Wake Up and Smell the (Black) Coffee

Daniel Buerge
5 Min Read

However, the most important part of his game is his work ethic and will to win. When Kobe Bryant is determined, it’s scary. Just one look at that face and he’ll turn you into a believer. To me, that’s the most critical difference between LeBron’s game and Kobe’s game. Some nights, it just looks like LeBron is out there getting his stats. To him, it appears, getting stats is more important than helping the team win. Until LeBron learns that, he will never surpass the Black Mamba.

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant gestures while playing the Boston Celtics during the first half of Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals basketball series in Los Angeles, California, June 17, 2010. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)


When people tell me Kobe would have no rings if it wasn’t for Shaq, it just makes me shake my head. Let’s get one thing straight, Shaq wouldn’t have those three rings if it wasn’t for Kobe. Every dynasty this league has seen always had a dynamic duo. Jordan and Pippen, Magic and Kareem.

Do you ever see people criticizing Magic that he would never have won without Kareem? No. Why? Because he is not Kobe. Like I said before, EVERYTHING this man achieves is diminished in every way possible nowadays. That’s just not right.

Either learn to respect greatness, or just don’t watch the game at all. Amen.

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Daniel is the former Managing Editor of LakersNation. He has also written for SLAM, ESPN and other various publications. Follow Daniel on Twitter @danielbuergeLA