Kobe's legacy if Lakers don't make playoffs?

[The Nets]

His legacy is pretty much set in stone already, the 04-05 Lakers season probably hurts his legacy more since he was still in prime atm.

[tmacattack33]

He's played pretty well this year overall. Two weeks ago he would have still been in the top 5 current player list. Right now he still may be at 5.

If anything about Hislegacy changes, it's that his leadership has been terrible. Not taking much blame himself and making comments about his teammates... As well as walking off the court early about 5 times already or maybe even more... It's hilarious to think that this guy is actually a veteran in this league the way he's been acting.

[Nevaeh]

Nash is scoring 1 less PPG than he did with the Suns as the #1 option. Big deal.

Pau's scoring is down because his efficiency is historically bad (48% TS).

I also love you clowns think you know what's going in Bryant's head. "He wants all the glory". "He wants the scoring title". ****ing clowns.

Good point. He obviously doesn't want the "glory, otherwise the Lakers would be winning.

[upside24]

It will definitely hurt it.

There are a bunch of reasons why the Lakers have been so terrible this year. Howard and Nash's injuries, poor coaching especially on defense, chemistry issues.

Kobe is part of the reason. Sure, 30-5-5 on 48% looks good on paper but his defense has been terrible, along with the rest of the team.

Maybe if he took fewer shots and allowed other guys to feel like they are important to the team the record would be different right now. I don't know for sure if that would have resulted in a better record, since defense is what the Lakers lack, but at least the chemistry issues could have been better.

[Magic bird]

Well, the stans would fall back on the "it's his 17th year" excuse and would claim a prime Kobe would push this team into the postseason by anchoring a stronger team defense.

Even though his stats are prime-esque,

This

[Jacks3]

Good point. He obviously doesn't want the "glory, otherwise the Lakers would be winning.

5 rings.

[dbk123]

5 rings.

5 rings and he'll only be in the top 20 after he misses the playoffs this season. lmao

[Artillery]

ShaqAttack3234 already said it.. Kobe's defense isn't making or breaking anything. I've watched the past few games and kobe actually was giving good effort on D, not forcing shots, passing the ball.. Playing the right way. But the team is just beat up right now and not very good.

The fact that you think it would cancel out a championship run is absurd. Everyone here has seen your agenda and thinks you're a moron anyway though.

Then you're clearly not watching the games:

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2...istoric-season

[Artillery]

The Original Magnificent 7 is still the best western film of all time.

Nah.

[tpols]

Then you're clearly not watching the games:

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2...istoric-season

This highlighted three plays in one game.

Anyone can take small snipits and try to make broad generalizations about them. Kobe last night guarded Westbrook and was actually giving good effort on defense.. Ever since this losing streak started he's been giving way more effort than he did to start the season where he was doing nothing.

against the spurs who are a great of the ball cutting screening and passing team it takes a whole defense to stick with your man. Lots of switching helping hedging etc.. The Lakers have none of this.

You have a very obvious agenda against Kobe Bryant. I actually acknowledge his shitty defensive effort for most of the start of the season.. Recently though he's been far more active on that side of the ball.

[longtime lurker]

ISH after the 2011 Finals:

Lebron James has tarnished his legacy and there's no way he'll ever be in the top 5 all time!

ISH after the 2012 Fianls: OMG Lebron is the greatest ever! He's already better than Kobe and Bird have ever been and he'll end up being greater than Jordan

ISH where prisoners of the moment happen

[Deuce Bigalow]

5 rings and he'll only be in the top 20 after he misses the playoffs this season. lmao

The dude locked up top 10 spot in 2009.

[Just2McFly]

'07 or '06? He quit in game 7 vs the 2006 the Suns.

whenever that shit happened

[rmt]

Most all time greats, in all team sports, have benefited from certain systems. How much success did Jordan have without Phil Jackson? Then you have Duncan, who has played for one of the greatest coaches in sports for his entire career. Shaq won 4 rings with two legendary coaches. Different sport, but Tom Brady has definitely benefited from Belichick's system.

At the start of the year of Duncan's first championship, Popovich had an NBA win-loss record of 73-73 (hardly the record of a GOAT-type coach). Pop was very much a novice NBA coach unlike the coach Kobe and Shaq got who already had 6 NBA championships under his belt.

Most of you Kobe stans are spoiled - you expect instant gratification - big name team mates, big name coaches instead of doing it the old-fashioned way building from the draft, patience developing players and Kobe allowing these players to grow by passing them the ball.

Look at this Earl Clark - only through desperation and injuries is he getting his chance. And he's made the most of it. It makes for team chemistry when team mates know that you trust them to take the open shot instead of being hell-bent on scoring as many points as possible (sometimes when double- or triple-teamed) to break the all-time scoring record.

Like it or not, part of one's legacy is one's leadership. And in this area, Kobe is sadly lacking. What does it say about him when he is having one of his statistically best years but the record is 15-21? Where is the impact and should he not rally his team mates and lead them? It's ironic that Dwight has all this power in his hands. He basically holds the future of the franchise in his hands. Lakers either trade the best center in the league for spare parts (and not get back equal value) or take the chance that he'll re-sign.

Players are well aware of Kobe's ways from snitching to throwing team mates under the bus to his reluctance to pass the ball. It's no wonder so many of the free agents went to the Clippers and Heat - all the benefits of living in a big city and playing with willing passers in CP/Lebron.

So will DH stay in LA?

[Legends66NBA7]

With him, Howard, Nash and Gasol in same team? Man, not making the playoffs with those 4 stars in the same team is probably a bigger accomplishment than winning the championship with Shaq.

With exception of Howard and Bryant, nobody else is playing like a "star". Even Howard's productions has slipped off, mostly due to that injury.

So no, I don't think his legacy will be effected. A legacy is all about perception and how an individual views you. All Bryant can do now is add to it. As other have mentioned, this might effect Howard more but he's also been injured.