Kobe: Cavaliers lack 'lightning rod' personality to drive team

[SpaceJam]

As much as Kobe Bryant respects LeBron James' game, he knows what he is, and what he isn't.

There's an inherent difference to the way the two future Hall-of-Famers went about their careers. James keeps everyone involved with his playmaking; Bryant was the relentless lone ranger, which speaks to their personalities. And while there's not one mentality that necessarily trumps the other, having someone who can galvanize the team is important.

James isn't that guy, says Bryant.

"You have to be true to who you are, and authentic," Bryant told J.A. Adande of ESPN following Wednesday's 120-108 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. "And I think every team should have that lightning rod. Because the happy-go-lucky stuff doesn't work.

"I don't care what anybody says or people's perception of the team. You have to have that inner conflict. You have to have that person that's really driving these things. From the Cavaliers' perspective, it's hard for me to tell from afar who should be that person. LeBron's not that person. LeBron, he's a ... he brings people together. That's what he does naturally. He's phenomenal at it. But you have to have somebody else who's going to create that tension. Maybe it's Kyrie (Irving)."

Bryant isn't necessarily criticizing James, who almost single-handedly willed his team to the NBA Finals amid a rash of injuries last season. James was named MVP in both of his championship years, and whether it's "championship DNA" or "the will to win", or any other liberally-wielded abstraction that gets tossed around - it's clear James has it.

But for Bryant - certainly no stranger to conflict in his heyday - there needs to be someone on the Cavaliers who can make up for that.

And so, with that bit of Zen master-inspired wisdom to impart upon James, Bryant rides off into the sunset after the last meeting between the two non-rivals.

http://www.thescore.com/nba/news/980333

[retaxis]

http://www.thescore.com/nba/news/980333
Well its true to a degree

Kobe is a psychopath who will stick to his best of getting what he needs and the ultimate goal of championship

James is a borderline personality emotionally unstable and his main need is constant reassurance and control.

While one needs the goal at the end at any cost necessary, the other needs constant reassurance and support for their erratic behaviour.

Jordan on the other hand was just a merciless sociopath who would do anything and destroy your social to win at any cost.

ISH stans on the other hand are just sitting on their phat a22es singing to youtube videos living vicariously through the lives of others. I don't know what that is perhaps the word vermin/society leeches/bandwidth wasters are a good way of describing them.

[PP34Deuce]

I think a lot of it has to do with how you are raised and grow up.

Kobe was raised upper class and cultured. By the time he played ball in Philly, people thought he was too bourgie and not street enough. I feel like he became what he became because of not "fitting in." I remember Magic used to say back in the early LA days, Kobe didn't go to strip clubs or party with teammates he kept to himself.

Then you have Lebron who came from true projects and bad circumstances. He didn't have family growing up consistently. His family was that coach and the coaches son and best friends. Lebron loves family because he didn't have that family growing up. You can see he needs to feel a family vibe. he craves it.

The dynamic with Lebron and Kyrie is interesting because people think Lebron wants to control the offense but he doesn't. Lebron wants Kyrie to make better decisions and master the balance of scoring and playmaking (Chris Paul) I don't know Kyrie's attitude but they need him to be a more complete player.

[DCL]

and who was the lightning rod on the spurs? tim duncan?? lol every team is different. just because kobe went through that bullshit with shaq, it doesn't mean other teams should copy that locker room poison. it's hard to win when you got guys hating each other unless the other guy is shaq.

[Im Still Ballin]

What Kobe is essentially saying is, he needs a Shaq

[Ranked 12th]

So basically, you need a team cancer

(2004 Kobe)

[InsanityKills]

What Kobe is essentially saying is, he needs a Shaq
:lol :lol

[DCL]

kobe forgot the lakers got spanked by the pistons because of his bullshit

[Overdrive]

What Kobe is essentially saying is, he needs a Shaq

So you're saying Lebron is best suited as a second option?

[90sgoat]

Lightning rod can mean two things?

Lightning rod meaning the one that deflects ligthning when it strikes, for good and bad.

[Im Still Ballin]

So you're saying Lebron is best suited as a second option?
This is Kobe talking bro. Not me. I sense the bitter resentment. 12th vs 3rd. Jell-oh-sea.

[Mr. Jabbar]

real recognizes not real :roll:

[G-Funk]

So you're saying Lebron is best suited as a second option?
:oldlol:

[fragokota]

Kobe went full on "Big O" mode. Damn bro, you haven't even retired yet.

Imagine 10-20 years down the road, he'll be talking crap about those youngbloods non stop. :lol

[Im Still Ballin]

Straight sets

WE WIN, AGAIN!

[Braincells]

I think a lot of it has to do with how you are raised and grow up.

Kobe was raised upper class and cultured. By the time he played ball in Philly, people thought he was too bourgie and not street enough. I feel like he became what he became because of not "fitting in." I remember Magic used to say back in the early LA days, Kobe didn't go to strip clubs or party with teammates he kept to himself.

Then you have Lebron who came from true projects and bad circumstances. He didn't have family growing up consistently. His family was that coach and the coaches son and best friends. Lebron loves family because he didn't have that family growing up. You can see he needs to feel a family vibe. he craves it.

The dynamic with Lebron and Kyrie is interesting because people think Lebron wants to control the offense but he doesn't. Lebron wants Kyrie to make better decisions and master the balance of scoring and playmaking (Chris Paul) I don't know Kyrie's attitude but they need him to be a more complete player.

Kobe relocated to Italy at a very young age. Then he had to come back to Philly and reintegrate, which ended up being difficult for him as a teenager. He was very, very isolated and lived within himself during that time. He channeled all of his angst and fire into basketball. This is all detailed clearly in his documentary, Muse, which I recommend watching.

I'd argue the above manifested in his NBA career and is why he clashed with Shaq early on. Players have different ways of leading. Kobe's the more lead by example type. If you aren't busting your butt like he is, he's not going to respect you.

[ImKobe]

So basically, you need a team cancer

(2004 Kobe)

worked 5 out of 7 times :confusedshrug:
Maybe the Heat would have won 3 in a row if Lebron decided to put the team on his back in the 2011 Finals instead of being a poor man's Magic Johnson.

[NBASTATMAN]

THERE WAS NO TENSION ON 2012-13 TEAMS THAT WON BACK TO BACK.. I think the best team usually wins and that is all...


Some times players choked and the better team loses.. KOBE IN 2004 AND LEBRON IN 2011...

NUFF SAID

[WindmiLL]

"You have to be true to who you are, and authentic,"

Says the guy who copied Jordan down to walking style and gum chewing :oldlol:

[34-24 Footwork]

Says the guy who copied Jordan down to walking style and gum chewing :oldlol:

You left out the part where kobe got his father killed over gambling debt...I'm sure you meant to include that.

[warriorfan]

kobe is right the cavs lack a true alpha

lebron has the stats but he is not an alpha like kobe or curry

[WindmiLL]

You left out the part where kobe got his father killed over gambling debt...I'm sure you meant to include that.

Oh that post must have stung you real deep, to post such a retarded post afterwards.

But yeah, props to Kobe for not going to such extremes :applause:

[stalkerforlife]

Kobe just low key called Bran soft.

And everyone knows it's true.