I wish I could take credit for coming up with this list, but all the credit goes to Mark Grey at PlayersVoice.com.
People overuse the term “hater,” mainly because of their own ignorance and arrogance. People are quick to call someone a “hater” if they simply disagree with their opinion.
The difference between a critic and hater is pretty simple.
A critic gives opinions based on logic and facts; a hater gives opinions based on emotion, jealousy, and envy.
To hate infers you care and you are passionate. If you don’t have a logical reason for your opinion that is what makes you a “hater.” If you’re wishing for someone’s downfall constantly, you are a “hater.”
A good example of this is what is currently going on with the rapper Drake. Men in general hate him with a passion mainly because women like him. The hate stems from jealousy — wondering why they couldn’t go from Degrassi to the biggest hip-hop artist of the summer.
As a wise man told me once if you don’t have “haters,” you are doing something wrong.
With being said here are the Top 7 Kobe Bryant style “Haters.” You can get a full description at Playersvoice.com. I will provide my quick thoughts on each:
1- Michael Jordan Lover
Basically the guy/girl who is constantly saying:
“But he will never be better than Michael Jordan!!!!!”
Failing to understand that most people consider MJ the greatest player of all time, so the fact you even mention Kobe in same breath is a win for Kobe.
Furthermore, if you are striving to be the best ever, you are basically Vince Carter … and no one wants to be Vince Carter, not even Vince.
In the Michael Jordan lover’s eyes, he has no faults. They ignore the seven years it took for him to win a title. They ignore some of the subpar games he had in the playoffs. They ignore that on his greatest shot of all time he blatantly pushed off, while proclaiming the refs gave Kobe his 5th title.
2- Kobe never best player in the league
The guy/girl who likes to remind us about Shaq all the time or that Steve Nash has more MVPs that Kobe.
He has given the title to McGrady, Nash, Wade, Lebron, Durant, etc. over the past decade.
They also seem to conveniently forget that Kobe has been 1st team All-NBA offense and defense numerous times, scoring champ, and (of course) the 5 rings.
3- Casual Fan
The guy/girl who only watches during the playoffs and only repeats the same thing that ESPN says.
Casual fans says things like:
“Paul Pierce is best player in the league, you see him in that Cavs series.”
Basically someone who doesn’t know what the hell they are talking about.
4- Stats Guy
The guy/girl who fancy themselves a basketball expert because they read John Hollinger on the ESPN.com Insider.
They quote obsure stats to try to convince you if Kobe didn’t play for Lakers they would have swept the Celtics.
Stats guys normally ignore the most important stats to point out insignificant ones, like Kobe didn’t make the playoffs one year and Magic made the playoffs every year, so that must make Magic better.
5- History Guy
The guy/girl who likes to throw out old school basketball names like World B. Free, but is only 26 and not old enough to remember watching Magic Johnson play, much less Jerry West. But still tries to explain how all the old school guys are better than Kobe.
Likes to bring up George Mikan a lot.
If you ever want to confuse “History Guy,” ask him how many rounds did Bill Russell have to play to make it to the NBA Finals.
6- Hypocrite Guy
The guy/girl who before the game says he will leave Facebook if Kobe scores 30 against the Celtics, but when he scores 30 will quickly say the 4 turnovers really made it 26.
Quick to point out Kobe’s flaws and ignore the same flaws in his favorite player.
Hypocrite guy is filled with boasts before the game and a million and one excuses afterwards.
Definitely one of the most annoying “haters.”
7- Females Scorned
These are women who hate Kobe simply because his wife is Vanessa Bryant or she thinks he got away with rape in Colorado.
The hate from these women runs so deep that they often become fans of any team the Lakers are playing.
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If I have missed any let me know.