AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > January > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USKobe’s 81 sets selfish example for kids
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
The worst thing to happen to basketball was the dunk. More specifically, you had Dr. J becoming Dr. Frankenstein by turning his perfection of the thundering slam into a monster. It helped kill the purity of the game. That is, if the discussion involves things that entice youngsters into playing the wrong way.
Here’s the latest of the worst things to happen to basketball, and it’s a horror in progress: The aftermath of Phil Jackson sitting smugly on the Los Angeles Lakers bench last Sunday and allowing Kobe Bryant to gun his way to a ridiculous 81 points. Through it all, the ruthless duo couldn’t care less about the other Lakers (two assists for Bryant), or about the game already rolling toward a rout against pitiful Toronto, or about the effect of this selfishness on youth.
This is scary. This is very scary, especially when you listen to Javaris Crittenton, the wonder guard from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy who is dribbling toward Georgia Tech. “Anything that any great NBA player does is always going to come down and have an impact on the younger generation,” Crittenton said. “There are 5-year-old kids out there who probably don’t know their ABCs, but they know that Kobe scored 81 points.”
They also know through osmosis, if nothing else, that it is more about “me” than “us” in today’s NBA. Well, except for the flukes that are the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs. Eight guys scored 50 or more points in a game last season and just five did so the season before that. We’ve already had eight such players this season, and we’re still a month from the All-Star Game. As a result, Bryant will go from the ridiculous to the absurd sooner than later by trying to surpass Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 100 points in a game.
There is Friday, for instance, when the Lakers will play their first game since Bryant became Mr. 81. They’ll be at home against the defensively flawed Golden State Warriors, which means Jackson and Bryant will have another chance to ignore the whole and manipulate the environment to their liking for an individual.
Whatever the case, Big Kobe already has spawned Little Kobes everywhere, but that won’t necessarily be true 2,000 miles away from Staples Center, where Crittenton will spend Friday at a Henry County gym against Eagle’s Landing Christian.
This is the same bunch that Crittenton torched for 54 points two weeks ago with his Little Kobe moment.
“When we play them at their home this time, they’ll bring a whole other team inside of them, and they’ll come hungrier, which is why you can’t be complacent and say, ‘Oh, I scored 54 against them before, so this is going to be a cakewalk,’ ” said Crittenton, whose maturity is noted on and off the court. “I’m not going into this game or any game saying, ‘I’m going to score 70 this time.’ If I don’t and get 30 or even 20, hey, as long as we get the ‘W.’ My goal is to just play and get my teammates involved and let the rhythm come to me.”
Sounds good. Then again, somewhere it is written that “a little child shall lead them,” and thus we have Crittenton delivering his indirect message to Big Kobe: A basketball team is about everybody, and if you happen to be the star, that doesn’t mean you have to try to scorch those around you by slinging your brightness in their faces.
Even Allen Iverson and LeBron James understand as much. They rank No. 2 and No. 3 behind Bryant as the only other NBA players averaging 30 points or more per game. Still, while Iverson is seventh in the league in assists, James is 15th.
Bryant? Uh, 35th.
Let’s end with that “little” child of 6-feet-4 and 185 pounds. He said the following when I asked him if he could score 81 points someday: “In the NBA, I don’t think so, not since I’d have to set people up as a point guard. I’m not going to say that I wouldn’t, but I can’t say.
“In high school, I have a couple of more games left, but that’s not my goal. If 81 points don’t get me a state championship, then I don’t want them.”
I like this “little” child.
Permalink | Comments (52) | Categories: Hawks / NBA, Terence Moore
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By Elijah
January 27, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this
I don’t see how you can characterize Kobe’s performance in a negative light. He’s on a team with very limited offensive firepower other than him, and he singlehandedly brought the Lakers from behind and won the game for his team. Why should Phil Jackson pull him out just to keep his numbers down? When a guy’s on fire like that, it’s exciting for the crowd and exciting for his teammates. It’s unfair of you to expect Jackson to consider the long-term implications of leaving his star on the court to finish a virtuoso performance for a packed house. I understand that you like to find a conspiracy or scandal in virtually every story, but you’re absolutely reaching here. Is this really any different than David Robinson scoring 71 or Michael Jordan scoring 60+ multiple times? I don’t recall your outrage then, and I’ve been grinding my teeth to your column since I was 8 or 9 years old.
By Mr. G
January 27, 2006 12:45 AM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Moore for stating the obvious fact. It’s going to be a proven fact that as long as Kobe Bryant is playing the me against the world routine, no one would want to play for the Lakers. It’s nice to see history be made but at what expense? The last time I check, the game was played with 5 players, not 1 and 4 supporting members. If Kobe passed the ball more so his teammates can get in a rhythm, the Lakers would be a dangerous team.
By JC
January 27, 2006 01:03 AM | Link to this
Rediculous, thats all I can say about this column. Kobe is selfish? Last time I checked the Lakers were losing by 15 points to a joke of a Toronto team when Kobe got sick of passing to teamates who missed shots and decided to win the game by himself. Another note, in order to get an assist in the stat book you need your teamate to actually make the shot, something Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, and the rest of the Lakers dont know how to do with any consistency. Its time for all of the old and gray to give up talk of Wilt and Kareem and this guy and that guy and just realize, Kobe is just as good if not better than these same guys. Nobody destroys Wilt Chamberlain for scoring 100 points on 60 something shots and having two assists, instead he is praised until the end of time. Kobe Bryant scores 81 pts on 46 shots and he is labeled as selfish. Get a clue Terrence Moore. What both of these guys did was incredible. 81 points by one player in todays NBA is unheard of. Almost 100 times this season an NBA team hasn’t scored 81 points. Stop hating Kobe for things that happened 2 years ago and give him credit for the brilliance he displays on a nightly basis!
By alan
January 27, 2006 03:11 AM | Link to this
Just when I thought you couldn’t post a more stupid article, you prove me wrong. Articles like this is why ajc.com failed as a paid website.
PATHETIC!!!
By Julius
January 27, 2006 04:16 AM | Link to this
This article is absurd. The Lakers would have lost that game if not for Kobe. Kobe put on a show and people went crazy for it. Basketball is entertainment, it’s not life or death. Get a clue.
By michael
January 27, 2006 05:09 AM | Link to this
this is a ridiculous article,Kobe had to carry his team that night and sometimes that has to be done you know Terrance the same way Furman Bisher carries you
By PoliticalMan
January 27, 2006 06:12 AM | Link to this
Come On, Terance.
First Kobe is a great player - the best in the NBA. The NBA is about a lot of things and star power and entertainment rank at the top of the list. Kobe’s team is dismal and its frustrating to him, the fans, and Jackson. So what we have is a situation that begs for Kobe to step up, play his best, entertain, and win games. As far as his assists, he has no Steve Kerr or Pippen to throw to and you know that Terance.
Anybody who does not think that Jordan was a ruthlessly selfish player had only to watch his last year in Washington. He was in charge of the Bulls, even more so than Kobe is of the Lakers. He got his 30 plus every night, enhanced his rep, and did let others have a role. The difference is overall talent between Jordan’s Bulls and Kobe’s Lakers. There are no other players that Kobe can depend upon.
And one more thing, I for one am not unhappy that the fat, overrated Shaq is gone from the Lakers. Terance, you want to get on some cases try Shaq first and Iverson second. O’Neal has to be one of the more overrated players ever to play.
By WILT CHAMBERLIN
January 27, 2006 06:55 AM | Link to this
I agree totally. Kobe is a selfish punk. But, he’ll never break my record of 20,000 women.
By doc
January 27, 2006 07:45 AM | Link to this
wow, seems tm is way off the mark here. the team was listing and going under being 18 points behind while kobe played the good teammate and didnt play to his capabilities. so he turns it on and finds out the raptors dont have anyone that can guard him, or not willing to guard him and a coaching staff that made absolutely no changes to stop him. he was the proverbial bull with the matador waving at kobe as he went by concerned that kobe not come to close to him as he went to the basket.
no the frightening thing is it was so orchestrated you begin to wonder was it all orchestrated and rigged for him to do it. a player on the raptors was incensed his coaches made absolutely no changes to stop him. it is not kobe’s integrity i worry about, it is the leagues. i really think you missed a very valid point terrace and put the responsibility where it doesnt need to go.what message does that send?
By Craig A.
January 27, 2006 08:09 AM | Link to this
He shot over 60% from the field. Was 18-20 from the free throw line. Shot something like 70% from behind 3-pt range. Terrence, who else on that team that night would have had those numbers? Who cares who is taking the shots as long as they are going in the basket?
What happened? Your planned column get nixed and you had to come up with something fast and this was all that you could find? Poor effort today Terrence. Maybe you should give back some of your paycheck to the AJC. Maybe your editor should too. Isn’t this what you cry that athletes should do when they have sub-par days? You’re better than this T. Moore.
By Martin
January 27, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this
In the context of where the Lakers stand this season, it’s entertainment. Another hotshot lighting it up in a meaningless game between meaningless teams with a bunch of obscure teammates on hand. Sort of like those high scoring games with George Gervin and David Thompson (or D. Wilkins for that matter). If serious analysis is wanted, I’d say it just shows what Phil Jackson thinks of his team.
By Rob D
January 27, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this
You can hate Kobe the man, but you cant diss Kobe on the court. The man shot 60%, why pass.
By LarryDawg
January 27, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this
Yo Terrance, that’s all you got to do is hate on Kobe? You’re wasting space on the information highway, to hate on a man for taking over a game that no one else on his team cared, or tried to win. You need to inlist some of Kobe’s initiative and drive to be the best and do a better job of finding topics for your column. Don’t hate the player man, hate the game.
By Robert
January 27, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
There is no question that Kobe’s teammates are less than him. But the question remains, when in the same situation (down by 18 points) but with higher quality teammates, would Kobe still try to take over the game himself? Would Kobe do so out of personal motives rather than for the team?
This is an important year for Kobe in rebuilding his marketing appeal. He needs to attract lost marketing partners, and no better way than to showcase his undeniable talents and shine the spotlight on himself.
He knows that his Lakers will not progress very far into the post season. So the only positive he can take from this season is attaining his personal goals. More than likely most of his current teammates will not be there in the near future. So from his perspective, there is no valid team goals to strive for. That is what is wrong with Kobe.
Nobody should have doubted that he could score 81 points in a single game. And in that way, Kobe will always be linked to Wilt the same way you could link Jordan with Russell.
By Dr.De
January 27, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this
Well there is alot of truth to what Mr.Moore is saying and then some!
But this is the real deal folks! What makes Wilt Chamberlin’s record so amazing is that back when Wilt played when you could hand check with two hands!
Then in the 80’s up until the mid to late 90’s you could hand check with one hand. But in todays NBA there is no hand checking at all!
So if a player has any real game, let alone someone like Kobe,LeBron,AI,etc you as a defensive player have NO CHANCE at all.
Kobe would never,never,ever have scored 81 point aganist the Motowm Bad Boys of 87-91. And today’s Pistons would not let this happen either! They would rather have everyone foul out than let some stupid stuff like that hapen on THEM!
George “The Iceman” Gervin is still the greatest scoring/perimeter player ever. And the Big 0 Oscar Robinson who avg. a triple double in a season! Oh yeah, you could hand check with both hands then too!
By The Big O
January 27, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this
Leave it to Terence Moore to rip someone for an excellent performance. Kobe’s job was to score. The Raptors players were getting paid to stop him. Seems like you should rip them for not playing defense rather than bashing the players who can hang 81 on them while shooting 60%.
And spare us the sage advice from a high school player. This kid is barely old enough to shave and you’re quoting him like he’s Julius Erving. If this is the best you can come up with, then you’re the Toronto Raptors of sports columnists.
By Big Boo
January 27, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this
GREAT ARTICLE Terence! It’s time we get back to the basics of basketball. There is no way a player should have the ball in his hands that much to score 81 points and only have 2 assists! That’s horrible…you mean no one was OPEN! PLEASE! Kobe is selfish and he is changing the landscape of the game. He has always been for himself and “HE” will never lead a team to a championship. I remember when he played in the all-star game and Karl Malone was setting a pick for him and he waived him away…. By the way…where was the PRIDE on the other side of the ball????? There is no way the Raptors should have allowed him to score that many points. The same cheap shot elbow Kobe threw at Mike Miller is the same elbow Kobe should have received too! That’s why I enjoy the college game…There is no K or B in TEAM!
By Mike
January 27, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
What stands out to me most is the 20 free-throws. The NBA is by far the worst officiated sport. NBA refs protect the “Star” players in the same manner as the WWF. They intentionally control the outcome of games.
Pretty pathetic!
By GM
January 27, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
NBA is full of hot shots and ball hogs. Kobe’s no more guilty than others. The NBA is so boring anyway, it needs something like a player getting 81 in a game, to spark some interest. Better than having to hear about the latest Ron Artest story, dress code complaint, or other crap.
By Mojo
January 27, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Wow, the next time I go into Kroger and an AJC salesperson starts hounding me to sign up for a subscription, I think I’ll hand them a copy of this…one of the dumbest and most retarded things I’ve EVER read. What a waste of 2 minutes. Yawn
By FD
January 27, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this
IF HIS TEAMMATES KEPT GIVING HIM THE BALL, WHY SHOULDN’T HE HAVE KEPT SHOOTING? IF THEY RECOGNIZED THAT HE WAS IN A “ZONE”, IT WOULD BE STUPID AS A TEAM NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT!!!!
By Brooks
January 27, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this
Who else is going to score for the Lakers? Kobe Bryant knows that he has to shoot 50 times a game for his team to have a chance. I’m not a Kobe Bryant fan at all. I’m also not a Terrence Moore fan. It’s ridiculous to think that he sent a bad image for kids. We’re talking about one of the best performances in NBA history. Should Wilt Chamberlin have passed the ball more? Would you have rather seen Chamberlin score 100 or have 20 assists? What makes Terrence Moore an expert on anything in sport. Why should we value anything he says. My image of the AJC has changed since that idiot has started to post his nonsense and sometimes racial undertones. How about writing something of worth and substance. I feel so warm and fuzzy hearing what Javaris Crittenton had to say. Your bush-league Moore. GO DAWGS.
By Ironfeet
January 27, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
Kobe can score 70 pts per game this season and the Lakers still won’t win a championship.
By Ant
January 27, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Was Jordan selfish when he hit Boston up for 63 in the playoffs? No. He was hot, his (lesser) teamates kept feeding him the ball and it was considered his coming out party. Was Elgin Baylor a ball-hog when he hit 71? Or how about when David Robinson made his bid at 71? I could go on but why bother. The point is, whether it was Chamberlain, Gervin, Maravich, etc..NONE of the high scoring acts where ever looked at as being selfish. Their performances were all marveled and appreciated for what it was….”being in the zone”! I’m not even a Kobe fan but I know a great performance when I see one and I’m glad to say I was alive to witness history. Besides…..his team was down 19 at the the half!! This wasn’t Wilt standing in the paint dropping hooks over guys he had 6 inches on in size. Ya know Terrence, I try to stick up for my brothers but DAMN sometimes you write some stupid chyt!!!
By BUSHWACKER
January 27, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
David Robinson and Michael Jordan won championships,Kobe ain’t winning squat with this team!.. The dunk and the 3 pointer have ruined basketball. Teams used to avg 110 points a game,now they struggle to score 70 point some nights and its because evveryone is either taking low percentage shots “the 3 pointer” or driving to the basket and if cannot get a clear lane for the dunk they kick it back out and someone else fires up the 3 from downtown. There no more low post players,nobody Kobe included works the boards for rebounds and works to the basket and uses the glass “high percentage shots” like Domonique was great at. If you don’t have an open lane for the dunk,you get as close as you can then use angles and work it off the backboard,nobody doesthat anymore like Bird,Nique and Magic did in the day! THIS IS NOT BASKETBALL WE I MEAN YOU ARE WATCHING, I QUIT WATCHING A LONG TIME AGO BECAUSE I DON’T THINK THERE ARE MORE THAN 5 OR 6 PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE THAT CARE ABOUT WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP, I MEAN REALLY WANT TO WIN!!! AND BASEBALL IS NOT FAR BEHIND!!
By Matthew
January 27, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
I could have scored 81 points if I didn’t have bad knees.
You are right though Mr. Moore, Kobe is a bad and selfish team mate. How does he expect team chemistry to improve if he doesn’t let them participate? This chesistry is needed if you want to win championships.
Even Michael Jordan needed a team with chemistry to win his championships. Like proven in Washington, Michael couldn’t win a championship alone.
When I played middle school basketball I was the star player, but I would still pass and let my team mates shoot it. It helped us build chemistry for the city tournament and it also helped us still win when other teams tried triple teaming me.
I could have played in Division 1 college and the NBA if I hadn’t hurt my knees.
Great article again Mr. Moore, I salute you.
By BUSHWACKER
January 27, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
Instead of taaking every shot himself,he should be trying to get everyone involved in the offense so they have more than 1 option if they ever make the playoffs because a good defense in the playoffs will take Kobe out of his game and then who’s going to score.
By Ant
January 27, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
Final note to the above: I believe Kobe already has 3 rings and he’s only 27. Even if he never wins another, he still has more than most!
By pawd
January 27, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this
Right on Terence Moore! The pro game has degenerated over the years until now it is nothing but a showcase for over-paid shook and jive, slammer jammers, ranking somewhere around pro wrestling for authenticity, integrity and class. I have a friend who describes the pro game best. He calls it, “FMDCSDB”. Translated, “First man down the court shoot the damn ball.”
The powers that be have sold the basketball soul of the NBA for a few (no, for a great many) pieces of entertainment silver.
There is all but no emphasis on defense (81 points indeed). Passing is passe. The silly shop clock rule virtually eliminates pattern and set plays.
A conversion to international court dimensions and rules would be some improvement. I, frankly, have voted with my feet, my pocketbook, and t.v. channel changer. I’m gone, and much the better for it!
By Ray Steeler Fan
January 27, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
Terrance,
Please tell me what is “pure” in any sport. This is 2005. If you want to live in the 1800’s, then put on your shackles and go pick some cotton. (I can say that because I’m black) :o)
The idea of “progress” and “change” will automatically impact the “purity” of all that we do.
Kobe scoring 81 points is not going to change the way a child views the game. If you are selfish, then you were selfish before Kobe’s 81. Did kids become more selfish when Wilt scored 100? How about when Jordan went for 60 or more?
Please stop it!! You are either trying to incite people, or you have a small brain.
By Ray Steeler Fan
January 27, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this
Excuse me…..this is 2006. I think you have impacted my brain size with this ridiculous article. :o)
By Patrick
January 27, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
What a joke. How does Terrence Moore make money to write garbage like this. By no means am I a Kobe fan, but what he did is incredible and we may never see it again. His team was down like 18 points and he took it upon himself to bring them back and force a blow out. When they were down 18 points, was anyone else making shots? NO. And when they were up big, was he supposed to stop playing? NO, his scrub teammates probably would have lost it for them. True, you can’t win in the playoffs with just 1 scorer, but is that Kobe’s fault no one else can score? Phil Jackson is a genius. Had he thought Kobe shooting that much was a bad idea, he probably would have benched him. But, no, he saw something special and rode with it. Terrence, your off your rocker. You have had some terrible columns before, but this takes the cake. WOW.
By G
January 27, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this
Smush is having a career year and Chris Mihm is having his second consecutive career year since joining Kobe. Lamar is playing like Lamar always has — inconsistent. What else do you want from Kobe? Smush and Mihm could barely make the worst team’s rosters a few years ago and now they are averaging in double figures and starting for a solid playoff team. Dude, just admit it, you are a hater. Seriously.
By G
January 27, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this
In a team game, you feed the ball to the hot hand. Point Blank. Kobe shot 60% from the floor in a come from behind win. Why would you not feed him the ball. If a person is playing good defense you put him on the other’s team best defender right? Is a good defender selfish for wanting “to play all the defense.” Alonzo is selfish for Miami because he gets all the blocked shots. He is alienating his teammates. They stand around looking at him on defense. Points is but only one facet of the game. So, shut up about it.
By Chuck
January 27, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
What on its face appears to be a poorly written article and one which can be attacked in so many different ways is in fact…a poorly written article. I don’t understand how anyone who watched the flow of that game can arrive at the conclusion that rising to excellence in the face of an apparent loss is a poor example. I would hope you could find a more pointed example which perhaps does not have the hint of personal bias.
By PoliticalMan
January 27, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this
Hopefully the next time a NFL back rushes for over 200 yds, Moore will be consistent and write a column about the back being a ball hog and not insisting that his fellow backs get some yds. Oh, the back doesn’t call the plays, you say. Well, Kobe doesn’t call the plays either.
The next time a QB throws for over 400 yds and 5 TDs, be sure and write a column about not getting the backs some yds.
Maybe Lance Armstrong should have thrown back a couple of TDF wins. Bicycling is definitely a team game.
By ben
January 27, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this
I’m down with you Terence. But, I also have been arguing that the way to play championship football is with strong defense, a running game, and special teams- none of which were on display in the national championship game. My Texas buds say I’m living in the past. Who knows, maybe you are too.
By SPORTS GUY
January 27, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this
I agree that no one should down KB. The NBA sucks. That is what they want is star power ball-hoggin. They can have it, because NCAA ball is more exciting. Team concept and great basketball. If I wanted showboating I would go see the Globetrotters.
By AJC blows
January 27, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this
“or about the game already rolling toward a rout against pitiful Toronto”
More fantastic insights by the AJC. 1. Kobe led his team to a come-back victory. 2. This game was 5 days ago. Why does it take the AJC so long to put together a pathetic article like this? 3. The NBA is about entertainment, not about children, and if you didn’t like seeing this happen, you are just no fun.
By AJC is pathetic
January 27, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this
“or about the game already rolling toward a rout against pitiful Toronto”
More fantastic insights by the AJC. 1. Kobe led his team to a come-back victory. 2. This game was 5 days ago. Why does it take the AJC so long to put together a pathetic article like this? 3. The NBA is about entertainment, not about children, and if you didn’t like seeing this happen, you are just no fun.
By brewerfaninATL
January 27, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this
People, people, people…Terence wrote this only to get a rise out of everybody!
By Keith Nabb
January 27, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this
Terence - you are on the money when it comes to Kobe. However, read the statement from the SACA kid again - “If it gets ME a state championship…”. According to your standard he should have said “US” not ME.
By mack daddy
January 27, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this
way to go mr. moore…you said like it is…kobe is selfish, always has been and always will be….fyi kobe will never score 81 points against the sacto kings because mr. artest will be all over him…go kings!
By Dev
January 27, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this
This article sums up the basic state of the league and the reason why I don’t watch the NBA until the playoffs.
To everyone ranting about LA would have lost the game and Kobe has no supporting cast. Ummmm did he do that to himself? Last I saw, I didn’t see anyone rushing to be a teamate of Kobe. Why? because Kobe only cares about Kobe…not the team. Until he changes his attitude, he won’t get the help he needs to win another championship, but at least he has his records and the 3 rings when he played with a real team and not Kobe’s 3-ring circus.
By Laker Fan in ATL
January 27, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
Last time that I checked an assist is registered when you pass the ball to someone and they make the basket (assuming they catch the ball or don’t fumble the basketball out of bounds. Unfortunately for Kobe, and Phil for that matter, the talent on this team is less than the 2004-05 version. Terrance you are making it hard for US (and you do know who US is) to continue to support you with nonsense like this article. If you wanted to write an article about the high school kid then you should have done. Kobe did what he and Phil knew he had to do on that night. On another night when someone on the team can hit the side of the barn it might be different.
By the way
January 27, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this
Kobe should pass to Magic more often.
By GTLaker
January 27, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this
So many people are calling Kobe selfish about this game. I wonder how many people saw it. The Lakers were down by eighteen and playing no defense at all until Mr. Bryant started his explosion. He brought the team to within 9 points, then they started to believe again.
He shot over 60% on 46 shots, the rest of the team shot 14 - 42. Can you blame him?
Besides, anyone that scores that many points will have to take a lot of shots.
Like him or not, there is no reason to criticize this game. Without him the Lakers get blown out by one of the worst teams in the league.
About the comment with Kobe running people away, Mr Jerry Buss made the decision to trade Shaq based on health issues and a salary demand of $30 million per year for three years from LA.
It’s interesting that he settled for $20 million per year from Miami, although it will be for 5 years. I guess he still gets his 90+ million. By the way, he won’t be playing through all of that contract. Age and conditioning is already affecting his game.
By Charles
January 27, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this
Enough is enough. Moore, you are an unmitigated moron
By HawksTrade4Kobe
January 27, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this
Many of those Kobe defenders angry with Moore’s article are missing the point. Moore is not debating that Kobe is one of the best players in the game or that he is a scoring machine. He is saying that Kobe, idol to countless kids all over the world, sets an example that hurts the team aspect of the game. These kids saw the glory that comes with 81 points and will try to duplicate it regardless of their teammates.
On a side note, one man will not win a 7 game series against a playoff-caliber team.
By Gregory Andrews
January 27, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this
Terence Moore, Do you know anything about basketball? Better yet have you played any basketball? Kobe was hot! You pass the ball to the open man and hot hand in basketball.He hit 28 out of 46 shots from the field.If thats not hot I don’t know what is? The game survived Wilts 100 points.I am quite sure it can survive Kobe Bryants 81.
By steve
January 27, 2006 11:20 PM | Link to this
terrance,
this is really surprising coming from you since Kobe is black. and as everyone who reads your column knows, you play the race card nearly every day. of course what he did is selfish. but he has been that way since he came into the league. nothing new. unfortunately, his whole generation is selfish, with few exceptions. in fact, seems that every generation now is selfish. just look what happens on the interstate highways everyday. just another day in looneyville.
By HB Ando
January 27, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, I am confused. Your unmitagated contempt for Kobe’s tremendous outing is at contratempts with the consistent theme of your writings over the last ten years. Not only did Kobe single-handedly lead his team to victory over the Toronto Raptors, he also dominated “The Man”, who is always trying to hold him down.
You are the Jerry Springer of sportwriters, never failing to perpetuate ignorance and misinformation when insight and honesty would be just as readily available. Just think how many more responses you can get to your trash if you peppered your articles with images of strippers wrestling midgets. Your columns remind of people who put in more effort to avoid working, than they would exert if they actually had a paying job. I suppose, in some ways, that there should be a modicum of appreciation for the creativity necessary to come up with the trash that you propigate. But your brand of creativity is never clever, nor funny, insightful or honest. You are the National Enquirer of sports writers, made peerless by the swampish depths your words call home. How much longer must we abide your fictional accounts of the games we love? Please move on, sir, I beg of you.