- 93,960
- 32,986
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2010
View media item 1805199
Let's have a talk about Kobe Bryant. Because everybody seems to have turned on the Mamba. People are saying he should retire, that it pains them to see him like this, some people even had the audacity to suggest sending him to the D-League.
But that's the problem with today's fans. They never watched Michael Jordan have 6 and 8 point games in his last season with the Wizards. They never watched Larry Bird literally struggle to stand as he ended his career with the Celtics. They don't remember Bob Cousy bringing the entire Garden to tears as he was on his last legs, infamously known as the Boston Tear Party.
It's a part of the struggle. Modern fans who started watching in 2010 have no concept of what a player with that many miles looks like. ******* enjoy Kobe, even if he isn't playing great right now. This is the end of the road.
"[Kobe's] cursed as much as I am. He can’t do the same things that he used to, and the success is not quite as simple as it used to be. He wants it so bad that he’s willing to go to the extreme." - Michael Jordan
In no other vocational arena do we give aging professionals, who have given their heart and soul to their jobs, as much **** as we do to athletes at the end of their careers. Look no further than Peyton Manning this season for another example.
If Kobe retires tonight, the Lakers don't magically become a playoff team. How much of a detriment is he really? He's not responsible for young player development, that's the coaches job. Byron Scott sat D'Angelo, a rookie 2nd pick PG, in the 4th quarter of a blowout. That's insane, but it isn't Kobe's fault.
Kobe is human too. He is a hell of a competitor. He doesn't want to shoot 1 for 14. He's been injured for 2 years. He hasn't been on the court. At a certain point, you just want to be able to hear the roar of the crowd one last time before you call it quits. Just for the love of the game.
His pride is what made him great, and it is what is causing him to struggle right now. But who knows, maybe he will go back into Magic Mamba mode and start having 10+ assist games like he did a few seasons ago. Maybe he keeps shooting until his arms fall off. Either way, Kobe is going out the only way he knows how. Competing. He will give it his all, and even if the shots aren't falling, he will still be pushing himself, even if his body refuses to cooperate.
Kobe dedicated his life to the game. From 4 years old until now. 20 seasons in the league. He's been in the league longer than guys like D'Angelo Russell have even been alive. Let that sink in.
This year isn't about expecting him to be 2008 Kobe and average 25. The LA Lakers were never going to make the playoffs. Just be happy he is on the court and is giving fans one last chance to see him.
Every night won't be some stellare vintage Mamba performance. He's have games where it is very clear it's the end, that's because it is. That's reality.
Basketball is a game. It's not that serious. Kobe's legacy is fine. If you think this defines how people will remember him, you are insane and suffer from an acute case of recency bias. Just let him have one last go around.
He'll have a vintage game at some point this year when he drops like 28 and 7 and we can be happy we got to witness the mamba one last time. Chill the **** out. It will be over before you even realize it and you will be wondering where your childhood hero went.
Grow up. Stop calling him tired, stop calling him old, stop asking him to retire. Because you will be the same ones crying when his jersey goes up in the rafters and he gets a statue in front of Staples.
Let's have a talk about Kobe Bryant. Because everybody seems to have turned on the Mamba. People are saying he should retire, that it pains them to see him like this, some people even had the audacity to suggest sending him to the D-League.
But that's the problem with today's fans. They never watched Michael Jordan have 6 and 8 point games in his last season with the Wizards. They never watched Larry Bird literally struggle to stand as he ended his career with the Celtics. They don't remember Bob Cousy bringing the entire Garden to tears as he was on his last legs, infamously known as the Boston Tear Party.
It's a part of the struggle. Modern fans who started watching in 2010 have no concept of what a player with that many miles looks like. ******* enjoy Kobe, even if he isn't playing great right now. This is the end of the road.
"[Kobe's] cursed as much as I am. He can’t do the same things that he used to, and the success is not quite as simple as it used to be. He wants it so bad that he’s willing to go to the extreme." - Michael Jordan
In no other vocational arena do we give aging professionals, who have given their heart and soul to their jobs, as much **** as we do to athletes at the end of their careers. Look no further than Peyton Manning this season for another example.
If Kobe retires tonight, the Lakers don't magically become a playoff team. How much of a detriment is he really? He's not responsible for young player development, that's the coaches job. Byron Scott sat D'Angelo, a rookie 2nd pick PG, in the 4th quarter of a blowout. That's insane, but it isn't Kobe's fault.
Kobe is human too. He is a hell of a competitor. He doesn't want to shoot 1 for 14. He's been injured for 2 years. He hasn't been on the court. At a certain point, you just want to be able to hear the roar of the crowd one last time before you call it quits. Just for the love of the game.
His pride is what made him great, and it is what is causing him to struggle right now. But who knows, maybe he will go back into Magic Mamba mode and start having 10+ assist games like he did a few seasons ago. Maybe he keeps shooting until his arms fall off. Either way, Kobe is going out the only way he knows how. Competing. He will give it his all, and even if the shots aren't falling, he will still be pushing himself, even if his body refuses to cooperate.
Kobe dedicated his life to the game. From 4 years old until now. 20 seasons in the league. He's been in the league longer than guys like D'Angelo Russell have even been alive. Let that sink in.
This year isn't about expecting him to be 2008 Kobe and average 25. The LA Lakers were never going to make the playoffs. Just be happy he is on the court and is giving fans one last chance to see him.
Every night won't be some stellare vintage Mamba performance. He's have games where it is very clear it's the end, that's because it is. That's reality.
Basketball is a game. It's not that serious. Kobe's legacy is fine. If you think this defines how people will remember him, you are insane and suffer from an acute case of recency bias. Just let him have one last go around.
He'll have a vintage game at some point this year when he drops like 28 and 7 and we can be happy we got to witness the mamba one last time. Chill the **** out. It will be over before you even realize it and you will be wondering where your childhood hero went.
Grow up. Stop calling him tired, stop calling him old, stop asking him to retire. Because you will be the same ones crying when his jersey goes up in the rafters and he gets a statue in front of Staples.
