Monday, July 9th, 2012 at 11:10 am  |  165 responses

Kobe Bryant Plans to Remind LeBron James That He Has More NBA Championships


If there was one thing to take away from the fantastic Dream Team documentary that recently aired, is just how much trash talk takes place when the world’s greatest basketball players join forces. It’s no different this time around, as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James headline Team USA’s for Olympic Gold in London. But before they head across the pond, Bryant will remind James that he has a long way to go before he catches up in the race for NBA titles. From SI: “He’s going to be a different player,’ said [Tyson] Chandler of the impact the championship will have on [LeBron] James. Chandler should know because he became a champion with Dallas in 2011 at the expense of James and Miami. ‘LeBron was already an incredible player, and if not the best, top two — there’s only one other guy that can challenge that, and he’s on this team.’ Chandler was referring to [Kobe] Bryant, of course. ‘So his whole mentality is going to be different, because the confidence of winning an NBA championship changes a player,’ said Chandler. ‘Confidence — knowing you’re a champion, you’re the best. You walk around with that swagger, and he deserves it. He worked very hard and now he can call himself a champ.’ […] Above all else, he is not going to relax. The breakthrough doesn’t change everything, as warned by Bryant. ‘One championship doesn’t get it, you know what I’m saying?’ Bryant said. ‘So for me, when we won one, it was a little different because it was, like you know, Michael (Jordan) had six, Magic (Johnson) had five. So me and Shaq (O’Neal) both were like, man, we got to get some more. One ain’t going to cut it.’ Surely James has been thinking the same way. ‘Yeah, I mean, since the last time we were here I got two,’ said Bryant, extending the vowel the way Jordan extended his fingertips after making his last championship shot in Utah. He let the ‘two’ hang out there without rushing onto the next sentence. ‘Dirk got one. He (James) got one.’ Has Bryant reminded James of the championship score? ‘Not yet,’ he said. ‘I will. I will.’”

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  • MJ

    Wow…the man can count too…awe inspiring stuff

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    My thing about Spain is, yes Marc Gasol (or Pau) will TORTURE Kevin Love, but Marc (or Pau) will have to guard LeBron, while the other stands next to Love. It’s not like you can really zone up, against a Zone, LeBron will have the ball and everyone else is a top notch 3pt shooter. This US team is scary.

  • LA Huey

    I like Deron shooting ability a little bit better and his ability to work off the ball. Considering, LeBron and KB are on the floor, I think guys that work well off the ball are important.

  • http://Lalaland.com Reggie06

    Crazy how suddently everyone on this page became lebron lover wow, i mean wow couple months ago u guys werw hatin on him

  • pposse

    T-Ray what makes this summer so much different than any other summer in the NBA?? Since 04 these guys have been spending summers wit each other on a regular basis!

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    Look at any % at any point in any place on the court. Chris Paul is a better shooter. Ability to create a shot is really a non-factor in this discussion. If you don’t have an open shot or glaring mismatch on this team someone else does.

  • McWill

    But Kobe only has one more Finals MVP over Lebron lol

  • http://www.soundcloud.com/tray-5 T-Ray

    Pposse I have no clue how your comment relates to mine but I’ll try to respond. My comment was addressing the fact that it’s just competition and it helps when two of the best players in the league are competing hard against each other. That energy will spread to the others and it’ll make the game that much easier.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    True nbk. I was thinking about containing the Gasol’s, but scratch that. Good defense can be a good offense sometimes and a K-Love, James front court is absolutely indefensible*. We’ll see how the matchups go. Obviously for my eyes sake i’d love to watch Love playing more than Tyson. Loves game is just fun to me.

  • bike

    Just hoping USA breezes through the Games w/out any major injuries. This upcoming season is shaping up to be too good for any major player to be out. Get the gold, but take it easy boys.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Redd

    If only Rose..I mean yay Deron. But seriously, CP3 is a better fit as starter, although not quite sure who plays better D.

  • LA Huey

    I’m warming to the idea of Love at the 5 alongside LeBron. nbk has a good point about not needing an eraser when you’ve got great defensive on the wings. However, Tyson is also great at defending P&Rs.

  • pposse

    i dont kno man im just a little irritated with the NBA since 04..all the players have been working out/practicing with each other during their summers for like 10 years now…its getting a little old. Its hard to roote for one guy, and hate on another when those same players are making each other better in the off season. Practicing with other superstars just seems to be unheard of back in the 90′s 80′s 70′s or any other generation of bball. Its the olympics and its exciting, but we as fans should never have to worry about some foreign team beating the USA (again)..it would have been more exciting if none of these guys ever even spoke to each other in the previous offseasons and then combined to make this super team for this summer and then be done with it for another four years.

  • T-Money

    the starting line up is paul, kobe, kd, bron, chandler. that was the first team practicing plays when nba tv was shoowing footage. i’m not sure love will play all that much, coach k loves speed on defense. showing, hedging, recovering, closing out on shooters, creating turnovers. love doesn’t do any of these things. and with kd, bron and melo all seeing time at the 4 and perhaps even 5 spot, the need for shooting is not as great.

  • janice

    Dam kobe and the rest of the haters…let the man enjoy his championship…nobody rained on kobe parade….stop hateing kobe…you could not beat okc, kept blaming one else ecept himself…

  • http://www.soundcloud.com/tray-5 T-Ray

    But that’s the evolution of the game. Do I like it? Ehh I can take it or leave it. If it’s for the gold in the sense I was speaking about then I have no problem but for the NBA season I’d prefer more individual rivalries. Unfortunately the game is different now so you might not see individual rivalries as much. On the other hand it’s just basketball you can be competitive and still be friends. For example Jordan/Charles Hakeem/O’neal Bird/Magic

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    i think there are tons of individual rivalries. Bron and KD worked out together but it wasn’t like that stopped them from trying to destroy each other in the Finals.
    People think all these players hated each other. That’s a lie. They only hated Isiah Thomas. Lol.

  • triyo

    I thought it was pretty obvious that the 2 best players in the nba are LeBron and Durant now…Tyson just showing love for the old head

  • http://www.soundcloud.com/tray-5 T-Ray

    Wish I could continue this convo y’all but got my earth science class. See y’all in 4 hours lol

  • pposse

    AllenP i beg to differ, i don’t have any stats to prove it or any real evidence to base any argument with you off of, but I dont think the stars of this day and age really can compete with the previous generations on a mental level. From a talent level, the guys right now are right there if not better, but just all around “nastiness” as Pop would say, i dont see it.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Only some of the stars of yesteryear were “nasty.” People complained all the time about Isiah’s Bad Boys because they were too nasty and physical.
    Players in the 80s and 90s tended to have better shooting percentages, better post games and a better understanding of off the ball movement. They had much worse individual defense and much worse team defense, partially because of personal failings and partially because of the defensive rules.
    Today’s players are better conditioned, more athletic, better defenders as individuals and teams. I don’t know whether they are less “nasty.” I see tons of “nasty” players in the League.
    Nostalgia is tricky man.

  • http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

    “I don’t have any real evidence to base any argument.” I’d suggest not making an argument then. If I had to guess, this kind of behavior has probably always gone on, but it’s been the evolution of social network, invasive reporting, and other things that allow us more insight into players’ private lives that has created the perception you see. Just a guess though.

  • pposse

    you know how some people say liquor is truth serum? Well truth serum in the NBA to me was wen players were allowed to hand check, some players would thrive and still do damage, while others were just mediocre. Nowadays all of these players have superior training staffs, workout regimens etc. they need something intro’d or reintro’d to the game as the great equalizer. My personal belief is that it would help build rivalries.

  • Skrill

    Koobe has 5. Lebron has 1. OKC has 3 players on this team…..

  • Bostonballer

    I bet the SLAM writers sit back and make bets on how pissed they can get you guys at each other with a simple headline or an innocent quote by a player. lmbo. What I took from the title and certainly from the article was that Kobe was going to tease LBJ a bit during practices. Players, friends, rivals, whatever..they do that and they have fun with it.

  • LA Huey

    The fans from today are rabid enough to make up for a percieved lack of disdain between rival players.

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    Kobe is the only player on the team that can do that to everyone. Kobe has earned his stripes, he is telling young buck bron any team can get lucky once, ask Dirk. Yo, Bron can you do it more than once. BOOK IT!!

  • GLEZGA Hamish

    Word is bond !

  • GLEZGA Hamish

    @Boston Baller that is

  • bike

    Officiating over time has played a role in eliminating some of the so called ‘nastiness’. The Malice in the Palace also played a part. Stern, ever the Dark Knight, has had some hand in how players are punished for percieved ‘nastiness’.
    The game changes as time moves on.

  • phil da windmill

    Man kobe just mad he ain’t get his six rings lol MJ is in charlotte smirking.

  • Trilla

    Kobe won three championships with one of the most dominant big man in NBA HISTORY, i’m not saying Kobe isnt GREAT but people forget how dominant Shaq really was. He also had help from players with Derek Fisher and Robert Horry and their amazing clutch shots. Also, one of those titles would not have been possible without the refs. People also forget that period of time where Kobe just kept complaining and at one point asked for a trade. Lebron will and always will be better than Kobe, even with one of the shi*tiest rosters in NBA history he led them to the NBA finals. He pulled what I call an “Iverson”, which is lead a horrible team to the finals literally with the whole team and city on your back.

  • Conoro

    No, people forget that Shaq was allowed to elbow & shoulder his way through defenders’ faces. I’m a Lakers fan, through & through, but I don’t get it twisted.

  • thenatural

    the difference is that kobe did the exact opposite of what lebron did… kobe had the help, but wanted to do it on his own… and he did. lebron was trying to do it on his own, but clearly could not -or- wasn’t patient enough.

    lebron is one of the greatest to play the game, but i still think he should’ve brought a championship to cleveland. had he done that, his legacy would be known as a pure leader as opposed someone who couldn’t hack it without two other all stars.

  • Jerome

    Haha. Kobe has less wrinkles in his game and on his face. I am an NBA fan no particular team … just love the game. Kobe is playing the game by telling L this. That is all.

  • http://blackamericaweb.com charliewinning

    Kobe did what on his own? Kobe has never won without an elite big man, and he WANTED Gasol. He couldn’t have won without him. To suggest otherwise is pure foolishness. No player wins on his own in basketball. Even Kobe knows this. Too bad some of his fans don’t.

  • alphabeta

    Yeah, and Kobe will also remind LBJ who the real rapist is. Now introducing the perennial adulterer, one time rapist and rat looking mfer Showbe “82 pt, 1 assist” Cryant.

  • Bernie

    No love for Durant? I bet he balls crazier then Lebron and Kobe

  • O54

    KB24 is getting his 6th ring and I bet you it will be this upcoming season. And who really cares about MVP’s, it all comes down to who has more talent, who can put the ball in the net in the final seconds of a game. I respect Lebron though.

  • high off haze

    at the end of the day, kobe , with his last 2 chips, did it without having another superstar with him…pau is an occasional all star, not a superstar…kobe avg’d 28 & pau avg’d 17..& now in the playoffs pau avg like 14…even shaq or lebron cant say that…nash will change all that…u dont wanna ever doubt kobe u should kno that by now…he is motivated on his goku now he will come back super seyan he is just in the hyperbolic time chamber rite now u dig me

  • http://slamonline.com JTaylor21

    Kobe has never made it out of the first round without an elite big man. Fact. Pau was top four power forward. Kobe doesn’t even make the Finals without him. What he is now is irrelevant because every player declines. The Lakers had the benefit of having a top 5 center for their second Shaq-less chip, the only team in the league with two elite 7 footers. Lebron took a bunch of bums to the Finals against the Spurs.

  • DC

    its not that kobe’s legacy is tarnished in any way by the fact that shaquille O’neal helped him win 3 of the rings he has (like someone above mentioned)..but you cant just forget about that when comparing kobe bryant to Lebron James because for the first 7 or 8 years of a 9 or 10 year career Lebron had no-one of Shaquille O’neals caliber to help with win a championship. Lets put it like this..kobe had shaq in shaqs prime and he won 3 rings, wade had a shaq that was not even in his ultra prime and he still won a championship..and if lebron had shaq in his prime (not the old one he got for 2009-10 season) then no doubt in my mind lebron would have multiple championships because we all seen what Lebron can do now. Kobe vs Lebron..whos better?..who cares..at the end of the day you could argue that any one of them is better..but just dont think you can use the amount of rings someone has to prove your point because it doesnt.

  • anonymous

    High off Haze u have twisted the fact that Kobe had argueably 2 of the best 3 centers in the league for his rings, Im not positive, but im pretty sure Pau was an all star both years, and odom maybe one.

  • anonymous

    2 of the best 3 centers for his latter rings*

  • joshuasymons

    Lebron has to say. i have one 3 mvp’s now who do you think is more valuable?

  • lisa

    Yall forget that Shaq played on one of the best starting 5 ever in Orlando, and still didn’t get anything done. Shaq needed Kobe and Kobe needed Shaq. Doesn’t matter what theory you try to come up with. TOGETHER they won 3… And could’ve won MORE if they acted like adults instead of little boys. When it’s all said and done.. It doesn’t matter how many All-star appearances, MVPs, fg%, ect. It’s all about championships.

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    I’m getting pretty tired of people acting like Kobe wasn’t an enormous factor in the Lakers’ 3-Peat with Shaq….like “Damn, how stupid are you?”.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    So Kobe isn’t great because he won with 3/5 with a superstar. But Lebron is legend even though he did it with two. Interesting. By the way I haven’t posted once on this thread. Douche troll.

  • unrel
  • npa

    kobe is dick measuring with lebron?..probably kobe is jealous with what lebron is having right now..he should have retired 2 years ago probably people might want him so bad right now if he did it & preserve his legacy..Lakers just been hanging around in 2nd round for 2 straight years that’s already 2 slaps ( 1 from dirk(2011) & 1 from lebron(2012))

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