“It’s funny to me when people talk about the notion of making other players better, and they talk about just passing them the ball. It’s just the most ignorant comment I’ve ever heard in my life. No, there are other things that have to come into play besides getting assists.
“It’s helping them get the championship mentality and attitude and work ethic and drive and persistence. All that goes into it. It’s not just passing somebody the ball, and wow, he hit a shot; I made him better.
“If the effort is there, I can respect that, I can understand that, and it helps me be more patient, because I know that they’re trying. When guys aren’t trying or guys are just out there (screwing) up and not giving the effort, I feel like killing ‘em. Same as always.
“If you don’t give the effort, I’m done with you. You might as well go play someplace else."

this is Kobe’s response to those ESPN.com writers(Hollinger, Simmons, Ford etc.) I think I missed a name but you get the point, Kobe is ready therefore I know the Lakers will not rest this season and if healthy at the end of it all, just watch out all teams.

Fixed that for you

Very good insight, I think that helps a lot.

FYI, Krolik is definitely on the LeBron side, and he definitely goes overboard sometimes … but at the same time, I feel quite confident that if you said to him, “Write an article explaining why Kobe is so great,” it would be on par with what he wrote for Gasol. That’s just Krolik.

Extremely well put.

This needs to be rec’d. Repeatedly.

I remember an article a while back talking about how pro-Kobe faction have to dislike Lebron and vice versa. And it does have valid points- it is possible for us to coexist and recognize the greatness of both.

But ultimately, you can’t stop the inevitable.They will be compared, and each camp will go at each other’s throats. That’s just how it’s gotta be. Only one can be the best.

Thank goodness I’m on the winning side.