Questions about young Kobe

TheHartBreakKid · Post #1 » by **TheHartBreakKid** » Sun Dec 2, 2012 10:20 am

I've been a diehard Laker fan since the early 2000's, with Kobe obviously being my favorite player following the ups and the downs all these years. However, I wasn't around for the Pre-Phil Jackson Kobe era, and I was wondering if some of you who were around can answer some of my questions. When Kobe was traded to the Lakers, what was the fan bases expectations of him? Did anyone have any idea that he might ever become the Kobe that we know today? How about in his second season? Were fans angry that he wasn't starting? Were some fans wanting him traded for a more experienced player since the Lakers had Eddie Jones, or were people wanting Eddie Jones traded so Kobe could finally take over. Basically what was the expectations and impressions of young Kobe by the Laker fan base? Was everyone frustrated with his shot selection and arrogance? etc etc etc?

billy_21 · Post #2 » by **billy_21** » Sun Dec 2, 2012 12:56 pm

There was a lot of different opinions of young Kobe due to the Jordan comparison, some thought he was going to be everything we see of him today and more.. Some didn't like him due to the arrogance coming out of high school and wanting the starting job etc.

I remember when watching a few of his games in his rookie year and you knew that he had that 'it' factor which made him what he is today.. I had a bad feeling being a lakers fan that he would be traded to the bulls in 07.. Didn't want to see Kobe be the next star in Chicago post Jordan era, so I'm glad that things turned out the way they did.

During Shaq-Kobe era, I believe that Kobe was on equal playing level as Shaq when the Lakers repeated their title run. This is where lots of the Lakers fans base was split on whether Kobe was the real deal or not, if only Lakers were able to keep both egos in check I believe Lakers would have at least 2-3 extra titles. Hopefully we can make the current line-up work when Nash gets back which will be a great way to send Kobe off into retirement and continue the championship winning culture by building around Dwight post Kobe era.

billy_21 · Post #3 » by **billy_21** » Sun Dec 2, 2012 12:57 pm

As a side note.. I forgot to mention that Kobe was robbed during 06-07 seasons of MVP awards... The guy had a team of scrubs and still got the team into the post season..

Tee212 · Post #4 » by **Tee212** » Sun Dec 2, 2012 1:02 pm

I didnt care about the lakers since magic left with the hiv and started watching the lakers when he came back for one season. iirc kobe came in 96, the fan base was rather hard to dictate back then, most of us didnt have internet let alone a sports discussion forum. A buddy of mine told me watch that kid hes goona be the next MJ, after i noticed a few of his moves i was very interested on how his career will pan out (instant fan!). At 16 his footwork,ball handing, first step, shooting motion follow through was already better than anyone on that laker team( this was from my novice point of view).

Far with his shot selections and arrogance i had no issues with it, if anyone has that kind of game be arrogant! i dont care...take the good with the bad. I remember watching the games, every time he touched the ball everyone was in the ohhhh ahhhh dazzle. Hes still playing at a high level which is absurd compared to all his contemporaries (AI,Tmac,VC, etc..)

Post #5 » by **semi-sentient** » Sun Dec 2, 2012 6:03 pm

My feeling at the time that we got him was that he was a nice prospect and nothing more. I didn't expect him to really contribute. He showed flashes of being a capable starter in his first season though and it didn't take long at all for him to start drawing comparisons to Jordan. For me I knew he'd be something special in his 2nd season, and I was ready for him to be moved into the starting lineup so that he could develop quicker. He was explosive and fundamentally sound (nice footwork, jumper, handles, etc.), and he played good defense which is pretty much everything you want from a wing player. He definitely had that killer instinct from day 1 and never shyed away from the moment.

His arrogance was overshadowed by Shaq's so I never took much issue with it. I didn't particularly like how he tried to play hero ball early on to prove himself, but in hindsight I think he had to show why he was a better option and a more fearless player than Eddie Jones.

leeprettyp · Post #6 » by **leeprettyp** » Sun Dec 2, 2012 9:22 pm

You could tell he was talented. But in no way did I think that young kid would grow into one of the greatest players to ever lace them. Only Jerry West saw the potential in him. He even broke up the young core and got rid of Nick and Eddie to open up the playing time for Kobe and built the team around both him and Shaq

Mamba Venom · Post #7 » by **Mamba Venom** » Sun Dec 2, 2012 9:48 pm

People didn't see Kobe as having the potential of an all time great. He was a fan favorite. He had all the moves and we all wanted to see Kobe get more time. Then there was hate for the airballs in the play-offs. But some of it was because we were wondering why nobody else wanted to shoot the ball.

But the fans always wanted more PT from Kobe. The way Kobe had to earn it is different from just about every other star in the league today. Dwight, LeBron, Durant were given the keys to the kingdom. Kobe didn't get a silver spoon in the NBA.

Mamba Venom · Post #8 » by **Mamba Venom** » Sun Dec 2, 2012 9:54 pm

Kobe went from bench player to whipping boy to hearing he couldn't be a leader to champion to captain to franchise player

Kobe had to fight for the minutes to develop. Other guys get 38 mins thrown at them and the franchise says just learn for a few years. It is not about winning, it about your development. That is why Kobe's development is even more amazing.

JustAwesome · Post #9 » by **JustAwesome** » Sun Dec 2, 2012 11:20 pm

Fans wanted more playing time for Bryant early on because they bought into the hype. Him coming off the bench wasn't a popular decision with the fan base, but it was the best thing for him. This is why fans shouldn't be coaches.

Asianiac_24 · Post #10 » by **Asianiac_24** » Mon Dec 3, 2012 12:19 am

By his third season I think everyone knew he would be something special. Second best SG of all-time? Maybe, maybe not. But definitely a legit star.

I thought Kobe was the next MJ after the 01 playoffs. He didn't turn out to be quite as good, but still amazing nonetheless.

Run-MKE 311 · Post #11 » by **Run-MKE 311** » Mon Dec 3, 2012 12:46 am

It is fun for me to think back on young Kobe when he first broke into the L. He had so much raw talent and the desire which nobody had really seen since MJ. Once his skills and experience caught up with his self-confidence, you have the deadly Mamba that we all see today.

The one very vivid memory I had of young Kobe was when he started the 98' all star game for the west in MSG. It was a very symbolic time, NBC really played up the passing of the torch from MJ to Kobe, but it was real, you could feel it. It was the perfect storm taking place in the Mecca of basketball, I will never forget it.

It feel like Kobe has been playing for 20 years, truth be told that is not to far off. I have never seen anyone enter the league since with his level of intensity and focus. I doubt we will see anyone else ever again with that drive, sorry LeBron fans.

Mamba is a special, special player. Enjoy him while he is still here because I would give a lot to go back and see MJ again in his prime.

Tee212 · Post #12 » by **Tee212** » Mon Dec 3, 2012 2:39 am

^ exactly, which is why every season he has his faults with shot selections,to's, hero ball or straight up chucker. ive learned to deal with what he is and always will be. everyone should just accept his flaws by now, deal with the trade offs cause theres not goona be another player like him.

Marionettetc · Post #13 » by **Marionettetc** » Mon Dec 3, 2012 5:07 am

leeprettyp wrote:You could tell he was talented. But in no way did I think that young kid would grow into one of the greatest players to ever lace them. Only Jerry West saw the potential in him. He even broke up the young core and got rid of Nick and Eddie to open up the playing time for Kobe and built the team around both him and Shaq

pootpoot · Post #14 » by **pootpoot** » Mon Dec 3, 2012 7:27 am

I grew up in the LA area and was really into the Lakers at that time, I remember seeing stuff about Kobe before the draft and I didn't really have a favorite player that was on the Lakers I really liked Hakeem, I did really like Van Exel and Jones though, but then Kobe was a Laker and was my favorite player. I was in junior high or something so I don't really know what the opinion of him was aside from my tiny bubble but I had always thought ever since prior to his drafting that he was going to be really good, but I had no idea I was just a kid it just sort of worked out that I was right.