2002 Ralph Wiley Great Kobe article

lacog2031

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/wiley/020516.html

As we embark on something that has been 12 years in the making (Kobe MVP) here is an amazing piece written by the late Ralph Wiley before the Lakers three-peated in 2002.

IpushButtons · Sixth Man Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 61

It is great to see something about Kobe BC (before Colorado). Almost forgot how the media used to worship him. It must have been so much fun to write about him without worrying about what people might think.

Ziggy · Franchise Player Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 12722

Amazing indeed. I've had this bookmarked on my old PC for years. Hadn't read it in a long time, so thanks for sharing it. EVERYONE should read this. It is a masterpiece and one of the rare gems to come out of ESPN.

RIP Ralph Wiley

Basketball Fan · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 24768

It was never really worship they just said nice things about him because he was Shaq's teammate but whenever the feud erupted they always blamed Kobe remember? Not saying he's faultless but I think both were to blame.

That being said they did it with Penny until he was no longer with Shaq then he faded away and Wade is going to follow that same path.

Kobe is different though he was special on his own.

dna. · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:11 am Post subject:

Thanks for the link. Reminded me of one of the reasons I started reading ESPN, and especially Page 2, in the first place.

I miss Wiley. RIP.

SwingLeftShootRight · Starting Rotation Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 359

Thanks for read. Hopefully by the time he's done, these kinds of accolades will be his legacy.
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cirehawk · Star Player Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Posts: 5542

I just re-read that a couple days ago and was planning to initiate a topic about it, so thanks for putting it out there. It is a GREAT article. And I really don't see it as media worship. Wiley was recognizing Kobe's greatness even back then, and that piece was down right prophetic.

Addicus · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:48 am Post subject:

Pure genius.
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Muad'Dib · Star Player Joined: 19 Sep 2004 Posts: 3903

Wiley is definitely missed

RIP

spflakers · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 8:32 am Post subject:

Here's another one from Wiley. This one from 2003 when Kobe was in the midst of his scoring spree. In this one, Wiley says Kobe is the greatest scorer in NBA history.

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/wiley/030218.html

hoopschick29 · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 8:49 am Post subject:

Wiley was a visionary. Cause Lord knows he was going out on a limb with that kind of talk.
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So glad we gave you your flowers while you were here, Kobe.

PwrGetter · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:09 am Post subject:

good read.

Basketball Fan · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 24768

Wow a lot has changed since this article.