The NBA’s Most Intense Competitor
KB24 (photo. Mannion)Kobe made an appearance on the Dan Patrick show today, and spent a good deal of time talking about his favorite subject: the challenge of locking down the opponent’s best player.
Bryant said that he’s really into the challenge of shutting down opposing stars. Dan asked Kobe to share what he tries to do against these guys. “I’m not giving away my strategies,” Kobe said. But Kobe did say make sure you don’t give them easy looks and let them get into a rhythm.
We’ve definitely heard this from Kobe before. Before facing off against Venezuela in international competition, Mamba basically locked himself in a room with tapes of Greivis Vasquez so that he’d know what the young guard would do before he did it. But Kobe’s emphasis on strapping up on D is still a fairly new mission.
I’m not sure when he took this personal oath to menace the opposition’s best player. It’s almost as though after proving that he was the most capable scorer in the League, he sought out another way to dominate and demoralize his competition. It’s embarrassing to get scored on, but it’s truly frustrating to be held in check. Thus, stopping someone from getting theirs is in many ways a greater moral victory than hanging 30-plus on them.
For the last six months, we’ve really only seen the smiling, composed, polished Kobe. Aside from a back-and-forth game against Spain, the U.S. had a fairly easy path to gold. No need for the tiger to come out of its cage there. Since then, he’s led the Lakers to a 35-8 record – the best in the West since day one. That makes it much easier to keep the fire under control. But no matter what Kobe says during post-game interviews, he still seems like he’s within arms reach of snapping and bringing back talks of how you’ve either got to get on the train or get run the fuck over.
Even if he doesn’t show it by pulling his jersey aside and pounding on his heart like he did a couple years back, Kobe is still one of the most intense competitors in the game. But in the grown-man phase of his career, that intensity pumps through his veins without needing to gesticulate and demonstrate wildly.
Like Kobe ‘09, that quiet ember burns inside both Tim Duncan and Chris Paul. They’re undoubtedly intense competitors, but they don’t show it like Kevin Garnett or even Chris Bosh does.
Who do you think is the most intense competitor in the NBA today?
January 26th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
F.L.A.S.H. says:
tim thomas
January 26th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Lebron!
January 26th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
LakeShow84 says:
I never see Lebron smiling and i hear he locks himself in the gym all day shooting FT’s and workin on his Jumper!!
January 26th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
bubba wetshorts says:
chris kamen. a monster.
January 26th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
“But no matter what Kobe says during post-game interviews, he still seems like he’s within arms reach of snapping and bringing back talks of how you’ve either got to get on the train or get run the fuck over”.
That’s still true…
Kobe has always been a good defender, it’s just that now he doesn’t have to score as much, so he can turn his attention to the defense more so besides, when he’s locking down the opposition it just allows me to sit back and enjoy all the hate cause he has found a new way to be hated on!!!
“It’s almost as though after proving that he was the most capable scorer in the League, he sought out another way to dominate and demoralize his competition. It’s embarrassing to get scored on, but it’s truly frustrating to be held in check. Thus, stopping someone from getting theirs is in many ways a greater moral victory than hanging 30-plus on them”.
Well put
January 26th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
bubba wetshorts says:
or maybe juwan howard
January 26th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
bubba wetshorts says:
lamar odom (LMFAO)
January 26th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
LakeShow84 says:
“I never see Lebron smiling and i hear he locks himself in the gym all day shooting FT’s and workin on his Jumper!!”
With his broke ass jumper and his not so clutch free throws, his punk ass needs to…
This is the reason that he’s so far behind Kobe, well besides the defense!
January 26th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Grand kid says:
My grandpa Brian Scalabrine, the 2008 Finals MVP
January 26th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Jermaine Oneal
January 26th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Dodge Taylor says:
Credit where credit is due to Kobe for continuing to work on developing an all-around game rather than just relying on his offense. To truly be one of the greatest, you have to dominate the game at both ends of the court.
The funny thing is … remember Kobe in training camp as a rookie? I’ll never forget the quote from Lakers assistant coach Michael Cooper, “Kobe couldn’t defend a mannequin” (or words to that effect).
He’s certainly come a long way
January 26th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Lee says:
Big baby .. so intense he cried !!! Ewing always looked like he was about to rip someone’s head off !!
Yao ming needs to start drinking with Artest !!!
January 26th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
GEE...P.T.I. Pardon the Illness says:
Kobe has it hands down but then…
If he didn’t retire I would say Mourning.
Sometimes KG’s intensity comes off as fake. Still I would say he is intense.
Right now I would say A.I. after Kobe. Even in looking at him cheer his team on last night, you knew he really wanted to be out there.
January 26th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
OptimusPrizime says:
I f*cking hate the Celtics, but how can u not say Garnett. The guy is the definition of intensity, intimidation, and effort. Watching him play live is borderline terrifying
January 26th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
AY says:
i’ll take some alonzo mourning over kobe anyday
January 26th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Big Sia says:
LOL @ BOSH
Easily Kobe and Lebron right now
January 26th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
the rocket cat says:
I don’t know if he’s the most intense, but Jose Calderon is fucking intense. He’s fired up on the court. He’s fired up on the bench. He’s fired up when injured. He clearly works hard (see improved shooting range and free-throw percentage). He doesn’t back down against guys twice his size (see Kevin Garnett).
January 26th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Leandro says:
Kevin Garnett, no doubt. The guy just hates to lose.
January 26th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Stu Feiner says:
How about Kobe squandering a 24 points lead in the finals, at home! OR when he throws a fit and only shoots the ball twice to stick it to people who say he’s a ball hog.
Do you think LeBron would every pull a stunt like that? I don’t think so. And then you gotta look at the stacks.
Lebron has more points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, steals per game, and blocks per game.
And everyone will say Kobe does a better job of shutting down the guy he’s guarding. But certainly LeBron has done better shutting down opponents like All-Stars Danny Granger and Paul Pierce.
LeBron tracks people down from a mile away and sends their shit packin. No one else in the league tracks people down like that.
Most Intense: LeBron. Hands down man’s down. It’s not even close. C’mon Dime get with it.
January 26th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
GEE...P.T.I. Pardon the Illness says:
All intense team.
Chris Paul – Media has done reports about how bad dude hates to lose.
Kobe – The master of the mind when it comes to the game.
LeBron – When he locks in know some things spectacular are coming.
K.G. – Been over the top since he came in the L, now he just has a ring to increase it.
Duncan – Stone cold killer and ninja quiet about it. No tellin the thoughts of how he would take out J. Crawford.
Honorable Mention. Shaq. He has calm down with age, but when he feels disrespected…ut oh. Allen Iverson. Basically a little Zo.
January 26th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Dime Magazine says:
Gee – nicely done.
- AK
January 26th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
richard from cleveland says:
Yea gee did jus put the whole list up great job brotha… But I would think gilbert arenas before this year how he jus tries to kill everybody who snubs him somehow…
January 26th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
GEE...P.T.I. Pardon the Illness says:
AK preshate it, you too richard.
I am feeling that about Gil. It will be interesting to see how much more or less the injury has done with him.
January 26th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Jay says:
Didn’t look like a “grown man” when he was doing the (premature) big balls dance during the Spurs game.
January 26th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
A-Slam says:
@Jay, not only that, but also overrated in the clutch.
January 26th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Big Al says:
Kevin Garnett. I dont get a chance to watch many games, so i may be completely wrong, but i dont think any one can beat KG’s intensity. I mean, the dude was about ready to go insane in Minnesota when they could never quite make it.
January 26th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
AB_40 says:
rasheed. when mad and or really anoyed by another player not the refs.
he played medvedenko out of that nba finals when medv hit him in the head haha 18 and 9 in the seccond half but a really really terrifying combination of well all his skills and motivation… WOW
most intense = KG and or Tim Duncan and Pau Gasol(when he plays for Spain that is haha)
January 26th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
gigi says:
its still alonzo morning. that guy was just too much. like relax ok your shot when in, now get back. thats exactly why i didnt like dude.
January 26th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
N T says:
T MAC!!!!!!!!!
January 26th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Lol Stu Feiner
Get over it..
better yet go get a dog lol
And yeah what does everyone in THE WHOLE WORLD know Stu Feiner?? you seem to be able to dig DEEP into the bball world and see things no one else can! Lebron is the king of D 2!
Sho u right!
Like a sixth bball sense!
January 26th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
mules says:
Mark Madsen….dude is psycho
January 26th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
j says:
In a couple of years your gonna know it is jerryd bayless, he is a fiery little fucker
January 26th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Stu Feiner says:
Was anything I said false? Intensity is like the dudes at the rec wearin Champion shorts and a cut-off Russel moisture wicking tee, who run around like crazy, are always on your balls, have absolutely no offense but somehow sweat more than anyone on the court, and you hear people say “man that guy can play.”
Kobe’s big ball dance looked pretty intense. Real intense. And like my man A-Slam says, way overrated in the clutch. Shit if you take 25 buzzer beaters a season you’re bound to hit one or two, get in a fist pump and look like a superstar.
Garnett looked pretty intense too last year in the second round when LeBron brought the house down on him and he pushed him after the dunk like a little bitch. But, I guess bein a bitch might be another word for intense, so there ya go.
I like when Garnett talks to the pad and starts punchin it before the game and starts pounding his chest while yelling “let’s go motha fucka!” So intense, so classy, but SO intense. He was so intense he never got to a finals in Minnesota, that’s how intense he was.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Celts Fan says:
It’s KG and it’s not a question. There is no arguing this, only for 2nd. The man is completely out of his goddamn mind.
January 27th, 2009 at 12:08 am
LakeShow84 says:
LOL i aint got no words for ya Stuey..
You right.. What does Kobe’s 20-30 something game winning SHOTS (not layups) justify anyways?? hes straight immature when he hits those shots.. that whole big ball dance was straight stupid.. no intensity at all i guess thats why he did it.. And dont forget if Lebron dunks on you YOU cant be inense right Stuey??
This is my entertainment for the day i usually just blog at work but this is pure comedy..
You know how you can tell Lebron isnt so much of a epicenter for intensity?? its taken FEMALES talking shit to him for him to get his team a win.. other than that they wouldve lost both those games.. all i can tell you to do is read a book because you seem pretty damn retarded to me when it comes to bball talk lololol.. same to A-Slam.. lol you guys think Lebron is the best defender because he has good HELP defense?? LOL you guys think Lebron is clutch because he drives to the rim “like a man” and pusses out at the shot?? LOL you think Lebron is the best because he jumps the highest and pats his teammates on the ass??
All in all it didnt ANYONE clutch SIX WHOLE F’in years to finally hit a game winning jumper against a bottom feeding team..
LOLOLOLOL you guys are so cute..
Ahem but you right Kobe is way overrated in the clutch and KG is in no way intense..
January 27th, 2009 at 12:39 am
FoolsGold says:
Lebron, really? Is that why he sat out 5 games last year for injuring a finger on his NON-SHOOTING HAND? Let’s see, how many games did Kobe miss after tearing a ligament in his right pinky last year and dislocating his ring finger in his shooting hand this last week? ZERO FRIEKEN MINUTES. don’t compare lebron, he’s more concerned with his hype and stats
January 27th, 2009 at 1:23 am
doc says:
How can u say Kobe more intense than dudes like Reggie Evans who is in the league because of intensity.Yall got skills and intensity mixed up.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Stu Feiner says:
I gave you the stacks, haven’t heard a response back about those…
January 27th, 2009 at 1:35 am
Stu Feiner says:
Couldn’t have said it any better Doc.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Amar says:
coach: pat riley
trainer: that jacked australian dude on the nuggets staff with the dreds
mascot: jazz bear
bench warmer: nick collison
guy out of the league that should be on the bench: dee brown
evil genius: karl rove
fictional character: darth vader
random african warlord: Charles Taylor
big chested girl: priya rai
January 27th, 2009 at 4:02 am
A-Slam says:
yeah and kobe’s more concerned with jumping over moving cars and making unfunny commercials. He can play all he wants with his fucked up fingers, I’d be smittened by the fact that Kobe goes into the playoffs with his fingers sore! So he can shoot terribly again in the finals!
January 27th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Lee says:
I’d say Jeff Van gundy .. remember him hanging onto Alonzo’s leg for dear life !!!
January 27th, 2009 at 6:27 am
Hey, Jugs from Timbuktu says:
hey hey big Jugs here to add my choice yes yes
my nba most fierce competitor is eric snow har har har
January 27th, 2009 at 6:34 am
vago says:
most intense?? Ronny Turiaf…
January 27th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Psycho T says:
….What about ME?!!!
January 27th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Mike says:
Nate Robinson
January 27th, 2009 at 11:30 am
vinny says:
Garnett, followed by nate robinson-who’s a little crazy at times.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:49 am
wiz says:
Does D”Ring”Wade ring any bells. I swear sometimes you forget he’s in the league. What he’s doing this year is like Gil’s 07. With a lesser team. Coaches get C.O.Y. for winning when it seems impossible. He didn’t just win the ring because of Shaq. He’s like a Bigger A.I. that does like to practice. Lebron is a better all around player than Wade but not more clutch or intense. His game may not be pretty but I’ll sure take the results. Yes he’s leading the league in scoring and beating some pretty good teams. Him alone on any of the top half teams and championship is guarantee. Hawks,Magic,Hornets. This guy is a monster and deserves way more credit. Chip in his 3rd year and ask Skip and L.O. about this man. Could of went to the chip his 1st year. INTENSE. 09 post surgery. Deserves consideration for MVP. No Ginobli Parker and Duncan not as Great. No pippen MJ doesn’t get 6 rings along with all the other pieces. To win it takes a lot. GM,Owner,Coach,role players etc. You have to be fortunate to get a chance at even making the playoffs let alone going and winning the finals. Losing Teams don’t make great players bad. Winning Teams seem to make role players seem good. T.Lue case in point.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
tjack says:
I usually don’t like to comment on this site, but all you Kobe haters need to shut your mouths now. you need to just recognize that if you work hard on your craft day in and day out, you have the fricking right to be confident. it’s mind-boggling to me that people just can’t respect Kobe for his talent and work ethic. just some haters. just because some of you probably have never worked that hard in your life, you just feel inclined to hate. to all my laker faithfuls and people on this site that ch sit back and appreciate work ethic and talent, thank you.
kg is one of those types of people who act like they are so hard but when they are in a fight, get knocked out by some awkward looking cat. you can tell that he pulls that stuff with the mild-mannered, weak type of players in the league.
lebron is good, but he still has to work more on his jumper, freethrows and defense.
that’s all I got.
January 27th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
karizmatic says:
Lebron
January 27th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ post 49
feel free to ignore post 41 and 33 I think. A-Slam played himself last week when he claimed he’d rather have a “man” go to the hole rather than develop a jumpshot
and accordin to Stuey Griffin, if you hit a big shot at crunchtime and get excited, then you’re not intense….yeah, so accordingly, MJ’s not intense cuz he put that jumper on Craig Ehlo then jumped up 4 feet and swung his fist in celebration.
Where do these clowns come from? even kobe playin with damaged fingers ain’t tough, it’s just him bein a bitch somehow. The more you clowns rip Kobe, the more ridiculous you look. Thanks for the laugh break tho.
January 27th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
A-Slam says:
K Dizzle you can call anyone Kobe haters as much as you want, but the fact is there’s way more Kobe dick-suckers than haters out there.