Certainly a lot of what you say is true, but there is also a lot more that goes along with it.
You tried to give Pierce credit for his one title and 2 Finals trips, but he was in fact GIFTED 2 other franchise players, while they developed another (Rondo)
So it ain't like Paul did something that Kobe never did.
Kobe did have Shaq, and it was great, Shaq also was extremely bored and lazy after he got his 3 rings, they fought over the 4th and it cost us, and by that time his peak had come and gone. Maybe we could have gone for one last chance, gotten them a 4th ring together, but it would have only delayed what would one day come, a rebuild around Kobe.
Kobe did in fact play on a complete rebuild team. He and Lamar, played with kids in Farmar, Bynum, Sasha, Walton, etc. They brought back Fish, then they made the move for Ariza, and of course the big move for Pau. But that entire core was kids til that point came. And it was centered around Kobe this time. He kept the Lakers relevant. And I'm fairly sure that when you see young guys come in, and they watch and see what Kobe does on a day to day basis, you don't think that rubs off? Ariza plays his best ever, in LA. Random? Farmar, best game in LA, coicidence? Sasha in 08 was freaking money, and I still don't even know how it was possible. Bynum worked hard on his game while there, and we know DAMN WELL that kid is lazy as hell. He ain't do a damn thing since he got traded.
Shannon Brown's best time, in LA. Ron flat out said I want to come play with Kobe. So did Barnes. Wanna get real deep? Best I ever seen Kwame play was in LA, and he still sucked. Hell, Smush's best NBA days were when?
You think there is NO effect, watching THEE main star of the team, work his nuts off EVERY day, year round, and that has NO impact on the club?
One other key piece. Broken hand, torn shoulder, bad finger 1, bad pinkie 2, wrist, knee, ankle, concussion, nose. Barely misses any time. You have to FORCE him to sit down. Guy was in COURT, and would fly to the game to hit game winners. I ask you, you see a LOT of other NBAers, ever, do all that? MJ certainly worked hard like that, flu games and such. But know many others? These weren't bruised shins Ska, these were INJURIES. Not ailments. Not Steph Curry's ankles that cause him to miss months, he plays anyway.
Dude tore ligaments in his SHOOTING HAND, came out and dropped 40, on the road, against the Bulls.
That's ******g stupid. 98% of the NBA couldn't get 40 on a given night on the road with pristine health. Kobe destroyed a finger, adjusted his shot, I say again, adjusted his shot, and put in 40. Ray Allen has shot the same exact shot 90 million times. Ask him to move his fingers different on the ball, see how he shoots.
I get why you don't like him. Certainly do. But comin up on TWENTY years damn near, every, single, night, Kobe is out there. Pau got a concussion, ain't seen him in a week. Kobe got one, played the next game. Pau had a sore knee, missed 7 games. Kobe flew across the world, spent his own money, and tried some crazy **** to get his knee better. Drew do that? Shaq?
But yeah, all them other NBA stars that lasted 5-6-7 years, they were better than Kob, they just didn't have Shaq or Pau. Sure.
smokin)... ON JUST THE SKILL OF THE GAME OF BASKETBALL... not personality or accomplishments or swagger or interview skills or whatever else... JUST BOUNCING A BALL AND PASSING IT AND PUTTING IN A NYLON NET AND WHAT NOT...
