RE: Media and Kobe

["Odegaard, Greg M." <GMOdegaa@rmc.com>]

I agree with you to a point, but it was clearly reported out west here, that
Shaq has deferred the mantle of team star (maybe not leader yet) to Kobe.
Last year's playoffs were a concern, and we'll obviously see what we see
this year, but not giving Kobe his props after his quick and huge start this
season is unfair.  He has the skills and he is using them right now to much
success.  It is one thing to score, but his rebounding and defense are the
biggest noticeable improvements.

I hate the Fakers more than just about anyone out there, and don't like the
way the NBA and NBC falsely prop up their stars, but seeing him for what he
is worth must be recognized.  If he were on our team versus say Ron, he
would be our favorite too.  I can only hope Ron rises to Kobe's level of
game winning play this season.

Thanks,
Ode

-----Original Message-----
From: R. Bentz Kirby [mailto:bocelts@usit.net]
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 1999 1:20 PM
To: Odegaard, Greg M.
Cc: Celtic Mail
Subject: Re: Media and Kobe


Greg:

Actually, Shaq was hurt and did not make much noise in the 4th quarter. So
he
had already done his damage.  Last year in the playoffs, Kobe disappeared,
big
time.  Just as I would say about Pierce, doing it in the playoffs when it
counts
is the thing, not in these games.  Kobe is athletic, but has yet to show
that he
is a bona fide basketball player who is a star.  He is being promoted
because he
can soar to the basket and make a big dunk, not because he is fundamentally
sound and makes his teammates better.

"Odegaard, Greg M." wrote:

> Kobe was recognized as the star, because in this game he definitely was.
> Sometimes the box score doesn't tell the whole story, of course.  At the
end
> of the game last night, Shaq apparently deferred to Kobe, to handle end of
> the game shots, as he recognizes the horrible weakness of poor free throw
> shooting, when the game is on the line.
>
> It is time to recognize, as has the city and his teammates that Kobe is
the
> star of this team, not Shaq when it matters most.
>
> I hate to say it, but Mr. Bryant is rapidly becoming the star that the
> league wants him to be.  He doesn't have much of a weakness and hasn't
> played poorly in a game yet this season.
>
> Gary Payton and Grant Hill will give him a real run for their money to be
> MVP, but these 3 are head and shoulders above any of their peers right now
> for total impact and value to their teams.  Anyone who keeps Payton off an
> all league let alone all Guards list, is a damn fool.
>
> Ode
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: R. Bentz Kirby [mailto:bocelts@usit.net]
> Sent: Thursday, February 11, 1999 11:03 AM
> To: Celtic Mail
> Subject: Media and Kobe
>
> I noticed from the box scores that Kobe Bryant had 21, Jones and 21 and
> O'Neal had 29, but all the headlines do is talk about Bryant.  I wonder
> if his teammates are as sick of the media trying to make Kobe the star
> as I am?
>
> --
> Bentz Kirby
> bocelts@usit.net
> http://www.scsn.net/users/sclaw

--
Bentz Kirby
bocelts@usit.net
http://www.scsn.net/users/sclaw