Not sure how many people know this but Kobe Bryant moved to Italy when he was six as his dad pursued a professional b-ball career. Kobe, living in Italy became fluent in Italian, and the link below is an interview he recently took part in. Just showing you guys a side of Kobe some of you never could have imagined. http://video.gazzetta.it/basket/news/index.shtml?videoid=64fe9592-3f1c-11e0-87c6-a8b032620b2e EDIT: The Gazzetta is Italy's premiere National sports newspaper that even covers N.American sports, etc. It always has been printed on pink paper, so the website is pink bg - no homo.
LOL. I feel the generic hate already. And that rape is BS, we all know it. If Wade found himself in the same circumstance with the same verdict, and everything, you know how most here would feel.
IMO there's a great deal to admire about Kobe. I think that living abroad gives people a more global perspective and allows you to see more sides of things. I also think he's a prick for cheating on his wife. As for the rape allegation, I don't know if its BS or not. I find that about 50% of those are BS and I'm 50/50 as to whether or not I believe this case.
Kobe's best bet was when he embraced the hate. I still feel like he tries to win people over too much, which iornically enough, is what turns them off. His appeal worldwide is unmatched in today's game though. The guy is a flat out mega star overseas, and a lot of that has to do with his ability to connect with those that speak different langauges. He can and does do interviews in other languages and makes it apoint to spend his off time traveling and being an ambassador to the game. Stateside, if he finally just let go, finally said "screw it" to all of the people that label him fake or overrated or whatever, he would ultimately be embraced for it. He did it for a couple of years, but he has drifted back towards the middle and trying to placate too many people. He did and does emulate Jordan, but people say that like it is a bad thing. All players pattern their games on the backs of others, and he is not the only one to ever want to "be like Mike." He was just the best at doing it, which scares people, in my opinion. The being your own man BS lacks any merit, whatsoever. As as a person, Jordan was and is ten times worse. He berated teammates until they were in tears, cheated on his wife more than anyone not named Worthy/Magic and gambles, drinks and smokes like a fiend. Yet, hsi is untouchable...why is that? Because he won and can dunk real good and knew and how to smile for the cameras like a good puppet. Kobe doesn't do half of those things, yet he is hated and is considered fake and not his own man. It really is confusing. Ultimately though, I don't think he cares all that much anymore about the Jordan comparisons. I think he used to, but his legacy stands by itself now. He is a surefire hall of famer and considered to be one of the greatest players of all time now, right up there with the Magics, Birds, Jordans and the players from yesteryear. People may not want to admit that, but its true. Awful rapper though...
Who did Michael Jordan emulate? Who did Magic and Bird emulate? Kobe can never be considered in the same class, because he'll always be the guy who copied MJ but was never MJ.
Oh please, if you think Bird, Magic and Jordan didn't pattern their game base dupon people they watched growing up, you are lying to yourself. And Kobe has as many rings as Magic, more than Bird and one behind Jordan...while still being an active player. His place in history is cemented already. Disparaging his game because he plays very similar to Jordan is silly and renders your opinion pretty much moot. Again, they ALL pattern their games after others. Don't blame him for padoing it better than everyone else.
Anyway, everybody knows I am an expert. The best player I ever saw was Michael Jordan. Then Magic Johnson. Then Kobe Bryant. THAT'S THE LIST.
