Kobe: "the best defender I've ever played is Bruce Bowen"

[ILoveKwameBrown]

Sorry if this was posted already

Some interesting quotes from Bryant during the night. On the best two-guard in the game now: "LeBron's not really a true two and neither am I, because I can play so many positions. I guess I would say Dwyane Wade." Could Wade guard him? "Please. No way. The best defender I've ever played is Bruce Bowen. It's not even close. What San Antonio does on defense against teams is amazing." On the comparisons to Michael Jordan: "I hate the Jordan comparisons. I want to be who I am. I don't want to be someone else." On where he would have gone to college: "I loved Michigan and the Fab Five, but I was definitely going to Duke. I love Coach K and we would have tore it up if I went there."

[Silver Samurai]

wow bruce is gettin respect for once from opposing players!
Kill those "dirty player" remarks

[miguelito]

Of course Bryant would have gone to Duke.

Son of Satan playing for Satan. Is anyone surprised?

[SCdac]

Is there a link for any of these quotes? Where'd ya find em?

[dreadlocd]

Originally Posted by Silver Samurai

wow bruce is gettin respect for once from opposing players!
Kill those "dirty player" remarks

Kobe has always respected Bruce's D....i know at least since '03 he has

[bnwhuxley]

That Kobe says Bruce is the best is to be expected. But to say its not even close, now that's high praise, and a stick in the ribs to Ron Artest!

[BlitzKriegBop]

As a member of the hated lakers, kobe has never once verbally attacked the spurs in any way. I do not understand why most spurs fans harbor any animosity towards him (aside from the years he torched us in the playoffs). I respect the guy's game. Good to see him acknowledge bruce.

[Falcone]

Any coincidence Coach K was brought up as a possible replacement for the Lakers as coach before Phil came back? Kobe played GM in more ways than we thought.

[Kirby]

Hear that Rayray and Vince-stupidity?

[Grego]

Originally Posted by BlitzKriegBop

As a member of the hated lakers, kobe has never once verbally attacked the spurs in any way. I do not understand why most spurs fans harbor any animosity towards him (aside from the years he torched us in the playoffs). I respect the guy's game. Good to see him acknowledge bruce.

Pop and Kobe have a great respect for each other. I'm kinda curious how Kobe would play under a Pop system. Would be interesting to see.

[Krycek1]

Kobe also talked very well about Parker making his first all star team.

One reporter asked kobe "Does Parker really deserve to be an All-star?"
Kobe said. "Is that a serious question? He does, that's a no brainer in my mind".

In the battle between Kobe and Shaq, I will always side with Kobe especially since the true stars of the league respec their opponents while the Ray Allens have to resort to complaining to the media. You never hear Timmy or Jordan crying about players that might frustrate them, so props to Kobe.

[romad_20]

you also never hear kobe talk about other players, unlike Snaq

[TheLogo]

Like him or dislike him Kobe has always been truthful.

Unfortunately as long as he is in Purple and Gold I have to dislike him.

-J.W.

[curiousspirit]

Kobe wishes his PG named Parker would be Tony and not Smush.

Kobe giving credit to Bowen for his defense should help discredit cry babies Ray Ray and Vinny boy.

[Spurs|ATX|]

Originally Posted by dreadlocd

Kobe has always respected Bruce's D....i know at least since '03 he has

Yeah Ive always remembered Kobe giving props and respecting Bruce..

[akaDRooPY]

the only reason why Kobe said this is because he knows he will be playing along side Bruce on Team USA

[TRslick81]

ne1 who hasnt known bb's been the nba's elite defender since like he joined the silver&black is retarded. theres no other like him in the league he literally becomes the opposing player shadowing his every move and contetsing every shot, some players mentally just cant handle that and go off crieng like lil girls ala ray allen or vc

[akaDRooPY]

^^ true. even by the 4th quarter Bruce will have worn them down mentally and physically

[blazinskillz]

Originally Posted by TheLogo

Like him or dislike him Kobe has always been truthful.

Unfortunately as long as he is in Purple and Gold I have to dislike him.

-J.W.

A couple of weeks ago ,I would of agreed but for some reason Im starting 2 like kobe..i dunno why??

almost makes me wanna remove the "rated #1 laker hater" tag that i've had there since early 04

[dreadlocd]

Originally Posted by BlitzKriegBop

As a member of the hated lakers, kobe has never once verbally attacked the spurs in any way. I do not understand why most spurs fans harbor any animosity towards him (aside from the years he torched us in the playoffs). I respect the guy's game. Good to see him acknowledge bruce.

Well for me BKB I just dont like someone who isnt humble....who is too arrogant....I felt Shaq and Kobe in their heyday were disrespectful and arrogant.....they didnt have jack crap to say when we swept their azzes and shut the 'Forum' down for good....except Shaq said no one respected the '99 ring...blah blah blah....yet his chunkyfunkymonkey behind was out there trying to win it all that year.......Kobe's li'l smirk when his shot is 'on'...blowing on his fingers....i hate all that man....ying and yang....thats why he was crying like a lost cub scout in '03... where was the swagger then?....how do you go from sh!t talkin and cockiness to tears??.....punk.....and no...im not really that impressed with all his shooti-.....um i mean scoring.....hes bound to have 50, 60, 70, and yes even 80 point nights....shooting like he does...he shouldve broken Wilts record in Nov

[Cruzzer]

Originally Posted by ILoveKwameBrown

Sorry if this was posted already

Some interesting quotes from Bryant during the night. On the best two-guard in the game now: "LeBron's not really a true two and neither am I, because I can play so many positions. I guess I would say Dwyane Wade." Could Wade guard him? "Please. No way. The best defender I've ever played is Bruce Bowen. It's not even close. What San Antonio does on defense against teams is amazing." On the comparisons to Michael Jordan: "I hate the Jordan comparisons. I want to be who I am. I don't want to be someone else." On where he would have gone to college: "I loved Michigan and the Fab Five, but I was definitely going to Duke. I love Coach K and we would have tore it up if I went there."

What a great sig. Thanks!

[biglakerfan]

Originally Posted by dreadlocd

Well for me BKB I just dont like someone who isnt humble....who is too arrogant....I felt Shaq and Kobe in their heyday were disrespectful and arrogant.....they didnt have jack crap to say when we swept their azzes and shut the 'Forum' down for good....except Shaq said no one respected the '99 ring...blah blah blah....yet his chunkyfunkymonkey behind was out there trying to win it all that year.......Kobe's li'l smirk when his shot is 'on'...blowing on his fingers....i hate all that man....ying and yang....thats why he was crying like a lost cub scout in '03... where was the swagger then?....how do you go from sh!t talkin and cockiness to tears??.....punk.....and no...im not really that impressed with all his shooti-.....um i mean scoring.....hes bound to have 50, 60, 70, and yes even 80 point nights....shooting like he does...he shouldve broken Wilts record in Nov

Yet your sig says to be enthusiastic. "If you arent fired with enthusiasm.... then you will be fired with enthusiasm!"

When did Kobe do some **** talkin' ?

[Vito Corleone]

Kobe as a person is an enigma, he is very upfront in interviews but the man behind the scenes comes across as a monster control freak.

As a player the only real problem I have with him is he has no idea how to make his teammates better. He will never be Jordan but not because he lacks the talent but because Jordan cared more about winning while Kobe cares about personal stats.

[zipper-boy]

Bruce doesn't only shadow his defender; he makes all the right decisions and plays within the system.

Kobe is just lobbying to play for the Spurs, like he has for years!

[Supernatural Anesthetist]

Kobe is a driven human being...driven to be the best he can make himself (atleast on the basketball court). In order to do this you have to relish playing the staunchest opponents out there. Its a challenge and one that will only make him better.

Ray Ray and Vince are pretenders not real competitors... they sulk if challenged too hard. Neither of them will ever win a championship. Champions look forward to taking your best shot and using it as fuel to burn you.


I don't like Kobe alot..though he appears to be maturing. I do respect his game and the amount of work and dedication it took to aquire that game. The drive can be a double edged sword though.

[TodTango]

"Hate it with all your heart...then hate it that I'm loved for the same reasons."

[timdunkin2000]

I may not like him, but at least he doesn't cry about Bruce's defense.

[dreadlocd]

Originally Posted by biglakerfan

Yet your sig says to be enthusiastic. "If you arent fired with enthusiasm.... then you will be fired with enthusiasm!"

When did Kobe do some **** talkin' ?

Man i aint tryin to research specific quotes from all the pre and post game talks from '00, '01, '02, '03 etc, etc, etc, I clearly remember Phil Jackson, Kobe and Shaq NEVER EVER giving the Spurs credit or respect during interviews....it was always the refs or something the Lakers didnt do.....never what the Spurs did to them ....that is akin to talkin' sh!t in my book


yea...i enthusiastically feel he wasn't humble or anything when his life was being blessed with titles....and i enthusiastically feel he went thru and is still going thru trials and tribulalations(see Colorado) because when you get too big for your britches mother nature has a way of balancing things out....you know....bringing you back down to earth so to speak...reminding you there is a higher power...blessing and allowing you to be all the wonderful things that everyone is telling you you are....so give your opponent respect and credit when due....

[biglakerfan]

^ok

"I'll do the same thing against him as I have against all the other guys I played who averaged a lot of points," Artest said. "I'll bring his scoring average down and if that doesn't work then I'll search out his family in the stands and go after them instead. I'll play my game. Most guys who average 20 or more, irritate me so much that I think about dumping the NBA for my rap career" --Ron Artest before Thursday night's game against the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant: 36 minutes
36 points on 14-27/52% including 4-7/57% from 3 point land.
10 assists
6 rebounds
2 steals
1 turnover

[Supernatural Anesthetist]

Originally Posted by dreadlocd

Man i aint tryin to research specific quotes from all the pre and post game talks from '00, '01, '02, '03 etc, etc, etc, I clearly remember Phil Jackson, Kobe and Shaq NEVER EVER giving the Spurs credit or respect during interviews....it was always the refs or something the Lakers didnt do.....never what the Spurs did to them ....that is akin to talkin' sh!t in my book


yea...i enthusiastically feel he wasn't humble or anything when his life was being blessed with titles....and i enthusiastically feel he went thru and is still going thru trials and tribulalations(see Colorado) because when you get too big for your britches mother nature has a way of balancing things out....you know....bringing you back down to earth so to speak...reminding you there is a higher power...blessing and allowing you to be all the wonderful things that everyone is telling you you are....so give your opponent respect and credit when due....

You remember well dreadlord. Kobe was a cocky mo-fo when the Lakers were winning. He towed the laker line which was to NEVER concede any sign of respect for their opponents. He wasn't like Shaq in that he didn't dish other players up with relish, but he most certainly was arrogant and condescending and completely unwilling to give any other team their due. In essence, he behaved like a punk because he had the team to back it up. Now he's humbled somewhat, hopefully by some maturity, but also because his team can't back-up any attitude.

[invisiblekid09]

Originally Posted by biglakerfan

^ok

"I'll do the same thing against him as I have against all the other guys I played who averaged a lot of points," Artest said. "I'll bring his scoring average down and if that doesn't work then I'll search out his family in the stands and go after them instead. I'll play my game. Most guys who average 20 or more, irritate me so much that I think about dumping the NBA for my rap career" --Ron Artest before Thursday night's game against the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant: 36 minutes
36 points on 14-27/52% including 4-7/57% from 3 point land.
10 assists
6 rebounds
2 steals
1 turnover

Whoa did Artest really say all that??

[maldoror]

Originally Posted by Supernatural Anesthetist

You remember well dreadlord. Kobe was a cocky mo-fo when the Lakers were winning. He towed the laker line which was to NEVER concede any sign of respect for their opponents. He wasn't like Shaq in that he didn't dish other players up with relish, but he most certainly was arrogant and condescending and completely unwilling to give any other team their due. In essence, he behaved like a punk because he had the team to back it up. Now he's humbled somewhat, hopefully by some maturity, but also because his team can't back-up any attitude.

Your memory must be bad because Kobe almost always gave the Spurs plenty of respect in comments he made the the press. It was Shaq and Phil that made the disparaging and arrogant remarks. I know Kobe is a favorite whipping boy for many here but your position is simply not truthful.

[TexasNate]

Originally Posted by invisiblekid09

Whoa did Artest really say all that??

[maldoror]

Originally Posted by invisiblekid09

Whoa did Artest really say all that??

No. But he did arrogantly predict that he was going to hold Kobe below his season avg. I guess it didn't work out because Kobe not only exceeded his avg but got a season high in assists as well while shooting over 50%. Poor Artest.

[curiousspirit]

It does not surprise me that Artest does not understand that statements like that fuel players to play their best.

[TexasNate]

Originally Posted by curiousspirit

It does not surprise me that Artest does not understand that statements like that fuel players to play their best.

Actually just about anything Artest says or does/doesn't understand would not surprise me at this point.

[SoapScumKills]

Originally Posted by maldoror

Your memory must be bad because Kobe almost always gave the Spurs plenty of respect in comments he made the the press. It was Shaq and Phil that made the disparaging and arrogant remarks. I know Kobe is a favorite whipping boy for many here but your position is simply not truthful.

I have to agree with this, anti-kobe spurs fans only have a hardon for him because of the constant asswhooping he gave our team in that 3 peat run.

[invisiblekid09]

haha what biglakerfan said that Artest "said" about going after Kobe's family in the stands was almost as bad as Tyson saying he was gonna eat Lennox Lewis' children lol. Anyway thanks for clearing that up for me haha these days I dont know what to believe.

[dreadlocd]

Originally Posted by maldoror

Your memory must be bad because Kobe almost always gave the Spurs plenty of respect in comments he made the the press. It was Shaq and Phil that made the disparaging and arrogant remarks. I know Kobe is a favorite whipping boy for many here but your position is simply not truthful.

well i guess i remember wrong then maldoror....but i couldve sworn thats how it was before we sent them on the trail of tears('03 second round).....i noticed after the trail of tears, THEN came the respect we get now....

Originally Posted by SoapScumKills

I have to agree with this, anti-kobe spurs fans only have a hardon for him because of the constant asswhooping he gave our team in that 3 peat run.

during that 3peat run he never gave credit or respect...puleeeze yall...im gettin old but my memory aint shot yet...and i never liked him too much since he first came in before he ever won anything....so i could care less about theyre little run...and i put emphasis on "little"....we whooped that azz in '99 before theyre "little" run....we ended the run....and now we are still contending for years to come.....so try that on for size....snug aint it?

[Silver Samurai]

Originally Posted by akaDRooPY

the only reason why Kobe said this is because he knows he will be playing along side Bruce on Team USA

Hopefully they play together on team usa. Fingers crossed Bruce

[Jason R]

Originally Posted by dreadlocd

during that 3peat run he never gave credit or respect...puleeeze yall...im gettin old but my memory aint shot yet...and i never liked him too much since he first came in before he ever won anything....so i could care less about theyre little run...and i put emphasis on "little"....we whooped that azz in '99 before theyre "little" run....we ended the run....and now we are still contending for years to come.....so try that on for size....snug aint it?

Well then your memory should be long enough to remember that 'run' in the 80's and all the decades of victory the Lakers have under their belt, which by any measure isn't little.

[biglakerfan]

Originally Posted by Jason R

Well then your memory should be long enough to remember that 'run' in the 80's and all the decades of victory the Lakers have under their belt, which by any measure isn't little.

LOL Jason bringing the heat.

Anyways, here's a little more of what Artest had to say after Kobe lit him up, yes I know its kind of late but still.

"I wasn't really able to guard him the whole night because I wasn't in condition enough," he said. "I thought when I was on him, I did some good things. A couple times ... he made some tough shots.

"I think he's at his best right now, so it'll be good to see it when I'm at my best, too."

And while Artest admitted that Bryant had his way, he found humor in the one part of Bryant's repertoire that is nowhere near as sharp as his shot - his memory.

When asked after the game about the last time he faced Artest, Bryant said, "I haven't played against Ron in like four years. Seriously. I think I had 40(points)."

In actuality, it was just 27 months ago, and Bryant came nowhere near 40. He had 12 points in a 99-77 Lakers home win over Indiana, hitting 4 of 10 shots.

"He didn't have no 40," Artest said, laughing. "Kobe don't even guard me, though. He won't guard me because he can't guard me."

Adding to the banter, Bryant had taken exception at Artest saying before the game that he would keep Bryant below his scoring average. But given the history between them, it was a reasonable prediction.

Before the latest affair, the two had gone head to head only five times, and Bryant was held below his average for that season every time. The trend, Artest insisted, will return to normal when the Kings and Lakers meet again March 14 in Sacramento and March 22 in Los Angeles.

"He's going to get shut down," he said.

Well aware that he was feeding the hype machine for the next go-round, Artest found a common ground between he and Bryant.

"That's the difference with guys like me and Kobe," he said. "We're not afraid to step up to the challenge. I'm not afraid to talk mess to one of the best players in the NBA, and then see what happens later."

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports...15047852c.html

[Lakerhater1]

Originally Posted by TheLogo

Like him or dislike him Kobe has always been truthful.



-J.W.

...except for maybe how he explained that Colorado "thing" to his wife.

[dreadlocd]

Originally Posted by Jason R

Well then your memory should be long enough to remember that 'run' in the 80's and all the decades of victory the Lakers have under their belt, which by any measure isn't little.

of course i do...but was Kobe Bryant on those teams?...no....and that is what we are talking about..... Kobe....I actually rooted for the showtime Lakers after they eliminated the Spurs....(Magic is one of my alltime favorites) I had no problem with it bcuz we werent even expected to win...and I hated the Celtics...plus my passion as a fan wasnt as great in my younger years as it is now.... bcuz the older you get the more understanding and appreciation you have for things in general....Spurs Basketball being one of them

Originally Posted by biglakerfan

LOL Jason bringing the heat.

Anyways,
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports...15047852c.html

heat??...yea....like you said...anyways...


and no he hasnt always been truthful....before the crap hit the fan in Colorado....he was out in public and he said something to the effect of "yall know me....i i didnt do anything wrong....yall will see" ....then the rest of the story started coming out and he couldnt front anymore