A 2009-10 NBA Title Will Solidify Kobe Bryant’s Legacy
More and more people are convinced after this past seasons title run that Kobe Bryant really is one of the ‘all time greats’ that many of his fans have been proclaiming him to be. But just because Kobe has won over the hearts of many “kobe haters” over the past few months, doesn’t mean that he isn’t out to prove even more this next season. If/when Kobe leads the Lakers to another championship this upcoming season it will leave a huge impact on his legacy as one of the all time greats the game has ever seen. Here are a couple things to point out…
1. Another Career Title Repeat
If Kobe and the Lakers can succeed again this upcoming season in winning back-to-back titles, Kobe will completely shatter any thoughts/opinions that he cannot win without Shaq. Both Shaq and Kobe have now won NBA titles without each other. But winning two in a row is something Shaquille was never able to do outside of Kobe! Doing so is the ultimate way to shut up all doubters that believe Kobe needs Shaq. Let’s not forget also that both Laker teams that have repeated in the last decade led by Kobe are completely different teams. Only two other players have really accomplished this feat of winning back to back titles with essentially two different teams. Magic Johnson & Michael Jordan!
2. Ring #5
Very few NBA greats have won 5 or more NBA championships and ring #5 would ultimitaly cement Kobe in the G.O.A.T list. There are not that many who have achieved this but let me just name off a few for you. Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabaar… you get the point.
3. While Kobe Racks Up More Championships….Lebron goes home empty handed!
Every year that Kobe wins a title, it leavs Lebron James in the prime of his career without one. Think about this one for a minute. Lebron James is currently in his Athletic prime, fully healthy and with an owner and organization paying tons of $ to put good solid players around him. THese few years are the best chances he’s got. He’s sure to win some championships later in his career. But if he hopes on catching Kobe he’ll have to start winning them soon.
4. Shaq will retire with only 4 Rings
While Shaq insists that he is one of the all time greats at the center position, he has perhaps one last chance of this year of catching up to Kareem with 5 rings. This is most likely SHaq’s last legitimate chance at doing so which of course leads us to believe that if Kobe wins another title this year with the Lakers it will leave Shaq’s career with only 4 titles.
5. No Dynasty For The Boston Celtics
Another title from Kobe and Co. this upcoming season and the Boston Celtics will look more like a “one and done” team rather than a potential dynasty. Ray Allen isn’t getting any younger, Rondo is unhappy, and there big off season aquisition of Rasheed Wallace is beyond his productive years in the league. If there is a chance for this Boston squad to win their second title together it’s this year. A perfect opportunity for Kobe to take it from them!
I do think that the lakers would repeat this year. They have a solid core plus adding artest just lifted them to another level. Of course there would be issues on how ron ron may behave but with phil’s experience with rodman before i dont see a reason why the zen master wont be able to contain him this year. I agree that a fith ring for kobe would truly cement his legacy. On the individual aspect there is little for the black mamba to prove. The string of 50pt games, the 62 pts in 3 qtrs, and yeah of course the 81pt game againts the raps the only thing left to do is to win more titles which surely will be coming his way. As for bron?? man.. im not a hater but i dont see the same aura in you that mj, magic, bird and kobe possess. Sure as an athlete your a freak of nature but for me thats it. I dont see the same competitive fire, the willingness to take the last shot when everything is on the line or the assasin’s mentality to take over a game at clutch time. That game winning 3 in game 2 of the east finals???? Man pure LUCK. Sorry dude you may have the athletism of a basketball God but you lack a winners’s heart. Better ask the black mamba where to get one.
Man! I couldn’t have said it better myself. You are right on with every single one of your points. I like how you said “On the individual aspect there is little for the black mamba to prove”.
Never really thought of it that way but now that you mention it, it’s true!
When I look at LeBron, I see a man surrounded by castoffs. He did everything he could to drag the Cavs all the way to the Championship. Trust me, when Kobe had Smush, Kwame and friends he didn’t look that impressive either.