I try my best to provide substantive commentary and insight on the Lakers every time I post here. But, sometimes, you just have to throw up a video and say as little as possible. That’s how I feel here.
I mean, what is there really to say? This video is fantastic and gave me the chills throughout the entire thing. And, note, this is only a trailer for a longer video that will eventually drop too. Best believe that video will get posted here too.
(h/t to @justrycole for finding the video and to Basketball Forever for putting this video together – it really is fantastic)
LKK says
Very nice! The thing about Kobe that I’ve always loved is how graceful and ballet-like his game is. Yet, he could get down and dirty and physical with the best of them. A rare combo.
Fern says
Just wow, nothing to add, i have to watch that when it’s released…
Fern says
People here like to bash him on the twightlight of his career forget that he gave his body and soul to the game and his blood is purple & gold…
harold says
would have liked with better without the heroes come and go stuff at the end but i am nitpicking.
Chearn says
The clip produced nostalgia.
LKK-Particularly in his early years.
Ditto what you said, Fern!
One-half of the top players in the league attributes their work ethic to Kobe Bean Bryant.
KenOak says
Such a fantastic vid. I too got the chills.
KevTheBold says
I have always loved Kobe’s game and had his back through much more than most.
This season marks the only time I have ever said a word against him, and even now it echoes another Kobe supporter, who says that he would rather remember Kobe, how he was, not, how he is.
That man, is Jerry West.
Look, we all know that Kobe trying to recapture his glory days however is detrimental to his health and to the team he loves.
Yet, we care nothing for those facts.
Kobe is a modern day gladiator, and the gladiator dies in the stadium at the urging of the blood thirsty crowd.
LKK says
Look, we all know that Kobe trying to recapture his glory days however is detrimental to his health and to the team he loves.
Yet, we care nothing for those facts.
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I don’t know that at all. It’s possible that in the big picture, Kobe may be helping the Lakers. Certainly he is helping the organization’s revenue stream, which will help in the pursuit of free agents in the near future. We can’t know for sure if he is a good or bad influence on the younger members of the team. We’re on the outside looking in.
I also don’t agree that Kobe is trying to recapture his glory days. Those days were highlighted by Chips and rings. Kobe knows those days are gone. What I do think is that he shoots too many threes and plays too many minutes.
Even so, poor results on the court this year may yield future rewards in next year’s draft. I hate to use the word tank, but I am hoping that the Lakers can keep their pick and add some young talent to quicken their rebuild. I would assume that everyone in the organization has this in the back of their mind. Mind you, I’m assuming this as I have no way of knowing for sure.
Only the passage of time will clarify the future direction of the team. In the meantime I am just going to ride out this bad period and hope for better results down the line.
J C says
The gladiator dies in the stadium at the urging of the bloodthirsty crowd.
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That’s pretty profound. Good analogy.
But not every guy goes out that way. Some leave before their legacy is threatened.
If I were Kobe I’d be relishing these last few months too. It’s always surprising and at this stage, touching to see how much the opposing fans adore him.
BigCitySid says
– Historically very nice.
Robert says
Kev: “the gladiator dies in the stadium at the urging of the blood thirsty crowd.” You state this as if it is the gladiator and the “crowd” who should take all the blame. Where does the Senate and more importantly, Caesar fit in?
Chris J says
The only thing that great preview video was missing was Chick Hearn, who called his first few seasons and was around for the first of his three titles.
If you do a Laker Legends piece and have the opportunity to include even a snippet of the Master of the Mic, you just have to do it. Hearing Spero Dedes exclaim one’s greatness doesn’t cut the mustard.
Todd says
Even so, poor results on the court this year may yield future rewards in next year’s draft. I hate to use the word tank, but I am hoping that the Lakers can keep their pick and add some young talent to quicken their rebuild. I would assume that everyone in the organization has this in the back of their mind. Mind you, I’m assuming this as I have no way of knowing for sure.
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Kobe provides one more year of cover for the FO. Better take advantage of it while they can.
Next year fans and media will really start to ask why they are not making better progress on the floor.
As much as I hate to say it — getting Ben Simmons will absolve a lot of FO transgressions.
KevTheBold says
Thank you Sid.
LKK,
Of course you know.
The same as you know that chasing free agents, is like chasing a mirage in the desert.
That the only true big free agent we ever landed was Shaq.
That champoinship teams are built in vast majority, from drafts and trades.
As this way you can cultivate, grow, trim to your specifications, versus taking some other team’s player who will come with clashing concepts and unearned respect.
Then as well, Players the likes of Kobe and Lebron would win in many places, so if a free agent has not won where he was, then the chances are, he won’t where he goes.
Speaking of Kobe, he is chasing not rings, but adoration, applause and kudos for saving us from losses. In short, he’s chasing his past.
With regards to the kids: I believe that all three of our core are equipped with a burning competitive spirit of their own, and as such, at times rage in frustration at a bad play, theirs, or someone elses.
Yes, Kobe at this stage has a treasure trove to teach, and I still hold out hope that he will; however, so far, his oncourt play in majority, are lessons of what not to do.
Lastly, we can pontificate all day at possible turns of future events on things we do today, however, it’s only logical to take care of the moment best you can, as these are the seeds of tomorrows field.
Imo
KO says
In todays NY Times. Kobe currently ranked 2641 in history of those qualifing based on this year in NBA history for 3 point metrics.. At this rate it would the worst percent in NBA history.
Clearly Bryon and Kobe do not read the Times.
LKK says
Kev,
Again you are making the assumption that you know what others think. Personally, I don’t think Kobe is taking anything away from the youthful core. If they are as good as we hope they are, it will begin to show on the court consistently, regardless of how many minutes Kobe plays or how well he plays. Randle, Ckarkson and Russell are being given ample opportunity to strut their stuff, IMO, and in a long season are likely to have a great chance to learn and grow as players.
KevTheBold says
LKK, not so much assuming what people think, but what I hope they have come to realize.
Obviously, our concepts of coaching differs greatly.
KevTheBold says
Robert, imo, the Senators are using Scott, or Kobe as screens to tank, though like Jim says, I don’t believe they are aware.
Crowds will be what they are.