Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 7:15 pm Post subject: Kobe Volt: Curry made the MVP runner-up look bad, but Kobe...
It was great to see the MVP and MVP runner-up involved in a last second tussle during a competitive playoff game. And it was fascinating to see the MVP get the better of the runner up, when Curry and Thompson stole the ball from Harden. It was very poetic and all that, and fitting. I'm much more of a Curry fan than Harden, because he relies more on skill than gimmicks such as flopping and creating contact.
But, it also reminded me of sort of the opposite situation a few years ago. When Kobe was having his great 35 ppg scoring year, he lost the controversial MVP to the winner Steve Nash. And a few days after the MVP was revealed (the day after, i think), Kobe dunked (lipton tea-B style) on Nash. And it was remarkable and freaking awesome, a signature moment. There was the MVP getting dunked ON by the runner up. I remember at the time thinking that I can't remember such a dramatic moment like that between the top two MVP candidates.
And it just goes to show again....Kobe is the best I've ever seen. No matter what the stats say, or the awards, he will make that statement on the court. And that's pure skill and tenacity. No gimmicks, no shortcuts.
So just reminiscing. it was a great moment yesterday, and it reminded me of one of the most unique moments I've ever seen in the Kobe/Nash play.
Here's Harden showing why he's the runner up:
Here's Harden getting mad about it. he knows that was a special moment:
And here's Kobe doing what Harden wished he did:
I hope GS makes it to the Finals, and I hope Curry does the same to Lebron if he's there. Bam!
GOAT! _________________ “It took many years of vomiting up all the filth I’d been taught about myself, and half-believed, before I was able to walk on the earth as though I had a right to be here.”
― James Baldwin, Collected Essays
Lakers lost that series. I understand you're angry about Harden succeeding, but he's only been to the line 16 times in 2 games this series, and has put up two absolutely monstrous games. Pretty much everything about the original post is wrong.
Unfortunately this thread will not end well. The same 4-5 posters will come in here spewing their anti-Kobe rhetoric leading to multple pages of arguing eventually leading to a locked thread.
Joined: 15 Jul 2002 Posts: 6938 Location: searching for the mojo of Dr. Buss
Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 8:08 pm Post subject:
You can't win the MVP unless your team has either the best or second best record in conference.... it's always been like this or else MJ would have won tons of MVPs in the late 80s when he was scoring 30+ every season on 50%+ shooting every season. Heck, his best statistical season was 1986-1987 when he averaged 37,1 points per game. But the Bulls were just an average playoff team back then and not true contenders...
So Kobe not winning it in the years the Lakers were mediocre is absolutely understandable. He shouldn't have. He was the best individual player in the game without a doubt. But the MVP is as much about team achievement as it is individual achievement.
Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 11197 Location: The Other Perspective
Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 8:22 pm Post subject:
LOL at that comment on Kobe's vid from 7 years ago:
kobe without shaq = 0 championships _________________ "Chick lived and breathed Lakers basketball…but he was also fair and objective and called every game the way it was played."
-from Chick: His Unpublished Memoirs and the Memories of Those Who Knew Him
Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 6339 Location: Virginia
Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 8:24 pm Post subject:
silkwilkes wrote:
You can't win the MVP unless your team has either the best or second best record in conference.... it's always been like this or else MJ would have won tons of MVPs in the late 80s when he was scoring 30+ every season on 50%+ shooting every season. Heck, his best statistical season was 1986-1987 when he averaged 37,1 points per game. But the Bulls were just an average playoff team back then and not true contenders...
So Kobe not winning it in the years the Lakers were mediocre is absolutely understandable. He shouldn't have. He was the best individual player in the game without a doubt. But the MVP is as much about team achievement as it is individual achievement.
I always thought it was about what player was of the most value to there team. I feel Kobe had a far worse cast as compared to Nash, and that the Lakers had to depend on kobe more then the suns on Nash, but to each there own.
You can't win the MVP unless your team has either the best or second best record in conference.... it's always been like this or else MJ would have won tons of MVPs in the late 80s when he was scoring 30+ every season on 50%+ shooting every season. Heck, his best statistical season was 1986-1987 when he averaged 37,1 points per game. But the Bulls were just an average playoff team back then and not true contenders...
So Kobe not winning it in the years the Lakers were mediocre is absolutely understandable. He shouldn't have. He was the best individual player in the game without a doubt. But the MVP is as much about team achievement as it is individual achievement.
I always thought it was about what player was of the most value to there team. I feel Kobe had a far worse cast as compared to Nash, and that the Lakers had to depend on kobe more then the suns on Nash, but to each there own.
sounds similar to harden/curry. warriors are loaded
You can't win the MVP unless your team has either the best or second best record in conference.... it's always been like this or else MJ would have won tons of MVPs in the late 80s when he was scoring 30+ every season on 50%+ shooting every season. Heck, his best statistical season was 1986-1987 when he averaged 37,1 points per game. But the Bulls were just an average playoff team back then and not true contenders...
So Kobe not winning it in the years the Lakers were mediocre is absolutely understandable. He shouldn't have. He was the best individual player in the game without a doubt. But the MVP is as much about team achievement as it is individual achievement.
I always thought it was about what player was of the most value to there team. I feel Kobe had a far worse cast as compared to Nash, and that the Lakers had to depend on kobe more then the suns on Nash, but to each there own.
sounds similar to harden/curry. warriors are loaded
There's no comparison. Kobe had guys playing alongside him in the starting lineup that didn't even belong in the league like Parker, Brown, and Mihm. Harden at least has NBA caliber players around him just not as good as Golden State.
You can't win the MVP unless your team has either the best or second best record in conference.... it's always been like this or else MJ would have won tons of MVPs in the late 80s when he was scoring 30+ every season on 50%+ shooting every season. Heck, his best statistical season was 1986-1987 when he averaged 37,1 points per game. But the Bulls were just an average playoff team back then and not true contenders...
So Kobe not winning it in the years the Lakers were mediocre is absolutely understandable. He shouldn't have. He was the best individual player in the game without a doubt. But the MVP is as much about team achievement as it is individual achievement.
I always thought it was about what player was of the most value to there team. I feel Kobe had a far worse cast as compared to Nash, and that the Lakers had to depend on kobe more then the suns on Nash, but to each there own.
sounds similar to harden/curry. warriors are loaded
There's no comparison. Kobe had guys playing alongside him in the starting lineup that didn't even belong in the league like Parker, Brown, and Mihm. Harden at least has NBA caliber players around him just not as good as Golden State.
well that explains the Lakers getting bounced in the first round
and you're right, Clint Capella, ancient Jason Terry, and ancient (not that it matters his age, it's Pablo Prigioni lmao) Prigioni are so much better man
Last edited by thuringer on Fri May 22, 2015 9:39 pm; edited 1 time in total
Unfortunately this thread will not end well. The same 4-5 posters will come in here spewing their anti-Kobe rhetoric leading to multple pages of arguing eventually leading to a locked thread.
_________________ “It took many years of vomiting up all the filth I’d been taught about myself, and half-believed, before I was able to walk on the earth as though I had a right to be here.”
― James Baldwin, Collected Essays
one of the best dunks ever... hope we won that series... we were 1 rebound away. sigh. _________________ "Now, if life is coffee, then the jobs, money & position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold & contain life, but the quality of life doesn't change. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it."
The weird thing about this thread is that it seems to imply that Harden didn't play well. On the contrary, he had a great game. If it wasn't for his excellence, the Rockets aren't even in the game. That last play ended badly for them, but I blame McHale as much as anyone - should've called a timeout. I'm rooting for Golden State as well, and certainly Harden is no Kobe, but after that game, it seems like an odd time to pick on Harden, since he was brilliant for 47 min and 50 sec...
The weird thing about this thread is that it seems to imply that Harden didn't play well. On the contrary, he had a great game. If it wasn't for his excellence, the Rockets aren't even in the game. That last play ended badly for them, but I blame McHale as much as anyone - should've called a timeout. I'm rooting for Golden State as well, and certainly Harden is no Kobe, but after that game, it seems like an odd time to pick on Harden, since he was brilliant for 47 min and 50 sec...
it was about making the plays when it mattered the most... fumbling the ball, not even getting off a shot is an epic failure... choking comes to mind. _________________ "Now, if life is coffee, then the jobs, money & position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold & contain life, but the quality of life doesn't change. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it."
The weird thing about this thread is that it seems to imply that Harden didn't play well. On the contrary, he had a great game. If it wasn't for his excellence, the Rockets aren't even in the game. That last play ended badly for them, but I blame McHale as much as anyone - should've called a timeout. I'm rooting for Golden State as well, and certainly Harden is no Kobe, but after that game, it seems like an odd time to pick on Harden, since he was brilliant for 47 min and 50 sec...
When there were 4.9 sec left, OBH had created separation and had the chance to pull up for an open 20 footer. Instead he passed to D12 who was 23 feet from the basket. That decision sealed his fate. It was an extremely poor decision in a critical moment in their season. It was definitely anti-clutch by any measure unless your name is Henry Abbott. _________________ “It took many years of vomiting up all the filth I’d been taught about myself, and half-believed, before I was able to walk on the earth as though I had a right to be here.”
― James Baldwin, Collected Essays
First of all, James Harden is not even in Kobe's league and never will be. He will never break Kobe's scoring records or have a 81 point game and he certainly will never be one of the best defensive players in the league like Kobe was for many years. Having said that, it was enjoyable to watch Stephen Curry shut down any discussion of whether Harden is the "real MVP" or not...it's a easy no. And I prefer skill over floppers too.
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I loved that dunk. That brought back memories. The dunk he had in Game 5 of that series was just as good. Thanks for posting.
