobe is losing/has lost spot as the NBA's alpha male.

You are the one showing fear, not Kobe.

People like you are the reason I rarely post on RealGM anymore. To put it unequivocally, you (and most on RealGM on average) lack the fundamental skills to navigate between distinguishing points and find meaningful information between the two. You let your insecurities get the best of your better judgment and attack fellow brethren when they expose truths you are not comfortable with. You are intimidated by those who can use "big" words confidently and resort to sarcastically disparaging their well thought out remarks by labeling them as attempts at being philosophical. The mere thought that one might possess the ability to transcend traditional thought and discover original sources of incite are beyond you....and you "fear" it. Advanced discourse is not something you understand, and you respond archaically through veiled anger that reeks of your wailing insecurities as an aspiring intellectual thinker.

Intelligent discourse is something I reserve for those who might contribute to budding incites, further contributing to the conglomerate lexicon of evolutionary knowledge. Therefore I cannot continue with you.....I have, however, reserved a special place in my heart that might inspire you to action to improve your pitiful existence.

For you I weep, not only for your future as a failed sensible being, but for the possibility that you may have bred, or will breed in the future. I weep for the intellectual shortcomings of your offspring and the long hard road they will have to endure to obtain normalcy.

K, Love You......Bye!

[Slava]

Kobe is struggling to come to terms with injuries and like any great player it takes time to understand your new limitations. I'm pretty sure once he either gets over it or gets a hang of things he'll find ways to be as effective as he can be.

[fareweatherfan]

I'm glad you've given up trying to defend your original post and I find it curious you chose not to comment on the distinction in your arguments I drew to your attention.

Anyway, like I said before, its not personal and I didn't wish to offend you. But based on your above post I see that I have...and for that I'm not too insecure to apologize.

[JimMurray]

I'm glad you've given up trying to defend your original post and I find it curious you chose not to comment on the distinction in your arguments I drew to your attention.

Anyway, like I said before, its not personal and I didn't wish to offend you. But based on your above post I see that I have...and for that I'm not too insecure to apologize.

Not to be an a**hole, but you're not bright enough to understand them. Whats the point? I can show my three year old daughter advanced calculus right now, but she's not going to comprehend any of it.

The secret answer, however, is that there was no distinction. You created it through your anger as seeing the words "Kobe", and "fear" associated with each other. You then created an imaginary distinction from there. The "distinction" was between my opinion, and yours. What you failed to realize is that we're teammates and your fighting the wrong guy.

[fareweatherfan]

Throw all the insults you want, bud. I'm not "fighting" you...I'm exposing flaws/inconsistencies in your "opinions." But I will remind you, this is the internet and you shouldn't assume your audience. Your personal attacks on my intellect are way, way off base.

[JimMurray]

Throw all the insults you want, bud. I'm not "fighting" you...I'm exposing flaws/inconsistencies in your "opinions." But I will remind you, this is the internet and you shouldn't assume your audience. Your personal attacks on my intellect are way, way off base.

What flaws? What inconsistencies? I said...in a nutshell, that I thought Kobe looked scared, and never mentioned whether that was a good or a bad thing. I said it was sad because I miss seeing 27 year old Kobe tear up that ass without having to compensate for wear and tear / injuries. I expected that fear to inspire the kind of game that he had last night. What inconsistencies / flaws do you see?