Bynum to Howard: Get used to playing with Kobe

As I said, no one claims to want to play with Kobe. Howard didn't want to get traded to LA. Wonder why? None of the top free agents list the Lakers as their desired destination. And Howard will probably be leaving at the end of the year. So, he doesn't really have to get used to Kobe.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 12:57 AM ET  12.18 by TrueFan

As I said, no one claims to want to play with Kobe. Howard didn't want to get traded to LA. Wonder why? None of the top free agents list the Lakers as their desired destination. And Howard will probably be leaving at the end of the year. So, he doesn't really have to get used to Kobe.

Highest bidder that's not the Lakers is where Howard will go next.

You wanna give back those 2 championship rings as well buddy?

At least Howard is playing, fool... take your ass back to the bowling alley.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 11:33 PM ET  12.17 by It Wasn't Me

Kobe is not for the faint-hearted. He think nothing of running over opponents and teammates alike to achieve his goals.

All the great one are like that!!! Did you really think that Michael Jordan was any different?????

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 12:57 AM ET  12.18 by TrueFan

As I said, no one claims to want to play with Kobe. Howard didn't want to get traded to LA. Wonder why? None of the top free agents list the Lakers as their desired destination. And Howard will probably be leaving at the end of the year. So, he doesn't really have to get used to Kobe.

LMFAO, and you know all about Kobe??? Is Kobe your little brother and he kicked your ASS when you were younger??? The players that don't want to play with Kobe, don't want a ring on their finger!!!

The Lakers will play better when they are whole again and build some chemistry. As a Laker fan, I just hope that they do so in time to make the playoffs (a higher seeding wouldn't hurt, either).

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 12:57 AM ET  12.18 by TrueFan

As I said, no one claims to want to play with Kobe. Howard didn't want to get traded to LA. Wonder why? None of the top free agents list the Lakers as their desired destination. And Howard will probably be leaving at the end of the year. So, he doesn't really have to get used to Kobe.

Lamar Odom sure wanted to play with Kobe. Pau Gasol wants to. Steve Nash wanted to. Deron Williams said he'd like to. Chris Paul wanted to. Dwight Howard has been nothing but complimentary of Kobe and the Laker organization. Granted, none of the top level free agents go there, but I'm pretty sure that it has more to do with available cap space than it does anything else.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:13 AM ET  12.18 by Hoffa The Great

Lamar Odom sure wanted to play with Kobe. Pau Gasol wants to. Steve Nash wanted to. Deron Williams said he'd like to. Chris Paul wanted to. Dwight Howard has been nothing but complimentary of Kobe and the Laker organization. Granted, none of the top level free agents go there, but I'm pretty sure that it has more to do with available cap space than it does anything else.

As I said elsewhere, second-tier and lower players would love to play with *any* star--Kobe, LeBron, Durant. Such stars hide their flaws because the star makes it so the player isn't asked to do much, even stuff the player might be capable of doing (for example, knocking down a three at the buzzer). The issue is whether a first-tier star would give Kobe the time of day, the issue is whether a player who wants to grow into his talent will want to play with Kobe. Of course Nash *may* want to play with Kobe; Nash is hardly a first-tier talent nowadays, he's clearly on the down side of his career. And about now Nash may be wondering why he left the magic trainers in Phoenix to take his chances anywhere else. And, please don't put Pau, Deron, and Lamar Odom in the first tier--they're good players, but not a one of them wants the ball in crunch time.

Look, Bosh, LeBron, Wade, all 3 want the ball in crunch time. Kevin Durant, Westbrook, both want the ball in crunch time. Such stars don't want to play with someone who will hold the ball and hold the ball and hold the ball, even if all 4 other players are free, and loft up some crazy shot to say LOOK AT ME! Such players will play with a star, but only if there's mutual respect for their talent. The last thing anyone has ever accused Kobe of having is respect for someone else's talent. I mean, come on, the guy had the audacity to suggest his daydream team could beat the Dream Team. That's respect? That's laughable.

As for Dwight, maybe he learned something during his crazy last year in Orlando. Maybe he will now just play his game, and leave when he gets the chance. I guess that's something on which we can all agree--if he learned to shut up, stop the dramatics, eat, shoot, and leave, THAT would be a good thing.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 12:02 PM ET  12.18 by TrueFan

As I said elsewhere, second-tier and lower players would love to play with *any* star--Kobe, LeBron, Durant. Such stars hide their flaws because the star makes it so the player isn't asked to do much, even stuff the player might be capable of doing (for example, knocking down a three at the buzzer). The issue is whether a first-tier star would give Kobe the time of day, the issue is whether a player who wants to grow into his talent will want to play with Kobe. Of course Nash *may* want to play with Kobe; Nash is hardly a first-tier talent nowadays, he's clearly on the down side of his career. And about now Nash may be wondering why he left the magic trainers in Phoenix to take his chances anywhere else. And, please don't put Pau, Deron, and Lamar Odom in the first tier--they're good players, but not a one of them wants the ball in crunch time.Look, Bosh, LeBron, Wade, all 3 want the ball in crunch time. Kevin Durant, Westbrook, both want the ball in crunch time. Such stars don't want to play with someone who will hold the ball and hold the ball and hold the ball, even if all 4 other players are free, and loft up some crazy shot to say LOOK AT ME! Such players will play with a star, but only if there's mutual respect for their talent. The last thing anyone has ever accused Kobe of having is respect for someone else's talent. I mean, come on, the guy had the audacity to suggest his daydream team could beat the Dream Team. That's respect? That's laughable.As for Dwight, maybe he learned something during his crazy last year in Orlando. Maybe he will now just play his game, and leave when he gets the chance. I guess that's something on which we can all agree--if he learned to shut up, stop the dramatics, eat, shoot, and leave, THAT would be a good thing.

So, Deron Williams and Chris Paul aren't first tier talent? The only thing that's "laughable" is your hatred for a great player. I don't remember Deron Williams trying to sign with the Heat. He must HATE Lebron and Wade, according to your line of thinking.

What would you expect him say, "We suck and I don't think that we could win?" I think that the original dream team was better too, but only because of the size that they had. Had Bynum and Howard been healthy, you never know. That was an amazing collection of talent, but we tend to remember most of them from their peak, and not what they were at the time. Magic had retired due to health concerns, Bird was a SHELL of his former self, Jordan was just coming into his own and learning to play "team" basketball, Mullin was on the downside of his career. I think that it would have been closer than people think, and closer than that had this year's team had some healthy size.

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 12:14 PM ET  12.18 by Hoffa The Great

So, Deron Williams and Chris Paul aren't first tier talent? The only thing that's "laughable" is your hatred for a great player. I don't remember Deron Williams trying to sign with the Heat. He must HATE Lebron and Wade, according to your line of thinking.What would you expect him say, "We suck and I don't think that we could win?" I think that the original dream team was better too, but only because of the size that they had. Had Bynum and Howard been healthy, you never know. That was an amazing collection of talent, but we tend to remember most of them from their peak, and not what they were at the time. Magic had retired due to health concerns, Bird was a SHELL of his former self, Jordan was just coming into his own and learning to play "team" basketball, Mullin was on the downside of his career. I think that it would have been closer than people think, and closer than that had this year's team had some healthy size.

Deron Williams is good, but not first-tier. Come on, don't make like a crazy owner and call a 2nd-tier player first tier just because he's the only one playing the position you need on the market. Chris Paul--I guess it is possible for ONE NBA player to be totally mistaken. Wonder how Paul would feel when he passes it to Kobe and never ever ever sees it again.

Anyway, why is it that if someone criticizes a player, they are said to HATE the player. I don't hate Kobe. I just don't like his game.

To put it in perspective, I felt the same way about MJ--UNTIL he finally got it, learned to play team ball, and made those around him better. Both MJ and Kobe and, in fact, any player with individual skills, is fun to watch. How can I HATE that? BUT, if you want to watch high-level basketball, then the individual skills have to be meshed into a team concept. And Kobe, after all these years, still does not get that.

You can say, well, who can he pass the ball to now? We could've said the same thing when MJ learned to play team ball. I mean, who the h*ll was John Paxson. NOBODY! At least he was nobody, until MJ showed confidence in him 82 games a season, such that Paxson could get the pass, take the shot, and hit the game-winner in the finals. Its about confidence, and by MJ showing it in Paxson, Paxson became what MJ needed him to become.

That's what Kobe didn't have, doesn't have, and never will have--confidence enough in himself (such that he doesn't have to show-off all the time) to trust his teammates. And THAT's why noboday wants to play with KoME.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 02:28 PM ET  12.18 by TrueFan

Deron Williams is good, but not first-tier. Come on, don't make like a crazy owner and call a 2nd-tier player first tier just because he's the only one playing the position you need on the market. Chris Paul--I guess it is possible for ONE NBA player to be totally mistaken. Wonder how Paul would feel when he passes it to Kobe and never ever ever sees it again.Anyway, why is it that if someone criticizes a player, they are said to HATE the player. I don't hate Kobe. I just don't like his game.To put it in perspective, I felt the same way about MJ--UNTIL he finally got it, learned to play team ball, and made those around him better. Both MJ and Kobe and, in fact, any player with individual skills, is fun to watch. How can I HATE that? BUT, if you want to watch high-level basketball, then the individual skills have to be meshed into a team concept. And Kobe, after all these years, still does not get that.You can say, well, who can he pass the ball to now? We could've said the same thing when MJ learned to play team ball. I mean, who the h*ll was John Paxson. NOBODY! At least he was nobody, until MJ showed confidence in him 82 games a season, such that Paxson could get the pass, take the shot, and hit the game-winner in the finals. Its about confidence, and by MJ showing it in Paxson, Paxson became what MJ needed him to become.That's what Kobe didn't have, doesn't have, and never will have--confidence enough in himself (such that he doesn't have to show-off all the time) to trust his teammates. And THAT's why noboday wants to play with KoME.

You are WAY off. You know how I can tell that Deron williams is an elite point guard? It's not because he was considered the best free agent on the market last season by everyone in the NBA. It's not because he had teams throwing max contracts his way. It's not because he was an olympian. It's not because he's been an All Star multiple times. It's because the guy is averaging 17 and 8, and people are asking what's wrong with him. He's 6th in the NBA in assists per game, and scoring 17 points per game, but there is something "wrong" with him? Trust me, there are about 30 NBA teams that would LOVE to have that "problem" at point guard. With the exception of Chris Paul, there isn't a point guard out there that many people would take above that guy. That's elite.

I'm glad you brought up Jordan in comparison to Kobe's game. Jordan wasn't really into passing the ball, either, and he was surrounded by much, MUCH better shooters throughout his career. You can knock John Paxson all you want, but he could shoot the three. As could Craig Hodges, BJ Armstrong and Steve Kerr. Kobe has given the ball up plenty of times, guys just aren't the shooters that other teams have had. I agree, Kobe goes off and shoots too much, at times. But EVERY superstar scorer does the same thing. Jordan averaged half an assist per game more than Kobe for their careers, and that's with Kobe playing as a back-up for his first two seasons in the league. I could sit here and name more than one instance in which Kobe has shown confidence in his teammates, but that wouldn't matter. You don't see it and don't care. THAT'S why you're a hater.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 03:37 PM ET  12.18 by Hoffa The Great

You are WAY off. You know how I can tell that Deron williams is an elite point guard? It's not because he was considered the best free agent on the market last season by everyone in the NBA. It's not because he had teams throwing max contracts his way. It's not because he was an olympian. It's not because he's been an All Star multiple times. It's because the guy is averaging 17 and 8, and people are asking what's wrong with him. He's 6th in the NBA in assists per game, and scoring 17 points per game, but there is something "wrong" with him? Trust me, there are about 30 NBA teams that would LOVE to have that "problem" at point guard. With the exception of Chris Paul, there isn't a point guard out there that many people would take above that guy. That's elite.I'm glad you brought up Jordan in comparison to Kobe's game. Jordan wasn't really into passing the ball, either, and he was surrounded by much, MUCH better shooters throughout his career. You can knock John Paxson all you want, but he could shoot the three. As could Craig Hodges, BJ Armstrong and Steve Kerr. Kobe has given the ball up plenty of times, guys just aren't the shooters that other teams have had. I agree, Kobe goes off and shoots too much, at times. But EVERY superstar scorer does the same thing. Jordan averaged half an assist per game more than Kobe for their careers, and that's with Kobe playing as a back-up for his first two seasons in the league. I could sit here and name more than one instance in which Kobe has shown confidence in his teammates, but that wouldn't matter. You don't see it and don't care. THAT'S why you're a hater.

17 and 8. 17 and 8? If that's your definition of a star, well, there's no point in even continuing the discussion.

LOL

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 04:51 PM ET  12.18 by TrueFan

17 and 8. 17 and 8? If that's your definition of a star, well, there's no point in even continuing the discussion.LOL

Considering Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league and he's averaging 16 and 9, you can "lol" all you'd like.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 03:37 PM ET  12.18 by Hoffa The Great

You are WAY off. You know how I can tell that Deron williams is an elite point guard? It's not because he was considered the best free agent on the market last season by everyone in the NBA. It's not because he had teams throwing max contracts his way. It's not because he was an olympian. It's not because he's been an All Star multiple times. It's because the guy is averaging 17 and 8, and people are asking what's wrong with him. He's 6th in the NBA in assists per game, and scoring 17 points per game, but there is something "wrong" with him? Trust me, there are about 30 NBA teams that would LOVE to have that "problem" at point guard. With the exception of Chris Paul, there isn't a point guard out there that many people would take above that guy. That's elite.I'm glad you brought up Jordan in comparison to Kobe's game. Jordan wasn't really into passing the ball, either, and he was surrounded by much, MUCH better shooters throughout his career. You can knock John Paxson all you want, but he could shoot the three. As could Craig Hodges, BJ Armstrong and Steve Kerr. Kobe has given the ball up plenty of times, guys just aren't the shooters that other teams have had. I agree, Kobe goes off and shoots too much, at times. But EVERY superstar scorer does the same thing. Jordan averaged half an assist per game more than Kobe for their careers, and that's with Kobe playing as a back-up for his first two seasons in the league. I could sit here and name more than one instance in which Kobe has shown confidence in his teammates, but that wouldn't matter. You don't see it and don't care. THAT'S why you're a hater.

agreed.. I could probably name 2 instances in which Kobe has shown confidence in his teammates.. but no more than 2............ in 17 years???

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 11:33 PM ET  12.17 by It Wasn't Me

Kobe is not for the faint-hearted. He think nothing of running over opponents and teammates alike to achieve his goals.

dont stand too close to that bus or you'll end up underneath it...

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 05:35 PM ET  12.18 by Dogue-dude

agreed.. I could probably name 2 instances in which Kobe has shown confidence in his teammates.. but no more than 2............ in 17 years???

I can name more than two. He's passed the ball to Artest on multiple occasions, including in the Finals, and he also drew up a play during a time-out for Bynum to beat the celtics. He's done it plenty of times. But all anybody wants to focus on are the times that he hasn't, and i don't understand that. That's not done with any other player the way it is with Kobe. Jordan, among others, did the same thing, but they're commended for it.