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"KOBE can't beat me" RIP Hamiltons quote
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:09 am
by slickgreek
By John Hollinger | ESPN Insider
ATLANTA -- The 3-point Shootout at All-Star Weekend may be four days away, but the trash talking has already begun.
Playing the role of Damon Jones this year is Detroit's normally low-key Richard Hamilton, who told me after the Pistons' 94-90 win over the Hawks that he's the man to beat this year.
"I know for a fact Kobe can't beat me in a shootout, so that's one down," said Hamilton, who at 46.0 percent on the season is well ahead of fellow Pennsylvanian Bryant's 35.4 percent. "I just gotta figure out a way to beat the other guys."
Hamilton also assessed himself as the toughest competitor in the six-man field -- one that also includes defending champion Jason Kapono of Toronto, two-time winner Peja Stojakovic of New Orleans, Cleveland's Daniel Gibson and Phoenix's Steve Nash.
Mind you, this was with Hamilton laid low by a bout of food poisoning that caused him to miss the morning shootaround. He spelled out the beginning of an unprintable world to describe how he felt after the game, in which he shot 4-for-12 for a quiet 12 points.
So if he can muster this much confidence when he's under the weather, how much more trash talk will we see from him in the next four days?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-080213
Sounds like fighting words!!
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:12 am
by tkb
Rip just won Kobe the shootout.
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:15 am
by Slava
tkb wrote:Rip just won Kobe the shootout.
+1. Why add fuel to the fire?
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:20 am
by milesfides
I love this.
Suddenly, this turned into the main event.
That's what all-star weekend really needs, some serious one-on-one competition.
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:51 am
by numbas
jesus i really hope kobe wins
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:46 am
by doozyj
If memory serves me right...
Doesn't Kobe own the record for the most 3's in a game with 12?
Don't eva, eva, eva, eva (in the voice of Chris Tucker from Friday) underestimate Kobe.
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:36 pm
by slifersd
Hamilton only shoots a high percentage because he shoots so few of them. Look at his numbers, he average less than one three pointer a game! Kobe average twice as much as his makes. Besides, I have see both of these guys shoot threes in games and Kobe has way better mechanic than Hamilton. Kobe use his legs to give him great lift on his shots while Hamilton barely gets off the ground for his shots. That mechanic might work for mid range jumpers but not for three pointers.
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:24 pm
by hermes
ooooo
them's fightin words
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:31 pm
by magicfan4life05
lol this all comes from the philly ties, they got this crazy competition b/w eachother for so long...with that said, this is gonna be so fun to watch...
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:32 pm
by Liqourish
When the Lakers played the Pistons two weeks ago, Rip and Kobe started this little playful banter. Both were interviewed and both took cracks at the other playfully. I think that's why both of them were invited to the shootout, to get some competitiveness back.
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:01 pm
by triplet1984
^ yes, its not nearly as mean spirited as it might sound if you read the quotes without context. kobe and rip are old rivals/friends. It's definately a fun plotline though, and is the main reason I'm interested in th 3 point shootout!
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:10 pm
by djericho
You got to believe Kobe has that article pinned to the back of his locker with that Quote highlighted, and is practicing on shortening his 3 pt shot to give him a quick release. The guy is maniacal in his practice and training.
Unless Rip is going to go Tonya Harding and take a pipe to Kobe's shooting hand, I wouldn't count him out, never.
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:23 pm
by blix
Tongue in cheek, I'm sure....but adds a nice element to the event definitely.
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:32 pm
by Erik Eleven
Kobe couldn't care less about this about this challenge. As far as I'm concerned, he shouldn't participate in this type of nonsense unless he's 100% healthy.
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:01 pm
by blix
Erik Eleven wrote:Kobe couldn't care less about this about this challenge. As far as I'm concerned, he shouldn't participate in this type of nonsense unless he's 100% healthy.
I think Kobe cares about
any kind of challenge, but I agree there should be zero risk involved in competing.
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:53 pm
by Raptor/LakerFan
lol kobe and RIP are close friends so this is just friendly trash talk to make it more interesting
i like
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:04 pm
by TruSkool
RIP just blew his chances
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:19 pm
by dingclancy
Can somebody explain the Tonya Harding reference?
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:35 pm
by dleeaudiox
You know, i dont doubt kobe's talents one bit. But the 3 point contest has some shooters that can really shoot the 3. I usually skip the channel and turn it back on when its the dunk contest, but im definitely going to watch this one. I wonder if the NBA paid kobe to this for ratings??? its going to be the most watched 3 point contest in history because of that man kobe!
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:38 pm
by NYKBaller
its a BLEEPIN WRAP for the shootout