Pictured is Kobe Bryant, soaring on a gimpy left ankle, about to make a monster dunk over the Hornet’s center Emeka Okafor in last night’s Game 5 win against New Orleans in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. This thunderous dunk was the signature moment of the game and may have what turned the tide completely towards the Los Angeles Lakers. The dunk also reminded fans of a few years back when a younger Kobe used to elevate as high and throwdown malicious dunks routinely, seemingly effortlessly. I think it surprised no one that Kobe, hobbled by a strained ankle which occurred in the waning moments of Game 4 loss to the New Orleans Hornets, would not only play in last night’s game but somehow be able to persevere through the pain and step up his game and intensity level. Because he liked to mimic his moves and mannerism, Kobe has always been compared to his idol Michael Jordan. His tremendous physical abilities and tenacity has allowed him to seamlessly execute any move Michael made and sustain the energy level and focus that was so consistent with Jordan’s game throughout his entire career. Kobe’s footwork and explosiveness could also match that of Michael’s. They are virtually the same height and nearly weighed the same. Both have won multiple championships playing under coach Phil Jackson. The comparisons are inevitable. I never thought I’d ever see as great a player as Michael Jordan. I still haven’t. Sure, Bryant could emulate Jordan in so many aspects of his game but even Jackson was quoted as saying that “it’s one thing to hope to be like [Mike], but it’s another thing to be like him.” Kobe Bryant may not ever be Michael Jordan. However, it’s his ability to accelerate his game, that killer instinct and the indomitable will to play through pain, more so than his nearly equaled athleticism, grace or ability to score, that puts Kobe in the same conversation as Michael as the greatest basketball player ever, let alone shooting guard. perennialallstar: Can We Get Much Higher?

Pictured is Kobe Bryant, soaring on a gimpy left ankle, about to make a monster dunk over the Hornet’s center Emeka Okafor in last night’s Game 5 win against New Orleans in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. This thunderous dunk was the signature moment of the game and may have what turned the tide completely towards the Los Angeles Lakers. The dunk also reminded fans of a few years back when a younger Kobe used to elevate as high and throwdown malicious dunks routinely, seemingly effortlessly.

I think it surprised no one that Kobe, hobbled by a strained ankle which occurred in the waning moments of Game 4 loss to the New Orleans Hornets, would not only play in last night’s game but somehow be able to persevere through the pain and step up his game and intensity level.

Because he liked to mimic his moves and mannerism, Kobe has always been compared to his idol Michael Jordan. His tremendous physical abilities and tenacity has allowed him to seamlessly execute any move Michael made and sustain the energy level and focus that was so consistent with Jordan’s game throughout his entire career. Kobe’s footwork and explosiveness could also match that of Michael’s. They are virtually the same height and nearly weighed the same. Both have won multiple championships playing under coach Phil Jackson. The comparisons are inevitable.

I never thought I’d ever see as great a player as Michael Jordan. I still haven’t. Sure, Bryant could emulate Jordan in so many aspects of his game but even Jackson was quoted as saying that “it’s one thing to hope to be like [Mike], but it’s another thing to be like him.”

Kobe Bryant may not ever be Michael Jordan. However, it’s his ability to accelerate his game, that killer instinct and the indomitable will to play through pain, more so than his nearly equaled athleticism, grace or ability to score, that puts Kobe in the same conversation as Michael as the greatest basketball player ever, let alone shooting guard.

perennialallstar:

Can We Get Much Higher?

19 notes
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
  1. ghetto4life808 reblogged this from perennialallstar
  2. mangia-merda reblogged this from iz-z and added:
    Dear Nate: this is from the game that we bet on, and i won. oooh snap.
  3. iz-z reblogged this from perennialallstar
  4. manuhbananafish reblogged this from juneafterdawn
  5. juneafterdawn reblogged this from amnestythat and added:
    Pretty accurate
  6. youtheillest reblogged this from nightaco and added:
    Pictured is Kobe Bryant, soaring on a gimpy left ankle, about to slam a monster dunk over the Hornet’s center Emeka...
  7. nightaco reblogged this from beliefinrelief
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  11. ocandrew1 reblogged this from perennialallstar and added:
    Pictured is Kobe Bryant, soaring on a gimpy left ankle, about to make a monster dunk over the Hornet’s center Emeka...
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