Kobe Bryant Sick Shots Vs Jazz ' 08

Kobe Bryant Sick Shots vs Jazz 08

MVP year (20072008)
On May 27, 2007, ESPN reported that Bryant stated that he wanted to be traded if Jerry West did not return to the team with full authority.[61] Bryant later confirmed his desire for West's return to the franchise, but denied stating that he would want to be traded if that does not occur.[62] However, three days later, on Stephen A. Smith's radio program, Bryant expressed anger over a Lakers "insider" who claimed that Bryant was responsible for Shaquille O'Neal's departure from the team, and publicly stated, "I want to be traded." Three hours after making that statement, Bryant stated in another interview that after having a conversation with head coach Phil Jackson, he has reconsidered his decision and backed off his trade request.[63] On December 23 2007, Bryant became the youngest player (29 years, 122 days) to reach 20,000 points, in a game against the New York Knicks, in Madison Square Garden.[64]

Despite an injury to his shooting hand's small finger, described as "a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament, an avulsion fracture, and a volar plate injury at the MCP joint" that occurred in a game on February 5, 2008, Bryant played all 82 games of the regular season instead of opting for surgery. Regarding his injury, he stated, "I would prefer to delay any surgical procedure until after our Lakers season, and this summer's Olympic Games. But, this is an injury that myself [sic] and the Lakers' medical staff will just have to continue to monitor on a day-to-day basis."[65] In September 2008 Bryant decided not to have surgery to repair the injury.[66]

Leading his team to a West best 5725 record, they swept the Nuggets in the first round and on May 6, 2008, Bryant was officially announced as the NBA Most Valuable Player award, his first for his career.[67] He said, "It's been a long ride. I'm very proud to represent this organization, to represent this city."[68] Jerry West, who was responsible for bringing Bryant to the Lakers was on hand at the press conference to observe Bryant receive his MVP trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern. He stated, "Kobe deserved it. He's had just another great season. Doesn't surprise me one bit."[69] In addition to winning his MVP award, Bryant was the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA team on May 8, 2008 for the third straight season and sixth time in his career.[70] He would then headline the NBA All-Defensive First Team with Kevin Garnett, receiving 52 points overall including 24 first-place nods, earning his eighth selection.[71]

The Lakers concluded the 200708 regular season with a 5725 record, finishing first in the Western Conference and setting up themselves for a first-round contest against the Nuggets. In Game 1, Bryant, who said he made himself a decoy through most of the game, scored 18 of his 32 points in the final 8 minutes to keep Los Angeles safely ahead.[72] That made Denver the first 50-win team to be swept out of the first round of the playoffs since the Memphis Grizzlies fell in four to the San Antonio Spurs in 2004.[73] In the first game of the next round against the Jazz, Bryant scored 38 points as the Lakers beat the Jazz in Game 1.[74] The Lakers won the next game as well, but dropped Games 3 and 4, even with Bryant putting up 33.5 points per game.[75] The Lakers then won the next two games to win the semifinals in 6.[75] This set up a Western Conference Finals berth against the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers defeated the Spurs in 5 games, sending them to the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. This marked the fifth time in Bryant's career and the first time without Shaquille O'Neal to go to the NBA Finals.[76] The Lakers then lost to the Boston Celtics in 6 games.[77]

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[trojanluck88]

The best ever will always be nothing more than barbarshop talk. Because everybody will hate who they wanna, and have their favorite! But honestly, I have seen Kobe do some things that I never saw anyone including MJ do, and thats not any disrepect to MJ, cause I love them both but in fairness, I do think Kobe's been through more. Nobody and I mean NOBODY comes even close to his mental toughness!!!!!!

[falkner23]

@trojanluck88 Kobe is not mentally tougher than Jordan was no way..and theres many other players you have overlooked also. What is your definition of mental toughness?

[RTR9]

@falkner23 shut the fuck about not mentally tougher than jordan. So its from not being jordan as a player to not mentally tougher wow jesus crhist.

[falkner23]

@RTR9 Im guessing your a Kobe fanboy? if so I really don't care what you have to say..as it will just be something stupid.

[RTR9]

@falkner23 Im a laker fan dipshit. A fanboy wtf does mean faggit. so i hope your not a fan of anybodys cause then you would qualify as a fanboy moron. Explain mentaly tough? Please do without making your self look dumb

[falkner23]

@RTR9 Bro if your not a fanboy..whats all the angry name calling for?. First of you misunderstood what ever the comment was that you read. Mental toughness is about having the mind to be able to perform under the most pressurized moments no matter the circumstances, to be able to keep that focus and concentration no matter what. I feel the perfect example would be Jordan in game 5 of the 97 finals playing bigtime while severely sick, in a huge game.. Jordan did this consistently his whole career

[falkner23]

@RTR9 I will now give you a perfect example of a lack of mental toughness.Kobe game7 vs Suns,Phil blasted him at halftime about not passing, so what did Kobe do in the 2nd half when he was upset from Phils comments,in abigtime game,behind. He ''quit''..he let his emotions get in the way of his play. Not once in Jordan's entire career did he ever quit in any huge game as such. I can give you more on this topic but first id like to see your rage filled replys calling me a faggot or whatever it is.

[perult]

kobe is the best ever,....

[lilphil37hiphop]

Jordan is tha best,but Kobe is a legend too

[xXdeathimpactXx]

I'm annoyed of those Jordan dicksuckers that go on kobe videos and say all there shit.. we dont give a fuck.. This is lakernation

[haloiliveinthenether]

@falkner23 Couldn't agree more :) I'm from Holland, and I dont have a favorite team because i just love all NBA players. I think Kobe is LEGENDARY, one of the very best ever, but nobody is tougher then Jordan. Kobe is a huge clutch player and also very tough, but Jordan is just a God among Gods.. Doesn't matter if he was sick, tired, lost his dad, or anything else, he ALWAYS delivered.

[LiqCharles]

@falkner23 Mental toughness, it's when everything is on the line and instead of hiding and going into the background, you take that chance to be great. Doesn't matter if you succeed or not, the fact that you are willing to take the shot is what makes you tough. Kobe air balled 3 straight shots against the Jazz in the Playoffs meaning he missed badly on one shot and yet he kept on coming, he was the only one who wanted to take it, he was in his rookie year btw.

[jerjerjason]

@falkner23 I dont think you can call kobe tougher mentally because jordan had the perfect career ... hero like if you will.. his father dies and shortly after he wins the championship ON fathers day.  However I will defend his comment on doing somethings differently than Jordan. I think he has a larger arsenal of moves although Jordan had no need to make different moves since his fade away, drive , fakes and shot perfected to perfection made him who he was.

[LiqCharles]

@falkner23 how would you know? where's exactly your criteria on this? Seriously, I mean Jordan was Jordan, he's great, better than Kobe for me but toughness? That's a little exaggeration coming from you. Kobe's a great clutch player, for me, better than anyone I saw play, how the hell is that not mental toughness? Most players would crack on crunch time. I.E. LeBron. But Kobe doesn't, he wants it, he wants the last shot to win.