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Let me expand in the title. Kobe has done plenty of things that would get any other player crucified. Somehow none of it tarnished his legacy. Let's take a look.

- Refusing to play for the Nets and other teams if drafted by them
- Running Shaq out of town
- Demanding a trade from the Lakers
- His selfish chucking/losing play his last 2 seasons

Most players would get shredded for doing these things. If LeBron did any of those things, people would call for his head (especially Kobe fans ironically). How does Kobe manage to escape criticism for those things? People seem to forget they even happened.

Part of it is that his early career was played in an era where social media was in its infancy. Today he'd be killed for alot of the things he did. The rape case in particular would have been brutal today. Alot of past players are lucky the media back when was different.

Kobe got a fair share of criticism throughout his career but quieted a lot of the criticism by winning. Kobe's last two seasons were painful and frankly embarrassing. He was a liability at that point in his career and kept shooting despite his FG% dropping well below 40%. He rightfully got a lot of flack for his selfish play at the end of his career, and I think that's also around the time when a lot of the "Kobe is better than Jordan" debates died out.

HomoSapien wrote:Kobe got a fair share of criticism throughout his career but quieted a lot of the criticism by winning. Kobe's last two seasons were painful and frankly embarrassing. He was a liability at that point in his career and kept shooting despite his FG% dropping well below 40%. He rightfully got a lot of flack for his selfish play at the end of his career, and I think that's also around the time when a lot of the "Kobe is better than Jordan" debates died out.

Nobody with shred of credibility or basketball knowledge ever had Kobe above Jordan though. I never remember that ever seriously being discussed. Kobe was never on the GOAT Jordan level.

Rent free.

https://youtu.be/pB7P7OqCpqo?si=armQrVCLM50R7lUC

ScrantonBulls wrote:

HomoSapien wrote:Kobe got a fair share of criticism throughout his career but quieted a lot of the criticism by winning. Kobe's last two seasons were painful and frankly embarrassing. He was a liability at that point in his career and kept shooting despite his FG% dropping well below 40%. He rightfully got a lot of flack for his selfish play at the end of his career, and I think that's also around the time when a lot of the "Kobe is better than Jordan" debates died out.

Nobody with shred of credibility or basketball knowledge ever had Kobe above Jordan though. I never remember that ever seriously being discussed. Kobe was never on the GOAT Jordan level.

It's easy to forget now, but it was debated frequently on this board back in the day.

He’s been called out at lot on this site lately at least

Anyone who thinks he got free passes for any of those is too young to remember most of his career.

Its like in 2030 someone asking why Lebron got a free pass for the decision and the 2011 finals. He didn't. You just weren't around for the blowback.

Because LA.

The Lakers have the largest fan base by far. He had a loyal, very loud fan base that would have his back no matter what and a media that would push it.

ScrantonBulls wrote:Let me expand in the title. Kobe has done plenty of things that would get any other player crucified. Somehow none of it tarnished his legacy. Let's take a look.

- Refusing to play for the Nets and other teams if drafted by them
- Running Shaq out of town
- Demanding a trade from the Lakers
- His selfish chucking/losing play his last 2 seasons

Most players would get shredded for doing these things. If LeBron did any of those things, people would call for his head (especially Kobe fans ironically). How does Kobe manage to escape criticism for those things? People seem to forget they even happened.

Crazy you didn’t include the most egregious; Denver. If that happened today…

how do you know it hasnt tarnished his legacy? his career is already over. it's baked in to how different people perceive him. wth do you want? daily posts about how kobe ran shaq out of town? lower him to about 30s in ranking because he didnt want to play for nets?

AleksandarN wrote:

ScrantonBulls wrote:Let me expand in the title. Kobe has done plenty of things that would get any other player crucified. Somehow none of it tarnished his legacy. Let's take a look.

- Refusing to play for the Nets and other teams if drafted by them
- Running Shaq out of town
- Demanding a trade from the Lakers
- His selfish chucking/losing play his last 2 seasons

Most players would get shredded for doing these things. If LeBron did any of those things, people would call for his head (especially Kobe fans ironically). How does Kobe manage to escape criticism for those things? People seem to forget they even happened.

Crazy you didn’t include the most egregious; Denver. If that happened today…

... his hardcore fans would still defend him.

Kobe basically grew up in front of our eyes. After the Colorado allegations and Shaq leaving he basically adopted an IDAF attitude.

There was Kobe criticism every day on ESPN and in the media he just didn’t care and it never stopped him from doing what he wanted to and focused on, which was winning.

Some people respect that. Respect people that go their own way, make their own path and don’t apologize for it. Especially if they win.

That was Kobe. Love him or hate him, he wasn’t going to change for you or apologize for it.

Most popular Laker to a majority of fans here. They grew up watching him.

ScrantonBulls wrote:Let me expand in the title. Kobe has done plenty of things that would get any other player crucified. Somehow none of it tarnished his legacy. Let's take a look.

- Refusing to play for the Nets and other teams if drafted by them
- Running Shaq out of town
- Demanding a trade from the Lakers
- His selfish chucking/losing play his last 2 seasons

Most players would get shredded for doing these things. If LeBron did any of those things, people would call for his head (especially Kobe fans ironically). How does Kobe manage to escape criticism for those things? People seem to forget they even happened.

He was handsome and spoke Italian.

SweaterBae wrote:

ScrantonBulls wrote:Let me expand in the title. Kobe has done plenty of things that would get any other player crucified. Somehow none of it tarnished his legacy. Let's take a look.

- Refusing to play for the Nets and other teams if drafted by them
- Running Shaq out of town
- Demanding a trade from the Lakers
- His selfish chucking/losing play his last 2 seasons

Most players would get shredded for doing these things. If LeBron did any of those things, people would call for his head (especially Kobe fans ironically). How does Kobe manage to escape criticism for those things? People seem to forget they even happened.

He was handsome and spoke Italian.

These are probably the reasons (according to the ladies) why. lol. JK

RIP, Kobe . Also RIP GiGi (very sad, she was so young). RIP the rest of helicopter victims.

xxSnEaKyPxx wrote:Because LA.

The Lakers have the largest fan base by far. He had a loyal, very loud fan base that would have his back no matter what and a media that would push it.

This Indeed.

incredible how people still do not realize how big Lakers are.

mastermixer wrote:Kobe basically grew up in front of our eyes. After the Colorado allegations and Shaq leaving he basically adopted an IDAF attitude.

There was Kobe criticism every day on ESPN and in the media he just didn’t care and it never stopped him from doing what he wanted to and focused on, which was winning.

Some people respect that. Respect people that go their own way, make their own path and don’t apologize for it. Especially if they win.

That was Kobe. Love him or hate him, he wasn’t going to change for you or apologize for it.

He was hated, then beloved, then hated again, then beloved. Just never stopped him from winning which you mentioned.

I think you’re gonna have a lot of fans who wish other players hated him. Instead, a lot of people who hate him on this board are in the Brian Windhorst/Nick Wright camp and not on the side of people who play basketball.

I mean, let's be real. This thread makes a fair point. Kobe was charged with rape. Not only was he charged, but in the deal he made to have the suit dropped he had to agree to make a statement acknowledging that "in hindsight I now understand she did not consent". That's an incredible concession, not the sort one tends to make if innocent.

In today's post me too world he would be cancelled in polite society, like Kanye or Russell Brand. But because it happened 20 years ago (and he's dead) it's all but taboo to discuss. It wasn't even mentioned in the OP, and this thread will eventually be shut down because "this isn't the place" to discuss it. I don't know where else would be the place, if not on a thread discussing the off court legacy of a player. I can't imagine how victims of rape feel about the way this topic is completely swept under the table.

Same posters screaming over and over into the void with no one influential to hear their screams about someone who’s gone, beloved, and defenseless.

All on a Friday night, nonetheless. This type of investment indicates a special type of hatred and resentment. These posters don’t realize that they’ve practically locked themselves in a padded room merely to scream and fling feces at one another. I see it as a cry for help. Pray for them.