The NYT Interviewed A Bunch Of Kobe Fans About The LeBron Signing And The Quotes Are Perfect
(NYT) – The Los Angeles Lakers recently acquired a high-profile player, but many longtime fans have been arriving here for N.B.A. Summer League paying homage to the past. They wear jerseys bearing the Nos. 8 and 24, which belonged to Kobe Bryant during his long and productive career and now hang from the rafters in Staples Center.
“He gave his heart for the love of the game,” said Nathan Andrews, 31, who works for the water department in Needles, Calif.
Andrews was wearing a gold No. 24 jersey and sounded downright wistful as he reminisced about Bryant’s former greatness. But what about the future? Andrews had to be excited, right? The Lakers are back, baby!
Andrews grimaced.
“I’m not a fan of LeBron,” he said.
If you polled Kobe fans and asked them if he could win a World War by himself, you’d get back a 90/10 split. 90% saying “Yes, of course.” 10% saying, “Uhh, obviously? What kind of dumbass question is this? Yes. One thousand times yes.” 0% would say no. Because they live in a fantasy land where Kobe Bean Bryant is a infallible god. The New York Times’ Scott Cacciola hit up Summer League in Vegas and found hoards of folks wearing purple and gold #24 and #8 jerseys. Here’s what they had to say about their new player.
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“I don’t even know where to start, he’s such a diva sometimes.” – this was said about LeBron James as a counterpoint to Kobe. It absolutely applies to LeBron. No argument there. As a COUNTER to talking about Kobe though? Bananaland. Kobe broke up him, Shaq and Phil Jackson, demanded a trade to the Bulls, the list for Kobe’s diva antics is a mile long – much like a lot of NBA superstars of the past and present. Kobe fans using this as a strike against LeBron is questionable to say the least.
“Don’t get me wrong: (LeBron’s) good. Maybe I’ll feel differently once he wins a championship for the Lakers.” – as currently constructed, the Lakers don’t have a Hall of Fame caliber big man. Why Kobe fans are holding Bron to a Championship standard that even Bryant himself couldn’t attain? I have no clue.
“(LeBron) was a whiny baby [in Miami]” – well… you’re not wrong. Even Kobe hit a shot from time to time. Point goes to the Kobe fans on this one.
“You put up points in a Lakers uniform, you’re good with me. And he’s going to put up a lot of points in a Lakers uniform.” – see, some fans can stay consistent. LeBron is going to put up points in a Lakers uniform. No doubt about it. Much like Kobe did. Maybe these fans are finding a common ground?
“I also didn’t like that he didn’t want to shoot. And now that he shoots, I still don’t like that he doesn’t have a post game.” – Nope, never mind, what the fuck are you talking about? ‘I simply cannot believe this James clown hasn’t added a full court shot yet! And this is the guy I’m supposed to be happy we signed??? Pfffft.’
“I never liked him. I always thought he seemed really cocky.” – Kobe Bryant is the epitome of humbleness, people don’t like to talk about it.
The article ends as it had to, by #24 fans bringing up his heroic two made free throws after tearing his achilles.
“Who does that?” she said. “Whereas with LeBron it’s like, ‘Ehhhhh!’”
Correct. LeBron has never hit two free throws after tearing his achilles. Mostly because his body is made out of titanium and is immune to injuries. I’ve said it before I’ll say it again, the LeBron vs. Kobe Stan rivalry is the hottest going in the NBA right now and we’re only just at the very beginning.