trap coming he walked with no emotion except he looked upset...no words. :lol: bastards, but it was a clutch shot...on both sides. edit: duncan, best pf of all-time. Once Lebron learns how to use his skill set better he could reach a level we have never seen. Can you imagine if he was a DE or a TE?
Kobe is not as selfish as some of you are making him out to be. After Shaq left, he HAD to be because he was playing with 4 other stiffs. He started sharing the ball alot more when they actually put some talent around him; as evidenced by his scoring avg going down and his career high in assists last year.
Regarding the thread title, of what "torch" do you speak? Kobe, IMO, is overrated in the same way TigerBait3 calls Joe Montana overrated in another thread. Kobe, while putting up great personal numbers, did not lead a team to the finals until his 13th season (when he also won his only league MVP award...Steve Nash has 2, for crying out loud). The 3 title rings he has were Shaq's first and foremost. Kobe was 2nd in command no doubt, but the leader? No. As for LBJ, I'll admit an anti-sentiment. I'm skeptical when someone is that hyped that early in life. But he could end up as one of the all-time greats, especially if he gets any kind of supporting cast. That "torch" you refer to, IMO, is like Excalibur. Jordan stuck it in the stone, and we're still waiting for someone to pull it out. Kobe tried and failed. Its James' to take, if he can.
James showed tonight why he isn't ready to take it over from Kobe. Tie score with under 10 seconds to go in regulation, and he does what he does ALL THE TIME, and that is to take 6-10 dribbles near the 3 point line, act as though he might drive and then shoot a brick with 3 seconds to go. He is obsessed with winning games in the same manner that Kobe does, instead of driving to the basket and drawing a foul or making an easy shot.
I'd take Dwade over the 2 mentioned in this thread but if i had to choose of course i'd go with kobe. how overhyped is Lebrick James? dude cant hit the ocean in playoffs.. he actually shot 18% from outside the paint in a playoff series...
I asked the same question about said "torch". Kobe is certainly no ambassador of the league like MJ was and Magic/Larry were before him. When Kobe was 2nd to Shaq, he won 3 rings. Kobe is now 1st in command, nothing. Case closed.