Why Kobe Bryant is the Greatest Of All Time

 
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> LA Lakers Lounge Reply to topic
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
GTL
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 9839

PostPosted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 12:08 pm    Post subject: Why Kobe Bryant is the Greatest Of All Time

There's many reasons why people will dismiss the argument completely. Statistics, championships, MVP's, individual accomplishments, off court battles. But to me, the adversity that this man faced throughout his career showcased that he was able to raise the bar to such a high level, that nobody, NOBODY, would be able to do what he was able to do under similar circumstances. Overcoming adversity.

The GOAT argument can be dissected into multiple layers, but the way I see it, after this recent fiasco with Westbrook and the Jazz fan, having to go to work everyday and be berated the way that Kobe was from 2004 and beyond, any other athlete would have folded under such immense pressure. He was called every name under the book. I've been there at Staples when an opposing fan tried to pull out that card, and thankfully some fans behind us shut him up. But the ability to take that kind of talent that he possessed, work ethic, and focus, and go out there day after day in front of 20,000 people screaming unbelievably offensive obscenities at him every time he touched the ball is a testament to the will power and strength this man had instilled within him. The idea that fellow players and coaches can hear these obscenities makes the entire thing even more surreal. One can only imagine how we would feel if we were at work with our peers and people randomly called us the worst possible things in their presence day in and day out. That would break the majority of people. Not Kobe. Not the Mamba. It drove him to even greater heights, along with becoming a more complete teammate.

He never asked anyone to have a fan ejected. When they would chant "no means no", or you know, the other terrible things...didn't matter. Boo him all you want, he's going to tear your heart out. He took this adversity and this heckling and actually was able to lead us to 3 straight finals and 2 more championships. Being a heel the entire second half of your career. That’s not something to scoff at.

The league did whatever it can to diminish the importance of his redemption, and that's fine, because to us, we appreciated it more then anything, because our guy did it for us. We were the ones who stuck by his side through the down years, just like he said in his final game speech.

16 years.

He spent 16 years of his life fixing one error that he made in his life. A mistake, clearly, that he was unable to escape in the eyes of those who judged him not because of the act itself, but because it was fodder against someone they already disliked. He was the squeaky clean Kobe pre-2004, smiling Kobe who was all about his image. His fall from grace was well documented. We were there when it happened. The entire ordeal was so surreal and yet, he did what he had to do to battle through the adversity, and in the midst of the pain and struggle, continue to entertain us without asking for anything in return, even when we were a lottery team and the future looked bleak.

It was the millions upon millions of human beings that he inspired across the planet to be better. They stuck by his side despite the negativity and shadow cast over his career as a whole. Even when he was at his greatest, ESPN and the rest of the media would slight him at every corner. The announcers were less enthusiastic about calling his plays, or referring to him as the heir apparent to MJ, or even when showing replays on post games, they were never detailed or in depth. It was calculated. Kobe knew this, it’s part of what made the road to that redemption even more important yet complex. Forget the fact that year after year this man had to battle through the tough Western conference opponents on route to winning said titles, but having to also battle through everything else makes the accomplishments he achieved that much more impressive.

Despite having this burden on his shoulder that he would have to explain to his family and friends and peers alike throughout the years, he still improved, honed his craft, and won. He was a winner through and through.

How many human beings, no less athletes can take this kind of day to day pressure and transform it into that kind of greatness both on and off the court? He elevated himself to such a high level, that not only did he pick himself up from that illusive fall from grace, but he imprinted his image into the minds of everyone who has ever thought of giving up, but didn't, because if he could get through that kind of scrutiny, what's your excuse?

Greatest of all time.
_________________
I miss you Kobe. I miss you Gigi.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Reply with quote
LaLaLakeShow
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 04 Aug 2019
Posts: 2989

PostPosted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 12:39 pm    Post subject:

No argument here, Brother
_________________
Mamba Made Moments Meticulously Magnificent
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
x75274
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 674

PostPosted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 12:47 pm    Post subject:

If you said most skilled of all time or greatest human to play NBA ball I would agree with you. The greatest NBA player of all time though....can't agree there.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> LA Lakers Lounge All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Jump to:  

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum






Graphics by uberzev
© 1995-2018 LakersGround.net. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
LakersGround is an unofficial news source serving the fan community since 1995.
We are in no way associated with the Los Angeles Lakers or the National Basketball Association.


Powered by phpBB