Kobe Bryant announces retirement

[Songbird]

Don't care what the numbers say. I was glued to that 1995 series. As good as O'Neal was, Olajuwon was better. At least 30 points in every game. At that point, everything the Rockets did was through him.

That playoff, Houston: beat four teams that won 57 games during the regular season -- something that had never been done; became the first championship team to win four series without home-court advantage; set playoff records by winning nine road games overall, seven of them consecutive; became the fifth franchise to win two consecutive championships; and became just the sixth team to sweep the finals.

Olajuwon drove that, including a dominant performance over David Robinson, who was MVP that season. He was in another universe.

Those back-to-back Rockets teams were incredible to watch. My favorite non-Showtime teams.

 

[Just the facts ma am]

Kobe was 2/15 scoring, 3 rebounds, 1 assist against the Pistons 12/6. Trolling the crap out of reality.

 

[Songbird]

 

[LanceyHoward]

I wonder of playing Kobe this much is the Lakers way of tanking. They will suck anyway. Don't they owe Philly their first round draft pick if they finish outside the bottom three. Let Kobe deflect most of the criticism of how bad the team is and keep the pick?

Next year they can add the pick and use Kobe's salary to bring in someone as a free agent and get started on the road back.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Bob Keisser, Hot Takez master.

 

[sgreenwell]

I wonder of playing Kobe this much is the Lakers way of tanking. They will suck anyway. Don't they owe Philly their first round draft pick if they finish outside the bottom three. Let Kobe deflect most of the criticism of how bad the team is and keep the pick?

Next year they can add the pick and use Kobe's salary to bring in someone as a free agent and start the road back.

There's been wide speculation that this is a backdoor tanking attempt by the Lakers, but honestly, that seems like it's giving them wayyyy too much credit. Most of their moves since the 2010 title haven't been so hot.

 

[SnarkShark]

Bob Keisser, Hot Takez master.

Was just going to say... Who cares what Bob Keisser thinks about Kobe?

The "role model" but really put it over the top.

 

[Songbird]

He has been a columnist in LA for 35-40 years.

 

[poindexter]

Was just going to say... Who cares what Bob Keisser thinks about Kobe?

The "role model" but really put it over the top.

Substitute "mentor" for role model. I googled "kobe mentor lakers" and it got 285,000 hits.

Keisser isn't out of line to suggest that.

 

[SnarkShark]

He has been a columnist in LA for 35-40 years.

And completely out of touch for at least the last 10.

 

[Songbird]

Perhaps. Just wasn't sure if others knew he'd been a long-timer.

 

[Just the facts ma am]

Kobe's wife has put on a few pounds. I like a woman with curves.

 

[Just the facts ma am]

Jeannie Buss is well preserved.
(Kobe's revealing of the jerseys, NBA channel)

 

[Just the facts ma am]

Dayum, loved me some Elgin Baylor but he looks like Imhotep, dude ditch the wig.

 

[Just the facts ma am]

All jokes aside, that was masterful public relations by Kobe and the Lakers. Much respect to a professional organization.

 

[Slacker]

Hang one number.
It's not worth hanging two.

 

[DanOregon]

I had no idea how similar no. 8 Kobe was to no. 24. Either/both would be an HOFer.

Kobe's career stats (by jersey number)
No. 8 uniform Statistic No. 24 uniform
10 Season 10
16,866 Points 15,868
0 Kia MVPs 1
8 All-Star apperances 9
2 All-Star Game MVPs 2
4 NBA Finals appearances 3
3* NBA titles 2*
0 NBA Finals MVPs 2
Stats current through 12/2
* - all titles won consecutively