Why Kobe Bryant is the Most Hated (or) Loved Player in NBA History
Every basketball fan has an opinion about Kobe Bryant. Last week, a friend on my Facebook page came up with a pseudoscientific equation to explain why he hated Bryant so much. On the same day, Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Wayne released a tribute song that celebrated Bryant’s court domination during the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Let’s face it, Bryant could win the NBA championship every season until he retires and still go down in history as the Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly of the NBA. He’s definitely the player you love to hate, or follow into a manhole (no pun intended). There are several reasons Bryant is the most polarizing figure to ever play in the NBA.
–amir shaw
Arrogance vs. Accuracy: There’s an art to annihilating an opponent’s will before the game or big event. Sports greats such as Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, or even a political figure such as President Barack Obama all had or have the ability to intimidate their opponents with sheer self-confidence. To many, Kobe Bryant often demolishes the line that separates self-confidence from vanity. At times, Bryant’s obsessive desire to prove that he is better than everyone suggests that his self-confidence derives from past insecurities (à la Kanye West). However, Bryant’s achievements (three NBA titles, an MVP award, two-time scoring champ, 11-time NBA All-Star) may be enough to prove that he is accurate, not arrogant, about his place in NBA history.
2003 vs. 2006: In 2003, Kobe Bryant was in danger of seeing his entire career destroyed after being charged with rape in Colorado. But Bryant may have gained more detractors by telling the police how ex-teammate Shaquille O’Neal paid women to have sex with him. After the criminal charges were dropped in 2005, Bryant had one of the best individual seasons ever. He torched the Toronto Raptors for 81 points, scored 62 points in three quarters against the Dallas Mavericks, scored 45 points or more in four consecutive games, and averaged a league best 35.4 points per game. Although Bryant’s numbers were superior to others in the league, Steve Nash still walked away with the MVP award that year. Kobe lovers were angered by the league’s oversight and had more reason to root for Bryant, who was adjusting to life after Shaq.
The Player vs. The Person: We all have an idea of what Kobe Bryant can do on the court, but very few people know who he really is once he takes off that No. 24 Los Angeles Lakers jersey. Bryant has done a masterful job of playing the villain on the hardwood. But until he cares to prove that his game face turns off after 48 minutes of play, he will continue to be the most hated-loved character in the NBA this side of Anton Chigurh.
