When discussing the fact that Lebron is much and away one of the best player on earth, apparently a lot of ignorant Laker fans make an effort to reason that Kobe Bryant what food was in least on LeBron's level, otherwise better. However, when asked to go into detail their reasoning, a common answer the Laker fans may be found on the top of is usually that Kobe has won 5 championships. So lets have a look at the flaws on this argument.


Kobe Bryant was selected because of the Charlotte Hornets with all the 13th overall pick inside the 1996 NBA draft. Now had Kobe done the honorable thing, the respectful thing, he previously demonstrate gratitude to your Hornets for showing faith within the abilities, and worked his butt away and off to assist the franchise turn things around, and perchance develop a decent playoff run. But no, Kobe showed the many seedy characteristics of the spineless snake, and demanded he be traded on the title contending Lakers, where he could play beneath best coach from the good the overall game, Phil Jackson.

So that the petulant little child got his way, betrayed the faith where the Hornets had instilled in their draft pick, and headed West. Kobe saw little playing time in his first two seasons under Phil Jackson, although he managed to make his way into the Lakers starting lineup regarding title run in 2000.

Playing alongside the leagues MVP Shaquille O'Neal, and veteran superstars Glen Rice and Ron Harper, Kobe's number were very poor shooting a dismal 35% during his first finals series about the Indiana Pacers. He were average a sub-par 15 points per game, only slightly raised above Rice and Harper, even when Bryant took double the shots given that the a couple of them combined. Luckily for Kobe, Shaq - the Lakers undisputed superstar - carried him on his shoulders, leading the Lakers on the championship with 38 points and 17 rebounds per game.

The 2001 finals series resistant to the Philadelphia 76ers was the same old story - Kobe played Robin to Shaq's Batman - riding the important mans coat-tails with a second consecutive title. Shaq lead all players along with his 33 points and 16 rebounds per game. The fresh new Orleans Hornets are coming off an exceptionally disappointing season as reported by most fans. The Hornets lost during the first round towards Denver Nuggets and were thoroughly embarrassed. Game 4 had been a lose of epic proportions for any Hornets, a 63-121 final. A 58 points loss from home isn't something you must remember which was the nail within the coffin to your Hornets season. The Hornets must forget last season and focus on 09'-10' and live up to their potential as a team.

The Hornets have Chris Paul who have emerged as the best point guard inside the NBA and was obviously a contender for MVP two seasons ago. The Hornets must be a 50 win team while using the talent they now have - Chris Paul, James Posey, Peja Stojakovic, David West, and Emeka Okafor. If everyone stays healthy and maintain some consistency over the season the Hornets will vastly improve. The remainder of the league knew how good the Hornets is often last season and needed, they did not sneak up on anyone as they did the previous year.

Chris Paul will need the whole set of help the guy can get - as great while he is he can't carry the Hornets all season long. The Hornets should produce the playoffs relatively easy and really should contend while in the Southwest division. Year after year a team we thought could be good doesn't live up to those expectations - a team which we thought we be just okay exceeds expectations.


1 year later, the Lakers were met with a daunting task - the right way to overcome the Sacramento Kings. After being out-worked, out-hustled and out-played by their California neighbours, the Lakers found themselves during an unfamiliar situation, trailing 3 games to two with their Western conference Finals showdown. On this occasion, not just did Kobe go with Shaq to acquire the job done, he acquired the assistance of NBA commissioner David Stern, who plus the referees responsible, orchestrated the most disgusting displays of match-fixing in sporting history. In what is actually commonly referred to as the 'NBA's biggest tragedy', commissioner Stern ordered the referees in charge to "send the series to game 7, it does not matter what". The commissioner was worried the fact that the possibility of a Kings v Nets finals series would be terrible for TV ratings, and was going to have more then one marketable franchise playing to your title in June...that marketable franchise he chose was the Lakers. Just youtube the highlights using this game to view for your self. Former NBA referee and convicted match-fixer Tim Donaghy was the scapegoat that your NBA included in order to sweep the scandal beneath the carpet - Donaghy left for prison, the Lakers won the title...that's sweet old American diplomacy available for you!

Regardless that the Lakers ought not have even been playing in the 2002 finals, Shaq did what Shaq always does, and lead the Lakers for a 4-0 sweep with the New Jersey Nets. His 37 points and 13 rebounds earned him his 3rd straight Finals MVP award. By betraying the Hornets all of those years earlier, Kobe surely could relax and bask in Shaq's glory.