Bill Simmons take on Kobe

[vinnycorleone]

Bill Simmons has notoriously been known for hating all things Lakers and Kobe. But recently he has changed his stance on Kobe. Pretty interesting read and for anyone who doesn't know who Bill Simmons is...he's a columnist for ESPN.com and an avid Celtics fans (but he knows alot about bball).

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... one/091218

SIMMONS

I can't say that I'm surprised. You're the same person who fell in love with the NBA as a kid by reading Sports Illustrated issues in your local Canadian library. The other obvious change: Kobe's section needs to be rewritten. I can't remember anyone reinventing himself historically as well as Kobe did these past 16 months. The Olympics, then the 2009 Finals, then the media victory lap that everyone ate up … and then, when it seemed as if we were headed for a decline, he reinvented himself as the second coming of post-baseball Jordan and developed an even nastier, more physical post-up game than MJ had. I can't believe what I am watching. It's staggering. He's like a 6-foot-6 Hakeem Olajuwon. I went into this season thinking Kobe would be able to last just one or two more seasons at a high level; now I'm wondering whether he could play like this well into his late 30s. Why not? I mean, Karl Malone did it. Like Malone, Kobe is a workout freak who takes care of his body and seems predisposed to staying healthy, anyway. Malone averaged a 26-10 and made second-team All-NBA in the 1999-2000 season when he was 36 years old … and then he played four years after that. Kobe is only 31. Could he replicate Malone's longevity and consistency?

Let's say he plays five more years at this level and averages 25-26 points a game, plays in two more Finals (winning one) and makes three first-team All-NBAs and two 2nd-team All-NBAs. (Conceivable.) Here's how his hypothetical résumé would look after the 2014-2015 season: five rings and eight Finals appearances in all … 34,000-plus points (third all time) … 1,300-plus games (the record is 1,611, held by Robert Parish) … nearly 6,000 playoff points (close to the record of 5,987, held by MJ) … 10 first-team All-NBAs, four second-teams and two third-teams. Again, that's a reasonable scenario. So if he stays healthy and keeps playing at this level, he would eventually become the Kareem of non-centers: either the third or fourth best player in the history of the league. Meanwhile, just 26 months ago, the Lakers were shopping him and he seemed destined to leave. I think this is startling.

[Tee212]

lol good stuff, if he stays injury free we're all going to witness greatness at its best.

[semi-sentient]

I'm not sure what to make of Simmons. He doesn't even have Shaq in his top 10 all-time list which he came out with earlier this year. It's difficult for me to praise him for what he says about Kobe when he dropped the ball on Shaq.

And he has Russell ranked ahead of both Kareem and Magic.

[ALL HAIL]

Kobe is playing this great because of Ron Artest.

Artest's presence on the squad as a highly intelligent, primary defender and enforcer allows Kobe the freedom of mind to focus on being more efficient.

My favorite statistic is FG percentage. Kobe is shooting 49 percent this year.

This is his best season ever thus far and with less defensive responsiblity (thank you Artest) he will further distance himself from LeBron and Wade as the best player in the game.

Church.

[lovethisgame]

I'm an avid reader of Simmons' articles and podcasts despite his ever dissipating sheer hate for the Lakers. I also recently purchased his new book, The Book of Basketball. It's very entertaining. A lot of facts and a lot of hypothetical scenarios. He's a good modern journalist and his take on the NBA (and pop culture) is very amusing.

[TommyTheCat]

i believe kobe will play in more than 2 more finals and win at least two more rings.

good to see simmons taking off his kobe hater hat for once

[vinnycorleone]

I'm an avid reader of Simmons' articles and podcasts despite his ever dissipating sheer hate for the Lakers. I also recently purchased his new book, The Book of Basketball. It's very entertaining. A lot of facts and a lot of hypothetical scenarios. He's a good modern journalist and his take on the NBA (and pop culture) is very amusing.

I just finished his book and I was thoroughly impressed with his knowledge of basketball. Even though he's a Celtics fan...I still read most of his articles and listen to his podcasts because of the fact that he simply KNOWS basketball.

[96 Til Infiniti]

I'm an avid reader of Simmons' articles and podcasts despite his ever dissipating sheer hate for the Lakers. I also recently purchased his new book, The Book of Basketball. It's very entertaining. A lot of facts and a lot of hypothetical scenarios. He's a good modern journalist and his take on the NBA (and pop culture) is very amusing.

I just finished his book and I was thoroughly impressed with his knowledge of basketball. Even though he's a Celtics fan...I still read most of his articles and listen to his podcasts because of the fact that he simply KNOWS basketball.

Just got "The Book of Basketball" too, haven't cracked it open yet...but I'm a fan of Simmons sense of humor and honesty even though he hates on LA far too much. Nice to see him change his stance on #24. Now if only he would see Pauly for the p*ssy he really is.

[R-S-M]

OMG, i cant believe i read that. Simmons really wrote this? I had become so fed-up with this guy writing crap on kobe, i just ignore everything he writes now. He picks on the stupist things too, Just last year after the finals, he said kobe is not loved and friendless, hence why he had his family next to him during the finals trophy ceremony. That article made me want to slap some sense into him, like how do u say something like that. i wish i could find the link.
And now this! WOW!.... either hes finally finally come to accepting what greatness is, or hes just trying to get on the bandwagon.
Seriously he can write whatever he wants to support kobe now, some of last few articles on him were just wrong in so many ways.

[Dr Aki]

simmons is one of those boston homers that hate on kobe just for the sake of hating...

at least he "respect'-hates on kobe though...