God Damn... I Love Kobe Bryant

From an article I came across today:

Last night, during his post-game presser, five-time Lakers champion Kobe Bryant was calling out Philadelphia sports radio host, Stephen A. Smith. Jokingly asking where he was, and if he was "hiding" from Bryant.

Smith told KLAC, that before the NBA Finals were underway, he had picked the Celtics to win the series against his fellow Philadephian, Kobe Bryant and his Lakers.

"After every game, I would be standing by tunnel where all the medias are at," said Smith. "And after every game, Kobe Bryant would walk down that tunnel, and he would walk up to me... we don't shake hands, but he would give me this look, this same look every night (as if I had done something horrible), and it didn't matter if they won or lost, he would come up to me and say 'So you're still picking the Celtics against my team?' and then he just walk right off. He would always remind me every single game that I picked against him."

Smith said that his sports integrity meant sticking to his original prediction, but he knew deep down, that Kobe Bryant was going to make sure he (Smith) would think twice before picking against Bryant ever again.

On his morning show today, Smith commented, "I'd like my crow fried, please!"

Ruthlessly Good

me: I think I finally understand Kobe Bryant.

Shawn: I dont understand Bryant

and I hate him

I hate the Celtics too

me: there's a reason why you hate him, yes?

Shawn: of course

he is effing good

me: exactly!

Shawn: and he doesnt play for the magic

me: You hate him, because he's good... damn good. Ruthlessly good.

Shawn: yeah but I can't get excited for him getting yet another ring

me: that's the thing... that's what I figured out recently...

Kobe bryant doesn't care if you're excited about him getting another ring

Shawn: of course he doesnt

me: He only cares that He's excited about getting another ring...

and that's all that matters.

Let me find this quote that I ran into about him the other day...

me: ahh, here it is...

".... there was a great post on ESPN's Daily Dime that dissected (Steve) Nash's decision to re-sign with the Suns rather than chase a championship elsewhere. His response to questions was that, for him, the journey is more important than the destination. That the chance to lead and teach young players is more important than chasing around a championship.

Someone related this to Kobe and his response was "Fuck that. Better him than me." No, really. That's what he said. Because chasing a championship is the only thing that matters to Kobe."

this comes from: http://basketbawful.blogspot.com/2010/06/belated-worst-of-night-game-6s-edition.html

Shawn: i wish the magic had that attitude

me: the Magic??? I wish I had that attitude

there's a larger lesson to be learned by the Kobe Bryant's and the Kayne West's of the world

It's all about being "Ruthlessly Good" at what you do. The rest of the world be damned. If you're good at what you do... and you perform... In this day and age, that's all that matters. I'd rather achieve my goals and have the world hate me, instead of it being the other way around.

I get that now.

Shawn: I hear you

me: Anyways... I think you're going to see a new [Williams] in the next few months

A [Williams] that's closer to Kobe Bryant than the smiling, lovable, and ring-less Dwight Howard... hopefully.

Shawn: I heard you put in your notice

me: Yes, Yes I did. That passion project of mine that I've been working on is about to launch...