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He was in an angry mood at Thursday's practice, calling out his teammates for not being tough enough in games, The Times has learned.

It wasn't a long rant, maybe half a minute, but he left practice in a hurry, stalking off the court toward the end of it, irritated that the first team had lost to the reserves several times. He knocked some items off a table at midcourt on his way to the locker room and did not talk to reporters who were let in after his outburst.

"It was worth seeing," said a person at Lakers practice that day.

Maybe it worked. The energized Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets, 122-103, Friday at Staples Center.

Bryant's message wasn't light. It contained expletives and hammered at the same theme. The Lakers should not be playing this poorly. Everyone needed to be stronger emotionally and physically.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketbal ... 1758.story

I love Kobe Bryant. I don't care what anyone says, he's still the best player on this team, the most important player on this team, and the 3rd best player in the league. I"m glad we have Nash to balance out Kobe's style of leadership, but I'm glad he laid into the team like that after the Indiana game.

It's crazy how this kind of thing would be spun as a lack of leadership on the GB, probably lol. Good thing veterans can handle Kobe's tough love style.

bad cop strikes again, i really hope those howard smiles changes to scowls cum playoff time during game play.

Anyone who doesn't understand this is the driving force behind his 5 rings doesn't undestand a champion

Tee212 wrote:bad cop strikes again, i really hope those howard smiles changes to scowls cum playoff time during game play.

I thought about that as well but early on it seems to me the more fun Dwight is having, the better he plays

mhmm its nice to see them smile and having fun now.

Tee212 wrote:bad cop strikes again, i really hope those howard smiles changes to scowls cum playoff time during game play.

Kobe started teaching Howard this in the 2009 Finals. In a play-off/Finals game you don't help your Olympic team friends up. If it is the Olympics, Kobe will truck Gasol and try to toughen him up. Kobe leads by example and actions speak louder than words and are better teaching tools than a lecture.

ive been waiting forever for the team to pick up kobe's mannerisms.

the only player that seems to sometimes turn into angry-kobe was bynum.

Mamba Venom wrote:

Tee212 wrote:bad cop strikes again, i really hope those howard smiles changes to scowls cum playoff time during game play.

Kobe started teaching Howard this in the 2009 Finals. In a play-off/Finals game you don't help your Olympic team friends up. If it is the Olympics, Kobe will truck Gasol and try to toughen him up. Kobe leads by example and actions speak louder than words and are better teaching tools than a lecture.

Yep Kobe threw elbows at Dwight in those finals for a rebound and Dwight tried to talk to him to calm down ad Kobe was like you my enemy now.

Kobe also did truck Pau in the game vs Spain years ago lol without even a chuckle.

He was taught kill or be killed

"calling out his teammates for not being tough enough in games"

That has Pau written all over it...

This is why I love Kobe's intensity. The guy leaves it on the court. Somebody needed to lay into this team so we can right this ship

gotokyo wrote:"calling out his teammates for not being tough enough in games"

That has Pau written all over it...

My thoughts exactly, the minute he said something about being mentally strong I knew it was directed at Pau. That man let's too many things affect his play. I said it once and will say it again......if you don't want to hear your name in trade rumors then ball the hell out every game.

Then it's more likely the Lakers would be fending off teams rather than maybe entertaining the thought of trading you.

MensRea wrote:I love Kobe Bryant. I don't care what anyone says, he's still the best player on this team, the most important player on this team, and the 3rd best player in the league.

Wasn't even aware that this was being questioned. Haven't heard anyone questioning whose team this is.

JustAwesome wrote:

MensRea wrote:I love Kobe Bryant. I don't care what anyone says, he's still the best player on this team, the most important player on this team, and the 3rd best player in the league.

Wasn't even aware that this was being questioned. Haven't heard anyone questioning whose team this is.

I've heard it mostly on the General Board. Maybe not so much that it's Kobe's team, but that Dwight is the best player on the team, which is ridiculous. For whatever reason, on the GB, they seem to have written Kobe off a long time ago. He's still a top three player, the best player on this team, the MVP of this team, and I don't see it changing any time within the next couple years.

Just Kobe being Kobe, there will never be another player ever again in the NBA with his level of desire and passion.

Run-MKE 311 wrote:Just Kobe being Kobe, there will never be another player ever again in the NBA with his level of desire and passion.

my eyes are furiously rolling.

diablerouge wrote:

Run-MKE 311 wrote:Just Kobe being Kobe, there will never be another player ever again in the NBA with his level of desire and passion.

my eyes are furiously rolling.

Why are you on this board. Go back to the GB LeBron fan.

Father Time wrote:

diablerouge wrote:

Run-MKE 311 wrote:Just Kobe being Kobe, there will never be another player ever again in the NBA with his level of desire and passion.

my eyes are furiously rolling.

Why are you on this board. Go back to the GB LeBron fan.

Thats what trollers do smh. His mission has been accomplished

As a leader, Kobe needs to lead by example. Unfortunately, his defense last night was an awful one. He was quoted after last night's game as saying he'll kick everyone's ass if they don't play better. He needs to find a way to kick his own ass as well.

Where I come from a TRUE leader leads by example, not by pointing fingers. Has Kobe EVER taken responsibility (as "the man" who "eats first" on "his team") when the Lakers lose?

Maybe he should actually start to EARN those All Defense selections (because his defense has been embarrassingly bad all year). Perhaps Kobe should play more of a facilitator role (especially while Nash is out) and look to SET UP his two All NBA big men in their sweet spots, instead of chuckin' so much? How about he improve that dismal Assists/Turnover ratio he's sporting this year?

Instead, Kobe publically calls-out his team/mate/s and makes them the scapegoat when things are going bad. Yet the minute LA gets on a roll, Kobe will be right there to take all the credit as "the man".

lol

I dunno. I can't speak for Gasol and Howard but that's not the sort of leader I would respond to favorably.