NBA / Jun 4, 2008 / 2:16 pm
Breaking Down the Kobe Bryant / Ray Allen Feud
A lot has been made of the contentious past between Kobe and Ray – the two of them have been asked repeatedly about it by the media this week. In case you need to get caught up on the history between these two, Ball Don’t Lie posted a link to Sonics blog Supersonic Soul that puts together an “Anatomy of a Feud.”
A sampling:
OCTOBER 20, 2004
Bryant allegedly phones Allen and tells him “I’m gonna bust your ass.” Bryant is referring to an upcoming exhibition game between the Sonics and Lakers. Allen denies the phone call ever took place. Bryant does as well, and also adds, “Don’t even put me and dude [Allen] in the same place.”
Check it out the full post HERE.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
shake&bake says:
#1. I hope something starts up between them again. It would only add some more excitement to s series that should be a lot of fun.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
its a good fued. two of my favorite players.
two guys that came out of the THE BEST DRAFT CLASS OF ALL TIME—1996!!
June 4th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
GEE... just do it, do it, do it! says:
shake I agree. That possible phone call was funny. The way Allen has been having a hard time gettin on, I still think Kobe gone feast match-up wise.
This is gonna be one of the best finals in a long time.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
DaPro says:
I knew Kobe was pissed about the comments Ray made about his leadership skills but Ray was dead on with his remarks
I’m expecting Ray to have good series and average at least 19 and showcase his all-around game
Pierce can’t take the match-up personal with Kobe, he’ll be focused especially since he’s playing against his hometown team
KG will ether explode from excitement, kill someone on the court, or go off for a 20-20 statline somewhere in the series
June 4th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Three Stacks says:
Wow Ray totally predicted the whole Kobe fiasco that happened last summer like 4 years ago. It happened EXACTLY like he said it would. That’s a smart dude.
I wonder why no one in the media has brought that up? Isn’t that a good way to add some kindling to the dying feud? How would Kobe react if told by a media guy, “Ray said in 2004 you wouldn’t win a title, realize you’d need help and eventually ask for a trade?”
June 4th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
DaPro says:
Ray is smart dude no question cause he called out exactly how Kobe was gonna react
Side note, Ray negotiated his contract with the Bucks without the help of an agent and still got paid.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
SvCat says:
Without a doubt, Kobe is the superior player…but that doesn’t give anyone the right to throw tantrums and all that BS that Kobe has put Lakers’ management through in the past years. I think Kobe has matured…my respect goes out to Ray Allen for letting his play do the talking. I am looking forward to this Lakers-Celtics matchup…if only we could all go back to the same type of play that defined this rivalry back in the day.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Kudabeen says:
It is amazing that Ray was able to size up the whole LA/Kobe situation before the first season without Shaq and Phil took place. Kobe had a right to be upset, but people usually are when they are exposed.
I love his game and his development as a leader, but Kobe was soo arrogant in those years. It wasn’t just Ray calling him on that. Phil Jax called him out, Shaq called him out, Barkley called him out, etc. The funny thing is at the same time those same guys praised his abilities and possibilities to become the guy he is today. Kobe just let arrogance and pride hold him back.
I don’t like getting into player’s personal lives to prove bball points, but I look at how Kobe went something like a year without talking to his parents, because they felt he wasn’t ready to get married to whom he was marrying. Two years or so later dude is in Colorado pluggin’ an average looking hotel chick. Why? Maybe he wasn’t ready for the commitment…
Either way. He is who he is. I want to see Ray get agressive. I wish I could find that utah game from like 2003 or 2004, but Ray was pissed about something. He went to the rack like a mad man a few time. He was out for blood. I think he had like 37 or 47 points that game. I don’t remember what set him off, but he was going at Utah. Always made me wonder about guys like him, vince, T-mac, Carmello, Dirk and maybe KG.
They are so good that they can be All-stars (money, fame, etc) without mentally going to war out there. They can get their numbers on auto-pilot. They have these certain games that let us all know that the dominance is there, but they just don’t have the desire to be ‘That Dude’ consistently.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Big Freeze says:
Damn, Ray’s new nickname is Nostradamus:
After an exhibition game against the Blazers, Allen questions Kobe Bryant’s leadership skills to reporters, especially in light of the recently departed Shaquille O’Neal. “He feels like he needs to show this league and the people in this country that he is better without Shaq,” Allen says. “He can win championships without Shaq. So offensively, he’s going to jump out and say, ‘I can average 30 points. I can still carry the load on this team.’ If Kobe doesn’t see he needs two and a half good players to be a legitimate playoff contender or win a championship, in about a year or two he’ll be calling out to Jerry Buss that ‘We need some help in here,’ or ‘Trade me.’ And we’ll all be saying, ‘I told you so,’ when he says that.”
June 4th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Kudabeen says:
Haven’t found the game I was talking about yet, but I did see this other game against Utah where Ray dropped 54 on them last year. When his J is going it is a wrap…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzw_SUvLq4A
June 4th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
DaPro says:
DOn’t forget about the game where Ray was voted to play on the Olympic team over Vince
Vince took it personal and went at Ray hard and ended up breaking his nose
Ray left the game briefly and came back to make it rain on Vince and shutting down any nonsense about who should have been selected
Ray first 3 or 4 seasons he never missed a game
June 4th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
FYI everyone
(I am a Kobe fan)
Ray called it, but all of us who were watching basketball at the time knew that he would do that.
Dude was soft then, and he’s still soft, if his team starts losing next year, guess what Kobe will do?
Find someone to blame and start talking all kinds of mess. I love Kobes skill and passion for the game, but dude is SUPER soft!
June 4th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
nowwhatyo says:
Ray Allen —> Finals MVP!!
Ray has had such a bad year for him and so far it’s continued through these playoffs. The Haters say he just doesn’t have it anymore. The world expects Kobe to demolish Ray and make him a non-factor. What better way to give the Haters a big FU then by coming out in the finals and killing it?!?! I dunno if it’s possible, but i for one, would love to see it!
June 4th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Kudabeen says:
This is the game:
December 1, 2004 – Ray goes 17-19 from the line on his way to a 38 point game. He was as aggressive attacking as I’ve ever seen him. This was the second most he went to the line in his career.
Crazy what you find when you look for other things. 1997 Slam Dunk contest…kinda sucked, but Kobe and Ray Allen was in it…check Dekembe and the crowds faces when Ray dunks…LOL. Not fair because this dunk contest was one of the worst…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93I1ivPThpM&feature=related
June 4th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
DaPro says:
Kuda, I remember that wack azz contest
Kobe sucked too in that contest, it was one of the worst dunk contest ever
Ray is one of only two players to participate in the 3 pt and dunk contest
Ray is still nice, always been a fan of his game
June 4th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
jimmhumm says:
Shaq once mentioned the two and a few others as the next great players I hope they prove it on the court. No invisible ray. No passive Kobe. I want to see blood.
June 4th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Kudabeen says:
Question:
Who would you guys say are the top players that could compete in a 3pt contest and dunk contest?
I Have JR Smith, Vince Carter, and Kobe (1997 not withstanding).
Tough to really dig for these guys…Ray Allen had the athleticism , but not the aggressive nature to punch it down.
Who else?
Mike Finley?? Kevin Johnson?? young Mitch Richmond??
way out there pick… JR Giddens… sick athlete
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOq7hvULlfY
June 4th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Chuck that’s about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
Kobe was an is soft?!
First of all, he’s playing with a torn ligament in his finger. 2nd anyone in the league will tell you Kobe is the baddest dude on the planet and No One goes harder than he does.
He wasn’t blaming anyone for losing, he demanded a trade because the front office led him to believe they would get him some help so they could compete and didn’t.
You love kobe’s skill and passion? You’re retarded homie and def not a Kobe fan…
June 4th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
2 Easy says:
LMAO Nostradamus. Thats great. But damn we all knew it would blow up in Kobe’s face but to predict it this accurately is creepy. I hope this feud only sparks some great ball cause when Ray’s on he is unguardable and seein as the C’s have 3 players who are like that while the Lakers only have the 1, this is gonna prove to be interesting. I cant wait for tomorrow, I feel like its Christmas Eve right now lol. I wonder whose gonna be the announce team, Im praying for Mark Jackson, Van Gundy and Breen they are one of the best announce teams Ive ever heard mainly because they are unbelievably entertaining and knowledgeable
June 4th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Yoooo says:
Breen & Jackson are TERRIBLE… Mark Jackson monotone ass needs to go coach cuz im tired of hearing him on TV. Nigga sound like a robot.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Chuck says:
@MaxwestcoastRep
Dude ratted on his teamattes for cheating on the road!!!
Dude are you serious????
His passion for the game makes him play wit torn ligaments!
But as Youngfed would say, his b*tcha*sness makes him snitch on his teammates for cheating when HE gets caught!
Kobe is the most skilled player in the game, but YES, dude is a chump!
Not to mention the way he did bynum for no good reason. chump, chump, chump!!!
June 4th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Rokski says:
why cant we just enjoy the game and the match ups…do we really need all of the bs gossip….worse than females
June 4th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
DaPro says:
Celts take game one in OT 97-92
KObe goes for 32 but shoots under 44 percent
The Big 3 lives by the name and steps up for 73 points
June 4th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Big V says:
Ray is the man!!!!
June 4th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
word says:
yea i read the shit started when ray dissed kobe after shaq left saying kobe will be more selfish and have to prove he can win without shaq
i agree with ray, dude shoots too much
June 5th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Ludwig says:
Hey Dime. I’m not sure where I saw it, maybe it was a local thing here in socal, but I did see a piece where Kobe said he went up to Ray during a preseason game in Ray’s last run as a Sonic and kinda talked things out to sorta make peace. I don’t remember where I saw it, but I know I’m not the only one either.
June 5th, 2008 at 3:39 am
knocks says:
One of my favorite memories of this Kobe-Ray Allen feud:
I’m not exactly sure when this game that I’m talking about took place. But I know that Ray was at Seattle and I’m pretty sure Kobe was without Shaq. Kobe was taking it hard and scoring from everywhere. Ray was giving it right back to Kobe too, though. And this is “young Ray” we’re talking about here, so he’s taking it to the hole…hitting midrange jumpers…just playing “franchise-aggressive”.
Anyways, both of these dudes are getting physical defensively, guarding each other…getting a little heated. On one Sonics possession, Ray gets the ball around the top of the key and dribbles left along the 3-point arc–Kobe all up in his face. Ray dribbles hard left as if he’s taking it to the basket, gives a quick jab step, steps back and shoots a quick-release 3 pointer. Here’s the part I LOVE:
As soon as he releases his shot….ball still rising up into the air…Ray yells, “BIIIIIIIIAAATTTTCHHHHH!!!!” Swoosh….All net.
I looked all over YouTube for that….never could find it.
No one else remembers this???