There is no questioning Kobe’s desire to win and his work ethic.
But it is that passion that is his greatest strength and weakness. I can see why a competitor like Larry Bird would see this, but there is a hidden message in the quotes.
Bird was on Bill Simmons’ podcast today and had a few things to say on the topics of LeBron James and Kobe. Bird says that James is one of the greatest players to ever play the game and we should just enjoy watching him. He also said that James is the best player in the league right now, but he would not be the player to go in battle with for him.
That person would be the Black Mamba.
“Well, probably Kobe, because of the fact that … well, of course he wouldn’t have been shooting as much as he does now … but his desire to win, his dedication, to always get better, uh, and he’s just, he’s just tough,” Bird told Simmons. “He’s just a tough cat.
“But, if you want to have fun, like I did with Bill Walton, play with LeBron. It would have probably been more fun to play with LeBron, but if you want to win and win and win, it’s Kobe. Not that LeBron’s not a winner, just that [Kobe’s] mindset is to go into every practice, every game, to get better.”
Makes perfect sense what Bird is saying, but the one comment that is interesting is when he says Kobe wouldn’t be shooting as much.
That is where Bird is sorely mistaken.
I don’t care if Kobe was playing with Jesus or Tim Tebow, he was going to shoot and I think there would have been a conflict with Bird.
Kobe would be better off with Magic Johnson than Larry Bird.
What you wonder about Lebron, is if he had a Shaq style player to tag team with in his early years, would he have had titles already?
He has Wade now, but Wade and Lebron aren’t Shaq and Kobe.
Lebron only mission in life should be to win a title, because until them these subtle digs of disrespect will continue.