Kobe Bryant: LeBron did not 'push me' to be better

[Mr Feeny]

Kobe never considered Lebeta as rival... they never faced in the fken playoff. That one year when Lebeta lost to the ClownDwight in the conference Final was the only chance we could witness Lebron vs Kobe duel, too bad Lebeta failed miserably. After that, Kobe aged, and got injured

Lebron averaged 38 ppg , 8.5 apg, 8.5 rpg on 48%fg vs that Magic team.
Kobe averaged. 34 ppg, 4 apg and 7 rpg on 43%fg vs the same team.

Individually, this isn't even close. Unfortunately, Lebron did not have a Pau Gasol on his team.

When Lebron did reach the finals: 2007, and every year since 2011, Kobe failed to make it.
Duncan, who's older than Kobe did manage to bring his team to the finals twice in 2013 and 2014.

2011 was the best chance of a finals meeting. Unfortunately, Kobe's heavily favored defending champions were swept by an underdog Mavs culminating in a 36 point blowout closing game in which Kobe finished the game 3-14.

[JT123]

2011 was the best chance of a finals meeting. Unfortunately, Kobe's heavily favored defending champions were swept by an underdog Mavs culminating in a 36 point blowout closing game in which Kobe finished the game 3-14.

How can this be? I've always been told Kobe's will to win/killer instinct is unmatched. How could he have choked so bad as the favorite?

[Akrazotile]

How can this be? I've always been told Kobe's will to win/killer instinct is unmatched. How could he have choked so bad as the favorite?

Was that the series where he bricked a game winner in Game 1 and then quit on the team for the rest of the series? Or maybe I'm thinking of the year they lost to the Thunder team that Lebron beat in the finals. Can't remember which playoff exit it was.

[Mr Feeny]

Was that the series where he bricked a game winner in Game 1 and then quit on the team the rest of the series?

Yeah he was pretty awful in the closing minutes of both games 1 and 3.
Missed the big shot in game 1 which cost them as Dallas stole home court.
Then had several turnovers and misses in the final 2 minutes of game 3 where he almost singlehandedly gave the game away and any chance of the Lakers' season went up in smoke.

The most egregious thing was the elimination game 4. They sent Phil Jackson into retirement with the most gutless, cowardly, inept display you'll ever likely to see.
Down huge in the 4th and needing a huge comeback, Kobe threw away the ball in the stands (i think around the 5 or 6 minute mark of the fourth ) and then started high-fiving Artest.

That's when I knew it was over. To be clowning around in an elimination game is inexcusable. And Phil was sent into retirement in the worst possible manner.

[jstern]

Such a casual tone, the conversation on this page.

[COnDEMnED]

Of course he didn't. You don't look behind you to move forward. You don't look to a lesser to make you more. Shaq, Magic and Jordan, in that order, are the people he strived to dethrone. He fell short on Jordan, and I'm not entirely convinced he passed Magic (even though Magic himself will tell you he did).

[STATUTORY]

2011 was the best chance of a finals meeting. Unfortunately, Kobe's heavily favored defending champions were swept by an underdog Mavs culminating in a 36 point blowout closing game in which Kobe finished the game 3-14.

you mean the same team that upset the Heat and humiliated Lebron on national television?

[Showtime2001]

Lebron was there in '07 without a single other allstar on his team.

Again I ask - where was Kobe?

Where is LeBron's championship in 07'?

Oh wait nevermind you only celebrate finals appearances as championships.

[jimmybball]

The best players should only have to push themselves.

[Mr Feeny]

you mean the same team that upset the Heat and humiliated Lebron on national television?

The same team that didn't sweep the heat but got taken to 6, yes.

[Pointguard]

Maybe because Kobe didn't give a sh^t about some meaningless two game a season match-up

NOW if it was a finals match up he'd take it more seriously, too bad Bron let us down there in seeing that

Or don't let it be an Allstar game. He loses his mind in those.

[DonDraper]

No, but he did 'push' Kobe out of the top 10

[red1]

Lebron was there in '07 without a single other allstar on his team.

Again I ask - where was Kobe?

Was too busy setting records for the most bricks of all-time.

[NBASTATMAN]

I would have to believe kobe on this... Mostly cuz during Kobe's prime Lebron was still not on that level.

[Mr. Jabbar]

kobe pushed in lebron

he did.