Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and NBA Top Performers

Scottie Pippen has a blog post about Kobe’s 81 points saying just how possible it is today to score many points.

I had so much respect for Pippen but after reading his blog post dismissing Kobe’s greatness of 81 points was due to lack of defense plus the fact that it should not be compared to His Airness; damn, loser Pippen. Now let’s break down each and every stupid argument of the sidekick.

Scottie Excerpt #1:

In the era when Michael played, it was a physical game. Defense was promoted. Guys took pride in it. Today defense is no longer a part of the game…

He argues here that in Michael Jordan’s time the level of defense was so much higher than it was today. The rules did not allow easy baskets and thus reaching 40 points was a big deal. He also notes how Patrick Ewing, Oakleys and the Masons would put a hand in your face.

Oh darn, nba.com reports that Michael played 1,072 games in his career. So don’t tell us that those entire 1,072 games defense choked you. You did not play Ewing, Oakleys and Masons 1,072 games man. 1,072 games without a chance of scoring 81 points let alone 60++ points without overtime (The only time Michael reached the 60 point mark.) You got blown out games and still Michael did not even score 56 points in 3 quarters as Kobe did.

Scottie Excerpt #2:

To compare how someone would have played Michael Jordan, Chuck Daly would send someone to wear him down. Even though he may get 30 or 40 points, they’re going to be a hard 30 points.

See, that’s were the greatness of Kobe lie. You don’t want to waste a guy wearing him down because it just wouldn’t work. You would rather prevent all his teammates from getting a few points than going after Kobe and end in futility.

Didn’t it even occur to you that rule changes right now may no longer allow for rugged physical play but certainly a whole new era of basketball philosophy evolves? A game ruled by complexity. A game where coaches twist their brains cells to get team systems to play tough defense without the brawl of brain dead piece of shit players. This is not an era of barbarians my friend. This is an era of thinking players. Players are smarter. Coaches think at a higher level as opposed to sending guys to brawl methodically.

Scottie Excerpt #3:

If you want to say that Kobe could get 100, I would say that Michael could get 100. If Kobe could get 81, I think Michael could get 100 in today’s game. I think the psychological style that Michael was able to master in the game, puts him far beyond Kobe.

So you think Michael could get 100. That will remain you think. But it never happened and will never happen. Kobe did it. Period. Oh yeah the psychological style of Michael puts him far beyond Kobe. Kobe’s intellectual style puts him far beyond Michael. So how long could Michael take that man? He got intellectually beaten by Allen Iverson’s crossover move when he was just a rookie. Remember?

Scottie Excerpt #4:

...but I don’t think he still could have gotten to 100. It would almost have to be perfect and the game would have to go to overtime. I think a lot of things would have to come into play for him to get that.

Look again. He did that in 41 minutes. Wilt did the 100 points together with the overtime. Sheesh man.

With that said, I am sure Phil doesn’t want to coach that type of game. It’s not his style. I don’t expect it to happen again. Phil will probably do everything in his power to make sure it doesn’t. I don’t think Phil is going to try to promote what Kobe has done more than anything because he has damaged his whole team. You just scored 81 points. Do you need your teammates? Are they going to step up when you need them or are you going to continue to pound them like you’ve been doing and be selfish just to get some individual accolades?

Evolve. Evolve. Evolve. Sorry man, you’re old school of thinking just would not fit at all. Kobe is changing the game. Can’t you see? That’s were his greatness come. I am sure Phil will evolve too. He knows it. That’s were his greatness lie too. He won championships without you. How about you man?

Well enough has been pointed out here for now. The fact that Kobe got 81 points is rare. The fact that nobody did it in 40 plus years with the combined number of players and number of games transpired in the NBA tell you something.

Kobe is turning to be the greatest player that lived on this planet. Feel it. Cherish it. It will not happen again in your lifetime.

NBA Dynasty Series – Los Angeles Lakers – The Complete History