Another suspension for the Kobester?

[WayOutWest]

I've seen better bait at end-of-season sales along northern lakes.  Maybe you should try fishing with this one on fanhome.

It's just a joke, don't get your panties in a bunch.  If you'd read the thread regarding the incident you'd see what my position was in regards to the smack.

[Lurker]

I've seen better bait at end-of-season sales along northern lakes.  Maybe you should try fishing with this one on fanhome.

It's just a joke, don't get your panties in a bunch.  If you'd read the thread regarding the incident you'd see what my position was in regards to the smack.

You seem to be upset that I identified your bait as the month-old decaying piece of half-eaten shrimp that it was.  "It was a joke" is one of the oldest cop-outs that there is.  You were looking for some inexperienced poster to draw into a debate over the Ginobili episode...and I just happen to call you on it.  Take a deep breath...and once you stop coughing & hacking...come back and we can discuss some more basketball.   

[Joe Vancil]

The way I see it, Kobe does the exaggerated swing through to try and draw the fould at least 5-10 times per game.  99.9% of the time it is when he and the defender are facing each other and Kobe rotates the ball below his waist and then up and through for the jumper.  The defender often reaches in, Kobe flails his arms in exaggeration and he sometimes gets the call.  Since the player is in front him typically, there's minimal contact, if any, and it's no biggie. 

Now, we've seen twice where this play happens but the player going for the block is coming from a side angle.  In these instances Kobe goes for the exaggerated swing through and blamo, knock's the opponent in the head/face area.  I don't see this as a malicious, or dirty hit like some of you.  That said, it's starting to be a problem since it's now happened twice in a matter of months, the league is obviously trying to nip it in the bud and that really all there is to it, IMO. 

And Karl Malone just swung his elbows trying to stretch out and occupy more space.

Kobe is swinging at players.  It's dirty.  He's swinging at players in front of him - like Dirk Nowitzki last year.  He's swinging at players to his side - like Ginobilli and Jaric this year.  Last year, I defended his hit of Wade in the face as inadvertent;  given the number of people he's hitting - SPECIFICALLY IN THE FACE - I'm starting to wonder if I was wrong on that one.

[WayOutWest]

You were looking for some inexperienced poster to draw into a debate over the Ginobili episode...and I just happen to call you on it.

Now you're just sounding silly.  Let's see what Manuella nut loving newbie I can suck into a tear inducing beat down....SpursX3?  Spurs101?  Pornality?  Maybe that clueless jackarse Joe V or Skandypants will fall for it.  Please point out ONE inexperienced poster on this board!

Pahleeze!  I really don't have the energy to post much let alone try to bait someone into a discussion I don't care much about.

[WayOutWest]

'm starting to wonder if I was wrong on that one.

You're as naive as a Manuella fan.  Get a clue yung un.  I would think by now you've played enough b-ball to recognize an intentional cheap shot.

[msc]

And Karl Malone just swung his elbows trying to stretch out and occupy more space.

Well, he was, but if a players head happened to be in the way, so be it. 

Kobe is swinging at players.  It's dirty.  He's swinging at players in front of him - like Dirk Nowitzki last year.  He's swinging at players to his side - like Ginobilli and Jaric this year.  Last year, I defended his hit of Wade in the face as inadvertent;  given the number of people he's hitting - SPECIFICALLY IN THE FACE - I'm starting to wonder if I was wrong on that one.

I don't see it that way.  I've watched Kobe play in 82 plus games per year for almost 11 full seasons now and I just don't see him as a "dirty" player.  Arrogant and cocky, yes.  Selfish, sometimes.  Annoying, lots of times.  Socially awkward, all the time.  Dirty, no.  People can say I'm biased for Kobe or I'm riding his jock, and that's their opinion, but I think it's the deep seeded hatred people have for Kobe that makes them react with such venom after a relatively mild inadvertent play.  If we looked at the exact same play in a vacuum and the players were un-identified nobody's, everyone would say the shooter was just trying to draw a foul and the contact was inadvertent.  Same goes for the G-nob play.  But because it's Kobe, he may as well have kicked a kitten and should be suspended for 10 games. 

[Reality]

Swinging out my elbow comes to me so unnaturally.
When I'm dogged on D.   So Dogged on Dee ee eee eeee.

Getting FTs on my shot used to come automatically.
Before Ginobili.  Before Ginobili ee eee eeee.

I'm a man with, two convictions.
Sterns still my lover?  No predictions.

Kobe Kobe Kobe Kobe Kobe Chameleon
Post Shaq I'm done.  I just can't wooo-onnn.
Winnin was so easy back in good old 2001.
2001.  2000-oooonnne.

Laker Fan Dan, and msc
Won't you please, rescue me?

Having Shaqie, and Dick Bavetta.
Made it seem like, i was so much betta.

Kobe Kobe Kobe Kobe Kobe Chameleon
He just can't won.  He just can't wooo-onnn.
Winnin was so easy back in good old 2001.
2001.  2000-oooonnne.

[Lurker]

You were looking for some inexperienced poster to draw into a debate over the Ginobili episode...and I just happen to call you on it.

Let's see what Manuella nut loving newbie I can suck into a tear inducing beat down....SpursX3?  Spurs101?  Pornality?  Maybe that clueless jackarse Joe V or Skandypants will fall for it.  Please point out ONE inexperienced poster on this board!

My point exactly....which is why your post (and the continued name calling in this one) seem so...so...fanhomish.  Maybe you just got confused as to which board you were posting on.  When the smog clears, try again.

[rickortreat]

Get a grip, rick.  10 games?!?!  That is laughable.

Perhaps he should whack someone over the head with a chair at a bowling alley, or perhaps brandish a firearm before he's worthy of giving an autograph.

It's funny, the opponent who took the hit doesn't feel he should be suspended, yet you feel 10 games is appropriate, your bias is really shining bright on this one.

MSC,

It was a second offense in less than a month, and apparently a part of Kobe's repetoire.  Even moving so as to draw a foul while shooting is a dishonest play.  Some may call it smart, but it is unsportsmanlike.  It is as bad as a player who flops for minimal contact. 

This is why it should be a stiff suspension- one time, maybe an accident, but he draw blood so he get's a one gamer.  Less than a month later, he hits another player upside the head, putting him on the ground.  Kobe is being an ass, and this is a blemish on an otherwise very talented player. 10 games and a fine and he won't do it again, which is the point of a punishment. 

Stern has handed down very stiff suspensions for throwing punches.  Isn't what Kobe is doing with this exagerated movement, a punch?  It sure looks that way.  With the league having an image problem, getting rep as a league filled with thugs quick to get into fights, the last thing they need is one of their stars doing the Kobe flail, and hitting players in the head.

Maybe Stern has adopted a three strikes and you're out policy with Kobe.  My concern is that another 1 game suspension tells Kobe, yeah, you can cheap shot your opponent, but you'll have to sit a game if you do. A second offense has to be stiffer than the first, since the first obviously didn't act as a deterrent!

 

[JoMal]

This isn't about Kobe-hating. It is about safety. Kobe has put a hurt on two players this season by swinging his elbows out in an unnatural manner. On occasion, like when the elbows connect, and like for any other NBA player NOT named Kobe Bryant, the League must decide if the contact was avoidable.

Back in the 2001 season and thereabouts, just like Reality's silly song alludes to, things were different. After all, Shaq knocked two teeth out of Vlade Divac's head with an elbow and if memory serves, was not even called for an offensive foul on the play. He never was. Kobe also could essentially slap opposing players around until they let go of the ball, which he did against Mike Bibby in that game six playoff game - and when Bibby tried to fend off the blows, was called for the foul instead.

That Kobe now has no one watching his back, least of all the League, hardly should be surprising. While he may have gotten the rape charges dismissed, I have a feeling the League may not be so ready to excuse his behavior just yet. This second suspension certainly has the makings of a "pattern of behavior" being established for Bryant. 

[JoMal]

Maybe Stern has adopted a three strikes and you're out policy with Kobe.  My concern is that another 1 game suspension tells Kobe, yeah, you can cheap shot your opponent, but you'll have to sit a game if you do. A second offense has to be stiffer than the first, since the first obviously didn't act as a deterrent!

The deterent, Rick, is that the Lakers lost to a very beatable Bucks team with Kobe sitting that one out. In the midst of a dry period, this suspension could not have come at a worse time. That will tell Kobe his flailing elbows will not be tolerated and it hurts his team as well.

[Reality]

Maybe Stern has adopted a three strikes and you're out policy with Kobe.  My concern is that another 1 game suspension tells Kobe, yeah, you can cheap shot your opponent, but you'll have to sit a game if you do. A second offense has to be stiffer than the first, since the first obviously didn't act as a deterrent!

The deterent, Rick, is that the Lakers lost to a very beatable Bucks team with Kobe sitting that one out. In the midst of a dry period, this suspension could not have come at a worse time. That will tell Kobe his flailing elbows will not be tolerated and it hurts his team as well. 

Jomal does the Kobester really care if it hurts his team for one game?

[Skandery]

Jomal does the Kobester really care if it hurts his team for one game?

That one is unfair. 

Say what you want about the man, he HATES to lose.  That feeling is probably exponential now that they've dropped games recently.  I think for a competitive guy like that who wants to win so badly, suspending him (essentially making him helpless) is one of the worst things you could do to him. 

[WayOutWest]

My point exactly....which is why your post (and the continued name calling in this one) seem so...so...fanhomish.  Maybe you just got confused as to which board you were posting on.  When the smog clears, try again.

I guess we've all lost our sense of humor, I don't post on other boards cause jokes and banter get flammed instead of getting interesting/fun responses, ala JoMal.  Name calling of players and posters has been part of this board for EVER.  This is just getting old.

[Reality]

Jomal does the Kobester really care if it hurts his team for one game?

That one is unfair. 

Say what you want about the man, he HATES to lose.  That feeling is probably exponential now that they've dropped games recently.  I think for a competitive guy like that who wants to win so badly, suspending him (essentially making him helpless) is one of the worst things you could do to him. 

i think he really cares in games he is playing in.  Given the current injury status of the Lakeshow and point in time signifigance of the Milwaukee game, i doubt he really cares.  I'll ammend that.  I do think he cares, he would like to be in the Mil game, but not enough to stop smaking people or taking a grain of accountability.  Plus as Rick said, what deterrent is it?  Didn't stop him from a repeat just one month later.