This thread discusses the Content article: Open Letter to Kobe Bryant

Let me say, I'm not a big of Kobe, Shaq or the Lakers. They are just too much of a glam team for my liking. Kobe is good but I'm not sure that he is great and for much of the same reasons as you've outlined, Sacha.

Kobe is too much of a "me" player and not enough of an "us" player. Similar criticisms have been made in the past of my favourite NBA star, Mr Air Jordan. But I think the difference between Jordan and Kobe is that Jordan brought everyone up on his team. With Jordan playing, his whole team seemed to perform better. Unfortunately Kobe doesn't have the effect on his team.

Here's to the Spurs repeating next year as there are several good guys on that team !

I agree with a lot of your comments. Kobe is a great player on court but his self centred approach off court has had an effect on the Lakers.
As for the Spurs, great basketball team, and I admire Tim Duncan. They're just devoid of personality. They get the job done but it's definitely not Showtime at AT&T centre in San Antonio when the Spurs come out to play.

I guess in all the search for personal glory, they forget that not all games can be won by 1 person alone, no matter how good that one person is.

Basketball is definately a team sport consisting of a team of players, hence the most talented of players can only perform if they have a good solid team behind them. Even Michael Jordon needed his team mates to pass him the ball to make the points for MVP !

If its singular glory that one are looking for in a sport, perhaps,they should switch to Golf or even Cycling !

While it's no Showtime at the AT&T Centre but it's great to watch a team that plays so well together. I think I'm good with boring as long as they play well.

True the NBA Finals this year were boring on the point scoring front but it was awesome to watch Tony Parker execute at both ends of the court.

Oh he has to deliver, he has Eva Longoria cheering him on, now is that an incentive to perform or what?

I can't say I am an avid NBA Basketball watcher, but I have a passing interest in the sport and generally a fascination over how it seems to capture the hearts and minds of so many fans.

The NBA is one of the powerhouses in the media landscape and therefore has a lot on the line when players make "mistakes" in their off court lives. Do you think that some of the recent issues that have crept up with players might leave a long term stain on the future of NBA Basketball?

Great article BTW...
Stevo

Hey Stevo,

Sports I think in general are rarely tainted for the simple reason, their sportsmen/sportswomen entertain! Despite the indiscretions of Kobe in the NBA, Shane Warne in cricket, Michael Vick in NFL and Eric Cantona in soccer to name just a few, the public are quick to forgive and forget. Their mastery on the playing field inspires and thrill!