Kobe Bryant earns first MVP
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PsychoJag
We Run The SWAC
That may be true but who's to say that he wouldn't be the best or at least among the best of the best?
JagHammer
Senior Troll
I agree, but not when one calls me a liar and a fraud. When did this become the smack board? I mean, when talking to this dude it's like I'm talking to a knucklehead. I would hope a man in his thirties would have the tact and reason
to respectfully disagree.
Now I'm not a Kobe hater or a Laker hater. I'm just stating that we can accurately determine Kobe's greatness in his twilight years against other great Lakers, let alone other greats.
Kobe has not shown the leadership qualities that Jordan, Magic, and Bird possessed on the court and in the front office. I mean this man was close to being traded. I understand why though. A team with the Lakers' prestige and pockets should support him with a championship caliber cast. They made the first step in acquiring Gasol.
But far and wide, Kobe deserved the MVP award.
JagHammer
Senior Troll
I beg to differ. Wilt had talent that transcends all time and decades. I mean, what if these cats had the same access to the training of today's athlete?
JagHammer
Senior Troll
979-80 SEASON OVERVIEW
Arrival of Magic and Bird Marks Season of Change
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is hugged by teammates after tallying 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals.
Although the season would forever be known as the year Larry Bird and Earvin "Magic" Johnson entered the league, several other important changes also occurred. The three-point field goal, a popular facet of the ABA game, was adopted by the league. The New Orleans Jazz moved to Salt Lake City and took the unlikely team name of Utah Jazz. And the schedule was altered so that teams faced rivals in their own division more often than teams from other divisions.
But the big story of the season was the arrival of two charismatic and talented rookies, Bird and Johnson, materializing on opposite coasts on the rosters of two of the NBA's most successful franchises. The turnaround in Boston was dramatic. Havlicek had retired after the 1978 season, and Boston went 29-53 in 1979. Along with Bird, the Celtics still had Cowens and third-year forward Cedric Maxwell up front, with Archibald and Chris Ford in the backcourt. The team posted a remarkable 61-21 record, a 32-game improvement. But Philadelphia won 59 games and behind Erving's stellar play, defeated the Celtics in five games to advance to the Finals.
In Los Angeles, the Lakers experienced a little "Magic," as Johnson's enthusiasm seemed to rejuvenate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, propelling the Lakers to 60 wins and a berth in the NBA Finals. With Abdul-Jabbar leading the way and Johnson stepping in for the injured center in the clinching game, the Lakers won the first title of the 1980s in six games.
Magic Johnson is hugged by teammates after tallying 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals.
"IT'S MAGIC!" JOHNSON
Abdul-Jabbar, who hadn't won an NBA title since 1971 with Milwaukee, dominated the NBA Finals as Johnson fed him the ball in all the right spots in the first five games. But Abdul-Jabbar badly twisted an ankle in Game 5, and couldn't make the trip to Philadelphia for Game 6.
The Lakers, figuring they had nothing to lose, came out and played loose in the Spectrum. Jamaal Wilkes enjoyed one of the finest games of his career and finished with 37 points. But the newspapers the next day heralded the only headline possible--"It's Magic!" Johnson, filling in for Abdul-Jabbar as the starting center and eventually playing every position in the court, scored 42 points, added 15 rebounds and seven assists as the Lakers wrapped up the title.
"We know you're hurting, big fella," Johnson said over live television for all America, and Abdul-Jabbar, to hear. "But we want you to get up and do a little dancin' tonight."
Arrival of Magic and Bird Marks Season of Change
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is hugged by teammates after tallying 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals.
Although the season would forever be known as the year Larry Bird and Earvin "Magic" Johnson entered the league, several other important changes also occurred. The three-point field goal, a popular facet of the ABA game, was adopted by the league. The New Orleans Jazz moved to Salt Lake City and took the unlikely team name of Utah Jazz. And the schedule was altered so that teams faced rivals in their own division more often than teams from other divisions.
But the big story of the season was the arrival of two charismatic and talented rookies, Bird and Johnson, materializing on opposite coasts on the rosters of two of the NBA's most successful franchises. The turnaround in Boston was dramatic. Havlicek had retired after the 1978 season, and Boston went 29-53 in 1979. Along with Bird, the Celtics still had Cowens and third-year forward Cedric Maxwell up front, with Archibald and Chris Ford in the backcourt. The team posted a remarkable 61-21 record, a 32-game improvement. But Philadelphia won 59 games and behind Erving's stellar play, defeated the Celtics in five games to advance to the Finals.
In Los Angeles, the Lakers experienced a little "Magic," as Johnson's enthusiasm seemed to rejuvenate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, propelling the Lakers to 60 wins and a berth in the NBA Finals. With Abdul-Jabbar leading the way and Johnson stepping in for the injured center in the clinching game, the Lakers won the first title of the 1980s in six games.
Magic Johnson is hugged by teammates after tallying 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals.
"IT'S MAGIC!" JOHNSON
Abdul-Jabbar, who hadn't won an NBA title since 1971 with Milwaukee, dominated the NBA Finals as Johnson fed him the ball in all the right spots in the first five games. But Abdul-Jabbar badly twisted an ankle in Game 5, and couldn't make the trip to Philadelphia for Game 6.
The Lakers, figuring they had nothing to lose, came out and played loose in the Spectrum. Jamaal Wilkes enjoyed one of the finest games of his career and finished with 37 points. But the newspapers the next day heralded the only headline possible--"It's Magic!" Johnson, filling in for Abdul-Jabbar as the starting center and eventually playing every position in the court, scored 42 points, added 15 rebounds and seven assists as the Lakers wrapped up the title.
"We know you're hurting, big fella," Johnson said over live television for all America, and Abdul-Jabbar, to hear. "But we want you to get up and do a little dancin' tonight."
SUtrp96
HBCU SCREAMING CHAMP 99'
Probably the greatest to come straight out of high school.. That about all I could give him.. Anything else would be like giving kids Christmas 365 days a year..
ToPdOg
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't give him that. After their first 4 years, Lebron is better than Kobe was at that stage in their career.
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