Kobe Bryant: What's left to say about him?

The hardest person to shop for is the guy or gal who has everything.

Similarly, the hardest sports column to write in L.A. is the one on Kobe Bryant.

What are you gonna say?

I mean, what was the last good article you saw that wasn't some dumb rehash about him and Shaq?

Well, here's what I say.

Kobe has grown up.

He's now a terrific teammate.

He's giving to fans, great with the press and tremendously charitable and generous in the community.

Remember the large family in Covina who  recently experienced that horrific shooting tragedy, the Ortegas? Do you know who quietly and without any publicity at all gave the surviving family members money to try to make their lives just a little better?  Kobe did.

On the court, he's made a pact with the part of his personality that once WAS too self absorbed; he now trusts, encourages, mentors and inspires the other Lakers he goes to work with every day.  He isn't impelled to shoot all the time, even though he could.

He lets his mad skills do the talking, like scoring 61 points Monday night, a new record for Madison Square Garden, unmistakably using the show-stopping performance on Broadway to send an importantly timed message to both Laker fans and to the rest of the league, including the Celtics and Cavaliers: the Lakers aren't gonna give up just because Andrew Bynum went down again.

In the Olympics, Kobe graciously allowed such American teammates as Dwyane Wade to think THEY were the stars, until it came time to actually win the gold medal in the gold-medal game. Then who did they turn to? Who do you think?

Kobe Bean Bryant has been one of the nation's most polarizing athletes since he came into the NBA at age 17. Love him or hate him, but hardly anyone ever has no opinion.

His one big mistake in Colorado, followed by the ugly divorce from Shaq, made it easy for the haters, gave them plenty of ammunition, and they happily loaded up, some still firing to this day.

But today, it all seems so old, so 2004, so tired, past-tense and out of touch. So childish.

At 30, in full bloom as the basketball player with the greatest skill set ever -- yes, greater even than Michael Jordan's -- it's time to applaud Kobe for what he is today: The consummate professional, the Black Mamba and -- sorry, Kyra Sedgwick -- the real, true and ultimate Closer.

To L.A. fans, especially the ones who've hated Kobe Bryant, I simply say this: Sit back and enjoy the show. It won't be here forever. Because in your lifetime and maybe two or three more, you're not going to see another one even remotely close to the one you're watching right now.

--Ted Green

Ted Green formerly covered the Lakers for the L.A. Times. He is currently senior sports producer for KTLA Prime News.

Photo: Kobe Bryant. Credit: Kathy Willens / Associated Press

Comments

[andy o]

True, Kobe is better than anyone, even MJ. MJ never scored 70 or more pts. Let that alone more 60's than kobe. And yes, we won't see this in a few decades, so enjoy.

[Reality]

Ted, what a joke of an article you just wrote. Are you some 9 year old behind a computer wearing Black Mamba pajamas!?! Wow.

To even dare say, Kobe "graciously" let Wade and Lebron completely DOMINATE the Olympics? Are you nuts? So was Kobe purposely bricking every shot up until the Gold medal game? You do realize that Wade came in and SAVED the US team early in that game. Oh and he also had the game sealing 3.

WHY CAN'T KOBE PROUDUCE THESE 61 POINT GAMES WHEN IT COUNTS? Where was he in the 2004 or 2008 Finals? MOST OVERRATED PLAYER OF OUR GENERATION BECAUSE OF SILLY HOMERS LIKE YOU.

LEBRON > WADE > KOBE > DWIGHT > PAUL. Get over it.

[DANIEL]

YEAH THATS RIGHT KOBE IS THE BEST PLAYER ALIVE. I MEAN LOOK AT WHAT HE DOES IN THE GAME, NO ONE CAN DO WAT HE DOES ........... AND LAKERS PLEASE TRADE LAMAR ODOM FOR SOMEONE LIKE DIRK,JOSH SMITH,

[jimbo]

"WHY CAN'T KOBE PROUDUCE THESE 61 POINT GAMES WHEN IT COUNTS?"

Because when Kobe is in high-production mode, the other team is not going to count. He has taken the other team out.

[andy]

Andy has just proven what an uneducated and uninformed idiot he is. First of all, Kobe wasn't even focusing on offense before the Gold medal game. Everyone knew he was dedicating himself to defense as the doberman. Second, Wade did keep the US in the game in the first half, but when Spain was threatening US's gold in the second half, who saved the US when it mattered? KOBE. He was ultimately clutch in the gold medal game. That's the fact. Ask anybody in the world. Which Olympics did you watch?

[zman]

Holy moly, this article sucks. this isn't printed in the LA TIMES is it? It goes to show that some writers don't have any experience in sports whatsoever. 61 points 81 points, blocked shot. Look, to say that 81 points in a game makes someone great is assenine. yeah he blocked MJ's shot.. so what. Kobe has been blocked by much lesser players.. are they all of a sudden better than him? so Wilt holds the record for most points in a game ever. does that make wilt better than kobe? That's what I thought. Kobe may have an edge in athletic ability in some areas. He may have a better 3 point shot. I can say that about 40 guys in the NBA now, does that make them better than both MJ or Kobe? NO. Michael is the Best of all time. No one will ever take that away... nope not even kobe... i don't care if he scores 150 in the game. that is not everything. and it means nothing.

[Kobe=no finals MVP's ever]

I dont understand how the writer can say Kobe is better. Kobe has not even won a title without Shaq and hasnt even won a finals mvp. Look at his career field goal percentage compared to MJ, not even close. If you wanna look at stats go ahead and you will see that Kobe is just another decent player and MJ was a freak of nature, a phenomenom, Mj was perfection. Until Kobe averages in his career 30 points a game or close to, until he wins 3 finals Mvp and three more titles, until he gets his field goal percentage to 50 percent like Jordan had it then Kobe is nothing a nobody, this writer has it all wrong. Kobe is not even the best player in the Nba, Lebron is, look at his plus minus and his PER ratings, Kobe is like 8th in the league.

[Kobe=no finals MVP's ever]

I dont understand how the writer can say Kobe is better. Kobe has not even won a title without Shaq and hasnt even won a finals mvp. Look at his career field goal percentage compared to MJ, not even close. If you wanna look at stats go ahead and you will see that Kobe is just another decent player and MJ was a freak of nature, a phenomenom, Mj was perfection. Until Kobe averages in his career 30 points a game or close to, until he wins 3 finals Mvp and three more titles, until he gets his field goal percentage to 50 percent like Jordan had it then Kobe is nothing a nobody, this writer has it all wrong. Kobe is not even the best player in the Nba, Lebron is, look at his plus minus and his PER ratings, Kobe is like 8th in the league.

[mattyg]

zman, true that the amount of points you score in one game doesn't matter as much as consistent ability. But Kobe CONSISTENTLY shows up, year after year, scoring 40, 60, 80 points. At first Kobe was selfish, wanted the show for himself. But anybody who has been watching Laker basketball closely has seen a transformation in him, from the ball-hog boy to the superstar teammate. No doubt Jordan was a superstar teammate. Ted Green (the writer who has no experience in sports whatsoever, even though he has been covering sports his entire career) was there to cover him too. And he drooled over Jordan with the rest of us. But now it's time to dedicate our drool to a more current phenomenon.

[The Truth]

Kobe vs MJ Kobe vs LeBron Kobe vs Dwade.

For the record, I am Kobe fan. I do respect what MJ did for the game. He set the mark on winning championships that even Kobe said has to be met or beaten.

As far al around skills, Kobe is so head and shoulders over the LeBron and Wade and not even close. True LeBron and Wade are great no doubt. But look at their complete game. They both are horrible from the 3 point range and can shoot free throws. Both of their games are geared towards slashing and slamming. That game can't last your entire career.

Kobe's game is taken for granted. Look it up - he has scored 50 or more by the 3rd quarter about 4 times. He's tied for third in triple doubles this season. He is far a greater defender than LeBron or Wade. Ask LeBron about his worst performance at Staples that came at the hands of Kobe. Kobe had no problem busting fade-aways on him or last minute clutch shots.

MJ - Let's settle this. He has achieved the most at every part of the game period. Kobe will even tell you this. But as far as scoring is concerned, MJ was not at Kobe's level. Look at all of Kobe's 50+ games and compare them to Jordan's. You will see that Kobe did not have to work as hard - defense or no defense. Also, MJ did not have the talent to deal with like Kobe has.

Is LeBron over hyped? A little. But he does produce at a very high level period. Is he clutch? No yet but getting there. Remember, up until last season, he was not even considered an average defender. This season he has been a monster on defense. That is credited to being around Kobe during the summer.

The debate goes on.

[lakofan]

Thank you. like you said, no need to argue with people that live in the past.

you're article was great. thank you very much.

if only kobe would've wanted cameras to follow him and show him giving the money to that family like some do, maybe it would be different. but no, afterall he is kobe.

[kb24fan]

Hey all, nobody seems to remember that Kobe's been playing injured all this time, and STILL beating everyone out!

He has been at the top of the scoring charts and not even playing all the minutes the others have either.

What can you say, he is THE BEST. No doubt

[zman]

consistent? playing injured? what excuse do you have for last years finals? he showed up for a quarter here and a quarter there. Not one complete game! maybe all those 50 point games you talked about might show up here and there, but how about when it counts? I guess you can argue this, the most talented gifted talent ever in the NBA? Kobe Bryant. The biggest choke artist 2008 finals? Kobe Bryant. He may have the tools, but he sure hasn't figured out how to use them yet. Guess What? it is too late. young PHENOMs in the game are going to take his chance away. He waited too long to "grow up". you think he tried to do the money gift thing on the under? whatever. He's dumb but not that dumb. He knows that everything he does is in the spot light. that he tried to be anonomous? assenine. Talent wise? Yeah he's freaky and probably will be for the next couple of years, but we have too many other freakies to talk about now. No one will ever dominate the game for the stretch MJ did. all the championship rings aside, MJ was the greatest basketball player of all time.KOBE has peaked. and if he chokes again in this year, you KOBE lovers will have to agree. POSEY and Pierce made your allstar look LESS than regular in the finals. They would have never done that to an even 40 year old MJ. Kobe has more 50 point games? whatever, answer this.. does that mean MJ was not capable? that's what I thought. AND I can't get over last years finals. KOBE just never showed up. Never took over a game. he played like a top 25 not a top 10 in last years finals. Disagree with me I dare you.

[JEC]

Homer Article.

[The Truth]

ZMZN - Remember, it takes 5 to win a championship - not one. You seem to think MJ won those championships by himself. That's funny. Last time I checked he had Rodman and Pippin. I guarantee you he would have not one the last three titles without Rodman. He also had a one of the greatest supporting casts ever.

Don't forget that lasy year, the lakers were projected to come out of the west if lucky in the 8th spot. Humm - Looks like Kobe and the Lakers proved different?

Clutch - You have to be joking right? You don't have enough fingers and toes to count how clutch shots Kobe has made.

The Finals - It was real clear that Boston has that "D" and the Lakers did not respond well to it. People like you are funny because you are never satisfied with anything Kobe or in fact any other super star may accomplish. He either scores too much or he got his teammates involved too much. Funny.

We should hope that all the young talent blossoms to be great. We all get older and time goes on. It's a cycle.
.

[kb24fan]

Boy Zman, sounds like a case of "Freak-Envy"

Just you going off so bad shows how GREAT Kobe is.
If he was mediocre or just okay, your comment would not have been as long-winded, trying to prove that you have a point.

Some very angry folks out here, That's too bad.

[kb24fan]

To The Truth,
Well said.

[zman]

I am a competitor, and will give props when deserved. when I see waisted talent it blows me up!!! I never implied envy. I never even said I didn't like the guy. I went off because he just can't do it when it counts. 61 points 81 points whatever. Do it when it counts and stop letting your fans down. he's stuck on the "rather look good and lose than look bad and win. 81 point in regular season against a sorry team is a loss for me... especially when it "didn't matter". he has no excuse for last years finals. He just never showed up. Posey and Pierce shut him down!!!

[zman]

look at the results of tonights game? you think MJ had a good team to help him? KOBE did nothing to deserve the win tonight. IT was his team that closed the deal. Yeah yeah he made three 3's in the fourth, but he did nothing in the last 3 minutes except one key defensive play that put it in overtime. He was scoreless in In OT. and could have sat the bench for all I care. the Lakers TEAM won this one. Kobe was worthless in OT. strike that, he was worthless for most the game! hahaha. again Pierce made him look regular. what was his percentage? 20% from the field. I think less.... I will have to check the stats. hahahaha

[kobe= wannabe mj but without the finals mvp's]

well well, I have read all the arguements on wether kobe is better or the greatest. It is is simple as this,

1- Until Kobe wins 3 more titles there is no hope for him to even be considered as one of the greats let alone not even close to the great MJ

2- He won 3 titles with Shaq, Shaq was the most dominant player in that era, where was kobe? without shaq kobe wouldnt of one even one playoff series

3- Someone mentioned all that scoring Kobe did was with a good team, that is false and a lie, Kobe did the scoring when the lakers were horrible, now that they stole gasol and bynum has grown( much to the demise of Shobe i mean phony ooops i mean kobe) he is not scoring.

4- Jordan scored at a high level, 30 points per game with a 72 win team anyone?

5- Kobe's field goal percentage is garbage, 46 percent career? it is undisputable sorry kiddes but maybe you should get espn classic and get schooled on some knowledge on how the gream MJ crashed to the hole like a train and knocked people down one on one and had the greatest fade away by far than anyone who ever played.

6- Kobe has to drive to the basket, hes fragile and weak

7- This writer needs to learn more about stats apparently cause there will be another kobe, a better kobe, his name is Lebron and he is better than kobe

im out but please look at the stats, NUMBERS LEVER LIE, ONLY HORRIBLE SPORTS WRITERS DO

[fan]

Numbers are only as accurate if you are comparing "apples to apples". I'm not saying you aren't - but just a thought.

For example you don't compare how much you paid for gas on a pure dollar amount, but you compare is on a price per gallon. Or any other item, is a price per unit (pound, ounce, etc.)

So comparing pure numbers without considering number of minutes played may be a bit misleading. So points, rebounds, etc. are not equal if one plays the full game when another plays fewer minutes.

Not a criticism, so please don't take it as such.
PS if that is "fragile and weak", I'd hate to see what he's like when he's 100%?

[Chris Vasquez]

JORDAN>Kobe

Jordan never scored less then 20 points in a NBA Finals game he played in, Kobe has done this numerous times.

Kobe has never gone for over 40 points in a NBA Finals game, Jordan AVERAGED over 40 ppg in the 93 Finals.

In 6 FULL seasons that Jordan played in 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98, he won 6 straight NBA titles and 6 Finals MVP Awards.

Kobe is 3 for 5 in NBA Finals and has 0 NBA Finals MVP Awards.

As of right now, in Kobe's prime, people are debating who is greater Kobe or Lebron.