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Reactions: Game 4 Kobe Bryant's better play is sign of things to comePosted: Friday June 16, 2000 10:13 AM
Kobe Bryant's impressive OT performance in Game 4 helped clinch a 3-1 series lead for the Lakers. CNNSI.com asked users if Bryant's performance proved he had elevated his game to a higher level. Most users agreed that his level of play has increased. But many more users thought he still had a long way to go to reach his full potential. A collection of some of our users' most interesting responses follows: Of course he's still got something to prove. Kobe has said flat-out that he wants to be the best ever -- and this is just one game, at 21. He needs to keep doing this over and over again for a decade -- or two. He needs not one MVP, but two or three. He needs a fifth ring and sixth ring and a seventh ring -- he needs to win a ring without Shaq someday. He's got a LOT of places left to go.
Superman and Batman on the same team? Kobe, quite like Batman, is a superstar athlete masked as a 21-year-old boy who would probably be a senior in college. Kobe seems to be pulling more and more tricks out of his gadget belt every time he steps on the court, which keeps on amazing us. He has nothing to prove. He is an official member of the Hall of Justice. Maybe Shaq and Kobe should be called the Wonder Twins.
Kobe Bryant has nothing else to prove. He played 47 minutes in Game 4, scoring 28 points. He took Reggie Miller to school in the last 2:00. He also did all of this on an injured ankle.
I think it was like going back to the old days when players played with pain to win games and championships. In these days of high salaries and egos, it was refreshing to see a player with desire and love of the game.
Kobe may have made a case for NBA greatness with his performance in Game 4, but so did Tim Duncan with his performance in last year's playoffs. Where exactly is Tim Duncan now? This is not to say that Duncan has been totally forgotten and that people have discarded him as having any case for being the game's best player. It's just saying that you can be the NBA's next Michael one day, and just another really good player the next. Sure, Kobe took it to another level in Game 4, but can he maintain it? Is this just a flash of brilliance, or the start of many great things to come? One thing's for sure though, Kobe proved that if anyone's going to take the metaphorical torch left behind by Michael Jordan, he has just a good a chance as anyone else.
Kobe has definitely proved himself to me. In Game 4, he reminded me of Michael Jordan when he had the flu in Game 5. He played hurt and carried the team as all great leaders do. He put pain aside and did what he had to do.
Prove his point -- to whom? I think that Kobe Bryant is just trying to actualize his potential as a basketball player. His biggest critic is and always will be himself as is true of every great competitor in any field. The media creates the notion of a "point" but as far as his role goes in proving it, I think that Kobe could care less.
Kobe Bryant has proved that he has moved to another level. Despite the fact that he was not fully healthy, he displayed a game worth to be played in any NBA Finals. Although Kobe had many fouls in the extra time, he did not play scared. He was very aggressive. Without any doubt, Kobe Bryant's fantastic game made the Lakers win Game 4. Thanks Kobe. You proved you are not a star -- but a superstar.
It's scary to think he's only 21. What's he going to be like when he grows up and really learns the game? He's already a superstar.
Kobe is a great young player -- one of the best in the league. He played great in Game 4 considering his ankle injury. But how bad was his injury, really? The media love to over-react to these things. No doubt he played great, but it was one game. To say his game is at another level is jumping the gun. Can he prolong his play and get better with age the way Michael did? I guess we will have to wait and see! Kobe Bryant has a lot more to prove.
I Think , Kobe was incredible in the OT in Game 4. It was like an MJ performance when he clinched his sixth title against the Utah Jazz. I think Kobe can become even a better and more dominating player in 3-4 years, when he is 24-25 years old. Then he could own the league like MJ did before he retired. With Kobe and Shaq in the line-up, the Lakers are gonna be a dynasty. If they keep playing like this, they may win more titles than Michael and Scottie won. It is new generation in this league!
I've liked Kobe since he joined the NBA. At his age, he has the potential to become the next MJ. The only obstacle Kobe had to overcome was establishing a good team around him like Jordan had. I feel that over the next few seasons, the Lakers will develop that team and hopefully, allow Kobe to break Jordan's records.
Kobe's game has come a long way. It was a few years ago when he launched those airballs in the Utah series. In Game 4 he was clutch-hitting those jumpers on a bad ankle. He's learned to pass the ball better and turn his shot creating abilities into assist opportunities. He's still no comparison to MJ, but Kobe is more complete a player at 21 than MJ at 21. Once Kobe establishes a consistent mid-range money shot like MJ's turn-around jumper, he will elevate his status as a great player. If he signs with Nike he will become the next marquee player. Oh yeah -- six rings would help too.
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