NBA: Kobe hits 50 for the third game in a row
 

Four minutes left in the fourth (albeit vs Memphis) and Kobe has 55.

Yes people hate him but this is pretty fucking impressive even considering he's done it vs Milwaukee, Portland and Memphis.

When he is in the zone there is no one better.

Very impressive. No one can deny how good he is.

Didn't Iverson run off a bunch of 50+ games towards the end of his rookie year?

Ends up with 60. So thats a 65 point game, then 50 and now 60.

That's probably raised his ppg by 1.5 points in the past 3 days.

*sigh*

Now if the Lakers could only get better players

QFT

No

Iverson had back to back 50 point games.

Not in his rookie year he didn't

Not 50+, 40+.

4/7/97, 44pt vs Chi
4/9/97, 40pt vs Atl
4/11/97, 44 vs Mil
4/12/97, 50 vs. Cle
4/14/97, 40 vs. Wsh

That picture is freaking awesome.

You know what i notice about that picture.. That at least 2 of his teammates are wide open

Kobe's taking the team on his shoulders. Would you rather have Kobe going to the rim contested, or passing it off to Kwame Brown for a 10 footer? I'll take Kobe making the shot or getting fouled.

For a second I read that as 'uncontested,' and I was about to say "Um...Karl?"

Then I realized I just need to go to sleep.

Ya, he should share the ball more with his less talented teammates so their feelings won't be hurt.

I understand the "ball hog" angle in a 5th grade YMCA league, but no so much here.

Yeah pass when you are two feet from the fucking basket.

GOOD OBSERVATION COACH WOODEN.

The Kobe Haters amuse me...

You should pass the ball to the two dumb-dumbs that are only wide open because you're in the air about to MAKE A BASKET.

I can only assume that those of us who hate Kobe but couldn't care less whether he passes the ball in that situation (or any other) are not as consistent a source of amusement for you ;)

Well.. I should say.. The Kobe Haters that make up reasons to hate him amuse me...

There are legitimate reasons to hate on Kobe, why grasp for things that aren't there?

I don't like him so much as a person, but Kobe is a hell of a player, in my mind the closest thing to a Jordan in the league today.. If he had a Pippen to run with, there wouldn't be so much of a need for him to put the team on his back like this.. But I think with all great players, there comes a time when they just say "To hell with it, I'm gonna will this team to win, because I'm the only one who can." And the thing that makes him great is that when he does this, he does it. He doesn't often choke when the pressure is on.

My mistake...thanks.

I don't like Kobe, but I think he has raised his game this year to its most impressive level, flailing arms notwithstanding.

Though when he had Shaq on his team, he still put the team on his back. Kobe is an amazing talent though.

You know what I notice? Some guys can't win for trying. And some people will despise others no matter what they see and hear.

BTW, a couple things I see in the picture. Kobe is open, too. And about a foot from the basket. With no one with a chance to reach him before he scores. And the reason there is a crowd behind him (and the players open) is because of something called help defense (although I don't think coaches will be showing this picture in any how-tos).

Good job Kobe, your lakers are now only 16 games out of 1st!

Oy...Is Kobe the NBA's version of Tom Brady on this board, or what?

Kobe can't win squat without Shaq.

Hell, this is Kobe's wet dream. He wanted to be "the man", well now he is except he won't be getting any more rings.

You're thinking of Steve Nash.

44 going into the 4th quarter tonight.

Kobe just hit 50...

Woot, way to pile on teams out of playoff contention baby! Good scoring feat though.....It wouldn't suprise me to see him go for 50 4 more games in a row, and the teams the Lakers play either suck or don't play defense.

The Hornets are in playoff contention. If you consider the 8th seed in the west the playoffs as opposed to Dallas' sacrificial play toy.

Eh, i meant on the cusp of playoff contention. Regardless if a team is 6-8 games under .500, they really won't do crap in the playoffs anyways.

eh, didn't notice houston on there at first.... Will be interesting to see what he does there, as he should easily drop 50 on the griz and warriors if he wants too.

No way JVG lets him get 50 on us...

Why are you bringing up Bron in a Kobe thread?

I do like the phrase "Dallas' sacrificial play toy". Fun use of the language :)

SI

That is just insane. Regardless if the opposing team is in playoff contention or not, for him to score 50 points in four consecutive games... that's just ridiculous.

What makes it more special is that it's Kobe's teammates who are actually giving him the opportunity to score all those points. Lamar Odom and Luke Walton are giving him great passes, and Phil Jackson is really just letting Kobe take over (which, after the near-collapse of the Lakers after the all-star break, is a no-brainer)

And it's not like Kobe's forcing the shots (ala 76ers era Iverson)... his FG% these past four games is simply an indication that he IS getting great looks on the court, either due to his skill or due to his teammate's just finding ways to give him the ball (I sincerely doubt any opposing NBA Team/Player/Coach would willingly give Kobe the chance to drop 50 on them... playoff contender or not)

Mar. 16 vs Por - 65 points, 59% fg shooting, 66.7% 3pt
Mar. 18 vs Min - 50 points, 48.8% fg shooting, 44.4% 3pt
Mar. 22 vs Mem - 60 points, 54.1% fg shooting, 42.9% 3pt
Mar. 23 vs. NOK - 50 points, 55.2% fg shooting, 40% 3pt


In four games: 225 points, 76/140 fg (54.3%), 17/33 3pt (51.5%), 56/60 ft (93.3%), 6.25 rpg, 2.75 apg, 2 topg.

The guy even has the time to dish out 2.75 assists a game... AND keep a respectable ATO ratio for his position (and the number of times he gets possesion of the ball)...

edit, added:

Odom is playing great as well, and Walton (since coming back) has just had one job to do... get the ball to Kobe.

Odom's numbers the last four games:

Mar. 16 vs Por - 15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 50% fg
Mar. 18 vs Min - 16 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 58.3% fg
Mar. 22 vs Mem - 20 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 66.7% fg
Mar. 23 vs. NOK - 15 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 66.7 fg

Walton's numbers:

Mar. 18 vs Min - 10 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, 44% fg
Mar. 22 vs Mem - 11 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 57.1% fg
Mar. 23 vs. NOK - 13 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 30% fg


That's just insane.

you'd think if he's going to ballhog he'd at least go for Zero assists instead of getting a huge 1.

Sounds like Chubby has a namesake for Kobe.

I don't understand the hate. It is about winning basketball games. The Lakers lost 7 straight games, Kobe decides to score more and now they've won 4 straight. If Kobe scoring 50+ per game = win, then I'm all for it.

Me thinks that has more to do with the competition than Kobe dropping 50 each game.

Yup, you got it figured. I mean, Kobe was fortunate to play the four worst teams in NBA history in a row, so he could score his 50. Oh what they're not the four worst ever? Don't they have to be? If they're actually like other normal bad NBA teams, wouldn't someone else besides Wilt Chamberlain have done this in over 60 years?

So they're the worst ever, then, right? I mean, no one would have the gall to see that Kobe is good or nothing, would they?

Wow, Kobe is god. He's better than Jordan. He's so good he'll carry the team to a title by himself. He doesn't need Shaq, he's Kobe!

Hahaha, pass the koolaid.

Why are you guys wasting your time debating this guy?

I am not, have never been, nor will ever be a fan of Kobe. But the show he is putting on now is absolutely remarkable and as long as his team is still winning, he should be commended for putting the team on his back.

:: runs to take a shower ::

On the offensive side of the ball, Jordan V. Kobe is a very reasonable debate. (Jordan obviously still far better all around)

Umm, reading comprehension. You're the one who said it was all the competition, wiseguy. Think before you respond. The only ridiculous statements being made here (Kobe had nothing to do with his streak) are by you.