SLAM Online Top 50: Kobe #2, Pau #14

by Josh Tucker on Oct 23, 2009 1:07 PM PDT

SLAM Online has completed its Top 50 (linked above), and it's worth a look. Kobe Bryant is listed at #2, and Pau Gasol at #14. Click through for a few more thoughts, after the jump...

Worth pointing out is that, as far as I understand it, this is meant to be understood as relating to the regular season MVP race — which is why I have no problem with it. Yes, the author of the piece on LeBron James, who finished at the top, calls him "the best," but again, I understand the voting to have been relevant to the MVP race, not to skill set, dominance, leadership, or greatness. In that regard, Kobe Bryant is still the best player on the planet — LeBron has yet to do enough to steal that form him. But the MVP is a regular season award with different criteria, and does not equate to the best player. And I do believe LeBron is a good bet for 2010 MVP, and therefore a good choice for #1 on this list of player rankings as related to MVP-worthiness.

Unfortunately, while the Pau Gasol article was simply superb, the Kobe Bryant article is extremely disappointing. It's poorly written, completely meaningless, fails to take a position whatsoever, and a total waste of time. Much like last year's Kobe article, for that matter.

Then again, the LeBron James article makes up for this a bit, in that it doesn't shy away from admitting that LeBron has many obvious flaws that a 7-year veteran shouldn't, and that he has fallen short and failed so far. Kudos to them for recognizing that.

If you actually want a well-written piece, read the Pau Gasol piece instead. And then re-read it. It's that good.

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Comments

I was going to link this...

Thanks a lot…..Haha.

Also, Lamar is #33, and Ron Ron #42.

by wondahbap on Oct 23, 2009 1:13 PM PDT reply actions

I actually thought Bynum MIGHT creep in right around 50....

which would have been nasty.

by rshinsec on Oct 23, 2009 1:15 PM PDT reply actions

Kevin Ding has an awesome article up with Kobe.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bryant-kobe-people-2620606-feel-championship

by E-ROC on Oct 23, 2009 2:29 PM PDT reply actions

Kevin Ding has this interesting quote from Kobe

Maybe whole thing abt Kobe boils down to this: “I’m the same person; temperament’s still the same. But I’ve just improved being a leader.” Ding Twitter

by E-ROC on Oct 23, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

that is a great article, thanks for sharing

by stephens on Oct 23, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

This part pretty much sums up why I love Kobe Bryant........It also sums up why Steve Nash doesn't deserve two MVP trophies.......

“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."

Billy Mac: "Lamar, can you see yourself actually getting in the (boxing) ring"?
Lamar Odom: "No. My face is too pretty."

by pslakerfan on Oct 23, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

pslakerfan

Thnx for that. F! Nash. those MVP awards were given to him for the same reasons that Lebron got his. HYPE! Banners is what measures winners. Those quotes could also play to Lebron just as much as they applied to Nash.

"When I walked into the locker room on my first day as a Laker and saw my gold uniform hanging there, I cried." - Magic Johnson (Best Laker Ever)

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Oct 23, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Ding always seems to have great Lakers article and I guess

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.

There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be commited against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the LimeLight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.

by BrittneyM on Oct 24, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

14 is too low for Gasol

Period.

Poster for next year? I'm thinking My Little Pony.

by Zaig on Oct 23, 2009 3:18 PM PDT reply actions

Quit hating on Kobe

by C.A. Clark on Oct 24, 2009 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions

How is that Kobe hating?

Did I say 2 was too high for Kobe?

Poster for next year? I'm thinking My Little Pony.

by Zaig on Oct 25, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know why we bother............

See, you didn’t say anything about Kobe. However you always get called a Kobe hater. See the sarcasm now?

Billy Mac: "Lamar, can you see yourself actually getting in the (boxing) ring"?
Lamar Odom: "No. My face is too pretty."

by pslakerfan on Oct 25, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

we should

know Zaig enough by now to know he can’t see through it (sarcasm) in print. Maybe a hint is needed ;-)

by altree on Oct 25, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions

As difficult as sarcasm in print can be

I really don’t think that could have been anymore clear. In order for you to take that seriously, you would have to think me capable of being extremely unfair.

Considering how often I’ve ended up defending you in the past, I’m a little disappointed that you don’t give me more credit than that.

by C.A. Clark on Oct 25, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I am sure as hell not going to go back and find quotes but....

I can assure you almost EVERY argument/discussion with Zaig started about like this one. He takes EVERYTHING the wrong way.

Billy Mac: "Lamar, can you see yourself actually getting in the (boxing) ring"?
Lamar Odom: "No. My face is too pretty."

by pslakerfan on Oct 25, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

14 is too low for Gasol.

Fixed that for you

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Oct 24, 2009 12:27 AM PDT up reply actions

LOL

It took me second though

by altree on Oct 25, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions

That one was subtle

by C.A. Clark on Oct 25, 2009 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions

awesome

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism.... -The Great Bill Walton

by shaqfor3 on Oct 23, 2009 11:51 PM PDT reply actions

The reason the articles for Lebron and Kobe are the way they are

Is because the editor (or whoever assigns the columns over there) chose a Kobe fan to write the Lebron column, and a Lebron fan to write the Kobe column.

From past comments and pieces, it is been demonstrated quite clearly by Myles Brown that he prefers Kobe, and by Ryan Jones that he is partial to Lebron. Mr. Jones also wrote the column for Kobe last year, when Kobe was deemed to be number one.

In both of the Kobe columns (last year’s and this), Mr. Jones seems to compliment Kobe’s skills as a player begrudgingly while still managing to disparage Kobe as a person. I seem to recall that something happened many years back where Jones was writing a piece on Kobe, but Kobe abruptly turned on him, the detail of which have never been made clear.

I think this background helps explain a lot about the stance of the columns.

It’s also worth noting that the writer for the Pau Gasol piece is a Cleveland Cavs fan and also a huge Lebron fan (as compared to Kobe), which may explain the extremely high praise for Gasol. Pau is definitely deserving, but it’s a lot easier to write a glowing piece for Pau if you think Kobe gets too much credit. Or he could just really, really like Pau. I find Krolik much more capable of writing and objective piece than Jones.

I’m not saying you can’t write an objective column of other players if you are a fan of another player, I’m only providing the background so that you are informed of who the source is. You can decide for yourselves whether their bias comes through unfairly in their writing.

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Oct 24, 2009 12:26 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Excellent points

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.

Strength & Honor
It's good to be the Champs.

by Josh Tucker on Oct 24, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

If there wasn't the need to knock Kobe off the throne

The pro-LBJ faction wouldn’t be as vehement. LBJ’s greatness is a direct result of Kobe’s shadow.

While they count bogus assists stats and fawn over rebounds. Yay. LBJ only averages 2 more assists and 2 more rebounds. We count the Rings.

The fact is that, besides winning the MVP already, LeBron has not done anything that Kobe didn’t already do to greater extent at this respective point in their careers. Kobe has the 1st team All-NBA’, the 1st Team defenses, the Championships. You name it. Then he got better.

He’s the most popular player. His jersey is the best selling all over the World. The Lakers get the highest ratings. His sneakers sell better. His teams are better.

Who cares what they think. LeBron is chasing Kobe, no matter what they sell us. The “King” knows it.

by wondahbap on Oct 24, 2009 6:22 AM PDT reply actions 4 recs

Amen to that

by BrittneyM on Oct 24, 2009 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Rec'd

Extremely well put.

This needs to be rec’d. Repeatedly.

Strength & Honor
It's good to be the Champs.

by Josh Tucker on Oct 24, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Tru dat!

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.

by Mike1204 on Oct 24, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Well said sir

The only counter argument you’d get from a LBJ fan to your points is that Kobe won 3 rings witht he help of Shaq and Bron carries 100% of the dead weight that are the Cavs. Nevertheless I agree Kobe > LBJ

by LongLiveLA on Oct 28, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions