Kobe to Play in China for $1.5 Million Per Month?

All, International Basketball, NBA Jason McIntyre August 1st. 2011, 3:30pm

Kobe Bryant turns 33 in three weeks, and his NBA career probably only has a few years left. He’s slated to make $25 million next season (if there is one), then $27.8 million in 2012-2013, and $30.4 million in 2013-2014.

Imagine making $9 million or more a year playing basketball since 1999, and going all the way to zero because of the lockout. These are Kobe’s last few money-making basketball years, and there are only a handful left. So naturally, he’s going to consider playing in China for a whopping $1.5 million per month. If the lockout lasts just five months, Kobe could rake in $7.5 million … and then there’s the potential to sell more sneakers and appear in commercials … conservatively, I’ll guess Kobe could get $10 million for five months in China.

Remember who Chinese basketball fans loved the most at the 2008 Olympics? Kobe. Remember who sold the most jerseys in China when Yao Ming was in the league? Kobe.

Someone wake me when Stephen A. Smith writes a column ripping Kobe the way he wrote one trashing Deron Williams’ move to Turkey.

Bryant mulling offers to play in China [Yahoo]

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94 Responses to “Kobe to Play in China for $1.5 Million Per Month?”

1
cassino Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:34 PM
Kobe absolutely shouldn’t do this. Too much tread on his tires as it is, doesn’t need the money, and isn’t going to get anything out of it.
2
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:37 PM
Imagine making $9 million or more a year playing basketball since 1999, and going all the way to zero because of the lockout.
You think Kobe blows all his money on rims and music production companies? Because I don’t. Like you said, he’s been making 9MM a year for 12 years… I’m sure he lives very nicely, but I don’t think he’s in danger of running out of cash. He’s not dumb. The players that are going to go overseas are the ones who blow through their money.
3
Tim Ryan (TheSportsHernia) Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:39 PM
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I will miss Kobe when he retires.
4
Big--Oil Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:40 PM
isn’t going to get anything out of it.
$2m per month is good $$ for anyone. You could also look at it and say maybe he never wins another title in NBA anyways. He is already a HOF, why not increase his global marketing image playing abroad. Same risk of injury as if he is running around a gym in El Segundo. Gotta practice the game either way, why not get paid doing it?
5
Tim Ryan (TheSportsHernia) Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:40 PM
The players that are going to go overseas are the ones who blow through their money.
The players that are going overseas are also the ones who like money.
6
s1rweeze Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:40 PM
Someone wake me when Stephen A. Smith writes a column ripping Kobe the way he wrote one trashing Deron Williams’ move to Turkey.
You’re going to be sleeping a long time because nobody gives a crap about that guy enough to read one word he says.
7
pkiguy22 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:40 PM
I am seriously thinking that we will be still talking about the NBA lockout on August 1st 2012.
8
SouvenirCity Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:40 PM
~~I can’t believe I’m saying this, but~~ I will miss Kobe when he retires.
Me too.
9
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:42 PM
The players that are going overseas are also the ones who like money.
Kobe’s never struck me as the kind of player completely obsessed with money. He wants what he deserves, but I think he cares more about rings. Going over to Europe and putting 50 more games on his knees won’t help him in that endeavor.
10
wilhelmreems Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:42 PM
I’m sure he lives very nicely, but I don’t think he’s in danger of running out of cash. He’s not dumb. The players that are going to go overseas are the ones who blow through their money.
so… Kobe lives nicely but blows through his money?
for Kobe it’s likely a leverage move by the players. if they have income, the owners have less power to force a deal down their throat the players would be more likely to accept if they didn’t have a job and needed their NBA paychecks.
11
HuskerDawg Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:43 PM
Kobe absolutely shouldn’t do this. Too much tread on his tires as it is, doesn’t need the money, and isn’t going to get anything out of it.
All of this. He has plenty of money. He can take a year off and live off of his endorsements. RIght now the year off may actually be a good thing for him. He looked like a very old 32-year-old last year at times.
12
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:43 PM
so… Kobe lives nicely but blows through his money?
where did I say kobe blows through his money?
13
starkweather Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:43 PM
The players that are going overseas are also the ones who like money.
Yeah, I think it’s actually the smart money move to continue making millions instead of just banking on your NBA money. Please explain otherwise, Mr. Badger
14
YYSA Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:44 PM
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I will miss Kobe when he retires.
Nope fuck that. I will shovel the dirt on his casket.
15
TheGilly Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:44 PM
It’s all for attention. I find it funny that there is no where near the concern about this lockout as there was for the NFL. I would love nothing more than a lockout for a year or 2.
College Basketball > NBA
16
HuskerDawg Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:44 PM
for Kobe it’s likely a leverage move by the players.
Very good point. The owners don’t want the players going overseas because it’s give the players more leverage.
17
Big--Oil Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:45 PM
I can see why a Lebron shouldn’t go and possibly risk injury… but Kobe has 5 titles… nobody will ever elevate him to Jordan status even if he gets 7… so why not go and take in some cash. $2M/month is a nice paycheck. Even if you are a great investor and have s super low burn rate… it is still another $10M.
Does he need the money… probably not. But a rich guy I know has a nice saying – “When people ask what my income goal is I say ‘I am a simple guy… all I want is MORE’”. If you are not doing what you can to earn during your prime… wtf is your problem.
18
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Yeah, I think it’s actually the smart money move to continue making millions instead of just banking on your NBA money. Please explain otherwise, Mr. Badger

Kobe’s made $196,190,615 in NBA salary alone. Not including endorsements. He probably makes millions a year in interest alone. What’s worth more to him? An extra $10MM playing in turkey, or extending his NBA career?
19
wilhelmreems Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:45 PM
where did I say kobe blows through his money?
well, you said players going overseas are the ones who blow through their money…Kobe is going overseas. You contradicted your statement about Kobe’s financial well being.
I get what you’re saying though, just giving a hard time.
20
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:46 PM
well, you said players going overseas are the ones who blow through their money…Kobe is going overseas.
No he’s not… he’s considering it.
21
spencer096 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:47 PM
Imagine making $9 million or more a year playing basketball since 1999, and going all the way to zero because of the lockout.
i know…we should totally start up a collection.
22
cleet Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:47 PM
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I will miss Kobe when he retires.
I will celebrate his retirement by the adding of chocolate to milk.
23
Tim Ryan (TheSportsHernia) Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Kobe’s made $196,190,615 in NBA salary alone. Not including endorsements. He probably makes millions a year in interest alone. What’s worth more to him? An extra $10MM playing in turkey, or extending his NBA career?
That extra $10MM means his great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great children also don’t have to do shit.
24
Broccoli Beef Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:48 PM
What’s worth more to him? An extra $10MM playing in turkey, or extending his NBA career?
I would say both. These leagues aren’t the same intensity as the NBA, he can make $10M in Turkey AND stay in shape for the next “potential” NBA season.
25
starkweather Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:48 PM
What’s worth more to him? An extra $10MM playing in turkey, or extending his NBA career?
Going to China is not the same as going to Turkey. I believe the endgame for going to China is probably the burgeoning consumer class in China. So it’s $10M in immediate money if he plays a full season there, plus a shit-ton more of endorsement and marketing money after he’s gone.
26
wilhelmreems Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:48 PM
i know…we should totally start up a collection.
actually we should just be thankfull for all the jobs he created making at least $9mm a year.
27
HuskerDawg Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Just saw where Kings of Leon canceled the rest of their tour because the lead singer’s voice is shot. I wonder how much cash they’re going to miss out on. Good think I saw them last Wednesday in Atlanta.
28
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:49 PM
So it’s $10M in immediate money if he plays a full season there, plus a shit-ton more of endorsement and marketing money after he’s gone.
I guess my point is that he’s already made more money than he could possibly spend if he has an accountant with half a brain and an inkling of common sense, which I’m presuming he does.
29
Tim Ryan (TheSportsHernia) Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:50 PM
I wonder how much cash they’re going to miss out on. Good think I saw them last Wednesday in Atlanta.
The drummer has already left for a drumming opportunity in Japan.
30
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:50 PM
What’s wrong with just wanting to play ball and be competitive? Guys like Kobe know nothing else, and can’t function without basketball. Kobe isn’t going to be sitting home and changing diapers now that he has the time. We already saw it with Favre. Money is always a factor too, but I bet that the really competitive players also dont want to sit around doing nothing, when they’ve played competitive basketball 10 months a year since they were 7 years old…
31
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:50 PM
The drummer has already left for a drumming opportunity in Japan.
+1 pile of pigeon shit
32
spencer096 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:50 PM
actually we should just be thankfull for all the jobs he created making at least $9mm a year.
is this serious?
33
HuskerDawg Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:51 PM
I would say both. These leagues aren’t the same intensity as the NBA, he can make $10M in Turkey AND stay in shape for the next “potential” NBA season.
Kobe strikes me as someone who wouldn’t be able to go half-ass into playing ball. Maybe that’s a naive opinion, though.
34
Diesel Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:51 PM
Smells like a big time marketing move, the dollars to play basketball are a nice offshoot. There’s no way he’ll be giving 100% effort over there.
35
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:51 PM
What’s wrong with just wanting to play ball and be competitive?
Nothing.. but TBL is insinuating with this post that it’s about $$$.
36
Broccoli Beef Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:52 PM
I guess my point is that he’s already made more money than he could possibly spend if he has an accountant with half a brain and an inkling of common sense, which I’m presuming he does.
That’s the thing, these guys aren’t wired like people that make “normal” salaries doing “normal” jobs. They want to continue doing, and making, what they can as long as they can no matter where that opportunity is.
37
YYSA Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:52 PM
These leagues aren’t the same intensity as the NBA,
This is true you are much more likely to be hammered driving the lane in one of these leagues overseas.
38
wilhelmreems Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:53 PM
I guess my point is that he’s already made more money than he could possibly spend if he has an accountant with half a brain and an inkling of common sense, which I’m presuming he does.
yeah, but everyone is the same regardless of how many zeros are on the annual salary. someone making 90 grand a year won’t shy away from an easy 10 grand to do what they normally do on the side, and someone making 900k won’t shy away from making an extra 100k on the side.
39
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:53 PM
Personally, I think it’s just to aggravate the owners.
It’s like he just saw the GF he just broke up with at a bar, so he goes over to the first set of nice titties and starts to flirt with her to make the ex jealous.
/Bill Simmons’d
40
Broccoli Beef Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Kobe strikes me as someone who wouldn’t be able to go half-ass into playing ball. Maybe that’s a naive opinion, though.
I would tend to agree with that, but I don’t think he would have to go all out in order to dominate.
41
wilhelmreems Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:54 PM
is this serious?
nope. once again i’m thwarted by toneless internet text.
42
Big--Oil Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:54 PM
I could totally see Kobe playing a revised style… he is going to be shooting jumpers all over China… but I doubt he goes to the rim on anything other than a breakaway dunk for the cameras.
43
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:55 PM
Nothing.. but TBL is insinuating with this post that it’s about $$$.
TBL sees everything through seven-figured glasses. Not everything is about money or ratings. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isnt… I imagine most people here have made a personal decision that yielded less money but more personal time/ability to do what they want/family time etc…
44
Rusty Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:55 PM
Unlike Duncan, Kobe doesn’t care about money so much that he has never taken less than the maximum. He’ll be in China by the end of the month.
45
Broccoli Beef Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:55 PM
I could totally see Kobe playing a revised style… he is going to be shooting jumpers all over China… but I doubt he goes to the rim on anything other than a breakaway dunk for the cameras.
Bingo
46
HuskerDawg Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:56 PM
Also, re: missing Kobe when he retires. He’s one of the top-10 players to play the game in my opinion. He can be a massive prick on the court, but I’d rather that than a paper tiger a la Kevin Garnett. We live in an era where players busting their ass every day is talked about less and less. Kobe wants to do one thing and one thing only: win. I thin that’s something that should be commended.
47
spencer096 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:56 PM
I could totally see Kobe playing a revised style… he is going to be shooting jumpers all over China… but I doubt he goes to the rim on anything other than a breakaway dunk for the cameras.
so…business as usual?
48
TheBigLead Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:57 PM
$2m per month is good $$ for anyone. You could also look at it and say maybe he never wins another title in NBA anyways. He is already a HOF, why not increase his global marketing image playing abroad. Same risk of injury as if he is running around a gym in El Segundo.
well said, Big Oil.
are you new?
49
wilhelmreems Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:58 PM
I could totally see Kobe playing a revised style… he is going to be shooting jumpers all over China… but I doubt he goes to the rim on anything other than a breakaway dunk for the cameras.
i’m curious to see if he has a similar experience playing overseas as Mr. Baseball did.
50
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:58 PM
well said, Big Oil.
are you new?
Looks like TBL found a new teacher’s pet.
51
Big--Oil Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:59 PM
TBL sees everything through seven-figured glasses. Not everything is about money or ratings.
We are talking about work though…
52
YYSA Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:00 PM
If I was a Lakers fan I would be rooting like hell Kobe goes over there and has a small but not serious injury. Just an injury that allows LA to rip up his contract.
53
wilhelmreems Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:00 PM
well said, Big Oil.
are you new?
Looks like TBL found a new teacher’s pet.
as TBL flexes in his Jets SMedium t – shirt, reading the side of the cereal box.
54
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:01 PM
If I was a Lakers fan I would be rooting like hell Kobe goes over there and has a small but not serious injury. Just an injury that allows LA to rip up his contract.
That’s something to consider as well? If Kobe gets hurt, can the Lakers tear up that contract and not pay him the $30MM he’s owed two years from now?
55
Odyssey Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:01 PM
Looks like TBL found a new teacher’s pet.
The writings of a spurned lover.
56
spencer096 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:01 PM
Kobe wants to do one thing and one thing only: win. I thin that’s something that should be commended.
BRAVO. LETS ERECT STATUES OF DIET JORDAN ALL ACROSS THIS GREAT LAND.
everyone just wants to win. all the stars. every single one of them.
you really think lebron or wade didn’t want to win the finals? or big ben was cool with losing the SB?
jesus christ.
57
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:01 PM
We are talking about work though…
Think about what you currently do for work, and what you could have done. I’m sure we’ve all given up money in our careers for lifestyle/family/more rewarding work etc… not everyone wants to make $800k a year as a surgeon, and never see their kids grow up.
58
TheRealAC Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:03 PM
is it just me or does this seem like a way for the players to get under the owners skin in regard to the CBA? “if you don’t pay us, we’ll go over seas and they’ll pay us”.
59
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:03 PM
The writings of a spurned lover.
We fooled around a few times, but I got over him when he told me equivocated corked bats in MLB with rampant flopping in the NBA on twitter.
60
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:03 PM
but I got over him when he told me equivocated
when he equivocated.
61
spencer096 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:04 PM
i didn’t plan on having kids until i prematurely equivocated.
62
wilhelmreems Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:05 PM
is it just me or does this seem like a way for the players to get under the owners skin in regard to the CBA? “if you don’t pay us, we’ll go over seas and they’ll pay us”.
pretty much. if the NFL had overseas teams you would have seen some NFL players “in negotiations” with the Russian Roulettes and the Somalian Pirates during the lockout to show they won’t be hurting when the league paychecks start up again.
63
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:06 PM
i didn’t plan on having kids until i prematurely equivocated.
I think I just had a Duffy FAIL.
/short circuits
64
YYSA Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:09 PM
is it just me or does this seem like a way for the players to get under the owners skin in regard to the CBA? “if you don’t pay us, we’ll go over seas and they’ll pay us”.
I don’t think the NBA is worried about superstars getting paid overseas. Wake me up when Ron Artest is making millions overseas.
65
Broccoli Beef Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:10 PM
/short circuits
Johnny 5! Great bad movies.
66
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:10 PM
for Kobe it’s likely a leverage move by the players.
this is the logical outlook.
It’s funny seeing TBL acknowledge Kobe being the most popular USA player in China back in 08. You had trouble seeing that through your LeBron glasses at the time.
67
devang Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Bernie Kosar’s daughter is a porn actress? NSFW
/Duckworth’d?
68
Big--Oil Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:13 PM
not everyone wants to make $800k a year as a surgeon, and never see their kids grow up.
yeah but he plays ball for a living… and they are offering to pay him to play ball, not some other profession that is totally different.
69
HuskerDawg Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:14 PM
Spencer: A lot of the players may want to win, but they aren’t willing to put in the insane effort it takes to do so. That’s what separates Kobe. I know you don’t like him, but you should at least respect that aspect of his personality.
70
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:14 PM
I don’t think the NBA is worried about superstars getting paid overseas. Wake me up when Ron Artest is making millions overseas.
Wake me up when guys like Rashard Griffith are making careers overseas.
71
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:16 PM
That’s what separates Kobe. I know you don’t like him, but you should at least respect that aspect of his personality
Yeah, come on Spence… respect the rapist.
/goes back to my spot under the bridge
72
jim Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Bernie Kosar’s daughter is a porn actress? NSFW
I know he had some rough times financially, but he shouldn’t have to pimp out his daughter.
73
José Ovechkin Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:17 PM
everyone just wants to win. all the stars. every single one of them.
How quickly one forgets about Vince Carter.
If LeBron really wanted to win, he’d have a post game by now.
74
HuskerDawg Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:20 PM
How quickly one forgets about Vince Carter.
If LeBron really wanted to win, he’d have a post game by now.
All of this. Believe it or not there are some players who don’t give it there all in the off season, yet they want to win. Imagine LeBron James with Kobe’s attitude.
75
spencer096 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:20 PM
Spencer: A lot of the players may want to win, but they aren’t willing to put in the insane effort it takes to do so. That’s what separates Kobe. I know you don’t like him, but you should at least respect that aspect of his personality.
i respect a lot about him, i just get sick of people attributing greatness to something that literally every single player does.
yes, he works hard, yes he’s meticulous about his preparation, and i respect the fuck out of that…but is he really putting in more hours than duncan or durant or wade or whomever? probably not. hell, gilbert arenas spends all fucking day practicing…where’s his “all gilbert wants to do is WIN” stories?
the thing i respect kobe the most for is the fact he doesn’t give a flying fuck what people think about him. cold blooded assassin. that’s why he’s a badass. but his work ethic? i bet you there are tons of less talented players that had to work harder than kobe to overcome their lack of natural ability…those are the guys who deserve to be lauded.
it’s like calling some trust fund kid born to a CEO family better than everyone else because he started his own company that was successful. kobe was born to a pro basketball playing dad…he had a leg up from day 1.
76
YYSA Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:21 PM
I think most NBA teams with bad contracts(all of them) would love for those players to make a career like Rashard Griffith overseas. But I don’t think Ron Artests of the world will be exchanging their 8 million dollar salaries for 6 figure salaries.
I will pack up Josh Childress’ house for him if he promises to get on a plane for Greece and never come back.
77
ButtersBC Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:22 PM
Wake me up when guys like Rashard Griffith are making careers overseas.
He still over there? I remember some time back the Bucks or Magic invited him to come back to try out for the team but wouldn’t offer him as much as he was making in Turkey so he said thanks but no thanks…play on playa
78
St. Bear Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:23 PM
it’s like calling some trust fund kid born to a CEO family better than everyone else because he started his own company that was successful. kobe was born to a pro basketball playing dad…he had a leg up from day 1.
He had both Nature and Nurture going for him.
79
spencer096 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:25 PM
If LeBron really wanted to win, he’d have a post game by now.
yes, lebron wants to lose and be the guy that the press and everyone rakes over the coals mercilessly. that makes complete sense.
but maybe you can tell him where to get this post game. can he use his rewards card at dicks to pick one up? is there an amazon link? good to know that it’s possible to be an NBA player without putting in an iota of competitive drive.
Believe it or not there are some players who don’t give it there all in the off season, yet they want to win. Imagine LeBron James with Kobe’s attitude.
i refuse to believe that the most productive player in the NBA over the past four seasons doesn’t put in any serious effort in the offseason. then again…WHERE’S HIS POST GAME?!?!?!
where was kobe’s post game at 26? oh, still streaking to the hoop because he was still a freak athlete with crazy explosive hops at the time? you don’t say…
80
ATL_Badger Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:26 PM
i respect a lot about him, i just get sick of people attributing greatness to something that literally every single player does.
yes, he works hard, yes he’s meticulous about his preparation, and i respect the fuck out of that…but is he really putting in more hours than duncan or durant or wade or whomever? probably not. hell, gilbert arenas spends all fucking day practicing…where’s his “all gilbert wants to do is WIN” stories?
the thing i respect kobe the most for is the fact he doesn’t give a flying fuck what people think about him. cold blooded assassin. that’s why he’s a badass. but his work ethic? i bet you there are tons of less talented players that had to work harder than kobe to overcome their lack of natural ability…those are the guys who deserve to be lauded.
it’s like calling some trust fund kid born to a CEO family better than everyone else because he started his own company that was successful. kobe was born to a pro basketball playing dad…he had a leg up from day 1.
brav-FUCKING-o.
81
José Ovechkin Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:32 PM
yes, lebron wants to lose and be the guy that the press and everyone rakes over the coals mercilessly. that makes complete sense.
but maybe you can tell him where to get this post game. can he use his rewards card at dicks to pick one up? is there an amazon link? good to know that it’s possible to be an NBA player without putting in an iota of competitive drive.
We are clearly reading the context of this discussion differently. Fine. Everybody wants to win, that’s nice. What separates Kobe from most is that he needs to win.
82
YYSA Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:36 PM
What separates Kobe from most is that he needs to win.
When Kobe stops winning bitches get raped. No one denies this.
83
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:36 PM
it’s like calling some trust fund kid born to a CEO family better than everyone else because he started his own company that was successful. kobe was born to a pro basketball playing dad…he had a leg up from day 1.
so was Danny Schayes
84
spencer096 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:38 PM
What separates Kobe from most is that he needs to win.
what separates kobe from most is that he doesn’t care if people think he’s a jerk. duncan and pop wanted to win just as bad as kobe did, only they did it diplomatically rather thru force.
not saying being cold like kobe is a bad thing…but that “need to win” is not a unique feature to kobe in the NBA. you don’t go thru all the bullshit a true superstar pro athlete does to get to that point without having some sick, obsessive competitive disorder.
and if you’re lucky or gifted or talented enough to, you’re not a star for long.
85
spencer096 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:39 PM
so was Danny Schayes
yea, but he wasn’t successful.
86
José Ovechkin Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:41 PM
yes, he works hard, yes he’s meticulous about his preparation, and i respect the fuck out of that…but is he really putting in more hours than duncan or durant or wade or whomever? probably not.
Wade and everybody else from the ’08 Olympics raved about Kobe’s preparation, so I doubt that they did put in as many hours as Kobe did. But more or less we probably have that image of Kobe cause Kobe doesn’t have friends. Durant and Wade and Lebron appear to genuinely have interests outside of basketball, where Kobe doesn’t give off that vibe.
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spencer096 Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:47 PM
Wade and everybody else from the ’08 Olympics raved about Kobe’s preparation, so I doubt that they did put in as many hours as Kobe did.
you can put in all the hours you want but it doesn’t matter, and that’s why i love kobe. gilbert arenas takes thousands of shots daily and practically lives at the practice complex, but that doesn’t put him on kobe’s level.
there’s types of practice, process and outcome. it’s clear that kobe’s mastered the art of practice as it’s manifested itself on the court and you can see his strategy and tactics even at full speed. that’s worth adulation, without any doubt. if kobe released a book on his practice routine, it’d probably be fucking amazing.
but lots of guys hit more balls on the range than tiger woods and yet they’re not at his level, or even close. mindless practice just to log hours is a waste of time…something im sure kobe illustrated to lebron and wade and the 08 olympic team perfectly.
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Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:49 PM
I don’t doubt that other players put in just as much time as Kobe. The difference between Kobe and alot of other players is, Kobe is a craftsman. A craftsman doesn’t work hard, he works smart.
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St. Bear Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:52 PM
but lots of guys hit more balls on the range than tiger woods and yet they’re not at his level, or even close. mindless practice just to log hours is a waste of time…something im sure kobe illustrated to lebron and wade and the 08 olympic team perfectly.
Or, his natural abilities allow him to achieve a higher ROI, even when compared to other best-of-the-bests.
There’s really no way to know.
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I'm a Horse Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:55 PM
DIET JORDAN
I love this.
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Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:57 PM
or what Spencer said
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José Ovechkin Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 4:58 PM
A craftsman doesn’t work hard, he works smart.
I agree with that. I’m sure Gil takes a shit ton of shots, but I can’t see him studying a guys offensive tendencies to make him a better defender. I feel that Kobe commits himself fully into the game, not a couple aspects of it. But obviously other guys do that too, like Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, Dirk, etc. Kobe was extremely physically gifted in his prime; though still not as much so as VC and LBJ.
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José Ovechkin Says:
August 1st, 2011 at 5:02 PM
but lots of guys hit more balls on the range than tiger woods and yet they’re not at his level, or even close.
As a culture we don’t respect hard work in of itself, noble as it is, without the expected outcome. Having the physical gifts + the work ethic + the intelligence to most effectively use said physical gifts is like a perfect aligning of the stars.
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Off The Backboard (karma) Says:
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:39 AM
Wow, awesome discussion.
I actually agree with Spencer’s post. Bravo.

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