Kobe Bryant At War With ESPN & Los Angeles Lakers Star's NBA Future In Doubt?
Kobe Bryant is fighting to save his NBA career, and now he has to prove to himself, the Los Angles Lakers and everyone else that he's still the same Kobe he was a year or so ago. ESPN can be added to that list. They ranked Bryant as the 40th best player in the league for this season, and it seems the veteran shooter isn't too happy with the criticism. Not only does Kobe have to prove himself again this season, he's now at war with ESPN, and it seems that he's not ready to hold back, slamming them in his latest statement.
Kobe explained that it doesn't bother him, saying, "Nah. I've known for a long time that they're a bunch of idiots. Honestly, all jokes aside, it really doesn't bother me too much. I'm going to do what I do regardless. And God willing I can stay healthy and if I wind up proving a lot of people wrong in the process that will just wind up being collateral damage."
SI.com rated Kobe 24th, and that's probably more realistic. Ben Golliver's description of Kobe read as: "Rivals would rather do just about anything than prematurely write off Bryant, out of respect to his work ethic and historical standing, but he's reaching the point, age-wise, where few elite players have traveled. Consider this: In 2012-13, at age 34, Bryant posted 10.9 Win Shares, ranking eighth in the league. Jordan, Sam Cassell, Reggie Miller, John Stockton, Chet Walker, Jerry West and Detlef Schrempf are among the other perimeter players to exceed 10 Win Shares at that age. However, the age-decline cliff comes quickly, as Stockton is the only perimeter player to post 10 Win Shares after turning 36, which just so happens to be Bryant's current age. In other words, getting back to his pre-injury form wouldn't just be impressive; it would be virtually unprecedented."
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said last month that Bryant's minutes will be managed this season. Even as a 36-year-old NBA legend, it seems that Kobe has to prove his worth all over again.