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7 seed. KOBE: Watch his awesome new Nike commercial Without Bryant, the Lakers were swept by the eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Then Dwight Howard, Metta World Peace and Earl Clark all left the team this offseason, leaving Los Angeles in a precarious position, particularly if Bryant doesn’t return quickly. The Lakers still have aging stars Steve Nash and Pau Gasol but are weak on the wings, likely starting two of Jodie Meeks, Nick Young and Wesley Johnson at shooting guard and small forward. PHOTOS: Kobe Bryant’s career, year by year 1996-97: Kobe averaged 7.6 points in his rookie season, coming off the bench behind Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. At the time, he became the youngest player to ever play in an NBA game. Michael Caulfield, AP 1997-98: Bryant averaged 15.4 points, started the All-Star game and finished runner-up for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. Bob Galbraith, AP 1998-99: In the lockout-shortened season, Bryant started every game, averaging 19.9 points in the NBA’s first year without Michael Jordan. Mark J. Terrill, AP 1999-2000: Under Phil Jackson, Kobe averaged 22.5 points and along with Shaquille O’Neal, led the Lakers to the NBA title, a six-game win over the Pacers, the team’s first title since 1988. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports 2000-01: Kobe averaged 28.5 points and the Lakers went 15-1 in the playoffs, beating the 76ers in five games for back-to-back titles. Jeff Haynes, AFP 2001-2002: Kobe and the Lakers made it a three-peat, beating sweeping the Nets with Kobe averaging 25.2 points on the year. Rusty Kennedy, AP 2002-03: Kobe averaged 30 points on the year, including a wild run in which he had 40 or more points for nine games in a row. Ray Stubbleine, Reuters 2003-04: Kobe averaged 24 points as the Lakers made a run to the Finals, ultimately losing to the Detroit Pistons. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports 2004-05: Without Phil Jackson, the Lakers missed the playoffs with Kobe averaging 27.6 points. Douglas C.
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant on Dwight’s departure: ‘I don’t really give a s—‘
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Kobe wanted Dwight to kick it up a notch and Howards mindset didnt exactly transcend in Los Angeles. Regardless of their differences, Dwight is gone and Kobe has clearly moved on saying the following about Howards departure during media day on Sept. 28: Honestly, man, I dont really give a s—. Along with Kobe not really caring about Dwight leaving Los Angeles, the five-time NBA champion already had a sense Howard wasnt coming back to the Lakers before their infamous meeting. Kobe believed Dwight had one foot out the door and it turns out that he wasn’t wrong. Kobe met with Dwight along with Steve Nash and Mitch Kupchak to give the final pitch to the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. The pitch fell flat and Dwight ultimately left, but it seems as though Kobe believes Dwight had already made up his mind about Houston. With Kobe caring less about Dwight heading to Houston, the veteran guard is focused on the upcoming season and the team turning things around after the disastrous end to last year.
Kobe Bryant: No timetable yet for my return to Lakers
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Is Kobe enough on his own? Evan Gole/Getty Images The Black Mamba is underrated. Not as a shooter or overall scorer. Maybe as a passer and defender. Almost always as a winner. Five titles haven’t been enough for Kobe to escape the gallows of self-indulgence. For over a decade he’s been branded as self-absorbed and nearly impossible to play alongside. He drove Shaquille O’Neal out of town after three championships, and Dwight Howard checked out on the Lakers before he ever really left. Even those who have worked in “harmony” next to Kobe haven’t been safe from his wrath.
Kobe Bryant: NBA legend revelling in proving his doubters wrong
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(Vincent Laforet / AFP/Getty Images / December 17, 1997) By Eric Pincus October 1, 2013, 12:33 p.m. If Kobe Bryant can win a sixth title, he’ll match Michael Jordan ‘s count. While the debate of who is the best player of all time is quite subjective, it’s fun to mull over. Jordan added a little fuel to the fire with his comments promoting the NBA 2K14 video game, according to the Associated Press. “I don’t think I would lose,” said Jordan, “other than to Kobe Bryant because he steals all my moves.” Bryant gave a quick response on Twitter. Domino effect. I stole some of his..this generation stole some of mine #thecycle Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) October 1, 2013 Bryant also tweeted a response to the Lakers ‘ ranking by ESPN as 12th in the Western Conference. 12th Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) October 1, 2013 A man of few words in this instance, but clearly it’s on his mind as he works his way back from a torn Achilles.
Kobe, LeBron respond to Jordan’s one-on-one comments
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He said he wanted to play Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Lakers star Kobe Bryant , and Heat players Dwyane Wade and LeBron James . He said no one would beat him, except for Kobe Bryant because “he steals all my moves.” Later on Tuesday, the two modern-day legends responded. LeBron on MJ saying he could beat him 1-on-1 in their primes: “MJ said that? I’ve thought about the matchup but no one will ever see it.” Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) October 1, 2013 Domino effect. I stole some of his..this generation stole some of mine #thecycle Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) October 1, 2013 I like James’ response better, because James is essentially giving him the blank stare. “Oh, really? Cool story.” He doesn’t engage, doesn’t challenge the GOAT, a public fight he could never win, and boils it down to the bare facts, the question is irrelevant. (It’s fun, I have no issue with it, but taking it seriously is nonsense.) MJ on who’s better Jordan says Kobe, not LeBron, could beat him Bryant instead simply acknowledges he took things while basically saying “everyone does it!” I’m not sure what that accomplishes here, but it’s not like either star is losing sleep over it.
Kobe Uncertain Of Return As Lakers Start Camp
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We have a lot of talent on this team, and hopefully we have a little chip on our shoulder.” Nobody carries a bigger chip than Bryant, who zealously draws fuel from doubters. He’s running with 75 percent of his body weight on the treadmill, and he has done ladder drills on the court to improve his agility, but he grudgingly acknowledges his return isn’t imminent. Still, Bryant is deep into the mind games necessary to get himself back more quickly than anyone expected. He referenced David Beckham, Mariano Rivera and Peyton Manning as inspirations for a strong comeback from a late-career injury. “I need to get in shape, but it doesn’t really take me long to do that,” Bryant said. “I work hard at it. When I get back on the court, I’ll be good to go.
Kobe Bryant responds to Michael Jordan’s comments on Twitter
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Im just seeing how it holds up, and then how the recovery holds up after that. The procedure and the therapy right after that really got me ahead of the curve. It feels like the hard more… part is over. Bryant and the Lakers reported for an early camp thanks to a looming trip to China with cautious optimism following a tumultuous year. After assembling Howard and Steve Nash for a run at a title, almost nothing went right for the Lakers while finishing seventh in the Western Conference and getting swept out of the first round by San Antonio. Injuries limited Nash to 32 games in his first Lakers season, and the two-time MVP point guard is now the NBAs oldest active player. Pau Gasol sacrificed playing time and position to help the team, but then struggled through knee injuries that required extensive offseason treatment. Howard played one inconsistent season and ditched the Lakers, taking a smaller contract to play for the Houston Rockets.
Is Kobe Bryant Enough for Carmelo Anthony to Spurn NY Knicks for LA Lakers?
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He’s not sure about Kobe Bryant . In a video promoting the NBA 2K14 video game that was released Tuesday, Jordan said there’s a long list of players he would’ve liked to have played one-on-one – Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Julius Erving, Carmelo Anthony , Dwyane Wade , Bryant and James, who dons the cover of this year’s game. “I don’t think I would lose,” Jordan said in the video, before smiling and adding, “Other than to Kobe Bryant because he steals all of my moves.” Responded James: “MJ said that?” James was told of Jordan’s comments after the Miami Heat completed their first training camp practice in the Bahamas on Tuesday, and said that the buzz would serve as good promotion for the game. GALLERY: Kobe Bryant vs. Michael Jordan “Absolutely, I thought about the matchup,” James said. “But no one would ever see it. It’s not going to happen. But it’s good for people to talk about.” Jordan was listed as 6-foot-6 and 213 pounds during his prime.
Michael Jordan: I could beat LeBron one-on-one, but not Kobe
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. Apparently, Steve Nash believes Kobe may need some more time according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports via Twitter on Oct. 1: LAL Steve Nash to Y! Sports on Kobe’s likely return: I think he will be back some time between the beginning of the season & Thanksgiving. The safe move for Kobe and the storied NBA franchise would be not to rush back unnecessarily. Although Kobe wants to be on the floor for Oct. 29 against the division rival Los Angeles Clippers , the five-time NBA champion might be better off staying out of the lineup until back to 100 percent.
Lakers News: Steve Nash thinks Kobe will be back before Thanksgiving
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Last season was supposed to be the year he returned to the top of the NBA after last picking up a ring in 2010. Flanked by Dwight Howard, Steve Nash and Pau Gasol, the Lakers were expected to steamroll all before them. Instead, they limped to the seventh seed in the Western Conference before being swept by the San Antonio Spurs. For the first time since 2005, and the second in 20 years, the Lakers might miss the postseason this year. In a stacked Western Conference, there isnt room for a team that arent fully able to compete with the best. As Bryant said, a season without a ring is a failure for the Lakers, regardless of what team they have. And it is rings that Bryant is really obsessed about. A champion in 2001 with Shaquille ONeal and Phil Jackson, hes notched five in total.